RANK #762 / 1001 NAT · #9 / 21 WA · POP 62,161
1YR FORECAST: -0.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
Walla Walla County, in southeastern Washington, is known for its distinctive wine country, boasting over 120 wineries that have earned national and international recognition. The county seat, Walla Walla, is approximately a four-hour drive from Seattle, Portland, or Boise. The community maintains a small-town atmosphere, with a revitalized downtown featuring shops, restaurants, and art galleries. The landscape includes rolling wheat fields, vineyards, and the nearby Blue Mountains, offering opportunities for outdoor recreation like hiking, biking, and fishing in rivers and lakes. Bennington Lake, near town, provides trails for various cycling levels.
Life in Walla Walla County offers a blend of small-town charm and access to educational institutions, including Whitman College, Walla Walla University, and Walla Walla Community College. The public school system is considered above average. Commute times within the main city of Walla Walla are generally short. While agriculture, particularly wheat, sweet onions, and wine grapes, remains a significant part of the economy, the county has seen growth in tourism and service industries. Economic development efforts also focus on retaining and creating jobs, with some investment flowing into sectors like renewable energy.
Walla Walla County is one of 78 U.S. counties in this market profile — near the profile average on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +1.3% runs above the profile's typical -0.8%.
See all 78 Western Premium Correction counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks overvalued at 15.2x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Wallula Gap Data Center Campus
Amazon Data Services, Inc. (formerly Advance Phase LLC)
|
$5,000M | Proposed |
|
Walla Walla Solar Farm (Australia)
Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) Australia
|
$300M | Completed |
|
Stateline Wind Project
Florida Power & Light (NextEra Energy)
|
$300M | Operating |
|
Walla Walla County Bridge Replacements & Road Improvements
Walla Walla County
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Hayden Homes Residential Developments (Harvey Ranch Estates, Iron Gate Estates, The Equinox)
Hayden Homes
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 23/100, Walla Walla County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $74,202 combined with job growth of -2.6% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Walla Walla County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $408,900 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.18 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,218/month on average.
Walla Walla County's job market is contracting (-2.6% YoY) while population is roughly stable (+0.1% change). Home values are +1.3% over the past 12 months. Hiring headwinds without an offsetting exodus — residents are staying, but local employers are shedding payroll.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.87% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Walla Walla County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.