RANK #739 / 996 · POP 538,711 · WA
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.2%
Spokane County, located in eastern Washington, is distinguished by the Spokane River, which flows through its heart and features urban waterfalls. The county seat, Spokane, is about 280 miles east of Seattle and 20 miles west of the Idaho border. This proximity to natural landscapes provides residents with access to outdoor recreation, including hiking, biking, rafting, kayaking, and skiing, with notable areas like Riverfront Park and Mount Spokane. Commute options within the county include carpooling, public transit, and vanpooling. Several school districts serve the area, including Spokane Public Schools.
Life in Spokane County offers a blend of urban amenities and outdoor access. The economy, historically rooted in natural resources and a railroad hub, has seen recent growth in various sectors. Major investments are now flowing into areas like health care and social assistance, government, retail trade, and professional, scientific, and technical services. This economic evolution contributes to a changing demographic, attracting a mix of families and individuals seeking opportunities in a region with a growing population.
Above national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.7x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Two New Data Centers (Tax Exemption Legislation)
Undisclosed (potentially Microsoft, Avista)
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Wheatland Wind Project
Cordelio Power
|
$150M | Proposed |
|
Spokane Valley 2026 Capital Expenditures (Infrastructure)
City of Spokane Valley
|
$48M | Planned |
|
Kaiser Aluminum Expansion
Kaiser Aluminum
|
$25M | Completed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Spokane County has a Boom Town Index score of 26/100, ranking #739 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.7% and a median household income of $70,394, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Spokane County is $331,600 with median rent at $1,123/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2123, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.4% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.7%. Home values changed +0.4% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.95% of Spokane County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.