Columbia County

Columbia County, WA, has an estimated population of around 4,000 people. Approximately 92% of the population is White, 3% Hispanic or Latino, 1% Native American, 0.5% Asian, and the remaining identify as other races or multiracial. The median household income is roughly $50,000. About 22% of residents are 65 or older, and approximately 20% are under 18. The county covers 868 square miles, offering a rural lifestyle.

As of recent data, Columbia County, WA, has a median home price of approximately $232,000. The median rent is around $850 per month. The county has about 2,000 housing units, with a homeownership rate of 70.4%. The average household size is 2.3 individuals. The housing market has seen a slight annual appreciation rate of around 3-4%. Columbia County’s vacancy rate hovers around 10%, reflecting both rental and ownership properties.

As of the latest available information for Columbia County, WA, the 2023 local elections include races for several positions. Key contests include:

1. County Commissioner District 2:

   • Charles A. Amerein (Incumbent)
   • Marco A. Paz

2. Sheriff:

   • Joe Helm (Incumbent)
   • Chris Black

3. City Council Positions (Dayton):

   • Position 1: Michael Yasuda, Emily Adams
   • Position 2: Stephanie Pope, Robert Storer
   • Position 3: Anne Walsh, David Monserud

Elections generally see voter turnout ranging from 50% to 75%. For accurate and updated results, visit the Columbia County Auditor’s website or the Washington Secretary of State’s elections page. Keep in mind that specific numerical values can fluctuate as new data becomes available.

As of the most recent data, Columbia County, WA has an educational attainment level with approximately 89% of residents holding at least a high school diploma, compared to the national average of about 88%. Around 22% of the county's residents have attained a bachelor's degree or higher, which is slightly lower than the national average of roughly 33.1% and the Washington State average of approximately 36%.

Overall, Columbia County's high school graduation rate is slightly above the national average, but the percentage of residents with a bachelor's degree or higher is below both the state and national averages. This indicates that while basic education levels are on par, higher education attainment rates in the county lag behind broader averages.

As of the latest available data, Columbia County, WA, has an employment rate around 3.2%, slightly better than the national average of 3.7% and the Washington state average of 4.4%. The labor force consists of approximately 2,000 individuals.

Top industries in Columbia County include agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting, accounting for about 30% of employment, compared to 1.4% nationally. Another significant sector is manufacturing, employing around 20% of the workforce, higher than the national average of 8.5%. Healthcare and social assistance and retail trade also contribute notably, each covering about 10-15% of local employment.

Education and government roles are similarly prominent, reflecting the rural and community-focused nature of the county. The local economy is thus more reliant on primary and secondary industries compared to the service-dominated national average.

As of the most recent data, the average household income in Columbia County, WA, is approximately $54,000 per year.

Income Comparison Table

Columbia County's average household income is significantly lower than both the national and state averages. The national average household income stands at $68,703, while Washington state boasts a higher average of $77,006, highlighting the disparity in income levels. This difference can be attributed to various economic and demographic factors specific to each region.

Columbia County, WA, is known for its relatively low crime rate compared to national averages. As of the latest data collection:

• Violent Crime Rate: 0.81 per 1,000 residents
• Property Crime Rate: 9.52 per 1,000 residents

Below is a breakdown of crime statistics by type:

These rates showcase Columbia County as a relatively safe region, with violent crimes particularly low.