Pend Oreille
Washington

What stands out

Against every county in America, Pend Oreille County is unusual in three ways: winter sunshine is among the cloudiest in America (-2.4 on the USDA scale), unemployment is in the top 2% of American counties (6.9%), and home internet speed is in the bottom 4% of American counties (63 Mbps). Within Washington it ranks 35th of 39 counties for winter sunshine, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Pend Oreille County, Washington. 13,570 people live here with you. The population grew 1.6% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +344).

Washington has no income tax on wages but since 2022 taxes long-term capital gains above $278,000 at 7% and above $1,000,000 at 9%, and it has an estate tax with a $3 million exemption starting in 2025. Sales tax is high, over 10% in Seattle. Home prices in King County are among the highest in the country. The state does not tax retirement income of any kind.

Money

The typical household here brings in $59,353 a year, lower than 54% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $63,126. Unemployment runs 6.9%, higher than 98% of American counties. 10% of workers work from home.

Washington has no state income tax, so none of that goes to the state.

Home

The median home costs $376K, pricier than 83% of American counties, about 3.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $903 a month. Property tax is 0.66% of home value, roughly $1,901 a year on that median home, lower than 70% of American counties. 76% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.1 per 1,000 residents, higher than 62% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 25 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 74.9 years, shorter than 60% of American counties. There are 11 active physicians in the county, about 8.1 per 10,000 people. 7.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.91 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 67% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 33 points. 79% of eligible voters turned out. Under Washington law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 45°F, highs near 55 and lows near 34, colder than 92% of American counties. About 31 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 7 out of 100, safer than 93% of American counties; the county has had 21 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 63 Mbps down, slower than 96% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.