Walla Walla
Washington

What stands out

Three things set Walla Walla County apart from the other 3,142 counties: winter sunshine is among the cloudiest in America (-2.6 on the USDA scale), the school test score is in the bottom 5% of American counties (2.46 where 3.0 is grade level), and rainfall is in the bottom 5% of American counties (14 inches a year). Within Washington it ranks 27th of 39 counties for winter sunshine, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Walla Walla County, Washington. 62,150 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.5% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -197).

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 $66,635 a year, higher than 67% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $55,812. Unemployment runs 4.6%, higher than 83% 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 $419K, pricier than 88% of American counties, about 3.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,120 a month. Property tax is 0.92% of home value, roughly $3,033 a year on that median home, higher than 54% of American counties. 66% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than 60% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 29 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 78.9 years, longer than 84% of American counties. There are 193 active physicians in the county, about 31.1 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 9.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.57 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 95% of American counties. 89% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 47 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 69% 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 55°F, highs near 66 and lows near 43, colder than 55% of American counties. About 14 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 71 out of 100, riskier than 71% of American counties; the county has had 13 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 257 Mbps down, faster than 77% of American counties. There are 6 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 6 breweries, 3 museums, 1 National Park Service site.