Spokane County, situated in the western part of Washington state and bordering King, Skagit, and Chelan counties, is a vital component of the Seattle metropolitan area. As of 2022 estimates, it boasts a population of around 549,690 residents. Spokane, the county seat, holds the distinction of being the state’s second-largest city after Seattle. The county derives its name from the Spokane tribe, meaning “Children of the Sun” or “sun people” in the Salishan language.
Spokane County is renowned for its diverse and multicultural populace, as well as its historical and cultural significance, coupled with its contributions to economic and technological innovation. Nevertheless, it grapples with considerable disparities in income, poverty rates, unemployment rates, and educational attainment across its various neighborhoods.
Some communities face substantial challenges, such as low income levels, high poverty rates, elevated unemployment figures, lower educational attainment, and limited access to healthcare and social services.
In this article, we delve into five of Spokane County’s most economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, drawing on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) spanning the years 2017 to 2021. We employ the following indicators to gauge the extent of poverty within these neighborhoods:
1. Hillyard
Hillyard is located in the northeastern part of Spokane, near Minnehaha and Mead. This urban area boasts a predominantly White population but also includes residents of Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American descent. With approximately 10,000 inhabitants, Hillyard faces considerable socioeconomic challenges, as indicated by ACS data:
- A median household income of $32,000, a staggering 51% below the county median and 57% below the national median.
- A poverty rate of 35%, which exceeds the county rate by over threefold and is more than twice the national rate.
- An unemployment rate of 14%, surpassing both county and national averages.
- An educational attainment rate of 75%, indicating that approximately three-quarters of adults have completed high school or higher education.
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2. West Central
West Central, situated in western Spokane near Riverside and Browne’s Addition, is another urban neighborhood characterized by a diverse population comprising Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans. With a population of roughly 11,000 residents, West Central contends with significant economic challenges, as evidenced by ACS data:
- A median household income of $36,000, falling 45% below the county median and 52% below the national median.
- A poverty rate of 28%, more than double the county and national rates.
- An unemployment rate of 11%, exceeding both county and national averages.
- An educational attainment rate of 82%, signifying that roughly four-fifths of adults have completed high school or higher education.
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3. East Central
East Central, located in eastern Spokane near Lincoln Heights and Rockwood, mirrors the urban diversity seen in other neighborhoods. Its population of around 13,000 residents grapples with notable economic hardships, as indicated by ACS data:
- A median household income of $38,000, which is 42% lower than the county median and 49% below the national median.
- A poverty rate of 27%, more than twice as high as the county and national rates.
- An unemployment rate of 10%, surpassing both county and national averages.
- An educational attainment rate of 83%, with approximately four-fifths of adults achieving high school graduation or higher education.
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4. Bemiss
Bemiss, nestled in northeastern Spokane near Hillyard and Nevada/Lidgerwood, is an urban neighborhood predominantly inhabited by White residents but also including individuals from Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American backgrounds. This community, with roughly 9,000 residents, faces significant socioeconomic challenges, as revealed by ACS data:
- A median household income of $40,000, which falls 38% below the county median and 46% below the national median.
- A poverty rate of 26%, more than twice the county and national rates.
- An unemployment rate of 9%, exceeding both county and national averages.
- An educational attainment rate of 84%, indicating that roughly four-fifths of adults have completed high school or higher education.
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5. Logan
Logan, situated in northern Spokane near Bemiss and Minnehaha, maintains a diverse population comprising Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans, with approximately 8,000 residents. Like other neighborhoods, Logan contends with substantial socioeconomic challenges, as per ACS data:
- A median household income of $41,000, falling 37% below the county median and 45% below the national median.
- A poverty rate of 25%, more than double the county and national rates.
- An unemployment rate of 8%, surpassing both county and national averages.
- An educational attainment rate of 85%, indicating that roughly four-fifths of adults have achieved high school graduation or higher education.
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Conclusion
In summary, Spokane County, Washington, is an integral part of the Seattle metropolitan area, celebrated for its diverse population and contributions to history, culture, and innovation. However, disparities in income, poverty, unemployment, and education persist among its neighborhoods.
Several communities, including Hillyard, West Central, East Central, Bemiss, and Logan, confront significant socioeconomic challenges, affecting residents’ quality of life and necessitating comprehensive efforts from various stakeholders to address these issues.