1st Advantage MortgageIn Ferry County, Washington, the typical household earns $55,614 a year and the typical rent is $663. County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Ferry County, and confirm each one's Washington license.
On this page
- First look: Ferry County, WA
- Ferry County industries and commutes
- Earnings across Ferry County households
- Housing costs in Ferry County
- Ferry County's most unusual numbers
- The counties around Ferry County
- Republic and the rest of Ferry County
- What the numbers mean for Ferry County borrowers
- Debt-to-income at Ferry County's medians
- More Ferry County figures
- Four steps for Ferry County borrowers
- Lender oversight for Ferry County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
First look: Ferry County, WA
Roughly 7,387 residents live in Ferry County, Washington, 36th by population among the state's 39 counties and county equivalents. Ferry County spans 2,203 square miles; with 7,387 people, that is 3.4 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 15 places in the county (1 incorporated, 14 census-designated); the largest is Republic, with about 984 residents, or 13% of the county. At 7,387 people, Ferry County is a small survey sample, so small differences in these figures may be noise.
Ferry County industries and commutes
The biggest employer of Ferry County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 32% of workers, followed by public administration (16%). Ferry County over-indexes on public administration: 16% versus 5% in Washington. Averaged over the five survey years, 12.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 15% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 4.1% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Ferry County workers | vs Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 32.4% | +10.7 pts |
| Public administration | 15.8% | +10.7 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 9.0% | +6.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.1% | -1.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.7% | -8.0 pts |
| Construction | 6.5% | -0.6 pts |
Self-employed in Ferry County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
Earnings across Ferry County households
At $55,614, the typical Ferry County household income is 15% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 37 Washington counties post a higher median.
| Yearly household income | Ferry County | Gap to Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 33.3% | +17.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.6% | +8.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.3% | -10.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.7% | -15.8 pts |
Six-figure households (23%) are outnumbered by those under $35,000 (33%) in Ferry County. Census counts 13.6% of Ferry County residents in poverty, against 9.9% across Washington. For a borrower in Ferry County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Housing costs in Ferry County
Renters in Ferry County pay a median of $663 a month, 62% below the Washington figure of $1,760. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 42% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $283,400, about 5.1 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 78%. Against the median U.S. county, Ferry County rent is 24% below.
| Cost | Ferry County | Washington figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $663/mo | $1,760/mo | 62% lower |
| Median home value | $283,400 | $564,600 | 50% lower |
| Owners | 78% | 64% | +14.3 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 50% | -7.7 pts |
| Burdened owners | 40% | 30% | +10.2 pts |
| Vacant units | 23% | 7% | +15.7 pts |
Ferry County owners: get one secured and one unsecured quote, then compare the total cost and what you would put up as collateral (side by side).
Ferry County's most unusual numbers
- The ACS unemployment rate: 12.5% in Ferry County, the highest of 39 in Washington. Job gaps can make income hard to document; gather records first.
- Ferry County ranks the lowest of 39 Washington counties for median gross rent: $663/mo, against $1,760/mo statewide. Lower rent can leave more room for a payment.
- Few Washington counties match Ferry County on the share of adults with a bachelor's degree: 15% here, 40% for the state, ranking the lowest of 39. Lenders weigh income and credit, not schooling.
The counties around Ferry County
Distances run center to center, from Stevens County at 32 miles out to Spokane County at 79. Ferry County's $55,614 median trails 6 of the six and beats 0; the range runs $63,207 (Okanogan County) to $80,363 (Douglas County).
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferry County | - | $55,614 | $663/mo | 78% |
| Stevens County, WA | 32 mi | $69,327 | $898/mo | 80% |
| Okanogan County, WA | 56 mi | $63,207 | $887/mo | 72% |
| Pend Oreille County, WA | 60 mi | $67,436 | $855/mo | 81% |
| Lincoln County, WA | 62 mi | $71,512 | $883/mo | 80% |
| Douglas County, WA | 74 mi | $80,363 | $1,305/mo | 69% |
| Spokane County, WA | 79 mi | $78,582 | $1,283/mo | 64% |
Republic and the rest of Ferry County
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 15 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 40% of Ferry County residents live in one of the 15. No Ferry County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 15.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic | city | 984 | $60,417 | $843 | 15 mi |
| Curlew Lake | CDP | 533 | $51,188 | n/a | 19 mi |
| Inchelium | CDP | 455 | $68,750 | $298 | 15 mi |
| Barstow | CDP | 246 | n/a | n/a | 28 mi |
| Keller | CDP | 212 | $57,500 | $338 | 28 mi |
| Curlew | CDP | 126 | $101,438 | n/a | 28 mi |
| Twin Lakes | CDP | 115 | $63,542 | n/a | 17 mi |
| Orient | CDP | 87 | n/a | $483 | 31 mi |
| Barney's Junction | CDP | 63 | n/a | n/a | 21 mi |
| Torboy | CDP | 53 | n/a | n/a | 15 mi |
| Malo | CDP | 35 | n/a | n/a | 23 mi |
| Danville | CDP | 9 | n/a | n/a | 36 mi |
| Boyds | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 25 mi |
| Laurier | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 39 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
What the numbers mean for Ferry County borrowers
A few patterns in the Ferry County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Manufactured housing (21%). Ferry County owners should get two written repair quotes before borrowing.
- Older households. A 52.9 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Debt-to-income at Ferry County's medians
Ferry County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,634 before taxes
- Less median rent of $663, which is 14% of it
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $1,191 left for all other debt payments
If your rent is above $663, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
More Ferry County figures
College graduates make up 15% of the adult population. 5.7% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Ferry County | Difference from Washington | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 52.9 | +14.6 yrs | +11.4 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.2% | -24.4 pts | -7.0 pts |
| No high school diploma | 8.9% | +1.2 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.7% | -0.7 pts | -2.2 pts |
| No vehicle | 4.1% | -2.9 pts | -1.3 pts |
| Work from home | 14.4% | -5.3 pts | +5.8 pts |
| Poverty rate | 13.6% | +3.7 pts | +0.4 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 12.5% | +7.4 pts | +8.0 pts |
| Commute length | Ferry County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 45.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 8.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.3% |
| 60+ min | 10.8% |
Four steps for Ferry County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Verify the Washington license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Lender oversight for Ferry County
The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Washington license. Nationally, Ferry County residents can file with the CFPB. The Washington guide covers state rules in more detail.
Related local guides
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Ferry County earn?
The median is $55,614; 23% earn $100,000 or more and 33% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Ferry County rent compare with Washington?
$663 locally versus $1,760 for the state, 62% below.
How many towns are in Ferry County?
The Census Bureau counts 15 places mainly in the county, led by Republic, Curlew Lake, Inchelium, Barstow, Keller.
Does living in Ferry County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Ferry County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
What agency protects Ferry County borrowers?
The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions at the state level and the CFPB federally.