1st Advantage MortgageIn Whitman County, Washington, the typical household earns $55,406 a year and the typical rent is $1,049. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Washington before sharing details.
On this page
- Whitman County, WA: the basics
- What stands out in Whitman County
- Housing costs in Whitman County
- Labor force snapshot: Whitman County
- Income in Whitman County compared with Washington
- Counties near Whitman County
- Whitman County towns compared
- Whitman County demographics against Washington
- What the numbers mean for Whitman County borrowers
- Room for a loan payment in Whitman County
- Washington lender licensing
- Checklist for Whitman County applicants
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
Whitman County, WA: the basics
With an estimated 47,003 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Whitman County ranks 24th of 39 in Washington for population. Spread over 2,159 square miles, that works out to roughly 21.8 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Whitman County is not part of any metropolitan area. Pullman (32,229 people) heads the county's list of 17 Census places, 16 incorporated and 1 census-designated.
What stands out in Whitman County
Out of every Washington county, Whitman County is most unusual on these measures.
- Whitman County ranks the lowest of 39 Washington counties for median age: 26.4, against 38.3 statewide. A young county means many first-time borrowers; read every fee line.
- Whitman County ranks the highest of 39 Washington counties for the poverty rate: 22.7%, against 9.9% statewide. Free help, such as utility and rent assistance, should come before any loan.
- Median household income: $55,406 in Whitman County, the lowest of 39 in Washington. Where incomes run low, free assistance and credit-union small-dollar loans deserve a look first.
Housing costs in Whitman County
Whitman County rent at the median: $1,049 a month, utilities in ($1,760 in Washington). Rent takes 30% or more of income for 62% of renter households here. Home values center on $359,600, or 6.5 years of median income. In Whitman County, 47% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them. The median home was built in 1977, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Housing | Whitman County | Washington statewide | Whitman County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,049/mo | $1,760/mo | 40% lower |
| Median home value | $359,600 | $564,600 | 36% lower |
| Owners | 47% | 64% | -17.0 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 62% | 50% | +11.9 pts |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 30% | -5.2 pts |
| Mobile homes | 6.2% | 5.5% | +0.7 pts |
| Vacant units | 15% | 7% | +7.9 pts |
Renters cannot borrow against a house, which narrows the choice to unsecured loans, cards and help from creditors; compare total cost, not just the payment. With rent burdens at 62%, keep any Whitman County loan to the smallest amount that solves the problem.
Labor force snapshot: Whitman County
Education and health care employs 38% of working residents, the largest share; arts, lodging and food service is next with 12%. Whitman County over-indexes on education and health care: 38% versus 22% in Washington. Averaged over the five survey years, 7.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 6% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 10% work from home.
| Top industries | Whitman County share | +/- vs Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 38.2% | +16.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 11.5% | +3.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.3% | -1.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.2% | -5.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.1% | -1.9 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 4.8% | +2.5 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Whitman County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Income in Whitman County compared with Washington
Whitman County households have a median income of $55,406 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 39th of 39 in Washington.
| Income band | Share in Whitman County | Difference from Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 37.3% | +21.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 33.1% | -1.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.5% | -9.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.2% | -10.3 pts |
Some 37% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 30% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 22.7% of Whitman County residents in poverty, against 9.9% across Washington. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.520 here. For a borrower in Whitman 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.
Counties near Whitman County
Six nearby counties, 33 to 50 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Richest neighbor: Spokane County, $78,582. Poorest: Benewah County, $59,794. Whitman County: $55,406. The list crosses into Idaho, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitman County | - | $55,406 | $1,049/mo | 47% |
| Garfield County, WA | 33 mi | $64,884 | $791/mo | 77% |
| Latah County, ID | 38 mi | $65,424 | $929/mo | 59% |
| Columbia County, WA | 46 mi | $71,810 | $985/mo | 78% |
| Adams County, WA | 47 mi | $66,136 | $877/mo | 69% |
| Benewah County, ID | 48 mi | $59,794 | $875/mo | 73% |
| Spokane County, WA | 50 mi | $78,582 | $1,283/mo | 64% |
Whitman County towns compared
Places, by size: the top 14 of 17. Roughly 12% of Whitman County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Palouse has the highest median household income on the list ($88,750) and Tekoa the lowest ($46,250), counting places with at least 500 residents. No Whitman County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 17.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pullman | city | 32,229 | $46,812 | $1,062 | 21 mi |
| Colfax | city | 2,708 | $61,914 | $946 | 11 mi |
| Palouse | city | 1,147 | $88,750 | $933 | 22 mi |
| Tekoa | city | 690 | $46,250 | $796 | 31 mi |
| St. John | town | 607 | $46,250 | $888 | 13 mi |
| Rosalia | town | 513 | $50,938 | $1,042 | 24 mi |
| Albion | town | 495 | $56,833 | $1,061 | 16 mi |
| Garfield | town | 475 | $70,625 | $864 | 20 mi |
| Endicott | town | 425 | $45,625 | $1,071 | 7 mi |
| Uniontown | town | 400 | $71,563 | n/a | 33 mi |
| Oakesdale | town | 396 | $78,750 | $575 | 21 mi |
| LaCrosse | town | 357 | $33,621 | $658 | 20 mi |
| Colton | town | 323 | $123,750 | n/a | 30 mi |
| Lamont | town | 170 | n/a | n/a | 27 mi |
Whitman County demographics against Washington
In Whitman County, 50% of adults have at least a four-year degree (40% in Washington). Health coverage gaps: 5.5% of Whitman County residents are uninsured.
| Indicator | Whitman County | +/- Washington | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 26.4 | -11.9 yrs | -15.1 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 49.8% | +10.2 pts | +27.6 pts |
| No high school diploma | 4.0% | -3.7 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.5% | -0.9 pts | -2.4 pts |
| No vehicle | 7.3% | +0.3 pts | +1.9 pts |
| Work from home | 10.3% | -9.5 pts | +1.6 pts |
| Poverty rate | 22.7% | +12.8 pts | +9.5 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.0% | +1.9 pts | +2.6 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 53.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 7.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.2% |
| 60+ min | 2.7% |
What the numbers mean for Whitman County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Whitman County borrowers.
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 23% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
- Whitman County rent burden. 62% of renters are cost-burdened; ask your landlord about a payment plan before borrowing for rent.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
Room for a loan payment in Whitman County
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Whitman County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $55,406 a year is $4,617 of gross monthly income
- Rent at the median, $1,049, takes 23% of that
- At 43%, room after rent is $936 a month
Homeowners in Whitman County should swap in their mortgage, taxes and insurance for rent.
Washington lender licensing
The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Washington license. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. More on Washington: Washington personal loans.
Checklist for Whitman County applicants
Quick steps for Whitman County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Verify the Washington license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Keep exploring
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Whitman County?
$55,406 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $98,141 for Washington. It ranks 39th of 39 in the state.
What is the median rent in Whitman County, WA?
$1,049 a month, utilities included, or $12,588 a year.
What are the biggest places in Whitman County?
By population: Pullman, Colfax, Palouse, Tekoa, St. John. The county has 17 Census places in all.
Can Whitman County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Washington county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Is there a Whitman County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Washington it is the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions.