Whitman County, Washington Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Whitman County is located in Washington with a total population of 47,042. It is the 23rd most populous county out of 39 in Washington.

Age Demographics

The median age in Whitman County is 26.1 years. This is 32% lower than the state median of 38.2 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Whitman County is $52,893. This is 44% lower than the state median of $94,952. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 33% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.7%. This is 139% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.5%. This is 30% higher than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $323,300. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $519,800. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 46.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 63.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Whitman County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.0%. The Black or African American population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.

Education

50.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Whitman County in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 29% higher than the state rate of 38.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.1%. Notably, 23.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.