Whitman County

Profile

Whether you are looking for the peace and quiet of the rural life, or the thrill and energy of arts and culture, you can find it all in Whitman County. Historically an agricultural region, the county is large, the size of Rhode Island. From the dry expanses of the west, to the pine covered terrain to the east, the undulating hills explode with crops of ripening peas, barley, wheat and other dry land crops making the landscape as diverse as the people who live here.

The community of Pullman, surrounding the campus of Washington State University, is alive with culture, arts and sports activities comparable to any found in big cities. Among the smaller communities with pioneer pasts, historical buildings blend with today’s modern lifestyles. Recreational opportunities abound in the region with easy access to county and state parks, including boating, skiing, and fishing on the world famous Snake River nearby.

Great schools, excellent healthcare, safe communities, clean air, little traffic and affordable housing in a beautiful four-season climate create an environment where families and businesses can thrive. Whitman County, the perfect place to call home.

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Transportation

Airports
Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport
Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport
Spokane International Airport
General aviation and private airports

Motor Freight
Several major motor freight companies service Whitman County. Numerous regional and local trucking companies offer service connecting the Palouse to the Pacific Northwest hub and beyond.

Major Highways
State Highway 26 connects Whitman County to Interstate 90 and the Seattle Metro area to the west. State Highway 195 makes connections to destinations north and south, and State Highway 270 connects the major retail areas of Pullman and Moscow, Idaho. Nearly 2,000 miles of county roads are maintained by county road crews and connect communities throughout the region.

Inland Port Facilities
The Port of Whitman manages inland industrial sites in Pullman, and Colfax and on-water facilities at the Port of Wilma near Clarkston, Port of Central Ferry and at the Port of Almota. The latter three offer access to shipping on the Columbia/ Snake River system. Rail access serves many areas.

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Demographics

Population
Whitman County - 42,700
Pullman - 28,860
Colfax - 2,905
Palouse - 1,020
Tekoa - 835
Other communities range 100-650

Labor Market
Labor Force - 21,570
Number Employed - 20,620
Number Unemployed - 830
Unemployment Rate - 3.5%
Per Capita Income - $35,589
Educational Attainment, age 25+ - 52% college grad with degree

Major Industry
Government - 51%
Services - 19%
Wholesale, Retail, Trade - 11%
Manufacturing - 7%
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing - 3%
Construction - 2%
Financing, Insurance - 2%
Transportation - 2%
Other - 2%
Real Estate, Rental, Leasing - 1%

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Education

General
Excellent K-12 education is available in all communities. Private schools are also available in several locations.

Area Colleges & Universities

Pullman, WA
Washington State University

Moscow, ID (8 miles east of Pullman)
University of Idaho

Other major public and private universities and colleges exist in nearby Spokane (75 miles north of Pullman) and in the Clarkston and Lewiston area (35 miles south of Pullman). Community Colleges also offer educational opportunites through satellite campuses in several communities.

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Communications

Internet service providers vary by area. DSL, cable and wireless high-speed are available in several communities. All communities have access to dial-up Internet access, and Washington State University has high-speed Internet capability by Ethernet access throughout the university network.

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Climate and Topography

Elevation of Pullman - 2,346 ft.

Whitman County Area - 2,159 sq. mi.
Annual Rainfall* - 16 inches
Average Summer High Temperature - 68º F
Average Winter High Temperature - 37º F
*variable by area

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Safety Services

Police Service
Washington State Patrol, Whitman County Sheriff’s Department, and local police departments provide police service throughout the county.

Fire Department
Fourteen fire districts and two city fire departments operate in the county.

Emergency Medical Services
Emergency Medical Technicians and first responders operate ambulances out of most locations. Ambulances make runs to Pullman, Colfax and Spokane area hospitals. Air ambulance service also serves the area out of Spokane.

911 Service
All emergencies are routed through WHITCOM, a regional Enhanced 911 service, located at the Port of Whitman’s Pullman Industrial Park.

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Healthcare

Pullman Regional Hospital, Pullman
Whitman Hospital and Medical Center, Colfax
Gritman Medical Center, Moscow, Idaho
Medical Clinics, Assisted Living, and Nursing Home Facilities exist in numerous locations throughout the county.

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Contact Information

Dick Watters, Managing Director
302 N Mill Street, Colfax, WA  99111
509.595.1151
dick@seweda.org

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