In this blog, we showcase a few of the indicators that have been recently updated.
We publish the blog semi-annually. Don’t miss an update – subscribe today!
Trends Update List
In PEOPLE:
Total Population & Annual Growth Rate
The 2024 estimated population of the two counties was a bit larger than 320,000. This represents a gain of about 3,500 from 2023, or a 1.1% increase. Both counties added residents at approximately the same rate. Since 2019, the population in the two counties has grown by 20,000. Since 2017, population growth here has been higher than that of Washington state; both the state and the greater Tri Cities have grown much faster than the U.S. overall.
in ECONOMIC VITALITY:
This is measure of average income. In 2023, per capita income was $53,750 in the two counties. This represents a 3.8% increase over 2022. Since 2019, per capita income has risen cumulatively by 18%. (This does not account for inflation.)
Unlike the other measure of personal income, median household (3.1.2), average income values here are considerably below the U.S. and far below those of the state. There is a substantial difference in average income between the two counties.
Total Number of Employed Persons & Unemployment Rate
The average number of people employed in the two counties barely budged in 2023 from 2022. The most recent count was approximately 142,500. Since 2019, employment has also shown a low cumulative growth: about 3,500, far less than the population gain. The unemployment rate has dropped slightly, however, from 5.6% to 4.9%.
Assessed Value of New Construction: Total & per Capita
Since hitting a low in 2009, new construction has been on a tear in the greater Tri Cities. While not matching the 2022 numbers (the peak), 2023 brought over $1.1billion in new construction to the two counties. This is the second-highest year on record. That is nearly three times the value observed in 2009.
On a per capita basis, construction here has generally been higher than statewide.
in EDUCATION:
Total and Share of Students Completing At Least One Dual Credit Course
After rapid growth a few years ago, the number of students completing one dual credit course in school year 2022/2023 was not too different than in the prior two years. The count was about 11,250. This translates into a share of 61%, a little below the state rate of 65%.
After largely tracking the two-county average for most of the period, the share by Franklin County schools has dropped the last two years.
After a jump early in the pandemic, the number and share of students in the school districts of the two counties taking one CTE class has plateaued. The count in school year 2022/2023 was about 8,400; the share 45%. A decade ago, about 5,600 students did this, or a 33% share.
Generally, the rate here has been slightly above the Washington average.
In EDUCATION cont.:
Total Expenditures per Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Student at Public K-12 Schools
Spending per FTE pupil over all the districts in the two counties continued to climb in school year 2022/2023. Including all sources – federal, state and local – it hit $16,276. That’s about $3,000 more than in the pre-pandemic school year 2018/2019.
While spending per student here has tracked just a bit below the state average for most of the period, in the past two years, the state average has been considerably higher.
Students who are not enrolled in ELL programs have always outperformed those that are. This is not surprising, given the language barriers faced by ELL students. Since the pandemic, however, the gap has narrowed among the school districts of the two counties. In school year 2018/2019, it was over 50%. Most recently (school year 2023/2024), it was about 40%. This was due entirely to the decline in non-ELL students meeting standards of the ELA assessment.
Both groups of students in local school districts have not met standard on the ELA as commonly as the average Washington public student.
IN ENVIRONMENT:
Average Daily Water Consumption (gallons) and Summer Rainfall (inches)
This indicator tracks water consumption in the three largest cities over time. In 2023, per capita consumption in the Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland was 129 gallons per day person, 158 gallons and 253 gallons, respectively.
All three cities have shown a decline in per capita water consumption over the past 15 years. The drop in Pasco has been the most pronounced, although starting from a high base. The correlation between water use and summer rainfall is weak.
IN HEALTH:
Share of Adults Diagnosed with Diabetes
2022 data have recently arrived from the Centers for Disease Control (Yes, it takes a long time for these to be released.) The estimate share of adults in the two counties with a diabetes diagnosis is about 11% in 2022. This is higher than the Washington average of about 9%. Over the years covered, the local share has yielded an average slightly higher than that of Washington.
Over the years, the average share of adults in Franklin County with this diagnosis has been two percentage points (11% vs. 9%) higher than the share in Benton County.
list updated 12.04.2024
New Intern Features
Alanna Mesecher
Hometown: Valley, WA
Major: Accounting
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Post-graduation plans: Start looking for a career with a CPA firm, or a non-profit organization.
After a few months of working on the Trends project, my favorite thing so far:
I enjoy collecting data and learning new information. Collecting and providing data that helps community leaders make important decisions is very rewarding, and I’m thankful to be a part of it.
Jimena Ramos
Hometown: Royal City, Washington
Major: Data Analytics
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Post-graduation plans: Find a job in Spokane or Tri-Cities
After a few months of working on the Trends project, my favorite thing so far:
My favorite thing is the opportunity to see the impact of our work and how it influences strategic decisions. It’s been interesting diving deep into data analysis and learning new skills. I’ve enjoyed collaborating with Dr. Jones, Dr. Cullen, and the other interns as they’re a great team!