Grant County Trends Blog-January 2023

Did you know there are over 150 different community indicators on Grant County Trends - each updated throughout the year? But which ones, and when?

This issue of the Grant County Trends blog lists the most recently updated indicators on the Grant County Trends website.  

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Recent Updates

In PEOPLE:

0.1.1 Total Population & Annual Growth Rate
Grant County’s overall population has increased consistently since 1984. The annual growth rate for Grant County has somewhat matched that of Washington state, and currently sits at 1.0% as of 2022. Grant County’s estimated population is currently 101,800.

0.1.3 Share of Population by Age Groups
Grant County’s shares of population by age groups has been consistent since 1990. However, there has been a slight increase in the share of persons over the age of 65 and a decrease in the share of 0–17 year-olds.

In EDUCATION:

3.1.8 Students Enrolled in Public Alternative High School Programs
Enrollment in public alternative high school programs in Grant County has fluctuated, with an increase in the 2018-2019 school year followed by a consistent decrease, likely partially due to the pandemic. As of the 2021-2022 school year, 5.8% of enrolled high school students were in an alternative high school.

3.1.11 Local Levy Revenue per Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Pupil
Levy revenue per full-time equivalent pupil demonstrates the amount of levy funding per full-time student, while levy revenue as a percent of total personal income shows how well the community can pay for public education. Grant County has seen a notable decrease in both levy revenue per full-time student and levy revenue as a share of total personal income.

In ENVIRONMENT & LAND USE:

4.2.7 Share of Population Living in Unincorporated Areas
An unincorporated area is any part of a county that lies outside the jurisdiction of a municipality. The amount of people living in unincorporated areas has increased greatly over time in Grant County, likely due to an overall increase in population over time. As of 2022, 45,860 people live outside a municipality, double the number in 1980.

In HEALTH:

5.1.4 Share of Hospitalizations by Four Leading Causes
Grant County has seen a sharp decrease in all shares of hospitalizations by four leading causes since 2017. As of 2019, 6.2% of hospitalizations were for heart disease, 5.9% for digestive system diseases, 6.6% for respiratory disease, and 6.3% for unintentional injury.

In PUBLIC SAFETY:

7.3.1 Local Government Expenditures on Law Enforcement
Local government expenditures on law enforcement in Grant County has been increasing slightly since 2005, with a recent dip following a high expenditure year in 2018. Grant County matched Washington state’s expenditures per capita for some time, before Washington outpaced the county in 2015 and on. However, Grant County has historically beat out Washington state on expenditures per $1,000 total personal income, but the two rates have recently begun to match.

7.3.2 Local Government Expenditures on Fire
Local government expenditures on fire prevention and EMS per capita has decreased in the past few years. As of 2021, the expenditure per capita was $100. This is in high contrast to the state, which was almost double that in 2021. Grant County’s expenditures per total personal income also fall below the state’s.

In TRANSPORTATION:

9.1.2 Total Commuters and Average Time of Commute
Grant County commuters experience much lower average commute times than the more populous counties in Washington, and the state itself. As of 2021, the average commute time was 19.90 minutes, compared to the high of 27.20 minutes in King County and the state average of 26.00 minutes.

9.1.3 Local Government Expenditures On Road Maintenance
Local government expenditures on road maintenance in Grant County have mostly decreased since 2011. The total expenditures per capita in 2021 was $111.30, and the expenditures per $1,000 total personal income was $2.29. Grant County has closely matched Washington state in expenditures per capita since 2019.

 

list updated 01.11.23

The full list of indicators on Grant County Trends can be found here.