Information Sheet

Community & Economic Well-Being

• Washington’s child population is growing in size and diversity. Between 1990 and 2000, the overall number of Washington children increased by 20 percent; Hispanic children increased by 106 percent; Asian/Pacific Islanders increased by 35 percent; and the number of African American children grew by 16 percent. Continued growth, especially in the number of children under 5, is expected through 2005.

• Six counties saw a 30 percent or greater increase in child population during this period: Clark (46 percent), Grant (39 percent), Chelan (33 percent), Franklin (32 percent), San Juan (31 percent), and Skagit (30 percent).

• The Hispanic population more than doubled in 22 counties and grew by more than 170 percent in the following seven counties: Chelan, Grays Harbor, Kittitas, Mason, Lincoln, Pacific and San Juan.

• Half of all counties showed a decline in average annual wages from 2000 to 2001. The lowest average annual wages are in Okanogan County at $19,999; the highest annual wages, $47,185, are in King County.

• In September 2002, one in 10 Washington children lived in counties where unemployment was higher than 8 percent.

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