Pend Oreille County Public RecordsWashington

Pend Oreille County, WA, has 8 public schools, including 3 high schools. About 89% of adults hold a high school diploma, while 18% have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Average public school test scores are slightly below the state average. Schools generally report strong safety records, and programs such as Running Start allow high school students to earn college credits. Adult education options are available through community colleges in nearby counties. Notable educational focuses include vocational training and STEM programs.

Pend Oreille County, WA, had an unemployment rate of approximately 5.4% in early 2024. Key industries include health care & social assistance (18%), retail trade (13%), and manufacturing (10%). Most workers are employed in office & administrative support (15%), sales (12%), and production (10%) occupations. About 77% of residents commute by car, with a mean commute time of 30 minutes; over 35% work outside the county, often traveling to Spokane County. Remote work accounts for roughly 10% of employment.

Pend Oreille County, WA has a homeownership rate of about 78%, with median home values around $320,000 as of 2023. Rental vacancy is high, and median monthly rent is approximately $950. Housing is primarily single-family homes, with some cabins and mobile homes, especially in rural neighborhoods like Newport and Ione. Property values have risen around 6% year-over-year. Property tax rates average 0.74%, lower than the national average. Most areas are quiet and rural, characterized by forested land and waterfront properties near the Pend Oreille River.

Pend Oreille County, WA, had approximately 9,500 registered voters as of 2023. The county holds elections for local (county commissioners, school boards), state, and federal offices, primarily via mail-in ballots, with a few in-person polling centers such as the Newport Administration Building. In the 2020 presidential election, about 68% of voters favored the Republican candidate, while 29% supported the Democrat. Key issues include rural development and natural resource management. Elections are administered by the County Auditor. The Republican Party dominates, but there is an active Democratic presence and occasional independent candidates.

Pend Oreille County, WA, has a crime rate below the national average, with a total crime rate of approximately 1,070 incidents per 100,000 residents in 2022. Property crime remains more common than violent crime, reporting about 950 property crimes and 120 violent crimes per 100,000 people. Local law enforcement and the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office actively encourage community reporting, leading to a slight increase in reported crimes but improved safety initiatives. While major violent crimes are rare, residents are advised to remain vigilant and participate in community safety programs.

As of 2023, Pend Oreille County, WA has an estimated population of about 14,000. The median age is approximately 49 years, with 50.5% male and 49.5% female. The racial composition is predominantly White (89%), followed by Native American (3%), two or more races (6%), and Hispanic or Latino (3%). The county has a low population density, reflecting its rural character.