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Walla Walla County, Washington — County Report Card

WA

#31 in Washington

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
37
County Score
Income & Jobs 71.7Health 63.5Water Quality 53.3

County Report Card

About Walla Walla County, Washington

Falling Short of National Standards

Walla Walla County earns a composite score of 36.9, which sits significantly below the national median of 50.0. While it has cultural appeal, the data points to systemic challenges in safety and affordability.

Below the Washington State Baseline

The county's 36.9 score trails the Washington state average of 44.1 by a wide margin. Higher-than-average tax rates and safety issues put it at a disadvantage compared to other regions.

Strong Incomes and Solid Healthcare

The county performs well in income with a score of 71.7 and health with a score of 63.5. Households earn a median of $72,212, which is respectable given the regional cost of living.

Concerns Over Safety and Housing

A critical safety score of 10.0 and a cost score of 17.7 represent significant hurdles for the county. The effective tax rate of 0.901% is also high relative to neighboring Washington counties.

Suited for Health-Focused Earners

This county is a good fit for people who value medical access and have stable careers in the region. Prospective residents should carefully weigh the income potential against the high tax burden and safety metrics.

2040608010045.117.71063.546.371.739.653.347.1Tax45.1Cost17.7Safety10Health63.5Schools46.3Income71.7Risk39.6Water53.3Weather47.137/100
This county
National avg
2 above average2 below average

Walla Walla County DNA

Foverall

How Walla Walla County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Walla Walla County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (71.7/100) but notably weak in Safety (10/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
45.1
Cost
17.7-30.3
Safety
10-45
Health
63.5+13.5
Schools
46.3
Income
71.7+20.700000000000003
Risk
39.6
Water
53.3
Weather
47.1-8.899999999999999
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$375,600

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$1,113/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$375,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$44,520/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum5.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $72,212/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

19.3

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

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Nearby counties

Franklin County
Washington
34.4
Columbia County
Washington
44.8
Benton County
Washington
36.8
Umatilla County
Oregon
33.2
Adams County
Washington
37.4
Garfield County
Washington
54.4
Whitman County
Washington
49.8
Union County
Oregon
43.2

Deep Dives

Walla Walla County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Walla Walla County

via TaxByCounty

Walla Walla County taxes rank high nationally

Walla Walla County's effective tax rate of 0.901% exceeds the national median of 0.85%, placing it in the top 35% of U.S. counties. Homeowners pay $3,386 annually on a median $375,600 home—26% more than the national median property tax.

Among Washington's highest tax rates

Walla Walla County ranks second-highest in Washington at 0.901%, well above the state average of 0.761%. At $3,386 in median property taxes, residents pay $358 more annually than the state median of $3,028.

Highest taxes in the eastern region

Walla Walla County's 0.901% rate exceeds Yakima County (0.818%) and Whitman County (0.794%) by a significant margin. It only rivals Thurston County (0.895%) for the state's steepest tax burden.

What you'll pay on a Walla Walla County home

On a median home valued at $375,600, Walla Walla County residents pay approximately $3,386 per year in property taxes. With mortgage interest, that figure climbs to $3,475 annually.

Appeal your assessment if overvalued

Walla Walla County homeowners paying high taxes should ensure their assessed values reflect actual market prices. Filing an appeal with the county assessor costs nothing and can uncover overassessments worth hundreds in annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Walla Walla County

via CostByCounty

Walla Walla County: Nearly National Average

Walla Walla County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.5% sits just below the national norm, with a median household income of $72,212 supporting median rent of $1,113/month. The county performs slightly better than the national median household income of $74,755.

Right at Washington Average

Walla Walla County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.5% closely mirrors Washington's state average of 18.8%, positioning it as a representative Washington market. Median rent of $1,113/month runs $89 below the state average, offering modest savings.

Mid-Range for Eastern Washington

Walla Walla County rents ($1,113/month) fall between rural alternatives like Yakima ($1,068/month) and western Washington pressure points like Thurston ($1,634/month). The county anchors eastern Washington's affordability middle ground.

Balanced Housing Load

Renters dedicate 18.5% of income to housing while homeowners invest 21.0% ($1,263/month) in ownership—a reasonable split across tenure types. The median home value of $375,600 reflects a stable, moderately-priced real estate market.

Walla Walla for Balanced Living

If you want Washington affordability without deep rural tradeoffs, Walla Walla County delivers solid wine-country economics and reasonable housing costs. Compare your current housing burden against this stable regional baseline.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Walla Walla County

via IncomeByCounty

Walla Walla County earns just below the nation

Median household income in Walla Walla County is $72,212, only 3.4% below the national median of $74,755. This puts Walla Walla squarely in the middle-income band nationally.

Walla Walla trails the Washington state average

Walla Walla County's median household income of $72,212 falls about 5.6% short of Washington's state average of $76,363. Per capita income of $37,562 is modestly below the state average of $40,628.

Walla Walla ranks solidly in the middle

Walla Walla County ($72,212) outearns Wahkiakum ($57,091) and Whitman ($52,893) but earns less than Stevens County ($67,405), Yakima County ($68,015), Whatcom County ($80,989), and Thurston County ($93,985). It represents a moderate-income county in this regional comparison.

Balanced income and housing costs

Walla Walla County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.5% falls in the middle range of this group, meaning housing costs consume about 18.5% of median household income. The median home value of $375,600 is accessible for households earning near the county median.

Build wealth with consistent saving habits

With moderate housing costs and middle-tier incomes, Walla Walla residents can establish a regular investment schedule after covering essentials. Automatic monthly transfers to a brokerage or retirement account create wealth-building momentum without requiring lifestyle changes.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Walla Walla County

via CrimeByCounty

Crime Rates in Walla Walla Exceed National Benchmarks

Walla Walla County has a total crime rate of 2,774.0 per 100,000 people, which is higher than the national average of 2,385.5. The county maintains a safety score of 95.6, indicating moderate overall risk.

Aligning With Washington State Crime Trends

The county's total crime rate is higher than the state average of 2,377.2, and its safety score of 95.6 is just shy of the state average of 96.2. This data suggests Walla Walla faces challenges similar to other mid-sized Washington counties.

How Walla Walla Compares to Eastern Washington

With 2,774.0 crimes per 100,000, Walla Walla experiences more reported incidents than its more rural neighboring counties. Three reporting agencies track these figures, providing a clear picture of activity in the county's population centers.

Violent and Property Crime Breakdown

The violent crime rate of 297.7 per 100,000 is lower than the national average but higher than the state average of 249.6. Property crime is the largest factor, sitting at 2,476.3 per 100,000 residents.

Vigilance for Walla Walla Residents

Since property crime is the most common issue, securing outbuildings and garages is a top priority for local homeowners. Using timed lighting and visible security cameras can effectively deter opportunistic theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Walla Walla County

via SchoolsByCounty

Diverse Districts Across the Valley

Walla Walla County features 32 public schools spread across 7 districts, enrolling 8,668 students. The system is well-balanced with 11 elementary schools and 10 high schools serving the region.

Steady Growth and Consistent Performance

The county's 81.6% graduation rate aligns closely with the Washington state average of 81.4%. Per-pupil expenditure sits at $9,158, reflecting an investment level that nearly matches the state benchmark.

Focus on Walla Walla Public Schools

Walla Walla Public Schools is the region's largest district, serving 5,599 students across 16 schools. College Place School District also serves as a significant secondary hub with 1,554 enrolled students.

A Mix of City and Rural Life

Schools are split between city centers and rural landscapes, with an average enrollment of 280 students per school. Walla Walla High School is a notable outlier in size, supporting a large student body of 1,631.

Plant Roots Near Walla Walla's Best

With a mix of urban and rural school options, Walla Walla County provides versatile choices for home buyers. Quality education remains a cornerstone of the local real estate market for growing families.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Walla Walla County

via RiskByCounty

Walla Walla County shows moderate risk overall

Walla Walla County scores 60.37 on the national composite risk scale, placing it in the Relatively Low category and slightly below Washington's state average of 70.01. The county sits in a comfortable middle ground compared to the nation's highest-risk regions.

Below-average risk within Washington

Walla Walla County ranks favorably within Washington's disaster risk spectrum, with a composite score of 60.37 that sits beneath the state average. Its position reflects a more manageable hazard environment than western Washington counties.

Comparable to Stevens County to the north

Walla Walla County's risk score of 60.37 closely mirrors Stevens County (60.34) and outpaces Whitman County (39.76) to the north. Both counties experience similar wildfire and earthquake exposure across the interior Pacific Northwest.

Wildfire and earthquake dominate threats

Wildfire risk peaks at 83.52 in Walla Walla County, driven by dry summers, grassland fuels, and proximity to eastern Oregon's fire-prone terrain. Earthquake risk of 90.55 reflects proximity to the Blue Mountains and broader Cascadia subduction system, while floods (64.79) occur mainly along river corridors.

Prioritize wildfire and earthquake coverage

Walla Walla County homeowners should ensure wildfire insurance and defensible space clearance around structures, especially in foothill and rural areas. Earthquake coverage is strongly recommended given the 90.55 risk score, and those near the Walla Walla River should verify flood insurance status.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Walla Walla County

via WaterByCounty

Average Drinking Water Compliance for Walla Walla

Walla Walla County holds a Grade C after reporting 8 health violations over the last five years. At 12.1 violations per 100,000 residents, the county remains well below the state average rate of 113.4.

Watershed Quality Metrics Await Federal Assessment

Water bodies in this county are not yet covered under the federal Section 303(d) assessment for the current cycle. There is currently no official data on impairment causes or the share of failing water bodies in the ATTAINS database.

Intensive Monitoring Tracks Organic Compounds

The county manages 123 monitoring sites that have produced 103,166 measurements in the past five years. Data collection primarily targets physical properties and organics to safeguard the local water supply.

Walla Walla River Running Below Mean

The Walla Walla River near Touchet currently flows at 262 cfs, which is only 45% of its long-term mean. This suggests significantly reduced water volume in the river system compared to historical norms.

Watch Flow Levels and Compliance Updates

Reduced streamflow at 45% of the mean could impact water availability and concentration of pollutants. Residents should monitor utility updates, especially given the Grade C compliance rating and the prevalence of organic compounds in monitoring records.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Walla Walla County

via WeatherByCounty

A Warm and Sunny Eastern Hub

Walla Walla County’s average annual temperature of 53.3°F aligns closely with the national median. Its semi-arid climate offers significantly more warmth than the typical Washington profile.

One of Washington's Warmest Counties

With an average temperature of 53.3°F, this county is significantly warmer than the state average of 49.9°F. It represents the sunnier, drier side of the Cascade Range.

Drier and Hotter than Whitman

The county is quite dry, receiving just 15.8 inches of precipitation annually. It is warmer and sees far less snow than nearby Whitman County, which averages 25.6 inches of snowfall.

Intense Summer Heat and Moderate Winters

Residents endure 41 days of extreme heat above 90°F, with July averages reaching a balmy 74.4°F. Winters are comparatively mild for the region, averaging 36.5°F from December to February.

Plan for Long, Hot Summers

Central air conditioning and efficient irrigation are vital for the 41 days of extreme heat. With only 5.8 inches of snow, focus winter prep on insulation rather than heavy plowing equipment.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Walla Walla County

via SoilByCounty

Classic Valley Soil Profiles

Specific pH and taxonomic data for Walla Walla County are not listed in this dataset. Most regional soils trend near the state average pH of 6.20, though local volcanic influences often create unique chemical signatures.

Famous Loess and Texture

Exact sand, silt, and clay breakdowns are missing from the current records. The region is widely known for its wind-blown loess, which typically offers deep profiles and excellent workability for root development.

Renowned Agricultural Productivity

Local measurements for organic matter and available water capacity are currently unavailable. Despite these data gaps, the county's massive agricultural output confirms its reputation for superior fertility compared to state averages.

Natural Drainage Systems

Information regarding specific drainage classes is not recorded in the present data. Local farmers traditionally rely on deep, natural drainage systems to support the world-class viticulture the valley is famous for.

Sun-Drenched Zone 7a

Walla Walla sits in Zone 7a, a sweet spot for heat-loving crops like onions and wine grapes. This favorable hardiness zone makes the county an ideal location for a thriving home orchard or vineyard.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Walla Walla County

via LawnByCounty

Arid Climate Challenges in Walla Walla

Walla Walla County scores a 34.8 for lawn difficulty, reflecting the challenges of maintaining turf in a semi-arid Zone 7a climate. This score falls just below the Washington state average and requires significant irrigation effort.

High Heat and Low Precipitation

With only 15.8 inches of rain and 41 extreme heat days annually, lawns here face double the state's average heat stress. High growing degree days mean grass grows fast but requires heavy water inputs to survive the intense summer sun.

Testing for Nutrient Balance

Specific soil composition data is limited, but the region's agricultural history suggests a need for careful nitrogen management. Local growers should test their soil to ensure it supports healthy growth despite the high evaporation rates found in this region.

Adapting to Severe Drought Conditions

Currently, 21.9% of the county is in severe drought, and the region has endured 38 weeks of drought over the past year. Implementing xeriscaping or choosing drought-tolerant turf varieties is essential for long-term sustainability in this dry climate.

Heat-Tolerant Grass for Zone 7a

Tall fescues are ideal for this region, as they can withstand the long summer starting from the April 7 frost date. Fall is the best time for seeding to ensure roots establish before the 90-degree days return next summer.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Walla Walla County's county score?
Walla Walla County, Washington has a composite county score of 37 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Walla Walla County rank among counties in Washington?
Walla Walla County ranks #31 among all counties in Washington on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Walla Walla County, Washington?
The median annual property tax in Walla Walla County is $3,386, with an effective tax rate of 0.90%. This earns Walla Walla County a tax score of 45.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Walla Walla County?
The median household income in Walla Walla County, Washington is $72,212 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Walla Walla County earns an income score of 71.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Walla Walla County, Washington a good place to live?
Walla Walla County scores 37/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #31 in Washington. The best way to evaluate Walla Walla County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Walla Walla County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.