by Dr. Kelley Cullen
Perhaps to nobody’s surprise, the amenities of southeast Washington continue to be attractive to retirees as the fastest growing age group in the combined counties of Walla Walla and Columbia. And although the median age is higher than the state average, what is intriguing is that it is not statistically different from a decade ago. So, while the state median age has continued to increase, suggesting an aging of the population more broadly, this trend is not mirrored locally.
Walla Walla Trends 0.1.2 Median Age of the Population provides annual data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS).
The median age for the Walla Walla metropolitan area parallels the national average of 39.2 and is slightly above the state average of 38.6. This implies that half of the county residents are 39 years or older. While both the US and the state have been steadily increasing over the past decade, the median age in the Walla Walla metropolitan area has basically remained the same (not statistically different). It appears the nation and state are catching up.
Urban centers tend to attract younger workers and their families, while rural portions of counties may be more attractive to retirees who prefer more quiet, natural surroundings.
Compared to the rest of eastern Washington, the neighboring counties of Benton & Franklin are younger with a median age of 34.7. And even younger is Whitman County (26.0) and its larger college population. To the north, Spokane County has a slightly lower median age of 38.7 with the City of Spokane on the younger end (36.7) and Spokane Valley (39.5) slightly older.
On the other hand, the combined counties of Chelan & Douglas have a higher median age and perhaps are also attractive to retirees. The cities of Wenatchee & East Wenatchee, like the other more urban areas, have a younger profile with a median age around 35.
Statistically, the median is a measure of the center of the distribution and does not necessarily tell us what is happening at either end of the distribution. For an improved understanding of the overall age distribution of the counties, Walla Walla Trends 0.1.3 Population by Age Groups presents data from the Washington Office of Financial Management (OFM).
Since 2020, the number of residents 65+ has increased by nearly 11%, compared to less than a 1% increase in the overall population. In 2023, this age group made up nearly 22% of the total population (63,100).
At the other end of the age distribution, teenagers 12-17 have grown over 4%, faster than the combined counties average. In comparison to the 65+ age group, the 0-17 age group is of similar size, comprising nearly 21% of the combined county population. The bulk of residents (57%) in the combined counties are working age adults 18-64.
So what does this mean for the local community?
If the start of the 2020’s is a harbinger for the rest of the decade, then the bulge in teenagers is likely a short-lived phenomenon. If current trends continue, smaller school-age cohorts will follow. In fact, young children (age 0-2) have declined by 4% over the past three years. Childcare centers and elementary schools should see smaller classes soon.
While it will be important to provide job and career readiness and even an adequate supply of part-time jobs for the current crop of teenagers, it remains to be seen what proportion of teenagers choose to stay in the area versus leaving for college or work opportunities.
Presently, the young working adults 18-39 have decreased by 4% over the past three years. The local economy could use the retention of some of the 12–17-year-olds to offset the recent declines, especially since the growth of the 65+ population typically brings an increase in demand for goods and services without any accompanying increase in employment.
Ultimately, as more older individuals find their way to the beautiful amenities of Walla Walla, it will become important to ensure that there is a steady flow of participants in the local labor force. Possible strategies could include enticing younger families to also establish roots in the county or slowing the flow of workers out of the county in search of employment. Ultimately, a healthy economy depends on a well-balanced population distribution that is growing in all age groups.