2010 Spokane Vitals Print E-mail

 

2010 Spokane Vitals illustrates progress

Leaves room for improvement

 

The Spokane region compares well with other similar metros, but we still have room for improvement, according to Greater Spokane Incorporated’s latest edition of a report called Spokane Vitals.  The 2010 Vitals (our fourth edition) illustrates our community is moving forward, and we need to make strides in key areas.

 

Spokane Vitals measures Spokane County’s annual progress against 11 comparable metros across the U.S. by benchmarking 20 economic indicators in categories of business growth, education, prosperity for all, quality of life, and basic needs.

 

Comparable metros include:

  • Albuquerque, NM
  • Boise City-Nampa, ID
  • Colorado Springs, CO
  • Madison, WI
  • Mobile, AL
  • Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, OR-WA
  • Raleigh-Cary, NC
  • Reno-Sparks, NV
  • Salt Lake City, UT
  • Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
  • Tucson, AZ

 


Washington State is also measured against 10 comparable states in the same categories.  The data is compiled for the last year available and over a five-year period.

 

Comparable states include:

  • Oregon
  • Idaho
  • Nevada
  • Utah
  • Colorado
  • Arizona
  • New Mexico
  • Alabama
  • North Carolina
  • Wisconsin

 

Spokane shows especially well against comparable metros over the five-year period.  Highlights include growth in business establishments, number of employed and unemployment rate.  Educational attainment at the high school and college levels is increasing, and student-to-teacher ratios at local secondary institutions are decreasing.  Average annual wage is up, as are the number of female officials and managers.  Our quality of life is still rated very high, and poverty rates are decreasing over the five-year trended period, with strong growth in the number of residents with health insurance. 

 

Some numbers show concerning trends, specifically nonfarm employment numbers and a spike in our unemployment rate.  Also this last year, college attainment and student-to-teacher numbers ranked negatively compared to peer metros.  The local crime rate increased and housing affordability appears to be keeping some homeowners out of the market.

 

Over the five-year period, Washington reflects strong numbers compared to peer states.

 

Download a pdf copy of the Spokane Vitals.

 

Please contact Robin Toth at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 509.321.3636 to obtain a free print copy of the latest edition of Spokane Vitals.