Asotin County Demographics Analysis
Population - - Trends
The 2009 estimated population of Asotin County according to U.S. Census Bureau data was 21,432, which demonstrates a continuous increase since 1990 when total county population was 17,605 (21.7% increase in 19 years). Overall, Asotin County has seen moderate population growth, with an out-migration of young adults. Approximately 19.1% of the population is over the age of 65 (compared to 12.1% for the State of Washington).
Racial/Ethnic Population
The Asotin County ethnic population remains predominately Caucasian, with 95.6 identifying themselves as white according to 2009 U.S. Census Bureau data.
TABLE 1- POPULATION CHANGE BY RACE
|
|
|
WHITE
|
BLACK
|
AMERICAN
INDIAN
|
ASIAN
|
HISPANIC
|
TOTAL
COUNTY
POPULATION
|
|
2009
|
95.6%
|
.4
|
1.5%
|
.6
|
2.7%
|
21,432
|
|
2006
|
95.7%
|
.3
|
1.3%
|
.8
|
2.5%
|
21,247
|
|
2000
|
95.5%
|
.2%
|
.6%
|
.5%
|
2.0%
|
20,551
|
|
1995
|
94.8%
|
.3%
|
1.7%
|
.9%
|
2.3%
|
19,100
|
|
1990
|
96.2%
|
.2%
|
1.4%
|
.6%
|
1.6%
|
17,605
|
|
TOTAL POPULATION INCREASE FROM 1990 to 2009 (+3,827 individuals, +21.7%)
|
Age Demographic Changes
TABLE 2- POPULATION CHANGE BY AGE GROUP (based on 2000 Census Data)
|
|
Age
|
1990
|
2000
|
Change in #s
|
Change in %
|
|
85 & older
|
364
|
509
|
+145
|
39.8%
|
|
80 to 84
|
387
|
554
|
+167
|
43.2%
|
|
75 to 79
|
604
|
640
|
+36
|
6.0%
|
|
70 to 74
|
702
|
810
|
+108
|
15.4%
|
|
65 to 69
|
862
|
842
|
-20
|
-2.3%
|
|
60 to 64
|
868
|
986
|
+118
|
13.6%
|
|
55 to 59
|
696
|
1,163
|
+467
|
67.1%
|
|
50 to 54
|
793
|
1,281
|
+488
|
61.5%
|
|
45 to 49
|
864
|
1,496
|
+632
|
73.1%
|
|
40 to 44
|
1,362
|
1,575
|
+213
|
15.6%
|
|
35 to 39
|
1,288
|
1,476
|
+173
|
13.4%
|
|
30 to 34
|
1,470
|
1,201
|
-269
|
-18.3%
|
|
25 to 29
|
1,165
|
1,127
|
-38
|
-3.3%
|
|
20 to 24
|
897
|
1,104
|
+207
|
23.1%
|
|
15 to 19
|
1,192
|
1,524
|
+332
|
27.9%
|
|
10 to 14
|
1,267
|
1,428
|
+161
|
12.7%
|
|
5 to 9
|
1,505
|
1,444
|
-61
|
-4.1%
|
|
Under 5
|
1,319
|
1,406
|
+87
|
6.6%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Totals
|
17,605
|
20,551
|
+2,946
|
+16.7%
|
Disabled Persons
According to 2006 Census Data, 4,301 Asotin County residents identified themselves with some sort of disability. This represented 20.06
% of the entire population. The percent of Asotin County residents between the ages 5 to 20 years with a disability is estimated at 13.1% according to 2000 U.S. Census Bureau data; 20.4% for those between 21 to 64 years of age; and 44.2% for those 65 years of age and older.
Poverty
Approximately 16.3% of Asotin County residents live below Federal Poverty levels, compared with 11.3% in the State of Washington (2008 data). In 1999, 23% of Asotin County’s children 18 and younger live below the federally defined level of poverty, compared to 32% in 1989. However this level (23% poverty for children under 18) is still much higher than the 13.7% statewide percentage for Washington State. The median household income for 2008 was $41,275 (compared to $58,081 for the State of Washington).
Key leaders, organizations, and agencies charged with identifying the needs of this population includes: Asotin Garfield Community Network, Asotin County Developmental Disabilities, Community Action Agency, DSHS, Head Start, WIC-through Asotin County Health Department, and WSU Asotin County Extension.
VFW is the key organization related to veterans. A Regional Veterans Hospital/nursing facility that opened in 1995 is located in Lewiston, Idaho, five miles from Asotin County, is accessible to this segment of population. Approximately 2,497 Civilian Veterans have been identified in Asotin County, comprising 16.3% of the adult population.
Industry
The face of Asotin County’s industrial base is changing from agriculture and timber dependence to social and personal services, medical and tourism. Approximately one-fourth of the Asotin County resident labor force is employed in manufacturing or services in Idaho; therefore, Washington State data is not a true reflection of Asotin County employment. The Clarkston Branch of Walla Walla Community College offers 2-year and transfer programs to county citizens. Lewis Clark State College, across the river in Lewiston, Idaho, also offers 2-year and 4-year degree programs. Despite tough economic times since 2008, manufacturing employment has remained stable in the Lewis-Clark Valley. |