Beneath the rolling, golden hills of the Palouse and behind the thick veil of education, Whitman County holds a shocking secret. Brace yourselves – Whitman County is the poorest county in Washington state.

Sixteen cities make up Whitman County. Largest in population and employment is Pullman, followed closely by Colfax, the county seat, according to the United States Census Bureau.

An early January article by USA Today looked at the most troubled counties in each state and found that Whitman County was the poorest for Washington state.

According to the article, from 2009 to 2013 the median household income was $36,257 – almost half of the Washington state average – poverty rate was about 33 percent and unemployment was about 6 percent.

So why are these unfortunate statistics the reality?

It originates with the employment opportunities, location and the history of Whitman County.

It comes as no surprise that the largest employer in Whitman County is a land-grant university founded in 1890 – Washington State University. WSU employs about 30 percent of county and therein lie the problems.

First off, universities grow slowly and allow only enough faculty as there is funding, which is increasingly difficult given monetary freezes and decreased educational backing.

Secondly, universities are often seen as seasonal, meaning they flourish during the fall and spring, yet deplete over the summer. With fewer students, there are fewer instructors and the symbiotic nature of education and monetary gain is halted.  

In terms of location, the results are equally halting.

The Palouse is historically an agricultural community and, being high in elevation, the winters are harsh. Extreme environments are not ideal for growing and harvesting most crops. Although there are winter grains, most end up in forage and few, if any, make the shelves. As wheat prices increase, there is a potential for agriculture growth, but the market is not stable, which mean neither are the jobs.  

Essentially, there are few year-round jobs in Whitman County and even fewer readily available sources of income, but there is still hope.

The Employment Security Department of Washington State said, “For the last five years, manufacturing employment has grown,” in Whitman County.

There is still hope for the region as increased manufacturing equates to greater job diversity in the region, and contributes to larger amount of potential income.

While manufacturing might hold the keys to turning around poverty in the region, it is crucial to focus on the situation at hand. If Whitman County is suffering, then it is on the shoulders of those living in the region to help.

There are multiple charitable organizations and philanthropic institutions in Whitman County that aid the poverty-stricken.

There are countless non-profits in the region and independent organizations all with the same goal – helping a troubled community survive. Food banks are especially important and are a staple of the benevolence in Whitman County, located in or near each of the 16 cities.

Additionally, Washington State University plays a key humanitarian role. Throughout the year, the Center for Civil Engagement collaborates with several WSU departments, student groups, and community organizations to hold food drives and poverty awareness campaigns geared toward aiding Whitman County and giving back to the public.  

As a community, we can always be doing more. Visit your local food bank and donate those unwanted clothes and blankets.

 Help the area that we hold near and dear not only endure, but also thrive toward healthier prospects of increased engagement and increased happiness. Together we can strengthen the communities in the surrounding area, decrease poverty and bolster Whitman County toward a greater future.