HomeWashingtonAdams County
Adams County, Washington: commercial real estate data.
Adams County, Washington had an estimated 21,039 residents on July 1, 2024, up 2.1 percent since the 2020 census base of 20,610, across 1,925 square miles. County output reached $1.44 bn in 2024, 401 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 37 7(a) approvals worth $15.5 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Adams County
How many people live in Adams County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202420,800
- Households6,288
- Average household size3.31
- Median household income$66,136
- Median age29.3
- Median gross rent$877 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$273,300
- Home value to household income4.1 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income15.9 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher15.7 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree5.4 percent
- Adults 25 and over11,369
- Population under 187,223
- Share under 1834.7 percent
- Population 65 and over2,529
- Share 65 and over12.2 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6411,048
- Civilian labor force8,596
- Unemployment rate3.6 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over63.3 percent
- Rank by population among Washington counties31st of 39
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included1834th of 3,222
Adams County is the 31st largest of 39 Washington counties by population. A median home costs 4.1 times median household income, which is seriously unaffordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 34.7 percent against 12.2 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Adams County
Is Adams County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 202421,039
- Census 2020 base population20,610
- Population change since the 2020 census base2.08 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 2024182
- Births, 2024326
- Deaths, 2024193
- Natural change, 2024133
- Net domestic migration, 2024-127
- Net international migration, 2024175
- Total net migration, 202448
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 2024-638
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents1154th of 3,144
The county has grown 2.08 percent since the 2020 census base. The population grew in 2024 from both sources: births exceeded deaths and more people moved in than left.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Adams County
Where are people moving to Adams County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving473
- People arriving, from those returns894
- Tax returns filed by households leaving507
- Net household movement-34
- Adjusted gross income arriving$22.0 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$-4.5 m
- Average income of an arriving household$46,575
- Average income of a leaving household$52,331
- Largest single originGrant County (143 households)
- Largest single destinationGrant County (152 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grant County | 143 | 275 | $4.6 m |
| Franklin County | 45 | 118 | $2.2 m |
| Spokane County | 38 | 53 | $2.1 m |
| Benton County | 28 | 50 | $1.1 m |
| Yakima County | 23 | 32 | $638,000 |
| King County | 20 | 28 | $914,000 |
Households arriving report $5,756 less average income than households leaving, which drains spending power even where headcount holds up. The largest single source of arrivals is Grant County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Adams County
What is the Adams County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$1.44 bn
- County GDP, 2023$1.17 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 202423.5 percent
- GDP change over five years53.6 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Washington areas BEA publishes29th of 39
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes1547th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$69,368
Output grew 23.5 percent in the latest year and 53.6 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Adams County
Employment by industry in Adams County
- Covered employment, annual average9,436
- Establishments reporting696
- Average annual pay$52,291
- Average weekly wage$1,006
- Manufacturing, employment1,258
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$68,725
- Retail trade, employment712
- Retail trade, average annual pay$35,890
- Accommodation and food services, employment508
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$22,350
- Transportation and warehousing, employment499
- Transportation and warehousing, average annual pay$57,351
- Wholesale trade, employment409
- Construction, employment105
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 1,258 | 15 | $68,725 |
| Retail trade | 712 | 53 | $35,890 |
| Accommodation and food services | 508 | 55 | $22,350 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 499 | 77 | $57,351 |
| Wholesale trade | 409 | 35 | $86,882 |
| Construction | 105 | 42 | $51,748 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 105 | 28 | $62,698 |
| Finance and insurance | 95 | 13 | $69,781 |
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 1,258 jobs, 13.3 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Adams County
How many businesses are in Adams County?
- Establishments, all industries401
- Employment at those establishments4,759
- Annual payroll$268.5 m
- Establishments per 1,000 residents19.3
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Adams County
Building permits in Adams County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 202485
- Declared construction value permitted$13.0 m
- Single family units authorized33
- Multifamily units authorized52
- Multifamily share of units61.2 percent
- Average declared value per unit$152,699
- Units authorized per 1,000 households13.5
Multifamily is 61.2 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is being built for renters rather than buyers.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Adams County
SBA loans in Adams County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded37
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$15.5 m
- Average 7(a) approval$419,068
- Median 7(a) approval$50,000
- 10th percentile approval$25,000
- 90th percentile approval$1,058,000
- Largest single approval$4,000,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)173
- Jobs per approval4.7
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active9
- Distinct industries receiving approvals24
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer13.5 percent
- Loans on real estate terms5
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter31
- Franchise loans2
- Franchise share of approvals5.4 percent
- Leading industry by approval countGeneral Freight Trucking, Local (6)
- Most active lenderColumbia Bank (20)
- 504 approvals recorded4
- 504 gross approval dollars$2.0 m
- Average 504 approval$487,750
- Median 504 approval$470,500
- Distinct CDCs active2
- 504 jobs per approval3.8
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved7.7
- Most active CDCNorthwest Business Development Association (3)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$17.5 m
The average approval of $419,068 sits well above the median of $50,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 13.5 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Adams County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Adams County
Do SBA loans in Adams County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded8
- Paid in full8
- Charged off0
- Status: Paid in full8
- Status: Exempt from disclosure22
- Status: Cancelled6
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed1
Only 8 loans have reached a final outcome, fewer than the 30 a charge-off rate needs, so no rate is published.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Adams County
SBA lending by place in Adams County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending5
- Othello, approvals27
- Ritzville, approvals7
- Lind, approvals1
- Idaho Falls, approvals1
- Benge, approvals1
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Othello | 27 | $3,931,000 |
| Ritzville | 7 | $7,507,900 |
| Lind | 1 | $4,000,000 |
| Idaho Falls | 1 | $40,600 |
| Benge | 1 | $26,000 |
Othello accounts for 27 approvals against 7 in Ritzville. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Adams County
How large is Adams County?
- Land area1,925 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Washington counties14th of 39
- Width, east to west66.6 mi
- Height, north to south36.2 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary4
- Residents per square mile of land11
- Establishments per square mile0.21
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Adams County
Flood risk in Adams County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Adams County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 530001
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book4
- Of those, participating in the NFIP4
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Communities carrying a CRS class0
- Radon levels in Adams County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/LZone 2
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Adams County (community 530001), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries no Community Rating System class, so no CRS premium discount applies there. The EPA places Adams County in radon zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Adams County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Adams County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202420,800
- Households6,288
- Average household size3.31
- Median household income$66,136
- Median age29.3
Common questions
Adams County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Adams County, Washington?
The Census Bureau estimates 21,039 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 20,800, in 6,288 households, ranking 31st of 39 Washington counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Adams County's population growing?
The population has grown 2.08 percent since the 2020 census base of 20,610, to 21,039 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 326 births against 193 deaths, with net migration of 48. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Adams County?
$66,136. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $273,300, which is 4.1 times income, and median gross rent is $877 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Adams County?
401 establishments, employing 4,759 people with an annual payroll of $268.5 m. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Adams County?
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 1,258 jobs, 13.3 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 9,436 jobs at an average annual pay of $52,291, or $1,006 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Adams County?
37 7(a) approvals totaling $15.5 m since FY2020, across 9 lenders, with a median approval of $50,000, plus 4 504 approvals worth $2.0 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Adams County?
85 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $13.0 m. Multifamily was 61.2 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Adams County?
Zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Adams County come from?
The largest single origin is Grant County, with 143 households. Arriving households report an average income of $46,575 against $52,331 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Adams County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Adams County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Adams County
Cities and places in Adams.
5 Census places lie wholly or partly in Adams County. All 5 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Othello | city | 8,795 | 27 | Wholly in this county |
| Ritzville | city | 1,855 | 7 | Wholly in this county |
| Lind | town | 565 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Hatton | town | 429 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Washtucna | town | 292 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
A further 2 of the county's 37 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Adams County, the largest being Idaho Falls (1), Benge (1). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.
Nearby