Marriage, money, and education in local populations

How many people are single or married in the local area? How many have a bachelor’s degree? And what is the average income here?

On Dec. 15, The Star reported 2019 population data for local zip codes from the American Community Survey, conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, with that data not yet available from the 2020 decennial census.

The Zip codes 99123 (Electric City area), 99133 (Grand Coulee area), 99116 (Coulee Dam area), 99124 (Elmer City area), and 99155 (Nespelem area), showed a larger population than just the towns themselves and include people living outside of city limits.

The four coulee area zip codes show a combined population of 4,456 people, with the Nespelem area zip code showing a population of 1,007.

This week, looking at the 2019 ACS data, The Star is reporting marital statuses, the average incomes, and the highest education attained by the local populations.

Percentages are rounded, sometimes resulting in totals that don’t quite equal 100%. 

Marriage

In the coulee area, with a population of 3,806 over the age of 15, the married population accounts for about 46% of that population or 1,768 people. This compares to 939 (25%) never married; 806 (21%) divorced or separated; and 293 (8%) widowed. 

In the Nespelem area, with a population of 833 above age 15, 239 people (29%) are married; 367 (44%) have never married; 155 (19%) are divorced or separated; and 72 (8%) are widowed.

Education

With educational attainment, for some reason the ACS shows data for those age 25 and over, leaving a chunk of the population out of the statistics. 

In the coulee area, with a population of 3,343 over 25 years of age, 1,390 (41.5%) have some college or an associate degree; 1,056 (31.5%) have a high school diploma or equivalent; 474 (14%) have a bachelor’s degree; 248 (7%) have less than a high school degree; and 175 (5%) have a graduate or professional degree.

In the Nespelem area, with a population of 672 over the age of 25, 289 (43%) have some college or an associate degree; 273 (41%) have a high school diploma or equivalent; 77 (11%) have less than a high school diploma; 17 (3%) have a bachelor’s degree; and 16 (2%) have a graduate or professional degree. 

Income

With annual income, the ACS again looks at populations age 15 and up. 

In the coulee area, out of the 3,806 people age 15 and over, 744 (20%) are listed as having an annual income between $1 and $9,999 or a loss; 312 (8%) have an income of $10,000 - $14,999; 542 (14%) make $15,000 - $24,999; 313 (8%)  make $25,000 - $34,999; 523 (14%) make $35,000-$49,999; 434 (11%) make $50,000-$64,999; 149 (4%) make $65,000-$74,999; and 441 (12%) make $75,000 or more.

The coulee area as a whole has a median income of $28,194, with the Coulee Dam area ZIP code having the highest median income of $37,177. Elmer City’s ZIP has a median income of $28,333. Electric City’s is $25,513; and Grand Coulee’s $21,754. 

This shows the Coulee Dam area ZIP code as having a median income of $15,423 higher than the Grand Coulee area ZIP code’s median income.

The Nespelem area has a median income of $23,582.

There, with a population of 833 over age 15, 125 people (15%) are listed as having an annual income between $1 and $9,999 or a loss; 72 (9%) have an income of $10,000 - $14,999; 171 (21%) make $15,000 - $24,999; 101 (12%) make $25,000 - $34,999; 76 (9%) make $35,000-$49,999; 86 (10%) make $50,000-$64,999; six (1%)  make $65,000-$74,999; and 40 (5%) make $75,000 or more.