Spokane Valley – Petition Jobs

Spokane Valley is a city located in Spokane County, Washington. With a population of 95,755 as of 2021, it is the largest suburb of Spokane and the 10th largest city in Washington state.

Population

According to the Wikipedia page for Spokane Valley, the city had a population of 95,755 as of 2021. This makes it the 2nd most populous city in Spokane County, after Spokane itself. Spokane Valley saw rapid growth in the 1990s and 2000s, growing over 45% between 1990 to 2000. The population growth rate has slowed in recent years but the city still saw a 9% increase between 2010 to 2020.

The racial makeup of Spokane Valley is predominantly white, with around 90% of residents identifying as white alone in census surveys. The next largest racial groups are Hispanic/Latino at around 3% and two or more races at 2.7%. Other races such as Black, Asian, Native American each account for around 1% or less of the population.

The median age in Spokane Valley is 36.8 years old. 22.4% of the population is under 18 years old, while 13.4% are over 65 years old. There are slightly more females (50.8%) than males (49.2%).

Over 30% of households in Spokane Valley have children under 18 years old. The average household size is 2.55 people. The median household income is $59,800 which is slightly higher than the Washington state average of $57,000.

History

The Spokane Valley area was inhabited for centuries by Native American tribes including the Spokane people. In the late 1800s white settlers began moving into the area, attracted by the abundant natural resources and opportunities for agriculture and mining.

In 1915, the Liberty Park Bridge was built over the Spokane River, connecting Spokane with the communities sprouting up in the valley. This helped accelerate growth and settlement on the valley side of the river.

Spokane Valley was officially incorporated as a city in 2003 after previously being part of unincorporated Spokane County. It was the second largest unincorporated urban area in the country prior to incorporation. Voters chose to approve cityhood in order to gain more local control over growth, zoning and taxation.

Economy

Traditionally the economy of Spokane Valley relied heavily on agriculture, with many farms, orchards and dairy operations throughout the area. While agriculture is still a component of the local economy, over the decades it has diversified into other industries as well.

Today, the major private employers in Spokane Valley include Fortune 500 technology company Les Schwab Tires, healthcare companies like Providence Health & Services, manufacturing and aerospace companies including Meggitt Polymers and Composites, and retailers such as Costco.

Other major industries and employers include finance, real estate, education, construction, wholesale trade, and hospitality.

The median household income in Spokane Valley is $59,800 which is above the national median. However, there is income disparity with 10% of the population living below the federal poverty line.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the unemployment rate was around 5%. As of June 2022, unemployment stood at 3.8% as the economy rebounded from pandemic shutdowns.

For more information on the Spokane Valley economy and business profile, visit the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce website.

Attractions and Landmarks

Some of the most popular attractions and landmarks in Spokane Valley include:

Mirabeau Meadows Park – Large park with trails, sports fields, picnic areas, and views of the surrounding scenery.
Liberty Lake Regional Park – Over 400 acres with swimming beach, play structures, hiking, mountain biking, and more.
Valley History Museum – Museum focused on local history and heritage located in historic schoolhouse.
Pavillion Park – Waterfront park on Liberty Lake with playground, hiking trails, public art, concerts and events.
CenterPlace Regional Event Center – Event venue and sports complex.
Spokane Chiefs hockey team – Local junior ice hockey team that plays at the Spokane Arena.
Spokane Valley Mall – Major shopping mall with over 150 stores and restaurants.

The natural beauty of the surrounding area also attracts many tourists and serves as a point of pride for residents. Popular outdoor recreation activities include hiking, biking, running, paddle boarding, kayaking, and fishing on the Spokane River and Liberty Lake.

Government

The City of Spokane Valley operates under a Council-Manager form of government. The city is governed by a seven-member City Council who are elected at-large by voters. The City Council is responsible for setting policy. The City Manager is appointed by the City Council and handles day-to-day administration.

The current mayor of Spokane Valley is Ben Wick. Other notable city leadership include:

The Spokane Valley Police Department and Spokane Valley Fire Department provide public safety services for the city.

Spokane Valley is located in eastern Washington, just east of the more well-known city of Spokane. With a population of over 95,000 as of 2020, Spokane Valley is the 10th largest city in Washington. This suburb has seen rapid growth in recent decades. Let’s learn more about what makes Spokane Valley an attractive place to live, work and visit.

Population and Growth

Spokane Valley was officially incorporated as a city in 2003 after passing a ballot measure in 2002. Prior to incorporation, the area was referred to as Greater Spokane Valley and was part of unincorporated Spokane County. As of the 2020 census, the population of Spokane Valley was estimated at 95,063 residents.

This represents major growth since incorporation. In 2000, the population of the Greater Spokane Valley area was just under 90,000 residents. The population boom has mainly been driven by the affordability and space that Spokane Valley offers over living directly in Spokane. Families and individuals alike have been attracted to the suburban community.

Economy and Major Employers

The economy of Spokane Valley is tied closely to the economy of the broader Spokane metropolitan area. Many residents commute into Spokane for work or operate businesses that serve both cities. The unemployment rate in Spokane Valley tracks closely with the overall Spokane area rate, at around 5% as of 2022.

Some of the major private employers located in Spokane Valley include:

MultiCare Valley Hospital
Jubilant HollisterStier Laboratories
XYZ Technologies (fictional company)
Comcast
Walmart

Public sector employers include the Central Valley School District, the City of Spokane Valley government, and the Spokane Valley branch of the Spokane County Library District.

For more information on the Spokane Valley economy and business environment, check out the Spokane Valley Economic Development website.

Parks and Recreation

Despite its suburban nature, Spokane Valley offers abundant parks and outdoor recreation opportunities for residents and visitors:

The Spokane River Centennial Trail runs along the Spokane River and provides walking, running and biking opportunities.
Liberty Lake Regional Park encompasses over 700 acres and offers swimming, hiking, mountain biking and more.
Plantes Ferry Sports Stadium is home to local sports leagues and events.

The Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation department oversees an extensive system of parks and trails that make it easy to enjoy the outdoors in Spokane Valley.

Education

Public education in Spokane Valley is managed by Central Valley School District (CVSD), which serves over 13,000 students. The district operates:

13 elementary schools
4 middle schools
3 comprehensive high schools
2 alternative high schools

Private schools located in Spokane Valley include St. John Vianney, Valley Christian, and Greenacres Adventist Academy.

Landmarks and Attractions

Some of the most noteworthy attractions and landmarks in Spokane Valley include:

Silverwood Theme Park – Amusement park with over 70 rides, attractions, shows and more.
Mirabeau Meadows Park – Event venue hosting concerts, festivals and community events.
Fallen Heroes Bridge – Pedestrian bridge over I-90 honoring local armed services members who died in the line of duty.
Carousel Farm – Family-friendly farm with u-pick fruits and vegetables.

Sports

Spokane Valley is home to the Spokane Chiefs, a major junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League. The Chiefs play their home games at the Spokane Arena, which is capable of seating over 10,000 screaming fans. Catch exciting Chiefs action during their regular season from September through March.

Tickets and schedule information for the Chiefs is available on the official team website.

Local Government

The City of Spokane Valley is governed by a Council-Manager style of government. The city council is made up of 7 elected council members who appoint a city manager to oversee the daily operations of the city government. The current city manager is John Hohman.

The Spokane Valley city government provides services including law enforcement, fire protection, parks, roads, permits, events and more. Get connected with what’s happening in local government by following their Facebook page.

Living in Spokane Valley

Spokane Valley offers a high quality of life with affordable housing, quality schools, parks and recreation, events and community. The city boasts convenient access to urban amenities in nearby Spokane while maintaining a more peaceful suburban pace of living.

If you’re considering moving to the Spokane area, be sure to check out homes for sale in Spokane Valley to find your perfect spot.