Our Community

Spokane, Washington lies at the heart of the Inland Northwest United States, in the shadows of the Columbia Plateau and the Rocky Mountain foothills.  The Spokane River, a tributary of the Columbia River, passes through the city, providing a series of enchanting waterfalls.  This vibrant northwestern community earned the title of All-America City in 2004.

Census 2000 data reported the Spokane, WA population as 195,629 residents; however, early 2006 estimates show the population in excess of 200,000.  This makes Spokane the second largest city in Washington and the Pacific Northwest’s third largest city.  The metro area surrounding Spokane is home to more than half a million individuals.  Located along the bustling I-90 corridor, Spokane, Washington lies just 18 miles west of the Idaho State line and 110 miles south of Canada.  Seattle and Portland, the region’s largest urban centers, are both within a half-day’s drive of Spokane.

Spokane, WA serves as the seat of Spokane County and is a significant center of business, health care and retail services for the Inland Northwest region.  This massive 80,000 square mile region encompasses 36 counties that span several U.S. states and a portion of Canada.  Spokane’s workforce has access to a progressive business atmosphere and a diverse economy that thrives on agriculture, biotechnology, forestry and manufacturing. Spokane, Washington is also an important distribution site for a large agricultural, horticultural, lumber, mining and stock-raising area.  Fairchild Air Force Base, Spokane Public Schools and Sacred Heart Medical Center are among Spokane’s largest employers.

Spokane, WA boasts an impressive selection of higher learning facilities that include Eastern Washington University, Gonzaga University, Spokane’s campus of the Washington State University and Whitworth College.  Spokane, WA is also home to the Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute, which serves as the American campus of the Mukogawa Women’s University in Nishinomiya, Japan.  Residents also have top-notch primary and secondary schools in the public and private sectors.  In recent years, Newsweek recognized Lewis & Clark High School as one of the top high schools in the United States.  In addition, Spokane earned second place (out of eighty large U.S. cities) for its kid-friendly atmosphere according to Population Connection in 2004.