County · Washington
Adams County, Washington
Adams County, Washington. Adams County had 21,488 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.3% since 2020, in line with Washington (+3.8%). It holds 5 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs) and 7 census tracts. GEOID 53001.
Adams County is the county of the Othello, WA micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
21,488
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 20,613 · ACS 2020-2024: 20,800
Median household income
$66,136
±$4,393 (90% margin)
Washington: $98,141
Median home value
$273,300
±$14,966 (90% margin)
Washington: $564,600
Median gross rent
$877
±$81 (90% margin)
Washington: $1,760
How many people live in Adams County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 20,613 residents in Adams County. The Census Bureau estimates 21,488 for July 1, 2025, up 4.3% since 2020, in line with Washington (+3.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 20,800 over 1,925 square miles of land.
| Measure | Adams County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 20,800 | 7,816,116 | +1,206 |
| Households | 6,288±162 | 3,064,820 | +315 |
| Average household size | 3.25±0.08 | 2.50 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,926±27 | 3,306,620 | +318 |
Adams County's population since 2000
From 16,428 in 2000 to 21,488 in 2025: up 30.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Adams County?
Adams County holds 5 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Othello with 9,237 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Adams County?
The median resident of Adams County is 29.3 years old; 34.7% are under 18 and 12.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 64.5%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 31.1%. 24.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Adams County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 29.3±0.2 | 38.3 | +1.4 |
| Under 18 years | 34.7%±0.2 pts | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 12.2%±0.2 pts | 16.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 64.5% | 14.4% | +0.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 31.1%±0.7 pts | 63.1% | −2.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.4 pts | 9.7% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.6%±0.7 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 24.5%±2.4 pts | 15.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 53.6%±2.6 pts | 21.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.6%±1.0 pts | 7.8% | – |
| With a disability | 11.7%±1.5 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 16.0%±2.2 pts | 6.3% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 65.9%±3.0 pts | 92.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.7%±2.4 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.4%±1.4 pts | 15.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 2.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Adams County earn?
Half of Adams County's 6,288 households earn less than $66,136 a year (±$4,393), against $98,141 in Washington. In 2015-2019 it was $59,435 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 19.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Adams County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $66,136±$4,393 | $98,141 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $92,806±$8,508 | $134,588 | – |
| Per capita income | $28,514±$2,582 | $53,744 | +$3,595 |
| People below the poverty line | 19.5%±4.2 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 26.0%±6.8 pts | 11.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 18.9%±3.4 pts | 11.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.0%±3.2 pts | 93.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Adams County?
Owners occupy 69.3% of Adams County's occupied homes and renters 30.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $273,300 by its owner (±$14,966). The median renter pays $877 a month including utilities, and 37.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Adams County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $273,300±$14,966 | $564,600 | +$83,158 |
| Median gross rent | $877±$81 | $1,760 | −$135 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 37.8%±10.1 pts | 40.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,606±$87 | $2,445 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.3%±4.1 pts | 63.8% | +6.2 pts |
| Housing units | 6,926±27 | 3,306,620 | +318 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0%±1.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.1%±5.1 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 60.9%±4.1 pts | 61.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 23.4%±3.1 pts | 5.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.9%±1.4 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 13.0%±2.8 pts | 9.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Adams County building?
Builders took permits for 33 new housing units across Adams County in 2025 (31 single-family), 1.5 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Adams County get to work?
68.6% of Adams County's workers drive alone and 6.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.6%.
| Measure | Adams County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.0%±2.2 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6%±1.4 pts | 5.1% | −3.1 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 68.6%±3.9 pts | 63.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 17.7%±3.5 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5%±0.7 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Walked | 4.4%±1.5 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.0%±1.7 pts | 19.8% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.2 min±2.0 | 26.6 min | +3.6 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Adams County's census tracts?
Adams County is divided into 7 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $58,585 (Tract 9503.01) to $75,673 (Tract 9503.03).
| Tract 950153001950100 | 2,762±276 | $68,750 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950253001950200 | 2,041±462 | $72,500 |
| Tract 9503.0153001950301 | 1,780±418 | $58,585 |
| Tract 9503.0253001950302 | 2,981±472 | $65,893 |
| Tract 9503.0353001950303 | 2,399±430 | $75,673 |
| Tract 950453001950400 | 3,058±377 | $59,155 |
| Tract 950553001950500 | 5,779±387 | $67,255 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Adams County compare with Washington's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 31st of 39 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 21st of 39 |
| Residents per square mile | 32nd of 39 |
| Median household income | 33rd of 39 |
| Median home value | 37th of 39 |
| Median gross rent | 35th of 39 |
| Poverty rate | 3rd of 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 38th of 39 |
| Median age | 38th of 39 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Adams County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.