Walla Walla
Bikers travel on a rural road through the 2,900 acres of vineyards surrounding Walla Walla. Courtesy of the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation
- StateWashington
- CountyWalla Walla
- Population34,182
Named for one of three Native American tribes that settled in the area long before Europeans arrived, the city of Walla Walla features both breathtaking natural scenery beloved by outdoor adventurers and a bustling downtown filled with shops, art galleries, and restaurants.
This small city of 34,182 residents is part of Walla Walla County, an agricultural hotbed that’s famously home to more than 120 wineries. Sip and Stroll events held throughout the year allow wine lovers to sample local vintages while enjoying the best of downtown. A farmers’ market running from May through October brings bushels of fresh produce, including Walla Walla’s famous sweet onions.
Despite its seemingly remote location in southeast Washington, Walla Walla is fairly accessible. It’s just a 40-minute flight from Seattle or a four-hour drive from that city, Boise, or Portland. And there are plenty of amenities. In 2021, Providence St. Mary Medical Center received the Healthgrades Stroke Care Excellence Award, an honor given to only four other hospitals in the state.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, locals and tourists alike have enjoyed Walawála Plaza, now a permanent public gathering space, thanks to funds from the American Rescue Plan. The finished plaza will stand on what used to be a gathering place for the Walla Walla and Cayuse tribes, and city officials are working with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation to honor this legacy.
This spirit of inclusiveness extends to children and seniors, who can participate in activities such as Big Feelings Yoga and community Spanish lessons at the Walla Walla Public Library. —KP
This small city of 34,182 residents is part of Walla Walla County, an agricultural hotbed that’s famously home to more than 120 wineries. Sip and Stroll events held throughout the year allow wine lovers to sample local vintages while enjoying the best of downtown. A farmers’ market running from May through October brings bushels of fresh produce, including Walla Walla’s famous sweet onions.
Despite its seemingly remote location in southeast Washington, Walla Walla is fairly accessible. It’s just a 40-minute flight from Seattle or a four-hour drive from that city, Boise, or Portland. And there are plenty of amenities. In 2021, Providence St. Mary Medical Center received the Healthgrades Stroke Care Excellence Award, an honor given to only four other hospitals in the state.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, locals and tourists alike have enjoyed Walawála Plaza, now a permanent public gathering space, thanks to funds from the American Rescue Plan. The finished plaza will stand on what used to be a gathering place for the Walla Walla and Cayuse tribes, and city officials are working with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation to honor this legacy.
This spirit of inclusiveness extends to children and seniors, who can participate in activities such as Big Feelings Yoga and community Spanish lessons at the Walla Walla Public Library. —KP
Town Information
| Median sale price for single family residences (2022) | $362,500 |
| Median household income | $64,592 |
| Racial and ethnic makeup of current residents | Black: 2.2%, Asian: 2.7%, Hispanic: 22.4%, White, non-Hispanic: 68.6% |
| Racial and ethnic makeup of U.S. | Black: 13.6%, Asian: 6.1%, Hispanic: 18.9%, White, non-Hispanic: 59.3% |
| Sharecare Community Well-Being Index Score (out of 100) | 60 |
| High school district graduation rate (averages of districts were applied when necessary) | 79.8% |
| Number of quality family medicine doctors (rated 3.5 or higher) per 100,000 households, within 25 miles | 47 |
| Number of above-average nursing homes within 50 miles, per 100,000 households | 54 |
Sources: Witlytic, ATTOM Data Solutions, STI: Popstats, the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, the Kaiser Family Foundation, Caring.com, Healthgrades, and Sharecare.