Our Community

Spokane, Washington nestles within the heart of the Inland Northwest, where the Columbia Plateau meets the Rocky Mountain foothills. The Spokane River flows through Spokane, with several spectacular falls located in the city’s center. In 2004, the lovely community of Spokane earned the distinct title of All-America City.

With a population of 195,629 (Census 2000 Data), Spokane, WA is the Pacific Northwest’s third largest city. Seattle and Portland are the region’s largest urban centers. Spokane’s metropolitan area contains approximately 625,000 residents. Located along the I-90 corridor, Spokane, Washington lies 18 miles west of the Idaho state border and 110 miles south of Canada. Both Portland and Seattle are within a half-day’s drive.

Spokane serves as the seat of Spokane County. This Inland Northwest region encompasses 80,000 square miles, where more than two million individuals live and work. Spokane, WA is also a significant core of business, health care and retail services for a 36-county region, which includes several states. Hospitals, technology firms and local universities provide a vital balance for Spokane’s prosperous economy. Some of the area’s largest employers include Sacred Heart Medical Center, Spokane School District, Empire Health Services and Community Colleges of Spokane. Spokane, Washington is also a vital distribution site for a massive agricultural, horticultural, lumber, mining and stock-raising region.

In 2004, Population Connection ranked Spokane the second out of eighty large U.S. cities, for its kid-friendly atmosphere. Outstanding primary and secondary schools provide Spokane, WA children with a well-balanced education. Recently, Newsweek named Lewis & Clark High School one of the nation’s top high schools. An excellent array of higher learning facilities exists in Spokane. These include Eastern Washington University, Gonzaga University, Spokane’s campus of the Washington State University and Whitworth College.

Four distinct seasons highlight Spokane’s natural splendor and attract a wealth of visitors to this unique region. Nearly 3,500 acres of stunning parkland provide outdoor recreation that centers on the area’s lakes and mountains. Spokane, Washington residents have access to five exciting ski resorts within a short drive out of the city. Fun celebrations such as Hoopfest and Pig Out in the Park bring residents and visitors together throughout the year. Spokane, WA was also the site of the 1974 World’s Fair. Several of the structures built specifically for the World's Fair are still standing today. Popular destinations in the area include the Fairchild Air Force Base, the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, Silverwood Theme Park, the Spokane Raceway Park and various local wine tours. An additional benefit to living in Spokane is HotZone, the nation’s largest municipal wireless fidelity (wi-fi) network. HotZone provides free high-speed Internet access to anyone within the massive 100-block access area.

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