Palouse ZIP Codes — Whitman County, WA

There is one unique ZIP code in Palouse, Washington and it is 99161. Area code: 509.

ZIP codes

76.75

sq mi land

0.00

sq mi water

509

area code

Palouse, WA ZIP code map

About Palouse, WA

Palouse, Washington, is a charming city nestled in the scenic Palouse region of Whitman County. Renowned for its agricultural landscape and picturesque rolling hills, it embodies the serene rural lifestyle that many seek. As a small community, Palouse offers both a close-knit atmosphere and a rich history that captivates visitors and residents alike.

Location & geography

Palouse is located in the southeastern part of Washington state, approximately 10 miles southwest of Pullman and 30 miles south of Spokane. The city covers a total land area of 76.75 square miles, characterized by its stunning farmland and gentle topography, with no significant water areas within its boundaries. This region's lush landscapes and vast open spaces make it a great spot for outdoor activities and enjoying nature.

Community & economy

The character of Palouse is defined by its tight-knit community, where neighbors know each other and participate in local events. Agriculture is a key industry, with many residents involved in farming and related enterprises that contribute to the local economy. Daily life in Palouse is enhanced by a peaceful rural atmosphere, with opportunities for socializing at local shops, parks, and community gatherings.

Transportation

Palouse is accessible via several highways, with State Route 27 being a primary roadway that connects the city to surrounding areas. The nearest major airport is Spokane International Airport, located about 30 miles north, providing regional air travel. Local transit options are limited, emphasizing the small-town nature of this community.

History

Founded in the late 19th century, Palouse has developed around the rich agricultural land that defines the region. Key industries have historically included wheat farming and grain storage, which remain vital to the town's economy today. Notable events in Palouse's history include the establishment of a local railroad that facilitated the growth of commerce and transport in the area.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Palouse is that it is home to the Palouse River, which provides beautiful views and recreational opportunities. Additionally, the city holds an annual festival celebrating its agricultural heritage and community spirit, attracting visitors from nearby towns.

ZIP codes for Palouse, WA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
99161	Palouse	Whitman	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,366

Population

48.1

Median age

$89,167

Median household income

$41,516

Per capita income

$271,000

Median home value

$682

Median monthly rent

85.0%

Home ownership

2.7%

Poverty rate

1.0%

Unemployment

575

Housing units

54.3%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

116

45–54

55–59

60–64

122

65–74

100

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	288	21.1%
18 and over	1,078	78.9%
65 and over	285	20.9%
Median age	48.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 80.4%

Hispanic or Latino 6.3%

Other race 5.8%

Two or more races 3.4%

Asian 2.5%

American Indian / Alaska Native 1.6%

Group	Count	%
White	1,172	80.4%
Hispanic or Latino	92	6.3%
Other race	85	5.8%
Two or more races	50	3.4%
Asian	36	2.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native	23	1.6%

Household income

Under $10k 4.8%

$10k–$15k 0.7%

$15k–$25k 7.0%

$25k–$35k 5.1%

$35k–$50k 8.1%

$50k–$75k 12.0%

$75k–$100k 18.3%

$100k–$150k 22.4%

$150k–$200k 15.1%

$200k+ 6.5%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.8%
$10k–$15k	0.7%
$15k–$25k	7.0%
$25k–$35k	5.1%
$35k–$50k	8.1%
$50k–$75k	12.0%
$75k–$100k	18.3%
$100k–$150k	22.4%
$150k–$200k	15.1%
$200k+	6.5%
Median income	$89,167

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 0.6%

$50k–$100k 5.8%

$100k–$150k 6.2%

$150k–$200k 12.0%

$200k–$300k 32.1%

$300k–$500k 37.1%

$500k–$1M 6.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$271,000
Median rent / month	$682
Owner occupied	85.0%
Renter occupied	15.0%
Vacant	13.9%
Single-family detached	79.5%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	11.5%
Median rooms	6.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.50

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	4.8%
2000–2009	9.2%
1990–1999	11.5%
1980–1989	4.8%
1970–1979	11.1%
1960–1969	3.3%
1950–1959	5.6%
1940–1949	2.7%
1939 or earlier	46.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.4%
1 bedroom	4.7%
2 bedrooms	23.9%
3 bedrooms	41.5%
4 bedrooms	21.1%
5+ bedrooms	6.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	1.8%
1 vehicle	22.9%
2 vehicles	29.8%
3 or more	45.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	48.6%
Electricity	33.1%
Fuel oil	4.8%
Wood	9.3%
No fuel used	0.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	336	59.2%
Cohabiting couple	43	7.6%
Male householder, no spouse	119	21.0%
Female householder, no spouse	70	12.3%
Households with children under 18	134	23.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	201	35.4%
Average household size	2.38

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	29.2%	12.6%
Married	54.3%	68.8%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	0.8%	3.4%
Divorced	15.7%	15.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.0%

Some HS, no diploma 0.3%

HS graduate 14.0%

Some college, no degree 22.0%

Associate's degree 9.3%

Bachelor's degree 31.2%

Graduate / professional 23.1%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	99.7%
Bachelor's or higher	54.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	48	12.9%
Kindergarten	22	5.9%
Elementary school	144	38.7%
High school	55	14.8%
College / grad school	103	27.7%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 42.9%

Manufacturing 14.7%

Construction 7.6%

Professional & management 6.4%

Public administration 5.0%

Retail trade 4.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 4.5%

Transportation & utilities 4.4%

Agriculture & mining 3.9%

Other services 3.2%

Wholesale trade 1.6%

Finance & real estate 0.7%

Information 0.6%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	59.2%
Service	10.3%
Sales & office	10.8%
Natural resources & construction	9.5%
Production & transportation	10.2%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	49.7%
Government	41.8%
Self-employed	7.1%
Unpaid family workers	1.3%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	65.0%
Carpool	12.8%
Public transit	2.0%
Walk	5.0%
Other means	2.4%
Avg commute (minutes)	21.9

Poverty

All people 2.7%

Under 18 years 0.0%

18 and over 3.4%

Married-couple families 0.0%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	33.5%
Retirement income	21.3%
Supplemental Security	3.2%
Cash public assistance	0.9%
Food stamps / SNAP	7.0%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	31.3%
High cholesterol	33.9%
Heart disease	6.3%
Stroke	2.9%
Asthma	10.6%
Arthritis	25.8%
Kidney disease	2.9%
Pulmonary disease	6.2%
Cancer	7.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.7%
No physical activity	16.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	27.6%
Fair or poor health	12.0%
Poor mental health	14.3%
Poor physical health	10.2%
No health insurance	8.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	70.5%
Visited dentist	73.1%
Cholesterol screening	90.5%
Teeth loss	9.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	118	10.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	14.1%
Under 18	1.4%
18–64 years	11.7%
65 and over	33.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	85.2%
Public insurance	27.3%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,334	97.7%
Spanish	9	0.7%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	9	0.7%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,339	98.0%
Born in same state	1,336	97.8%
Born in different state	666	48.8%
Foreign born	3	0.2%
Naturalized citizen	27	2.0%
Not a US citizen	15	55.6%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	332	24.3%
French	248	18.2%
Polish	92	6.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	64	4.7%
English	44	3.2%
Dutch	6	0.4%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.6%
Internet access	95.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Palouse, WA have?

Palouse, WA has one ZIP code: 99161. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.