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Spokane, WA

Frequently asked questions

Spokane, WA

Spokane is the most populous city in and the county seat of Spokane County, Washington, United States. It is in eastern Washington, along the Spokane River, adjacent to the Selkirk Mountains, and west of the Rocky Mountain foothills, 92 miles (148 km) south of the Canadian border, 18 miles (30 km) west of the Washington–Idaho border, and 279 miles (449 km) east of Seattle, along Interstate 90.

Spokane is the economic and cultural center of the Spokane metropolitan area, the Spokane–Coeur d'Alene combined statistical area, and the Inland Northwest. It is known as the birthplace of Father's Day, and is locally by the nickname of "Lilac City". Officially, Spokane goes by the nickname of Hooptown USA, due to Spokane annually hosting Spokane Hoopfest, the world's largest basketball tournament. The city and the wider Inland Northwest area are served by Spokane International Airport, 5 miles (8 km) west of Downtown Spokane, which is located near another airfield at Fairchild Air Force Base. According to the 2010 census, Spokane had a population of 208,916, making it the second-most populous city in Washington, and the 97th-largest city in the United States. At the 2020 census, Spokane's population was 228,989. A 2023 estimate sets the population of the metropolitan area at 600,292.

The first people to live in the area, the Spokane tribe (their name meaning "children of the sun" in Salishan), lived off plentiful game. David Thompson explored the area with the westward expansion and establishment of the North West Company's Spokane House in 1810. This trading post was the first long-term European settlement in Washington. Completion of the Northern Pacific Railway in 1881 brought many settlers from America to the Spokane area. The same year it was officially incorporated as a city under the name of Spokane Falls (it was re-incorporated under its current name ten years later). In the late 19th century, gold and silver were discovered in the Inland Northwest. The local economy depended on mining, timber, and agriculture until the 1980s. Spokane hosted the first environmentally-themed World's Fair at Expo '74.

Many of the downtown area's older Romanesque Revival-style buildings were designed by architect Kirtland Kelsey Cutter after the Great Fire of 1889. The city is also home to the Riverfront and Manito parks, the Smithsonian-affiliated Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, the Davenport Hotel, and the Fox and Bing Crosby theaters.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Spokane, and the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist serves as that of the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane. The Spokane Washington Temple in the east of the county serves the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Gonzaga University was established in 1887 by the Jesuits, and the private Presbyterian Whitworth University was founded three years later and moved to north Spokane in 1914.

In sports, the region's professional and semi-professional sports teams include the Spokane Indians in Minor League Baseball. The Spokane Chiefs in the Western Hockey League. The Spokane Velocity in USL League One with a women's first division team Spokane Zephyr FC in the USL Super League. The Gonzaga Bulldogs collegiate basketball team competes at the Division I level. As of 2010, Spokane's major daily newspaper, The Spokesman-Review, had a daily circulation of over 76,000.

Spokane is located on the Spokane River in eastern Washington at an elevation of 1,843 feet (562 m) above sea level, about 18 miles (29 km) from Idaho, 92 miles (148 km) south of the Canadian border, 229 miles (369 km) due east of Seattle, and 279 miles (449 km) southwest of Calgary. The lowest elevation in the city of Spokane is the northernmost point of the Spokane River within city limits (in Riverside State Park) at 1,608 feet (490 m); the highest elevation is on the northeast side, near the community of Hillyard (though closer to Beacon Hill and the North Hill Reservoir) at 2,591 feet (790 m). Spokane is part of the Inland Northwest region, consisting of eastern Washington, north Idaho, northwestern Montana, and northeastern Oregon. The city has a total area of 60.02 square miles (155.45 km²), of which 59.25 square miles (153.46 km²) is land and 0.77 square miles (1.99 km²) is water.

Spokane lies mostly within the Spokane Valley Outwash Plains at the periphery of the North Central Rockies forests ecoregion and partly within the eastern edge of the basaltic Channeled Scablands steppe of the Columbia Plateau ecoregion, a plain that eventually rises sharply to the east towards the rugged, timbered Selkirk Mountains. The foothills of the Rockies—the Coeur d'Alene Mountains—rise about 25 miles (40 km) to the east in north Idaho. The city is in a transition area between the barren landscape of the Columbia Basin and the coniferous forests to the east; to the south are the lush prairies and rolling hills of the Palouse. The highest peak in Spokane County is Mount Spokane, at an elevation of 5,883 feet (1,793 m), on the eastern side of the Selkirk Mountains. The Spokane River is the area's most prominent water feature, a 111-mile (179 km) tributary of the Columbia River, originating from Lake Coeur d'Alene in northern Idaho. The river flows west across the Washington state line through downtown Spokane, meeting Latah Creek, then turns to the northwest, where it is joined by the Little Spokane River on its way to the Columbia River, north of Davenport. 

The city places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, offering a variety of amenities to support residents' well-being. Deaconess Hospital offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Spokane Fitness Center offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. Start your wellness journey at Shala Living Yoga, where you can find yoga classes that range from beginner to advanced levels. Riverside State Park offers extensive trails for hiking, biking, and even horseback riding. If you enjoy water-based activities, the YMCA of the Inland Northwest provides excellent swimming facilities and aquatic fitness classes. For a more relaxing experience, visit the Urbanna Natural Spa, Salon & Wine, known for its luxurious treatments and therapeutic massages. Get your fitness regime on track at MUV Fitness, a state-of-the-art gym with personal training options. 

Top sites in Spokane, WA are Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, Riverfront Park, and Spokane Falls.

Population: 230,609 (2024). ZIP code: 99205. Area code: 509. Elevation: 1,843 ft (562 m). Area: 69.50 sq mi (179.99 km²).

FAQs

What is Spokane, WA best known for?

Spokane is the ideal setting for genuine connections and fresh ideas. The city has been a western boomtown, a vital railroad hub, the cultural center of a fascinating region, and the smallest city ever to host a World's Fair. Spokane boasts natural beauty in each distinct area, and it’s also a four-season destination. 

Is Spokane, WA an expensive place to live?

The study showed Spokane residents spent an average of $1,971 on bills per month or $23,648 a year on household bills. That is compared to the state average of $2,468 and the national average of $2,046. The household expenses in Spokane, on average, are 3.7% lower than the national average of $2,046, and 20.2% lower than the state average of $2,468. Those expenses put Spokane at the number 71 most expensive city in the state of Washington out of the 85 cities that took part in the study.

Is Spokane, WA a good place to live?

Spokane’s growing economy is one of the many reasons why it is a great place to live and work. The city has experienced significant growth in recent years, with opportunities in healthcare, education, technology, and other sectors. Additionally, the city has a strong entrepreneurial spirit, with many startups and small businesses finding success in Spokane. 

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Spokane

Visit Spokane

Krem

Redfin

Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture

Riverfront Park

Spokane Falls

Deaconess Hospital

Spokane Fitness Center

Shala Living Yoga

Riverside State Park

YMCA of the Inland Northwest

Urbanna Natural Spa, Salon & Wine

MUV Fitness

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.