Statistics reveal health of counties

Among Washington state's 39 counties through 1999:

Workers in Garfield County took home the least amount of money, $19,899 a year.

A quarter of enrolled students didn't graduate from high school in Asotin County, the third lowest rate in the state.

Whitman County had the lowest percentage of unemployed workers.

These statistics are from the latest reports on the health of Washington counties prepared by the Washington Health Foundation, a nonprofit group based in Seattle. They were compiled before the 2000 Census figures were released.

The County Health Profiles look at each county's well-being through a combination of social, health and economic factors -- from poverty levels to students' abilities to meet state reading standards.

For Asotin County and, to a lesser degree, Garfield County the picture is not rosy.

Poverty

Asotin County had a significantly higher rate of children living in poverty than surrounding counties and the state.

In 1997, 10 percent of the people in Washington lived below the federal poverty level, including 15 percent of children under 17.

In Asotin County, 16 percent of the people lived below the poverty level, including 23 percent of children under 17.

Whitman County was closer to state averages with 14 percent living below poverty level, including 15.5 percent of the children.

Garfield County fared better with 11 percent of the people living below poverty level including 13 percent of the children.

Unemployment

Although Asotin County had a higher than average percentage of people living below the poverty level, its unemployment rates were lower than the state average, as were unemployment levels in Whitman and Garfield counties.

In 1999 about 5 percent of the labor force in Washington was unemployed.

Asotin had a 3 percent unemployment rate. Garfield County came in around 4 percent and Whitman County's rate was 2 percent, the lowest in the state.

Workers are counted where they live, not where they work, said Doug Tweedy, regional economist for the Department of Labor in Lewiston.

"A lot of people migrate back and forth (between communities). Up until 1999 growth in Lewiston dictated that low unemployment rate in Clarkston."

People in Garfield County also work in other towns, he said. In Whitman County, Washington State University provides a vast number of jobs.

Since 1999, unemployment has slightly increased throughout the region on both sides of the state line, he said.

Average net earnings

In 1998 the average net earnings for workers in Washington were $39,035.

In Garfield County workers took home the least amount of money in the state, averaging $19,899.

Asotin County ranked fourth lowest in the state with an average yearly take-home pay of $20,945.

Whitman County ranked eighth from the bottom at $23,401.

Teen pregnancy

Teen pregnancy is on the rise in Asotin County.

In 1997-1999 the rate reached its highest peak -- 36.3 births per 1,000 girls ages 15 to 17.

In striking comparison, Whitman County's teen birth rate was 5.2 per 1,000.

Garfield County's was 19.6, significantly lower than the 30.2 percent average among rural counties, and the state average of 23.9.

High school graduation and dropouts

Garfield County got an A in high school graduation, ranking first in the state in the 1998-99 school year with 100 percent of its 40 students graduating.

Whitman County also faired well with 92 percent of its 366 12th graders graduating, earning a ranking of 10th highest in the state.

Asotin County ranked third to last in the state, with about 75.5 percent of 326 students graduating.

The state average was 84 percent.

Asotin County had the third highest dropout rate for ninth through 12th-graders at 6 percent. Whitman and Garfield counties' dropout rates were among the lowest at 2 and 3 percent, respectively.

The state average was 4 percent.

Smoking during pregnancy

Fifteen percent of Washington mothers smoked during pregnancy from 1997 to 1999, the study said. Among rural counties the percentage was 17 percent.

Garfield and Asotin counties had much higher rates. In Asotin County, 25 percent of mothers smoked during pregnancy and 20 percent did in Garfield.

In Whitman County only 6 percent of pregnant mothers smoked.

Smoking is one cause of low birth weight in babies, which can lead to health complications.

Low birth weight

In Garfield County during the same period, 13 percent of babies born weighed less than 5.5 pounds.

In Asotin County 6 percent of babies were born at low birth weight, the same as the state average.

In Whitman County only 4 percent of babies were at low birth weight.

State reading standards

Seventy-four percent of fourth-graders in Whitman County and 72 percent of fourth-graders in Asotin County were able to meet state reading standards.

Throughout the state, 67 percent of fourth-graders met the standards. In Garfield County, 64 percent of fourth- graders met standards.

Things changed for Asotin and Garfield students by the time they reached seventh grade.

In Asotin County, 39 percent of seventh-graders met state reading standards and in Garfield the number dropped to 23 percent.

The state average was 44 percent. In Whitman County, 48 percent of seventh-graders met the standards.

By 10th grade students improved, although the percentages in Asotin and Garfield counties were still below the state average.

The state average was 66 percent. Asotin County came in at 57 percent. Garfield County came in at 61.5 percent, and 73 percent of 10th-graders met reading standards in Whitman County.