Quality of Life

The quality of life of a population is an important concern. There are many components to well-being. A large part is standard of living, the amount of money and access to goods and services that a person has; these numbers are fairly easily measured. Others like freedom, happiness, art, environmental health and innovation can be far harder to measure.

Quality of life is especially hard to measure in a rural community. For example, people in rural areas and small towns are generally reluctant to move to cities, even if it would mean a substantial increase in their standard of living. For many, the quality of life of living in a rural area is of enough value to offset a higher standard of living.

Quality of life is usually measured against things such as: access to quality healthcare; availability of cultural events and leisure activities such as golfing, shopping, sports, etc.; clean air and water; low crime; good schools; good jobs; and active community support. Many of these are available in Connell, and what is not is found nearby in the Tri-Cities, 35 miles to the South, and Spokane 100 miles to the North, both accessible via interstate highways.

Connell by the Numbers

Climate: Average rainfall is 8.2 inches per year and snowfall is 4 inches. The area boasts 300 sunny days per year. The average temperature in July high is 88 degrees and the January average low is 25. The comfort index (based on humidity during the hot months) is 65 out of 100. The US average on the comfort index is 44 (where a higher level is considered more comfortable).

Cost of Living: The cost of living is 87.9, based on a US average of 100. This means that living in Connell is cheaper than the US average.

Education: Connell, WA, schools spend $6,226 per student. There are 19 pupils per teacher, 351 students per librarian, and 568 children per counselor in Connell, WA, schools.

Employment: The unemployment rate in Connell, WA, is 6.3%, with job growth of 2.4%. Future job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 19.4%.

Income: The median household income is $35,390.

Living: The median home value is $134,300. Renters make up 24.8% of the population.

Population: The 2005 Connell, WA, population is 3,164. The median age is 29.0. The average household size is 3.11.

Race: 68.9% of people are white, 3.1% are black, 4.3% are asian, 1.8% are native american, and 21.9% are listed as "other." 43.1% of the people claim hispanic ethnicity (meaning 57.0% are non-hispanic).

Taxes: The sales tax rate is 7.7%. There are no income taxes in Washington State.

Source: http://www.bestplaces.net/city/Profile.aspx?city=Connell_WA