Signature · 49.1% low-access (93rd pct)

Columbia County, WA

Columbia County sits in the upper national band on low-access (49.1%, +27 pts vs U.S.), with SNAP/vehicle context from ACS 2024.

49.1%
low-access pop.
0
food-desert tracts
14.1%
on SNAP
4K
residents (ACS 2024)
USDA FARA 2019 Census ACS 2024 WA

USDA FARA access plate

County Columbia County, WA

LA-SEVERE · ABOVE-NATIONAL · LILA-NONE · SNAP-HEAVY · VEH-OK · DENSITY-CLEAR

  • LA-SEVERE 49.1% low-access
  • ABOVE-NATIONAL +27.0 pts vs US
  • LILA-NONE 0 food-desert tracts
  • SNAP-HEAVY 14.1% SNAP
  • VEH-OK 6.3% no vehicle
  • DENSITY-CLEAR 0% tracts LILA

Nearest low-access peer: Ferry County ( -0.5 pts)

Upper-band low-access

Columbia County sits in the upper national band (49.1%, #214 of 3,079).

#214
national by low-access %
#2
in WA
1
low-access tracts
580
food-desert residents

Upper-band counties often pair elevated low-access with clustered LILA tracts. Low access = >1 mile urban / >10 miles rural.

Signature read: 49.1% low-access (93rd pct) (+27 pts vs U.S. low-access).

How Columbia County compares nationally

Columbia County sits among the nation's most food-access-constrained counties: its 49.1% low-access share outpaces 93% of the 3,133 U.S. counties with USDA data, ranking #214 most-affected nationwide.

lower low-accesshigher low-access

Columbia County's elevated USDA tier split

1 census tracts grouped by USDA classification .

Food access tier distribution for Columbia County, WA USDA-defined food-access tiers: 0 census tracts adequate (within distance threshold), 1 limited, 0 severe (low-income low-access food desert). Total 1 tracts evaluated. 1 tracts limited (100.0%) Adequate 0% Limited 100% Severe 0% Food-access tier distribution: Columbia County, WA
Source: USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas 2019

By USDA urbanicity classification, Columbia County has 1 urban and 0 rural census tracts. The 1-mile (urban) vs 10-mile (rural) distance threshold above applies per tract, so a county's access rate reflects this mix.

Columbia County vs nearby high low-access peers

Poles + nearest peers in Washington, not a full county-board reprint

% low-access
Source USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas As of 2019 edition

FARA 2019 · elevated low-access

USDA Food Access Research Atlas 2019 indicators for Columbia County
IndicatorValue
Census Tracts1
Atlas Population (2010 basis)4,078
Low-Access Tracts1
Food-Desert Tracts (low-income & low-access)0
Low-Access Population2,004
Low-Access Share49.1%well above the national average
Low-Income & Low-Access Population580

Demographics & Assistance (Census ACS 2024)

Census ACS 2024 demographic and SNAP data for Columbia County
IndicatorValue
Population4,014
Median Household Income$71,810
Poverty Rate9.3%below the national average
SNAP Households263
SNAP Participation Rate14.1%above the national average
Households Without a Vehicle6.3%below the national average
Group-Quarters Population1.6%

Slim SNAP store book in Columbia County

Columbia County has 5 stores currently authorized to accept SNAP (EBT) benefits, across 2 store categories. Convenience Store lead with 4 locations (80% of the total), followed by supermarket.

Convenience Store · 4

  • pdq food mart, dayton
  • steve's cash grocery, dayton
  • the dayton food mart, dayton
  • the general store, dayton

Supermarket · 1

  • dayton mercantile, dayton

Source: USDA SNAP Retailer Locator (currently authorized stores, a live third population, not the 2019 Atlas or ACS 2024 snapshot above).

Other Counties in Washington

One of 38 counties in Washington, 6 are shown here.

Compare Columbia County vs Adams County → · All Washington counties →

Columbia County inside a higher low-access state context

Columbia County sits inside Washington (ringed). Each state is colored by population-weighted low-access; click any state to compare.

USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas (2019), population-weighted · Census ACS 2024 context

Read with this county

Sources: USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas (2019) · U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2024 5-Year Estimates · methodology · compiled .

PlainFoodAccess renders this county profile directly from the USDA Food Access Research Atlas (2019) and U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (2024 5-year estimates), no number is typed in by an editor. Figures for Columbia County, WA are computed from the joined Atlas and ACS records for FIPS 53013. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-06-23. Primary sources: USDA Food Access Research Atlas and Census ACS 5-year estimates.

Note: This page presents public USDA and Census data for informational purposes and is not professional advice. Figures reflect the cited dataset vintages and may differ from the most recent local conditions. How this data is sourced & verified.