The percent increase in food stamp use from 2008 to 2009 in Washington State is 27.7 percent. Nationally the increase is 19.8 percent.

1. What’s the population of Washington state? 6,664,195

    a. What's the percent change since 2000? 13.1%

    b. Go back to the main page. Now look at 'Washington' under the 'Area Profile with QuickFacts.'

            1. In terms of percent increase, which has grown faster in the past decade -- Washington or the U.S.? Washington

            2. What's the median household income in Washington as of 2008? $58,081

            3. What's the national median income? $52,029

            4. Let's look at ethnicity: Identify one way in which Washington's population differs from the U.S. population. Washington State has a higher percentage of white persons.

2. Now look at Whitman County.

    a. What's the population? 42,689

    b. What was the percent increase from 2000 to 2009? 4.8%

    c. In 2000, what percent of the population had a bachelor’s degree? What was the percent statewide? 44.0% in Whitman County and 27.7% in Washington

    d. Median household income? $39,691

    e. Persons below poverty in 2008? 23.7%