PORT ANGELES — Clallam County has one of the lowest median household incomes in Washington state.

According to recent U.S. Census Bureau data, Clallam ranks as the 13th lowest county with a median household income of $55,090. That’s 28.5% below the state average and 15.2% below the national average.

The data reveals that 22.3% of households in Clallam County earn more than $100,000, ranking it 1,234th in the country. Conversely, 10.6% of households make less than $15,000, placing it 1,814th, indicating a significant portion of residents are struggling financially compared to other parts of the state and country.

King County boasts the highest median household income in Washington at $99,158, while Ferry County sits at the bottom with $41,685.

The COVID-19 pandemic hit the economy hard, with the nation’s real GDP dropping by 31.4% in the second quarter of 2020, the worst decline since the Great Depression. Although the GDP had bounced back to 11% above pre-pandemic levels by early 2022, wages haven’t kept up with inflation, reducing purchasing power.