Data
& Reports
Employee
Downtown Spokane is the region’s economic and cultural center, home to more than 500 businesses, a growing mix of industries, and a vibrant daily workforce. With more than 1.4 million employee visits last year and a strong pipeline of talent from our 6 local colleges and universities, downtown continues to be a place where businesses, employees, and innovation thrive.
- Â 1.18M employee visits in 2025
Monthly Weekday Employee Visits
2026 Q2 Average Daily Employee Distribution
Professional Services Mix
Student
With four adjacent universities, two medical schools and two community colleges, Spokane delivers a regular pool of talented young workers for any enterprise.
- Students enrolled in higher education: 57,000+
- Individuals employed in the downtown core: 9,000+
- Average downtown employee income: $97,500
Residential
- Downtown Spokane is more than the region’s business center; it’s a neighborhood. Residents enjoy walkable access to restaurants, entertainment, cultural attractions, parks, and community events, while ongoing residential investment continues to shape downtown’s future.
- $1.2B of investment since 2016
- Downtown residential vacancy rate: 13%
- Residential units in downtown: 2,951
- Average monthly rental cost: $957
- Since 2016: Completed 21 residential properties with 6 more underway
Testimonial – Kate Ward
When Kate Ward moved from Idaho to downtown Spokane in 2025, she thought it was just for a job. “But it has completely transformed into so much more than that.” The transformation started with her early encounter with the skywalks that straddle several downtown streets. “I had access to the skywalks and, especially because I arrived in the winter, I took full advantage of that.” With each foray into downtown via those elevated paths, Kate discovered shops, restaurants, and other businesses for the first time. “Just working downtown and being downtown and getting to experience all of the food and the fun, it just kept drawing me back more and more. It’s almost become my lifestyle.”
Transit
It’s easy to get around Spokane. With a minimal commute time, over 10 million public transit rides each year, and a rich array of bicycle routes, downtown is more accessible than ever before.
Spokane Transit Ridership
Spokane Airport Passengers
- Direct flights out of Spokane International Airport: 23
- Off street parking spaces: 31,450
- Regional transit routes on STA: 51
Launched in July 2023 City Line serves as a major transportation artery, providing convenient access to and from the downtown area. This accessibility enhances the connectivity of downtown Spokane, making it easier for people to reach various businesses, services, and attractions within the city center. Moreover, City Line acts as a catalyst for economic growth and development. The vibrant mix of shops, restaurants, and cultural landmarks along the street attracts a steady flow of visitors.
Average Commute Time
retail
Unique for a city of its size, downtown Spokane has more than one million square feet of retail space in an urban atmosphere that is unrivaled in the region.
- Retail tourist spending in 2025: $334 Million
- Average retail rental rate in downtown: $18.75/SF
- Available retail footage: 152, 963 SF
2026 YTD Business Openings
New Businesses
- Plunder
- Souldful Soups
- Blvd. Coffee
- New Washington Trust Branch
- Freya Clothing
- Memento Mori Industries
- Drip Drip Coffee
- Lilac and Pine
- Front Room art Gallery
- Kape Cha
business Testimonial – Birdie’s Pie Shop
Events & Economic Data
Downtown Spokane is host to hundreds of annual events and a prime location to access a wide range of outdoor recreational activities. Fitness centers, spas, mountain-biking, kayaking and legacy events such as Hoopfest and Bloomsday keep Spokane citizens active.
- Hotel rooms in downtown: 2,552
- Annual events held in downtown: 220+
- 1.9M+ visits to downtown events in 2025
Visits by Distance From Home
Visits to Large Events Downtown
There has been steady growth in the BID in recent years. Visits in 2025 grew 2.8% year-over-year and we have 1.6% more visits in the first half of 2026 than the same period last year. A contributing factor is by our large summer events causing a surge of foot traffic downtown.