1st Advantage MortgageWashington County households have a median income of $61,042 and median rent of $655 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Alabama before sharing details.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Washington County
- Jobs and commutes in Washington County
- Household income in Washington County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Washington County
- Places inside Washington County
- How Washington County compares with nearby counties
- Room for a loan payment in Washington County
- Washington County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- What the numbers mean for Washington County borrowers
- Four steps for Washington County borrowers
- Alabama rules that apply in Washington County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Washington County
With an estimated 15,143 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Washington County ranks 54th of 67 in Alabama for population. Land area is 1,080 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 14 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Washington County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Leroy is the biggest of its 14 Census places, at roughly 1,075 people (7% of the county total).
Jobs and commutes in Washington County
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Washington County residents work in manufacturing and 21% in education and health care. Compared with Alabama, the county leans toward manufacturing (23% against 14%). The survey's unemployment rate for Washington County averages 4.9% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.7%). Long commutes are common here: 35% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 5.1% of households have no vehicle.
| Sector | Washington County | Compared with Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 23.0% | +8.9 pts |
| Education and health care | 21.5% | -1.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.6% | -1.0 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.1% | +3.2 pts |
| Construction | 8.5% | +1.5 pts |
| Public administration | 5.9% | +0.3 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Washington County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Household income in Washington County
At $61,042, the typical Washington County household income is 7% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 19th of 67.
| Yearly household income | Washington County | Gap to Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 33.1% | +4.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 33.1% | -8.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.8% | +2.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.1% | +0.3 pts |
About 33% of households earn under $35,000, while 34% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 17.1%, 1 point higher than the state's 15.6%. For a borrower in Washington County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Rent, home values and ownership in Washington County
Renters in Washington County pay a median of $655 a month, 35% below the Alabama figure of $1,007. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 33% of renter households here. With a median value of $159,700, a typical Washington County house costs 2.6 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 86%.
| Cost | Washington County | Alabama figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $655/mo | $1,007/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $159,700 | $209,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 86% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 33% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 24% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 27.5% | 12.3% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 24% | 15% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Washington County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Places inside Washington County
14 Census places fall mainly inside Washington County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 3,952 residents, leaving about 74% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. No Washington County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 14.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leroy | CDP | 1,075 | $93,036 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Chatom | town | 834 | n/a | $382 | 5 mi |
| Millry | town | 520 | $39,167 | $370 | 16 mi |
| McIntosh | town | 364 | $74,167 | n/a | 15 mi |
| St. Stephens | CDP | 297 | $63,068 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Malcolm | CDP | 204 | n/a | n/a | 19 mi |
| Hobson | CDP | 181 | $170,240 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Fairford | CDP | 150 | $96,228 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Vinegar Bend | CDP | 109 | $13,787 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Calvert | CDP | 83 | n/a | n/a | 21 mi |
| Fruitdale | CDP | 66 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
| Deer Park | CDP | 45 | n/a | n/a | 15 mi |
| Tibbie | CDP | 24 | n/a | n/a | 3 mi |
| Sims Chapel | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
How Washington County compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Washington County's, from 28 to 49 miles away. None of the six report a higher median household income than Washington County; George County is highest at $59,758 and Wayne County lowest at $37,619. The list crosses into Mississippi, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County | - | $61,042 | $655/mo | 86% |
| Greene County, MS | 28 mi | $54,276 | $802/mo | 82% |
| Clarke County, AL | 30 mi | $49,249 | $782/mo | 71% |
| Wayne County, MS | 32 mi | $37,619 | $784/mo | 85% |
| Choctaw County, AL | 40 mi | $47,813 | $543/mo | 82% |
| George County, MS | 46 mi | $59,758 | $844/mo | 82% |
| Perry County, MS | 49 mi | $49,634 | $755/mo | 82% |
Room for a loan payment in Washington County
How much room does a median Washington County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $5,087 a month: gross income for a household at the Washington County median
- Rent at the median, $655, takes 13% of that
- At 36%, room after rent is $1,176 a month
Two-income households and single earners in Washington County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Washington County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 17% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 6.8%, against 9.2% for Alabama.
| Residents | Washington County | Alabama | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.6 | 39.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.0% | 28.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.4% | 11.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.8% | 9.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.1% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.7% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.1% | 15.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.9% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Washington County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 21.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 23.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 17.5% |
| 60+ min | 17.5% |
What the numbers mean for Washington County borrowers
A few patterns in the Washington County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Long drives. With 35% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Washington County budgets.
- 27% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Four steps for Washington County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Price the Washington County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Washington County-area credit union.
- A Alabama license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Alabama rules that apply in Washington County
Washington County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Alabama State Banking Department. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the Alabama state guide for the statewide picture.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Alabama guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Washington County a high-income county?
Its $61,042 median ranks 19th of 67 Alabama counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Washington County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $655 a month; 33% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Washington County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 86% of Washington County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live in a small Washington County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Leroy, Chatom, Millry, McIntosh, St. Stephens and 9 more.
Does living in Washington County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Washington County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.