1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Washington County is $1,071 a month against a median household income of $70,639, about 18% of income (ACS 2020-24). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Washington County in brief
- Homes and rents, Washington County
- Paychecks and income spread in Washington County
- Where Washington County works
- Where Washington County differs from the rest of Arkansas
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Fayetteville and the rest of Washington County
- People and households in Washington County
- What the numbers mean for Washington County borrowers
- Budget math at the Washington County median
- Checklist for Washington County applicants
- Arkansas lender licensing
- More guides for Washington County
- Frequently asked questions
Washington County in brief
Roughly 256,765 residents live in Washington County, Arkansas, 3rd by population among the state's 75 counties and county equivalents. Washington County spans 941 square miles; with 256,765 people, that is 272.7 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). The Census Bureau counts 16 places in the county (11 incorporated, 5 census-designated); the largest is Fayetteville, with about 99,319 residents, or 39% of the county.
Homes and rents, Washington County
A typical Washington County rental runs $1,071 a month including utilities, which is 13% above Arkansas. 45% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 20% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $298,400, about 4.2 times the median household income. Owners occupy 56% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1995. Nationally, Washington County's $1,071 rent is 22% above the middle county.
| Home costs | Washington County | Arkansas | Compared with Arkansas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 56% | 66% | -10.8 pts |
| Mobile homes | 4.7% | 11.0% | -6.3 pts |
| Median home value | $298,400 | $188,000 | 59% higher |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 22% | -1.5 pts |
| Median gross rent | $1,071/mo | $947/mo | 13% higher |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 45% | -0.1 pts |
Paychecks and income spread in Washington County
Washington County households have a median income of $70,639 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 5th of 75 in Arkansas.
| Household income | Washington County | vs Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.4% | -5.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.5% | -0.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.9% | +3.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 9.3% | +2.6 pts |
About 23% of households earn under $35,000, while 34% clear $100,000. Poverty rate, Washington County: 14.6%; Arkansas: 16.0%. Gini index for Washington County: 0.476. None of these numbers decides a Washington County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Where Washington County works
By the Census industry count, 25% of employed Washington County residents work in education and health care and 12% in retail trade. Relative to Arkansas (8%), arts, lodging and food service is 2 points bigger in Washington County (10%). Unemployment in Washington County, ACS five-year: 3.4%; Arkansas: 4.9%. 32% of Washington County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 8% need 45 or more.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Washington County | Gap to Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.9% | +0.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.5% | -1.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.1% | -1.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.0% | +2.1 pts |
| Construction | 9.1% | +1.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.0% | +0.7 pts |
Seasonal work is common in many Washington County industries; if that is you, show a full year of income rather than one strong month.
Where Washington County differs from the rest of Arkansas
- Median age: 32.5 in Washington County. Only 1 of 75 Arkansas counties are lower. A young county means many first-time borrowers; read every fee line.
- Median home value: $298,400 in Washington County. Only 1 of 75 Arkansas counties are higher. High values mean many owners could borrow against equity; weigh that risk carefully.
- Washington County ranks 3rd highest of 75 Arkansas counties for population: 256,765, against 3,049,391 statewide. A big county has more local lenders, so shopping around is easier.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Distances run center to center, from Adair County at 25 miles out to Delaware County at 44. Washington County's $70,639 median trails 1 of the six and beats 5; the range runs $48,041 (Adair County) to $93,506 (Benton County). Some neighbors are in Oklahoma. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Washington County resident follows Arkansas rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County | - | $70,639 | $1,071/mo | 56% |
| Adair County, OK | 25 mi | $48,041 | $667/mo | 69% |
| Benton County, AR | 25 mi | $93,506 | $1,277/mo | 67% |
| Crawford County, AR | 27 mi | $64,132 | $851/mo | 75% |
| Madison County, AR | 28 mi | $56,798 | $729/mo | 80% |
| Franklin County, AR | 37 mi | $55,886 | $719/mo | 78% |
| Delaware County, OK | 44 mi | $56,676 | $913/mo | 77% |
Fayetteville and the rest of Washington County
Places, by size: the top 14 of 16. Roughly 45% of Washington County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Goshen ($150,074) and Fayetteville ($62,695) mark the top and bottom of Washington County's income range among larger places. Median rent ranges from $968 in Prairie Grove to $1,431 in Elkins. Names with links open a city guide. The other 15 places are covered here.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | city | 99,319 | $62,695 | $1,065 | 7 mi |
| Farmington | city | 9,094 | $90,469 | $1,321 | 5 mi |
| Prairie Grove | city | 7,798 | $70,701 | $968 | 5 mi |
| Tontitown | city | 6,425 | $85,603 | $1,346 | 13 mi |
| Elkins | city | 3,808 | $81,789 | $1,431 | 11 mi |
| Johnson | city | 3,656 | $95,844 | $1,104 | 11 mi |
| West Fork | city | 3,095 | $77,566 | $1,095 | 4 mi |
| Lincoln | city | 2,794 | $68,333 | $1,107 | 11 mi |
| Goshen | town | 2,298 | $150,074 | $1,068 | 15 mi |
| Greenland | city | 1,274 | $69,821 | $1,150 | 2 mi |
| Winslow | city | 291 | $42,292 | $525 | 13 mi |
| Cincinnati | CDP | 278 | $57,127 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Summers | CDP | 267 | $65,645 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Morrow | CDP | 182 | $92,546 | n/a | 15 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
People and households in Washington County
35% of Washington County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. Uninsured, Washington County: 12.4%; Arkansas: 9.0%.
| Indicator | Washington County | +/- Arkansas | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.5 | -6.0 yrs | -9.0 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 35.2% | +9.5 pts | +13.1 pts |
| No high school diploma | 12.2% | +0.9 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.4% | +3.4 pts | +4.6 pts |
| No vehicle | 4.1% | -1.8 pts | -1.3 pts |
| Work from home | 11.2% | +2.4 pts | +2.6 pts |
| Poverty rate | 14.6% | -1.4 pts | +1.4 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.4% | -1.5 pts | -1.0 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 44.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.5% |
| 60+ min | 3.1% |
What the numbers mean for Washington County borrowers
A few patterns in the Washington County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Uninsured care. 12% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Washington County borrower sees (free reports).
- Consolidating cards in Washington County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
Budget math at the Washington County median
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.
- Start: $5,887 gross per month ($70,639 / 12)
- Housing at the median rent of $1,071 uses 18%
- With a 35% ceiling, about $989 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- Under a 45% cap, $2,649 total minus rent leaves $1,578
A household below the $70,639 median has less room than this, often none.
Checklist for Washington County applicants
Quick steps for Washington County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Washington County.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- A Arkansas license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Arkansas lender licensing
The Arkansas State Bank Department is the place to verify any lender's Arkansas license. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The Arkansas page has statewide figures to set beside Washington County's.
More guides for Washington County
Guides that cover parts of Washington County:
Frequently asked questions
Where does Washington County rank on income in Arkansas?
5th of 75, with a median of $70,639. The state median is $60,773.
How much is rent in Washington County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,071 a month; 45% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
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 Fayetteville, Farmington, Prairie Grove, Tontitown, Elkins and 11 more.
Will a Washington County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Arkansas as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Washington County?
Start with the Arkansas State Bank Department, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.