1st Advantage MortgageThe median Washington County household earns $67,167, and 8% of residents live below the poverty line. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Who lives in Washington County
- What Washington County households earn
- The Washington County job picture
- Renting and owning in Washington County
- Counties near Washington County
- The communities that make up Washington County
- Room for a loan payment in Washington County
- Reading the Washington County data as a borrower
- Who lives in Washington County, in numbers
- A Washington County borrower's checklist
- Colorado rules that apply in Washington County
- More guides for Washington County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Washington County
With an estimated 4,831 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Washington County ranks 53rd of 64 in Colorado for population. Land area is 2,518 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 2 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. The Census Bureau counts 3 places in the county (2 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Akron, with about 1,722 residents, or 36% of the county. Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Washington County figure on this page as a rough guide.
What Washington County households earn
Washington County households have a median income of $67,167 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 38th of 64 in Colorado.
| Band | Washington County | Compared with Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.9% | +9.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.5% | +7.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.9% | -6.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.7% | -11.3 pts |
About 26% of households earn under $35,000, while 31% clear $100,000. Census counts 8.1% of Washington County residents in poverty, against 9.4% across Colorado. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.420 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
The Washington County job picture
Education and health care employs 22% of working residents, the largest share; agriculture, forestry and mining is next with 19%. Compared with Colorado, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (19% against 2%). Averaged over the five survey years, 3.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 14% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 11% work from home. Only 5.2% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | Washington County | Compared with Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.3% | +0.4 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 19.2% | +17.4 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 12.0% | +6.8 pts |
| Public administration | 7.5% | +2.8 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.0% | -1.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 5.4% | -1.6 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Renting and owning in Washington County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $947 in Washington County versus $1,761 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 36% of renter households here. Home values center on $226,200, or 3.4 years of median income. Owners occupy 74% of homes. The median home was built in 1958, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Home costs | Washington County | Colorado | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $947/mo | $1,761/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $226,200 | $539,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 36% | 53% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 32% | 30% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 10.7% | 3.5% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 9% | 8% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Counties near Washington County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Washington County's, from 38 to 63 miles away. Income ranges from $51,829 in Logan County to $94,571 in Adams County; 3 of these neighbors top Washington County's median.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County | - | $67,167 | $947/mo | 74% |
| Morgan County, CO | 38 mi | $73,278 | $1,025/mo | 67% |
| Yuma County, CO | 42 mi | $60,545 | $942/mo | 69% |
| Logan County, CO | 53 mi | $51,829 | $1,013/mo | 66% |
| Kit Carson County, CO | 56 mi | $70,259 | $973/mo | 73% |
| Adams County, CO | 60 mi | $94,571 | $1,781/mo | 69% |
| Phillips County, CO | 63 mi | $64,674 | $999/mo | 72% |
The communities that make up Washington County
3 Census places fall mainly inside Washington County; the 3 biggest are below. They account for 2,301 residents, leaving about 52% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. No Washington County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 3.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | town | 1,722 | $57,321 | $1,067 | 14 mi |
| Otis | town | 521 | $55,962 | $822 | 18 mi |
| Cope | CDP | 58 | n/a | n/a | 28 mi |
Room for a loan payment in Washington County
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Washington County's medians:
- $5,597 a month: gross income for a household at the Washington County median
- Less median rent of $947, which is 17% of it
- With a 35% ceiling, about $1,012 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $1,572 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Reading the Washington County data as a borrower
Where the Washington County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Washington County borrower sees (free reports).
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Washington County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
Who lives in Washington County, in numbers
College graduates make up 25% of the adult population. About 6% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Washington County | Colorado | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.3 | 37.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.9% | 45.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.1% | 7.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.0% | 7.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.2% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.4% | 21.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.1% | 9.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.1% | 4.6% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Washington County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 47.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 24.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.8% |
| 60+ min | 8.3% |
A Washington County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for Washington County borrowers:
- Price the Washington County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Verify the Colorado license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Colorado rules that apply in Washington County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Washington County resident can confirm its license with the Colorado Division of Banking. The Colorado Attorney General's office, which administers the state's Uniform Consumer Credit Code handles consumer-credit questions as well. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the Colorado state guide for the statewide picture.
More guides for Washington County
For statewide rules and data, see the Colorado guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Washington County a high-income county?
Its $67,167 median ranks 38th of 64 Colorado 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 $947 a month; 36% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Does this page cover Akron?
Yes, along with the other 2 Census places in Washington County, such as Otis, Cope.
Are Washington County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Who regulates personal lenders for Washington County residents?
The Colorado Division of Banking licenses consumer lenders in Colorado; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.