1st Advantage MortgageAbout 80% of Washington County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $58,210. 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 at a glance
- What Washington County households earn
- Renting and owning in Washington County
- Work, industries and travel time in Washington County
- Regional comparison for Washington County
- Washington County towns compared
- Room for a loan payment in Washington County
- Local borrowing considerations for Washington County
- Washington County households compared
- Steps before you apply in Washington County
- Licensing and complaints for Washington County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Washington County at a glance
Roughly 25,529 residents live in Washington County, Florida, 53rd by population among the state's 67 counties and county equivalents. Spread over 585 square miles, that works out to roughly 43.7 residents per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL metropolitan area. Of the 5 Census places inside Washington County, Chipley leads by population with about 3,683; 5 of the 5 are incorporated.
What Washington County households earn
The median household income in Washington County is $58,210; statewide it is $74,568, so Washington County runs 22% below Florida as a whole. That places it 50th among Florida's 67 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Washington County | +/- vs Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.7% | +8.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.2% | +5.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.2% | -6.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.9% | -7.1 pts |
About 31% of households earn under $35,000, while 23% clear $100,000. 17.3% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.6%). 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.
Renting and owning in Washington County
A typical Washington County rental runs $888 a month including utilities, which is 47% below Florida. 55% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 19% spend half or more. With a median value of $171,000, a typical Washington County house costs 2.9 times what the median household earns in a year. 80% of Washington County households own their home and 20% rent. Median construction year: 1990.
| Measure | Washington County | Florida | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $888/mo | $1,669/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $171,000 | $359,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 55% | 60% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 35% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 36.7% | 8.0% | n/a |
Because most Washington County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral. Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Work, industries and travel time in Washington County
Education and health care employs 16% of working residents, the largest share; construction is next with 15%. Compared with Florida, the county leans toward construction (15% against 8%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.6% in Washington County. 37% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 7% work from home. 2.9% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Washington County | Gap to Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 16.0% | -4.9 pts |
| Construction | 15.2% | +7.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.7% | +1.7 pts |
| Public administration | 11.1% | +6.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.9% | -5.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.9% | -3.0 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Regional comparison for Washington County
Distances run center to center, from Holmes County at 20 miles out to Geneva County at 35. 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Washington County; Walton County is highest at $81,986 and Jackson County lowest at $49,149. The list crosses into Alabama, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County | - | $58,210 | $888/mo | 80% |
| Holmes County, FL | 20 mi | $49,343 | $844/mo | 76% |
| Jackson County, FL | 30 mi | $49,149 | $865/mo | 76% |
| Walton County, FL | 30 mi | $81,986 | $1,741/mo | 79% |
| Calhoun County, FL | 31 mi | $50,517 | $779/mo | 79% |
| Bay County, FL | 31 mi | $73,533 | $1,484/mo | 67% |
| Geneva County, AL | 35 mi | $52,771 | $784/mo | 78% |
Washington County towns compared
5 Census places fall mainly inside Washington County; the 5 biggest are below. They account for 5,356 residents, leaving about 79% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. None of the 5 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chipley | city | 3,683 | $46,193 | $761 | 14 mi |
| Vernon | city | 815 | $43,194 | $807 | 3 mi |
| Wausau | town | 320 | $32,500 | $869 | 5 mi |
| Caryville | town | 309 | $62,292 | $682 | 15 mi |
| Ebro | town | 229 | $78,036 | $967 | 18 mi |
Room for a loan payment in Washington County
Washington County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $4,851 a month: gross income for a household at the Washington County median
- Housing at the median rent of $888 uses 18%
- $810: what a 35% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- With a 45% ceiling, about $1,295 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Washington County's.
Local borrowing considerations for Washington County
Where the Washington County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Health costs. With 14% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Keeping the car running. At 37% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Washington County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- 37% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- 55% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
Washington County households compared
College graduates make up 11% of the adult population. 14.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Washington County | All of Florida | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.7 | 42.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 11.5% | 34.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.7% | 10.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 14.1% | 11.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.9% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.4% | 15.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.3% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.6% | 4.8% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Washington County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 17.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 18.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 27.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 19.8% |
| 60+ min | 17.5% |
Steps before you apply in Washington County
Quick steps for Washington County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Florida borrowers.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Licensing and complaints for Washington County
The Florida Office of Financial Regulation is the place to verify any lender's Florida license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. The Florida guide covers state rules in more detail.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Florida guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Washington County a high-income county?
Its $58,210 median ranks 50th of 67 Florida counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Washington County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $888 against $1,669 statewide, and 55% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Washington County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 80% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Does this page cover Chipley?
Yes, along with the other 4 Census places in Washington County, such as Vernon, Wausau, Caryville.
Can Washington County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Florida county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.