1st Advantage MortgageThe median Washington County household earns $75,647, and 8% of residents live below the poverty line. For a Washington County borrower, the useful steps are the same anywhere: price the need, gather three written offers, and check the Iowa license.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Washington County
- Work, industries and travel time in Washington County
- Washington County housing compared with Iowa
- How Washington County ranks in Iowa
- Household income in Washington County
- Washington County next to its neighbors
- Towns and communities in Washington County
- Debt-to-income at Washington County's medians
- People and households in Washington County
- Reading the Washington County data as a borrower
- Four steps for Washington County borrowers
- Lender oversight for Washington County
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Washington County
Washington County is home to about 22,561 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 27th most populous of 99 county-level areas in Iowa. Land area is 569 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 40 per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Iowa City, IA metropolitan area. Washington is the biggest of its 9 Census places, at roughly 7,290 people (32% of the county total).
Work, industries and travel time in Washington County
Top Washington County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 26%; second, retail trade, 12%. Relative to Iowa (7%), construction is 2 points bigger in Washington County (9%). Averaged over the five survey years, 2.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 14%; under 15 minutes: 41%. 427 Washington County households, 4.8%, have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Washington County | Gap to Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.1% | +1.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.1% | +0.6 pts |
| Construction | 9.4% | +2.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.0% | -5.7 pts |
| Other services | 6.7% | +2.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.0% | -1.6 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Washington County housing compared with Iowa
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $879 in Washington County versus $972 statewide. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 32% in Washington County, 44% statewide. Washington County homes are worth $203,900 at the median, a 2.7-to-1 ratio to income. Owners occupy 74% of homes. Median construction year: 1964.
| Housing | Washington County | Iowa statewide | Washington County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $879/mo | $972/mo | 10% lower |
| Median home value | $203,900 | $208,000 | 2% lower |
| Owners | 74% | 72% | +2.3 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 32% | 44% | -11.9 pts |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 20% | +4.9 pts |
| Mobile homes | 3.5% | 3.2% | +0.3 pts |
| Vacant units | 7% | 8% | -1.4 pts |
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).
How Washington County ranks in Iowa
The 2 Washington County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Iowa, and what each means for a borrower:
- On the housing vacancy rate, Washington County sits near the bottom of Iowa at 7%, 15th lowest of 99. Few vacant units can mean a tight housing market.
- On the uninsured rate, Washington County sits near the top of Iowa at 7.6%, 15th highest of 99. Ask any provider about financial assistance before borrowing for care.
Household income in Washington County
$75,647 is the median household income for Washington County, set against $75,059 for Iowa.
| Yearly household income | Washington County | Gap to Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 18.8% | -2.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.5% | +2.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 28.6% | +1.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.0% | -1.5 pts |
About 19% of households earn under $35,000, while 36% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 8.2%, 3 points lower than the state's 11.1%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.429 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Washington County median.
Washington County next to its neighbors
Distances run center to center, from Keokuk County at 23 miles out to Iowa County at 30. Washington County's $75,647 median trails 1 of the six and beats 5; the range runs $61,620 (Jefferson County) to $77,354 (Louisa County).
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County | - | $75,647 | $879/mo | 74% |
| Keokuk County, IA | 23 mi | $62,329 | $828/mo | 81% |
| Johnson County, IA | 25 mi | $74,935 | $1,122/mo | 59% |
| Louisa County, IA | 25 mi | $77,354 | $775/mo | 80% |
| Henry County, IA | 26 mi | $67,436 | $820/mo | 74% |
| Jefferson County, IA | 26 mi | $61,620 | $883/mo | 68% |
| Iowa County, IA | 30 mi | $71,223 | $686/mo | 77% |
Towns and communities in Washington County
The table lists the 9 largest of 9 Census places in Washington County, by population. Together all 9 hold about 14,066 people, so roughly 38% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $50,481 in Brighton to $84,091 in Riverside. No Washington County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 9.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | city | 7,290 | $55,373 | $968 | 3 mi |
| Kalona | city | 2,692 | $80,129 | $853 | 11 mi |
| Wellman | city | 1,454 | $57,560 | $820 | 11 mi |
| Riverside | city | 890 | $84,091 | $918 | 13 mi |
| Ainsworth | city | 633 | $68,333 | $725 | 9 mi |
| Brighton | city | 588 | $50,481 | $675 | 12 mi |
| Crawfordsville | city | 312 | $75,625 | $633 | 13 mi |
| West Chester | city | 178 | $49,375 | $756 | 5 mi |
| Coppock | city | 29 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
Debt-to-income at Washington County's medians
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Washington County's medians:
- Monthly gross at the median, Washington County: $6,304
- Housing at the median rent of $879 uses 14%
- Under a 36% cap, $2,269 total minus rent leaves $1,390
- Under a 43% cap, $2,711 total minus rent leaves $1,832
If your rent is above $879, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
People and households in Washington County
26% of Washington County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. Uninsured, Washington County: 7.6%; Iowa: 5.0%.
| Residents | Washington County | Difference from Iowa | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 26.2% | -5.2 pts | +4.1 pts |
| Poverty rate | 8.2% | -2.9 pts | -5.0 pts |
| No health insurance | 7.6% | +2.6 pts | -0.2 pts |
| Median age | 40.7 | +2.1 yrs | -0.8 yrs |
| Work from home | 9.8% | -1.5 pts | +1.1 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.2% | -1.4 pts | -2.2 pts |
| No vehicle | 4.8% | -0.7 pts | -0.7 pts |
| No high school diploma | 6.5% | -0.2 pts | n/a |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 40.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.1% |
| 60+ min | 6.6% |
Reading the Washington County data as a borrower
Washington County-specific points to check:
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Four steps for Washington County borrowers
Steps that save money for Washington County residents:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- A Iowa license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Lender oversight for Washington County
The Iowa Division of Banking is the place to verify any lender's Iowa license. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The Iowa page has statewide figures to set beside Washington County's.
Keep exploring
The Iowa guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Washington County a high-income county?
Its $75,647 median ranks 26th of 99 Iowa counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Washington County rent compare with Iowa?
$879 locally versus $972 for the state, 10% below.
Can Washington County owners borrow against a $203,900 home?
Many can, through a home equity loan or line. It is secured by the house, so compare it with an unsecured personal loan before choosing.
Which towns does the Washington County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 9 Census places: Washington, Kalona, Wellman, Riverside, Ainsworth.
Will a Washington County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Iowa as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.