1st Advantage MortgageWashington County households have a median income of $54,000 and median rent of $938 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Idaho license first.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Washington County
- How Washington County residents earn a living
- What Washington County households earn
- Renting and owning in Washington County
- How Washington County compares with nearby counties
- The communities that make up Washington County
- Washington County households compared
- Borrowing situations common in Washington County
- Debt-to-income at Washington County's medians
- Four steps for Washington County borrowers
- Lender oversight for Washington County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Washington County
Roughly 11,142 residents live in Washington County, Idaho, 29th by population among the state's 44 counties and county equivalents. Spread over 1,453 square miles, that works out to roughly 7.7 residents per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Weiser is the biggest of its 3 Census places, at roughly 5,935 people (53% of the county total).
How Washington County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 22% of employed Washington County residents work in education and health care and 12% in manufacturing. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 10% locally and 4% for Idaho. Averaged over the five survey years, 5.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are the exception here: 9% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 4.9% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Washington County workers | vs Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.1% | -0.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.9% | +2.5 pts |
| Construction | 10.9% | +1.6 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 9.7% | +5.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.9% | -2.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.2% | -1.4 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
What Washington County households earn
Washington County households have a median income of $54,000 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 41st of 44 in Idaho.
| Households earning | Washington County | +/- vs Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.0% | +10.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 49.6% | +5.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 15.6% | -12.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.9% | -4.3 pts |
The spread is wide: 20% of Washington County households make $100,000 or more, and 30% make less than $35,000. 15.3% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 10.6%). None of these numbers decides a Washington County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Renting and owning in Washington County
Renters in Washington County pay a median of $938 a month, 24% below the Idaho figure of $1,238. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 48% of renter households here. With a median value of $278,100, a typical Washington County house costs 5.2 times what the median household earns in a year. 75% of Washington County households own their home and 25% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1975.
| Measure | Washington County | Idaho | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $938/mo | $1,238/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $278,100 | $418,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 75% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 47% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 30% | 27% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 12.0% | 6.9% | 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.
How Washington County compares with nearby counties
Distances run center to center, from Payette County at 31 miles out to Boise County at 62. All of the six report a higher median household income than Washington County; Boise County is highest at $78,774 and Baker County lowest at $60,936. Some neighbors are in Oregon. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Washington County resident follows Idaho rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County | - | $54,000 | $938/mo | 75% |
| Payette County, ID | 31 mi | $67,673 | $860/mo | 75% |
| Gem County, ID | 33 mi | $64,605 | $1,038/mo | 76% |
| Adams County, ID | 34 mi | $61,808 | $830/mo | 85% |
| Baker County, OR | 47 mi | $60,936 | $865/mo | 71% |
| Canyon County, ID | 57 mi | $76,488 | $1,347/mo | 76% |
| Boise County, ID | 62 mi | $78,774 | $850/mo | 90% |
The communities that make up Washington County
3 Census places fall mainly inside Washington County; the 3 biggest are below. They account for 6,606 residents, leaving about 41% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Live in one of these Washington County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weiser | city | 5,935 | $45,292 | $927 | 16 mi |
| Midvale | city | 347 | $48,462 | $775 | 3 mi |
| Cambridge | city | 324 | $50,833 | $850 | 10 mi |
Washington County households compared
College graduates make up 21% of the adult population. 9.0% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Washington County | Idaho statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.0 | 37.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.6% | 31.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.4% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.0% | 9.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.9% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.3% | 13.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.3% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.2% | 3.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 54.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 22.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.6% |
| 60+ min | 6.5% |
Borrowing situations common in Washington County
Based on the Washington County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Older households. A 45.0 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
- Renters under pressure. When 48% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
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: $4,500
- Rent at the median, $938, takes 21% of that
- Under a 36% cap, $1,620 total minus rent leaves $682
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Washington County's.
Four steps for Washington County borrowers
A short checklist for Washington County borrowers:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Washington County-area credit union.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Idaho borrowers.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Lender oversight for Washington County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Washington County resident can confirm its license with the Idaho Department of Finance. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on Idaho: Idaho personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Idaho guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Washington County?
$54,000 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $77,800 for Idaho. It ranks 41st of 44 in the state.
What do renters pay in Washington County?
$938 a month at the median, about 21% of median household income.
Does this page cover Weiser?
Yes, along with the other 2 Census places in Washington County, such as Midvale, Cambridge.
Can Washington County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Idaho county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Washington County?
Start with the Idaho Department of Finance, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.