1st Advantage MortgageWashington County households have a median income of $64,641 and median rent of $780 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Washington County, and confirm each one's Indiana license.
On this page
- First look: Washington County, IN
- Household income in Washington County
- The Washington County job picture
- Renting and owning in Washington County
- Washington County against other Indiana counties
- The communities that make up Washington County
- How Washington County compares with nearby counties
- Who lives in Washington County, in numbers
- Local borrowing considerations for Washington County
- $5,387 a month: the Washington County median budget
- Checking a lender's license in Indiana
- Before you sign
- More guides for Washington County
- Frequently asked questions
First look: Washington County, IN
With an estimated 28,212 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Washington County ranks 57th of 92 in Indiana for population. Its 514 square miles average 55 people per square mile, by the 2024 Census Gazetteer. It is one of the counties that make up the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Largest place: Salem, about 6,489 residents (23% of Washington County); 8 Census places in all.
Household income in Washington County
$64,641 is the median household income for Washington County, set against $71,957 for Indiana. That places it 64th among Indiana's 92 county-level areas.
| Household income | Washington County | vs Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.9% | +2.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 49.3% | +5.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.6% | -4.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.1% | -4.1 pts |
Six-figure households (26%) outnumber those under $35,000 (25%) in Washington County. Washington County counts about 4,076 residents below the poverty line, 14.4% of the population. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.408 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
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Washington County residents work in manufacturing and 20% in education and health care. Relative to Indiana (18%), manufacturing is 5 points bigger in Washington County (23%). Averaged over the five survey years, 3.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 24% of Washington County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 28% need 45 or more. No car: 4.3% of Washington County households.
| Top industries | Washington County share | +/- vs Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 23.3% | +5.3 pts |
| Education and health care | 19.9% | -3.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.3% | +2.5 pts |
| Construction | 9.8% | +3.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.8% | +0.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 5.4% | -3.9 pts |
Self-employed in Washington County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
Renting and owning in Washington County
Washington County rent at the median: $780 a month, utilities in ($1,062 in Indiana). Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 44% in Washington County, 48% statewide. Washington County homes are worth $172,200 at the median, a 2.7-to-1 ratio to income. The ownership rate is 82%. The median year built is 1982.
| Measure | Washington County | Indiana | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $780/mo | $1,062/mo | 27% lower |
| Median home value | $172,200 | $218,200 | 21% lower |
| Owners | 82% | 71% | +11.5 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 48% | -4.4 pts |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 20% | +2.7 pts |
At a $172,200 median value, many Washington County owners hold equity. Using it lowers cost only if you can carry the risk (equity vs. unsecured).
Washington County against other Indiana counties
Out of every Indiana county, Washington County is most unusual on these measures.
- Few Indiana counties match Washington County on the share of mobile homes: 18.9% here, 4.4% for the state, ranking 2nd highest of 92. Repairs on manufactured homes are a common loan purpose; get written quotes.
- Few Indiana counties match Washington County on the share of commutes over 45 minutes: 28% here, 13% for the state, ranking 6th highest of 92. Long drives make car repairs a common emergency; get two written quotes.
- On the share of adults with a bachelor's degree, Washington County sits near the bottom of Indiana at 14%, 9th lowest of 92. Lenders weigh income and credit, not schooling.
- Homeownership: 82% in Washington County. Only 15 of 92 Indiana counties are higher. Most households here own, so home equity is often an alternative to weigh.
The communities that make up Washington County
Here are the 8 most populous of the county's 8 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 32% of Washington County residents live in one of the 8. Incomes vary by place: $56,538 at the median in Salem, $49,688 in Campbellsburg. Salem and every other Washington County community use this county guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem | city | 6,489 | $56,538 | $690 | 0 mi |
| New Pekin | town | 1,372 | $50,625 | $836 | 8 mi |
| Campbellsburg | town | 635 | $49,688 | $818 | 9 mi |
| Little York | town | 208 | $64,583 | $1,021 | 13 mi |
| Hardinsburg | CDP | 164 | $36,042 | $775 | 13 mi |
| Saltillo | town | 117 | $41,649 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Livonia | town | 95 | $53,750 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Fredericksburg | CDP | 48 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
How Washington County compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Washington County's, from 20 to 26 miles away. Washington County's $64,641 median trails 5 of the six and beats 1; the range runs $56,352 (Scott County) to $79,704 (Floyd County).
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County | - | $64,641 | $780/mo | 82% |
| Scott County, IN | 20 mi | $56,352 | $822/mo | 71% |
| Orange County, IN | 21 mi | $65,873 | $855/mo | 79% |
| Jackson County, IN | 22 mi | $70,262 | $1,004/mo | 73% |
| Floyd County, IN | 22 mi | $79,704 | $1,036/mo | 73% |
| Clark County, IN | 23 mi | $74,214 | $1,129/mo | 75% |
| Lawrence County, IN | 26 mi | $66,468 | $845/mo | 81% |
Who lives in Washington County, in numbers
14% of Washington County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 7.8%, against 7.4% for Indiana.
| Washington County | vs Indiana | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.5% | -15.0 pts | -7.7 pts |
| Median age | 41.5 | +3.4 yrs | +0.0 yrs |
| Work from home | 7.3% | -3.4 pts | -1.4 pts |
| No high school diploma | 12.2% | +2.5 pts | n/a |
| Poverty rate | 14.4% | +2.1 pts | +1.3 pts |
| No vehicle | 4.3% | -2.0 pts | -1.2 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.2% | -1.1 pts | -1.2 pts |
| No health insurance | 7.8% | +0.5 pts | 0.0 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 23.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 16.5% |
| 60+ min | 11.5% |
Local borrowing considerations for Washington County
Where the Washington County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Long drives. With 28% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Washington County budgets.
- Manufactured homes. 19% of Washington County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
$5,387 a month: the Washington County median budget
Here is the Washington County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Start: $5,387 gross per month ($64,641 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $780, takes 14% of that
- 35% debt-to-income limit: $1,105 left for all other debt payments
- $1,644: what a 45% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Washington County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Checking a lender's license in Indiana
Washington County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions. Nationally, Washington County residents can file with the CFPB.
Before you sign
A short checklist for Washington County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Washington County.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- A Indiana license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Ask a Washington County credit union about member loans.
More guides for Washington County
For statewide rules and data, see the Indiana guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Washington County earn?
The median is $64,641; 26% earn $100,000 or more and 25% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Washington County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $780 against $1,062 statewide, and 44% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Washington County?
By population: Salem, New Pekin, Campbellsburg, Little York, Hardinsburg. The county has 8 Census places in all.
Is the fit check different in Washington County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Where can someone in Washington County check a lender's license?
With the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.