1st Advantage MortgageAbout 78% of Washington County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $65,482. 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, KS: the basics
- What it costs to live in Washington County
- What Washington County households earn
- How Washington County residents earn a living
- Washington County towns compared
- Counties near Washington County
- A Washington County household budget, worked through
- Borrowing situations common in Washington County
- People and households in Washington County
- Checking a lender's license in Kansas
- Four steps for Washington County borrowers
- More guides for Washington County
- Frequently asked questions
Washington County, KS: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Washington County's population at 5,533; only 61 of Kansas's 105 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 895 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 6 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Washington County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 10 Census places inside Washington County, Washington leads by population with about 1,155; 10 of the 10 are incorporated. Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Washington County figure on this page as a rough guide.
What it costs to live in Washington County
Renters in Washington County pay a median of $562 a month, 47% below the Kansas figure of $1,060. By the Census definition, 26% of Washington County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $117,100, a typical Washington County house costs 1.8 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 78%. Median construction year: 1953.
| Washington County | Kansas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $562/mo | $1,060/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $117,100 | $217,200 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 78% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 26% | 43% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 17% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 2.6% | 4.0% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 13% | 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.
What Washington County households earn
The median household income in Washington County is $65,482; statewide it is $74,275, so Washington County runs 12% below Kansas as a whole. That places it 47th among Kansas's 105 county-level areas.
| Household income | Washington County | vs Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.5% | +5.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.3% | +4.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.6% | -4.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.6% | -5.0 pts |
About 28% of households earn under $35,000, while 26% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 9.3%, 2 points lower than the state's 11.3%. 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.
How Washington County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; agriculture, forestry and mining is next with 16%. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 16% locally and 3% for Kansas. Averaged over the five survey years, 1.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are the exception here: 7% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Top industries | Washington County share | +/- vs Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.3% | +0.3 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 16.0% | +12.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.7% | +0.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.2% | -2.4 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.6% | +2.0 pts |
| Construction | 5.5% | -0.9 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Washington County towns compared
10 Census places fall mainly inside Washington County; the 10 biggest are below. They account for 3,369 residents, leaving about 39% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Live in one of these Washington County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | city | 1,155 | $58,438 | $553 | 4 mi |
| Hanover | city | 828 | $67,813 | $642 | 14 mi |
| Linn | city | 470 | $74,432 | $496 | 7 mi |
| Greenleaf | city | 320 | $61,250 | $638 | 7 mi |
| Barnes | city | 177 | $27,222 | $810 | 13 mi |
| Palmer | city | 149 | $52,500 | $555 | 10 mi |
| Haddam | city | 118 | $67,500 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Morrowville | city | 96 | $77,750 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Mahaska | city | 47 | $85,500 | n/a | 20 mi |
| Hollenberg | city | 9 | n/a | n/a | 15 mi |
Counties near Washington County
Jefferson County is closest, 28 miles from center to center; the sixth, Thayer County, is 38 miles off. Income ranges from $56,833 in Republic County to $68,419 in Marshall County; 3 of these neighbors top Washington County's median. Some neighbors are in Nebraska. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Washington County resident follows Kansas rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County | - | $65,482 | $562/mo | 78% |
| Jefferson County, NE | 28 mi | $59,044 | $662/mo | 75% |
| Republic County, KS | 30 mi | $56,833 | $664/mo | 78% |
| Clay County, KS | 30 mi | $66,176 | $937/mo | 78% |
| Marshall County, KS | 31 mi | $68,419 | $690/mo | 80% |
| Cloud County, KS | 35 mi | $58,770 | $769/mo | 74% |
| Thayer County, NE | 38 mi | $66,213 | $766/mo | 78% |
A Washington County household budget, worked through
Here is the Washington County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Washington County: $5,457
- Housing at the median rent of $562 uses 10%
- Under a 40% cap, $2,183 total minus rent leaves $1,621
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Borrowing situations common in Washington County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Washington County borrowers.
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Washington County borrower sees (free reports).
People and households in Washington County
Degree holders: 26% of adults over 25. 5.4% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Washington County | Kansas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.4 | 37.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 25.8% | 35.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.0% | 8.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.4% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.4% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.3% | 11.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.3% | 11.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.1% | 3.9% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Washington County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 43.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 35.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 0.9% |
| 60+ min | 6.0% |
Checking a lender's license in Kansas
Before sharing details with a lender, a Washington County resident can confirm its license with the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Kansas guide.
Four steps for Washington County borrowers
Quick steps for Washington County:
- Price the Washington County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Washington County-area credit union.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
More guides for Washington County
For statewide rules and data, see the Kansas guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Washington County earn?
The median is $65,482; 26% earn $100,000 or more and 28% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Washington County rent compare with Kansas?
$562 locally versus $1,060 for the state, 47% below.
Which towns does the Washington County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 10 Census places: Washington, Hanover, Linn, Greenleaf, Barnes.
Does living in Washington County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Washington County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Washington County?
Start with the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.