1st Advantage MortgageThe median Washington County household earns $61,616, and 13% of residents live below the poverty line. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Washington County at a glance
- Washington County housing compared with Kentucky
- Paychecks and income spread in Washington County
- Jobs and commutes in Washington County
- The counties around Washington County
- Washington County towns compared
- Debt-to-income at Washington County's medians
- Reading the Washington County data as a borrower
- Washington County households compared
- Checklist for Washington County applicants
- Checking a lender's license in Kentucky
- More guides for Washington County
- Frequently asked questions
Washington County at a glance
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Washington County's population at 12,140; only 90 of Kentucky's 120 county-level areas are larger. It covers 297 square miles of land, or about 41 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Washington County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Springfield is the biggest of its 3 Census places, at roughly 2,899 people (24% of the county total).
Washington County housing compared with Kentucky
Renters in Washington County pay a median of $744 a month, 23% below the Kentucky figure of $967. By the Census definition, 52% of Washington County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $179,200, or 2.9 years of median income. Owners occupy 78% of homes.
| Cost | Washington County | Kentucky figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $744/mo | $967/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $179,200 | $205,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 78% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 52% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 23% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 7% | 10% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Washington County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it. When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Paychecks and income spread in Washington County
The median household income in Washington County is $61,616; statewide it is $63,726, so Washington County runs 3% below Kentucky as a whole. That places it 39th among Kentucky's 120 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Washington County | +/- vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.1% | +1.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.7% | +4.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.8% | -4.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.4% | -1.8 pts |
The spread is wide: 24% of Washington County households make $100,000 or more, and 29% make less than $35,000. Census counts 12.7% of Washington County residents in poverty, against 16.1% across Kentucky. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.445 (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.
Jobs and commutes in Washington County
By the Census industry count, 26% of employed Washington County residents work in education and health care and 20% in manufacturing. Compared with Kentucky, the county leans toward manufacturing (20% against 14%). The survey's unemployment rate for Washington County averages 3.4% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.9%). Long commutes are the exception here: 15% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Top industries | Washington County share | +/- vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.5% | +1.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 20.1% | +5.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.5% | -3.1 pts |
| Construction | 7.0% | +0.7 pts |
| Other services | 6.6% | +2.0 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.8% | -1.2 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Washington County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
The counties around Washington County
Marion County is closest, 15 miles from center to center; the sixth, Spencer County, is 20 miles off. Spencer County leads the group on income ($102,618), Marion County trails ($59,627), and Washington County out-earns 2 of the six.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County | - | $61,616 | $744/mo | 78% |
| Marion County, KY | 15 mi | $59,627 | $726/mo | 78% |
| Nelson County, KY | 16 mi | $69,562 | $1,008/mo | 78% |
| Mercer County, KY | 17 mi | $64,824 | $831/mo | 76% |
| Boyle County, KY | 19 mi | $61,159 | $778/mo | 68% |
| Anderson County, KY | 20 mi | $74,488 | $927/mo | 78% |
| Spencer County, KY | 20 mi | $102,618 | $987/mo | 88% |
Washington County towns compared
Here are the 3 most populous of the county's 3 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 28% of Washington County residents live in one of the 3. No Washington County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 3.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield | city | 2,899 | $48,750 | $816 | 5 mi |
| Willisburg | city | 334 | $49,688 | $860 | 5 mi |
| Mackville | city | 204 | $51,875 | $608 | 6 mi |
Debt-to-income at Washington County's medians
How much room does a median Washington County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,135 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $744, takes 14% of that
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $1,104 left for all other debt payments
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,464 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Reading the Washington County data as a borrower
Based on the Washington County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Hospital bills in Washington County. For the 11% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Mobile home upkeep. 12% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Rent squeeze. 52% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Washington County households compared
Degree holders: 20% of adults over 25. 11.0% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Washington County | All of Kentucky | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.3 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.6% | 27.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.2% | 11.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.0% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.3% | 6.8% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.8% | 10.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.7% | 16.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.4% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Washington County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 33.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 36.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.8% |
| 60+ min | 7.8% |
Checklist for Washington County applicants
Before you apply, wherever you live in Washington County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Washington County-area credit union.
- A Kentucky license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Checking a lender's license in Kentucky
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Washington County borrowers answers to the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. More on Kentucky: Kentucky personal loans.
More guides for Washington County
The Kentucky guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Washington County earn?
The median is $61,616; 24% earn $100,000 or more and 29% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Washington County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $744 a month; 52% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Washington County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 78% of Washington County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live in a small Washington County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Springfield, Willisburg, Mackville.
Is the fit check different in Washington County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.