Washington County, ME personal loans: what the local numbers say

Population and place: Washington County

The latest five-year Census estimate puts Washington County's population at 31,331; only 13 of Maine's 16 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 2,563 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 12 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. Calais (3,097 people) heads the county's list of 46 Census places, 39 incorporated and 7 census-designated.

Washington County's most unusual numbers

Out of every Maine county, Washington County is most unusual on these measures.

• Washington County ranks the highest of 16 Maine counties for the ACS unemployment rate: 6.3%, against 3.8% statewide. Job gaps can make income hard to document; gather records first.
• Median gross rent: $783/mo in Washington County, the lowest of 16 in Maine. Lower rent can leave more room for a payment.
• Washington County ranks the lowest of 16 Maine counties for median household income: $56,024, against $74,733 statewide. Where incomes run low, free assistance and credit-union small-dollar loans deserve a look first.
• On the poverty rate, Washington County sits near the top of Maine at 17.1%, the highest of 16. Nonprofit credit counseling is free or low cost and worth a call first.

Paychecks and income spread in Washington County

Half of Washington County households take in less than $56,024 a year and half take in more, 25% below the Maine median of $74,733. In the state ranking that is 16th of 16.

Some 32% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 24% have six-figure incomes. Poverty rate, Washington County: 17.1%; Maine: 10.7%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.459 here. A household earning below the $56,024 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.

Labor force snapshot: Washington County

Education and health care (30%), retail trade (12%) and agriculture, forestry and mining (10%) lead Washington County's job mix. Relative to Maine (2%), agriculture, forestry and mining is 7 points bigger in Washington County (10%). The survey's unemployment rate for Washington County averages 6.3% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.8%). About 76% drive to work alone and 13% have trips of 45 minutes or more. No car: 6.1% of Washington County households.

Self-employed in Washington County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.

Washington County housing compared with Maine

Half of Washington County renters pay more than $783 a month and half pay less; the Maine midpoint is $1,139. About 5 in 10 Washington County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $161,800, about 2.9 times the median household income. Owners occupy 80% of homes. Median construction year: 1975.

At a $161,800 median value, many Washington County owners hold equity. Using it lowers cost only if you can carry the risk (equity vs. unsecured). High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.

Counties near Washington County

Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (47 to 113 miles). Washington County's $56,024 median trails 6 of the six and beats 0; the range runs $61,345 (Piscataquis County) to $74,096 (Knox County).

Cities, towns and CDPs in Washington County

Places, by size: the top 14 of 46. Roughly 12% of Washington County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Incomes vary by place: $93,750 at the median in Alexander, $27,926 in Machias. Rent is cheapest in Passamaquoddy Pleasant Point Reservation ($243) and steepest in Robbinston ($1,232). No Washington County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 46.

CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.

Who lives in Washington County, in numbers

In Washington County, 25% of adults have at least a four-year degree (36% in Maine). Health coverage gaps: 9.1% of Washington County residents are uninsured.

Local borrowing considerations for Washington County

• Retirees. At a median age of 48.6, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
• Renters under pressure. When 52% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
• Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).

What a median Washington County budget can carry

Washington County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):

• Monthly gross at the median, Washington County: $4,669
• 17% goes to median rent ($783)
• 35% debt-to-income limit: $851 left for all other debt payments
• With a 45% ceiling, about $1,318 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments

A household below the $56,024 median has less room than this, often none.

A Washington County borrower's checklist

A short checklist for Washington County borrowers:

• Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
• Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
• Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
• Ask about early-payoff penalties.

Lender oversight for Washington County

Before sharing details with a lender, a Washington County resident can confirm its license with the Maine Bureau of Financial Institutions. The Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection handles consumer-credit questions as well. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. The Maine guide covers state rules in more detail.

Other Maine guides

No city in Washington County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.

• Maine state guide