1st Advantage MortgageWashington County households have a median income of $56,043 and median rent of $684 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 Missouri license first.
On this page
- Washington County, MO: the basics
- Washington County housing compared with Missouri
- Paychecks and income spread in Washington County
- Work, industries and travel time in Washington County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Places inside Washington County
- Who lives in Washington County, in numbers
- Before borrowing in Washington County
- Debt-to-income at Washington County's medians
- Before you sign
- Licensing and complaints for Washington County
- More guides for Washington County
- Frequently asked questions
Washington County, MO: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Washington County's population at 23,470; only 46 of Missouri's 115 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 760 square miles, that works out to roughly 30.9 residents per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 4 places in the county (4 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Potosi, with about 2,544 residents, or 11% of the county.
Washington County housing compared with Missouri
A typical Washington County rental runs $684 a month including utilities, which is 34% below Missouri. By the Census definition, 55% of Washington County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $129,400, about 2.3 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 78%.
| Measure | Washington County | Missouri | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $684/mo | $1,033/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $129,400 | $230,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 78% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 55% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 22% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 17% | 11% | 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. Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Paychecks and income spread in Washington County
The median household income in Washington County is $56,043; statewide it is $70,702, so Washington County runs 21% below Missouri as a whole. That places it 77th among Missouri's 115 county-level areas.
| Income band | Share in Washington County | Difference from Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.6% | +7.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.8% | +3.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.3% | -3.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.3% | -6.4 pts |
Some 31% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 24% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 17.4%, 5 points higher than the state's 12.6%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.477 (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.
Work, industries and travel time in Washington County
The biggest employer of Washington County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 25% of workers, followed by construction (14%). Construction stands out: 14% of workers here, versus 7% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Washington County averages 3.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.0%). Long commutes are common here: 35% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Households without a car make up 10.0% of the total (6.6% statewide).
| Top industries | Washington County share | +/- vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.3% | +1.0 pts |
| Construction | 14.4% | +7.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 13.4% | +2.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.1% | -2.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.9% | -3.5 pts |
| Public administration | 5.5% | +1.3 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Neighboring counties at a glance
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Washington County's, from 23 to 40 miles away. Income ranges from $48,850 in Iron County to $82,851 in Jefferson County; 5 of these neighbors top Washington County's median.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County | - | $56,043 | $684/mo | 78% |
| Crawford County, MO | 23 mi | $57,629 | $795/mo | 69% |
| Iron County, MO | 24 mi | $48,850 | $664/mo | 75% |
| St. Francois County, MO | 25 mi | $57,477 | $794/mo | 68% |
| Jefferson County, MO | 29 mi | $82,851 | $979/mo | 82% |
| Franklin County, MO | 34 mi | $73,165 | $893/mo | 77% |
| Dent County, MO | 40 mi | $56,312 | $660/mo | 76% |
Places inside Washington County
Here are the 4 most populous of the county's 4 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 16% of Washington County residents live in one of the 4. None of the 4 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potosi | city | 2,544 | $39,846 | $788 | 7 mi |
| Irondale | city | 622 | $37,368 | $1,025 | 14 mi |
| Mineral Point | town | 324 | $41,394 | $1,094 | 9 mi |
| Caledonia | village | 209 | $60,417 | $817 | 14 mi |
Who lives in Washington County, in numbers
Degree holders: 12% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 10.4%, against 8.8% for Missouri.
| People and households | Washington County | Missouri | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.7 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 11.7% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.5% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.4% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 10.0% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.8% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.4% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.6% | 4.0% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 22.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 22.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.8% |
| 60+ min | 26.6% |
Before borrowing in Washington County
Where the Washington County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Health costs. With 10% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Long drives. With 35% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Washington County budgets.
- Manufactured homes. 27% of Washington County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- 55% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
Debt-to-income at Washington County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Washington County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Monthly gross at the median, Washington County: $4,670
- 15% goes to median rent ($684)
- At 35%, room after rent is $951 a month
- $1,418: what a 45% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Washington County's.
Before you sign
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Price the Washington County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Missouri borrowers.
- Ask a Washington County credit union about member loans.
Licensing and complaints for Washington County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Washington County resident can confirm its license with the Missouri Division of Finance. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: Missouri guide.
More guides for Washington County
The Missouri guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Washington County household make?
About $56,043 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 21% below the Missouri median.
What do renters pay in Washington County?
$684 a month at the median, about 15% of median household income.
I own my home in Washington County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 78% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
What are the biggest places in Washington County?
By population: Potosi, Irondale, Mineral Point, Caledonia. The county has 4 Census places in all.
Are Washington County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.