1st Advantage MortgageIn Washington County, Mississippi, the typical household earns $42,165 a year and the typical rent is $833. 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 by the numbers
- What it costs to live in Washington County
- Household income in Washington County
- Jobs and commutes in Washington County
- Counties near Washington County
- Washington County towns compared
- Budget math at the Washington County median
- People and households in Washington County
- What the numbers mean for Washington County borrowers
- Lender oversight for Washington County
- Four steps for Washington County borrowers
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Washington County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Washington County's population at 42,765; only 17 of Mississippi's 82 county-level areas are larger. Packed into 724 square miles, that is close to 59 residents for every square mile of land. 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. The Census Bureau counts 9 places in the county (5 incorporated, 4 census-designated); the largest is Greenville, with about 28,166 residents, or 66% of the county.
What it costs to live in Washington County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $833 in Washington County versus $954 statewide. 57% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 33% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $104,000, about 2.5 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 60%.
| Measure | Washington County | Mississippi | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $833/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $104,000 | $169,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 60% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 57% | 51% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 33% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 6.7% | 14.4% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 18% | 15% | n/a |
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?
Household income in Washington County
Half of Washington County households take in less than $42,165 a year and half take in more, 25% below the Mississippi median of $56,447. In the state ranking that is 62nd of 82.
| Band | Washington County | Compared with Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 44.2% | +11.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.9% | -1.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 11.9% | -8.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.0% | -1.7 pts |
About 44% of households earn under $35,000, while 16% clear $100,000. Census counts 26.4% of Washington County residents in poverty, against 18.9% across Mississippi. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.499 here. 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.
Jobs and commutes in Washington County
By the Census industry count, 26% of employed Washington County residents work in education and health care and 14% in retail trade. Compared with Mississippi, the county leans toward public administration (8% against 5%). The survey's unemployment rate for Washington County averages 6.3% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.8%). About 85% drive to work alone and 9% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry | Share of Washington County workers | vs Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.2% | +0.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.9% | +2.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.4% | -3.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.2% | +0.5 pts |
| Public administration | 8.5% | +3.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.9% | +0.4 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Counties near Washington County
Chicot County is closest, 20 miles from center to center; the sixth, Bolivar County, is 37 miles off. Income ranges from $31,429 in Issaquena County to $40,000 in Sharkey County; none of these neighbors top Washington County's median. The list crosses into Arkansas, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County | - | $42,165 | $833/mo | 60% |
| Chicot County, AR | 20 mi | $39,045 | $574/mo | 69% |
| Humphreys County, MS | 26 mi | $33,731 | $641/mo | 62% |
| Sharkey County, MS | 27 mi | $40,000 | $623/mo | 67% |
| Sunflower County, MS | 31 mi | $39,956 | $694/mo | 55% |
| Issaquena County, MS | 36 mi | $31,429 | $339/mo | 66% |
| Bolivar County, MS | 37 mi | $39,585 | $685/mo | 63% |
Washington County towns compared
9 Census places fall mainly inside Washington County; the 9 biggest are below. They account for 36,133 residents, leaving about 16% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $40,083 at the median in Greenville, $25,508 in Hollandale. Rent is cheapest in Metcalfe ($396) and steepest in Greenville ($872). No Washington County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 9.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville | city | 28,166 | $40,083 | $872 | 10 mi |
| Leland | city | 3,777 | $37,406 | $834 | 10 mi |
| Hollandale | city | 2,378 | $25,508 | $690 | 9 mi |
| Metcalfe | town | 1,068 | n/a | $396 | 13 mi |
| Glen Allan | CDP | 350 | n/a | n/a | 18 mi |
| Arcola | town | 204 | $27,875 | $483 | 4 mi |
| Elizabeth | CDP | 145 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
| Winterville | CDP | 45 | n/a | n/a | 17 mi |
| Stoneville | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
Budget math at the Washington County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Washington County's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $3,514 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $833, takes 24% of that
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $572 left for all other debt payments
Two-income households and single earners in Washington County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
People and households in Washington County
22% of Washington County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 11.6%, against 11.0% for Mississippi.
| Measure | Washington County | Mississippi statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.0 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.4% | 25.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 18.2% | 12.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.6% | 11.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 11.9% | 6.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 3.7% | 5.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 26.4% | 18.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.3% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 44.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 37.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 9.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.0% |
| 60+ min | 4.3% |
What the numbers mean for Washington County borrowers
A few patterns in the Washington County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Health costs. With 12% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Assistance before credit. With a 26% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Washington County loan.
- Rent squeeze. 57% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Lender oversight for Washington County
Washington County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. The Mississippi guide covers state rules in more detail.
Four steps for Washington County borrowers
Quick steps for Washington County:
- 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 Mississippi borrowers.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Mississippi guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Washington County a high-income county?
Its $42,165 median ranks 62nd of 82 Mississippi counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Washington County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $833 a month; 57% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
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 Greenville, Leland, Hollandale, Metcalfe, Glen Allan and 4 more.
Is the fit check different in Washington County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who regulates personal lenders for Washington County residents?
The Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance licenses consumer lenders in Mississippi; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.