1st Advantage MortgageAbout 83% of Washington County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $94,396. 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 at a glance
- Household income in Washington County
- The Washington County job picture
- Housing costs in Washington County
- Towns and communities in Washington County
- How Washington County compares with nearby counties
- Washington County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Local borrowing considerations for Washington County
- A Washington County household budget, worked through
- Checking a lender's license in Nebraska
- Four steps for Washington County borrowers
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Washington County at a glance
Roughly 21,106 residents live in Washington County, Nebraska, 17th by population among the state's 93 counties and county equivalents. It covers 390 square miles of land, or about 54 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Omaha, NE-IA metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Of the 7 Census places inside Washington County, Blair leads by population with about 7,914; 6 of the 7 are incorporated.
Household income in Washington County
The median household income in Washington County is $94,396; statewide it is $76,475, so Washington County runs 23% above Nebraska as a whole. That places it 2nd among Nebraska's 93 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Washington County | +/- vs Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 17.5% | -3.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 35.3% | -6.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 33.7% | +5.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 13.5% | +4.1 pts |
The spread is wide: 47% of Washington County households make $100,000 or more, and 17% make less than $35,000. Census counts 6.4% of Washington County residents in poverty, against 10.6% across Nebraska. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.427 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.
The Washington County job picture
By the Census industry count, 25% of employed Washington County residents work in education and health care and 11% in professional and administrative services. Construction stands out: 10% of workers here, versus 7% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 1.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 76% drive to work alone and 10% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 3.0% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Washington County share | +/- vs Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.4% | +0.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.8% | +1.4 pts |
| Construction | 9.7% | +2.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.6% | -0.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.7% | -1.9 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 8.4% | +0.6 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Housing costs in Washington County
A typical Washington County rental runs $965 a month including utilities, which is 10% below Nebraska. 51% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 19% spend half or more. Home values center on $297,600, or 3.2 years of median income. The ownership rate is 83%. The median home was built in 1976, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Cost | Washington County | Nebraska figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $965/mo | $1,072/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $297,600 | $238,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 83% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 51% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 22% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 3% | 8% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare). Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Towns and communities in Washington County
Here are the 7 most populous of the county's 7 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 55% of Washington County residents live in one of the 7. Incomes vary by place: $102,396 at the median in Fort Calhoun, $81,452 in Blair. Median rent ranges from $937 in Blair to $1,141 in Fort Calhoun. Live in one of these Washington County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blair | city | 7,914 | $81,452 | $937 | 5 mi |
| Arlington | village | 1,467 | $94,034 | $1,000 | 9 mi |
| Fort Calhoun | city | 1,173 | $102,396 | $1,141 | 12 mi |
| Kennard | village | 425 | $95,000 | $1,106 | 4 mi |
| Herman | village | 360 | $80,461 | $332 | 10 mi |
| Washington | village | 198 | $106,458 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Fontanelle | CDP | 60 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
How Washington County compares with nearby counties
Six nearby counties, 17 to 31 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 1 of the six report a higher median household income than Washington County; Sarpy County is highest at $103,321 and Burt County lowest at $63,685. Some neighbors are in Iowa. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Washington County resident follows Nebraska rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County | - | $94,396 | $965/mo | 83% |
| Douglas County, NE | 17 mi | $80,391 | $1,201/mo | 62% |
| Dodge County, NE | 22 mi | $74,329 | $1,060/mo | 67% |
| Burt County, NE | 23 mi | $63,685 | $708/mo | 75% |
| Harrison County, IA | 23 mi | $79,535 | $849/mo | 77% |
| Sarpy County, NE | 30 mi | $103,321 | $1,334/mo | 70% |
| Saunders County, NE | 31 mi | $94,066 | $960/mo | 82% |
Washington County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 37% of adults over 25. 4.2% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Washington County | All of Nebraska | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.9 | 37.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 36.8% | 34.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 4.2% | 7.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.2% | 7.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.0% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 14.3% | 11.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 6.4% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.8% | 3.0% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 37.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 26.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.8% |
| 60+ min | 3.1% |
Local borrowing considerations for Washington County
What the Washington County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Six-figure budgets. For the 47% earning $100,000 or more, lifestyle creep, not approval, is the usual problem.
- Tight rental budgets. With 51% of Washington County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Washington County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
A Washington County household budget, worked through
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.
- Monthly gross at the median, Washington County: $7,866
- Less median rent of $965, which is 12% of it
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $1,867 left for all other debt payments
- Under a 43% cap, $3,383 total minus rent leaves $2,418
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Checking a lender's license in Nebraska
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Washington County, check the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The Nebraska guide covers state rules in more detail.
Four steps for Washington County borrowers
Quick steps for Washington County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Washington County.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Nebraska borrowers.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Nebraska guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Washington County earn?
The median is $94,396; 47% earn $100,000 or more and 17% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Washington County?
$965 a month at the median, about 12% of median household income.
Should Washington County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 83% 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 Blair, Arlington, Fort Calhoun, Kennard, Herman and 2 more.
Can Washington County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Nebraska county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.