1st Advantage MortgageAbout 72% of Washington County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $60,162. 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 by the numbers
- Rent, home values and ownership in Washington County
- Household income in Washington County
- Employment and commuting in Washington County
- The counties around Washington County
- Washington County towns compared
- Debt-to-income at Washington County's medians
- Before borrowing in Washington County
- People and households in Washington County
- Who licenses lenders for Washington County residents
- Four steps for Washington County borrowers
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Washington County by the numbers
Washington County is home to about 53,326 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 14th most populous of 77 county-level areas in Oklahoma. Land area is 416 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 128 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. The Census Bureau counts 6 places in the county (6 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Bartlesville, with about 37,878 residents, or 71% of the county.
Rent, home values and ownership in Washington County
Renters in Washington County pay a median of $907 a month, 11% below the Oklahoma figure of $1,014. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 51% of renter households here. With a median value of $173,200, a typical Washington County house costs 2.9 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 72%. The median home was built in 1971, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Measure | Washington County | Oklahoma | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $907/mo | $1,014/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $173,200 | $199,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 72% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 51% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 24% | n/a |
Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Household income in Washington County
Half of Washington County households take in less than $60,162 a year and half take in more, 7% below the Oklahoma median of $65,039.
| Band | Washington County | Compared with Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.9% | +2.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.3% | -1.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.4% | -0.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.4% | +0.1 pts |
About 29% of households earn under $35,000, while 30% clear $100,000. 16.1% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 15.3%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.482 (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.
Employment and commuting in Washington County
The biggest employer of Washington County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 23% of workers, followed by retail trade (13%). Compared with Oklahoma, the county leans toward manufacturing (12% against 9%). The survey's unemployment rate for Washington County averages 4.4% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.0%). About 77% drive to work alone and 14% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Where residents work | Washington County | Difference from Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.0% | -0.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.2% | +1.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.6% | +2.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.5% | +0.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.2% | +0.2 pts |
| Other services | 5.8% | +0.7 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
The counties around Washington County
Six nearby counties, 17 to 39 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $51,922 in Craig County to $80,067 in Rogers County; 2 of these neighbors top Washington County's median. Some neighbors are in Kansas. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Washington County resident follows Oklahoma rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County | - | $60,162 | $907/mo | 72% |
| Nowata County, OK | 17 mi | $54,333 | $811/mo | 74% |
| Rogers County, OK | 28 mi | $80,067 | $1,047/mo | 78% |
| Osage County, OK | 28 mi | $62,847 | $777/mo | 78% |
| Montgomery County, KS | 35 mi | $55,697 | $761/mo | 73% |
| Chautauqua County, KS | 36 mi | $56,438 | $708/mo | 82% |
| Craig County, OK | 39 mi | $51,922 | $810/mo | 74% |
Washington County towns compared
Here are the 6 most populous of the county's 6 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 82% of Washington County residents live in one of the 6. Ochelata has the highest median household income on the list ($61,250) and Copan the lowest ($31,987), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $700 in Copan to $1,016 in Ramona. No Washington County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 6.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bartlesville | city | 37,878 | $58,869 | $916 | 3 mi |
| Dewey | city | 3,412 | $42,695 | $922 | 6 mi |
| Copan | town | 772 | $31,987 | $700 | 14 mi |
| Ramona | town | 629 | $38,056 | $1,016 | 12 mi |
| Ochelata | town | 599 | $61,250 | $950 | 8 mi |
| Vera | town | 323 | $63,438 | $908 | 17 mi |
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.
- $5,014 a month: gross income for a household at the Washington County median
- 18% goes to median rent ($907)
- $848: what a 35% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $1,349 left for all other debt payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Before borrowing in Washington County
Where the Washington County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Health costs. With 11% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- 51% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
People and households in Washington County
Degree holders: 30% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 11.1%, against 12.9% for Oklahoma.
| People and households | Washington County | Oklahoma | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.2 | 37.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 30.1% | 28.3% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.4% | 10.6% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.1% | 12.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.3% | 5.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.6% | 9.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 16.1% | 15.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.4% | 5.0% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 48.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.6% |
| 60+ min | 6.3% |
Who licenses lenders for Washington County residents
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Washington County borrowers answers to the Oklahoma State Banking Department. Consumer lending in Oklahoma is also overseen by the Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma borrowers.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Oklahoma guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Washington County?
$60,162 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $65,039 for Oklahoma. It ranks 37th of 77 in the state.
How much is rent in Washington County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $907 a month; 51% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Does this page cover Bartlesville?
Yes, along with the other 5 Census places in Washington County, such as Dewey, Copan, Ramona.
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 Oklahoma State Banking Department licenses consumer lenders in Oklahoma; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.