1st Advantage MortgageIn Washington County, Tennessee, the typical household earns $62,809 a year and the typical rent is $1,005. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Tennessee before sharing details.
On this page
- Washington County, TN: the basics
- Jobs and commutes in Washington County
- Paychecks and income spread in Washington County
- Housing costs in Washington County
- Counties near Washington County
- Towns and communities in Washington County
- Who lives in Washington County, in numbers
- Local borrowing considerations for Washington County
- Budget math at the Washington County median
- Tennessee rules that apply in Washington County
- Four steps for Washington County borrowers
- More guides for Washington County
- Frequently asked questions
Washington County, TN: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Washington County's population at 136,261; only 11 of Tennessee's 95 county-level areas are larger. Packed into 327 square miles, that is close to 417 residents for every square mile of land. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Johnson City, TN metropolitan area. Johnson City is the biggest of its 7 Census places, at roughly 72,222 people (53% of the county total).
Jobs and commutes in Washington County
Education and health care employs 28% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 12%. The sharpest difference from the state is in education and health care, at 28% locally and 22% for Tennessee. Averaged over the five survey years, 4.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are the exception here: 9% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 5.2% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Washington County workers | vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.9% | +5.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.4% | +0.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.3% | -1.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.9% | +1.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.5% | -1.2 pts |
| Construction | 6.2% | -0.9 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Paychecks and income spread in Washington County
At $62,809, the typical Washington County household income is 4% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 32nd among Tennessee's 95 county-level areas.
| Household income | Washington County | vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.8% | +3.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.5% | +1.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.7% | -2.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.0% | -2.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 29% of Washington County households make $100,000 or more, and 28% make less than $35,000. Census counts 15.5% of Washington County residents in poverty, against 13.8% across Tennessee. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.472 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Housing costs in Washington County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,005 in Washington County versus $1,189 statewide. 49% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 23% spend half or more. Home values center on $249,000, or 4.0 years of median income. 65% of Washington County households own their home and 35% rent. The median year built is 1985.
| Washington County | Tennessee | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,005/mo | $1,189/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $249,000 | $286,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 65% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 25% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 9% | 10% | n/a |
Counties near Washington County
Unicoi County is closest, 14 miles from center to center; the sixth, Mitchell County, is 27 miles off. Income ranges from $50,135 in Carter County to $58,807 in Sullivan County; none of these neighbors top Washington County's median. Some neighbors are in North Carolina. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Washington County resident follows Tennessee rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County | - | $62,809 | $1,005/mo | 65% |
| Unicoi County, TN | 14 mi | $52,218 | $750/mo | 73% |
| Sullivan County, TN | 18 mi | $58,807 | $889/mo | 72% |
| Carter County, TN | 21 mi | $50,135 | $739/mo | 75% |
| Greene County, TN | 21 mi | $56,194 | $737/mo | 77% |
| Hawkins County, TN | 27 mi | $56,936 | $785/mo | 80% |
| Mitchell County, NC | 27 mi | $57,602 | $813/mo | 76% |
Towns and communities in Washington County
The table lists the 7 largest of 7 Census places in Washington County, by population. Together all 7 hold about 88,270 people, so roughly 35% of residents live outside any named place. Jonesborough has the highest median household income on the list ($74,015) and Fall Branch the lowest ($50,208), counting places with at least 500 residents. No Washington County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 7.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson City | city | 72,222 | $57,254 | $1,023 | 7 mi |
| Jonesborough | town | 6,232 | $74,015 | $1,129 | 1 mi |
| Oak Grove | CDP | 4,626 | $72,143 | $907 | 10 mi |
| Gray | CDP | 2,237 | $69,947 | $1,028 | 9 mi |
| Fall Branch | CDP | 1,160 | $50,208 | $799 | 11 mi |
| Embreeville | CDP | 1,062 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
| Telford | CDP | 731 | $69,200 | n/a | 4 mi |
Who lives in Washington County, in numbers
34% of Washington County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 10.4%, against 10.0% for Tennessee.
| Measure | Washington County | Tennessee statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.2 | 38.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 34.3% | 31.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.8% | 10.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.4% | 10.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.2% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.9% | 12.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.5% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.7% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 34.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 41.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.8% |
| 60+ min | 4.3% |
Local borrowing considerations for Washington County
Based on the Washington County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Hospital bills in Washington County. For the 10% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Tight rental budgets. With 49% of Washington County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
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:
- Start: $5,234 gross per month ($62,809 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $1,005, takes 19% of that
- Under a 40% cap, $2,094 total minus rent leaves $1,089
Two-income households and single earners in Washington County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Tennessee rules that apply in Washington County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Washington County resident can confirm its license with the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. See the Tennessee state guide for the statewide picture.
Four steps for Washington County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Price the Washington County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Tennessee.
- Ask a Washington County credit union about member loans.
More guides for Washington County
For statewide rules and data, see the Tennessee guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Washington County?
$62,809 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $69,595 for Tennessee. It ranks 32nd of 95 in the state.
How much is rent in Washington County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,005 a month; 49% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
What are the biggest places in Washington County?
By population: Johnson City, Jonesborough, Oak Grove, Gray, Fall Branch. The county has 7 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Washington County or elsewhere in Tennessee, the same rules apply.
Where can someone in Washington County check a lender's license?
With the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.