1st Advantage MortgageWashington County households have a median income of $96,359 and median rent of $1,153 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 Wisconsin license first.
On this page
- Who lives in Washington County
- Income in Washington County compared with Wisconsin
- The Washington County job picture
- Renting and owning in Washington County
- Washington County next to its neighbors
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Washington County
- Room for a loan payment in Washington County
- Local borrowing considerations for Washington County
- Washington County households compared
- Steps before you apply in Washington County
- Licensing and complaints for Washington County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Washington County
With an estimated 137,879 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Washington County ranks 11th of 72 in Wisconsin for population. Land area is 431 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 320 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). West Bend is the biggest of its 9 Census places, at roughly 32,030 people (23% of the county total).
Income in Washington County compared with Wisconsin
At $96,359, the typical Washington County household income is 47% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 4th among Wisconsin's 72 county-level areas.
| Band | Washington County | Compared with Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 15.0% | -5.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 37.1% | -5.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 36.1% | +7.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 11.8% | +2.6 pts |
The spread is wide: 48% of Washington County households make $100,000 or more, and 15% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 5.8%, 5 points lower than the state's 10.6%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.407 (0 is perfect equality). 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, 22% of employed Washington County residents work in manufacturing and 21% in education and health care. Manufacturing stands out: 22% of workers here, versus 18% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 2.5% in Washington County. About 78% drive to work alone and 14% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 3.7% of the total (6.4% statewide).
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Washington County | Gap to Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 22.4% | +4.5 pts |
| Education and health care | 20.8% | -2.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.2% | +1.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.6% | +0.1 pts |
| Construction | 7.1% | +0.8 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.9% | +0.8 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Renting and owning in Washington County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,153 in Washington County versus $1,087 statewide. By the Census definition, 46% of Washington County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $344,800, or 3.6 years of median income. 78% of Washington County households own their home and 22% rent. Median construction year: 1986.
| Measure | Washington County | Wisconsin | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,153/mo | $1,087/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $344,800 | $266,500 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 78% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 1.1% | 3.1% | 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.
Washington County next to its neighbors
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Washington County's, from 21 to 38 miles away. 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Washington County; Waukesha County is highest at $106,076 and Sheboygan County lowest at $73,094.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County | - | $96,359 | $1,153/mo | 78% |
| Ozaukee County, WI | 21 mi | $96,996 | $1,154/mo | 73% |
| Dodge County, WI | 24 mi | $75,929 | $988/mo | 71% |
| Waukesha County, WI | 26 mi | $106,076 | $1,356/mo | 76% |
| Fond du Lac County, WI | 28 mi | $74,275 | $960/mo | 71% |
| Sheboygan County, WI | 35 mi | $73,094 | $934/mo | 71% |
| Jefferson County, WI | 38 mi | $83,750 | $1,035/mo | 73% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Washington County
The table lists the 9 largest of 9 Census places in Washington County, by population. Together all 9 hold about 101,468 people, so roughly 26% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $74,076 in West Bend to $143,963 in Richfield. None of the 9 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Bend | city | 32,030 | $74,076 | $1,076 | 3 mi |
| Germantown | village | 20,962 | $100,231 | $1,355 | 12 mi |
| Hartford | city | 15,821 | $82,014 | $1,110 | 9 mi |
| Richfield | village | 11,755 | $143,963 | $1,388 | 10 mi |
| Jackson | village | 8,003 | $93,170 | $1,151 | 6 mi |
| Slinger | village | 6,307 | $101,404 | $1,022 | 4 mi |
| Kewaskum | village | 4,461 | $94,141 | $1,018 | 9 mi |
| Newburg | village | 1,287 | $78,214 | $1,094 | 10 mi |
| Allenton | CDP | 842 | $102,868 | n/a | 6 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Room for a loan payment in Washington County
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Washington County's medians:
- $96,359 a year is $8,030 of gross monthly income
- Housing at the median rent of $1,153 uses 14%
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,738 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $1,153, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Local borrowing considerations for Washington County
Based on the Washington County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Six-figure budgets. For the 48% earning $100,000 or more, lifestyle creep, not approval, is the usual problem.
- 46% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Washington County households compared
35% of Washington County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 2.8% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Washington County | Wisconsin statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.8 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 35.2% | 33.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 4.2% | 6.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 2.8% | 5.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.7% | 6.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 13.9% | 13.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 5.8% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.5% | 3.2% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 26.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 27.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.5% |
| 60+ min | 5.4% |
Steps before you apply in Washington County
Quick steps for Washington County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- A Wisconsin license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Licensing and complaints for Washington County
Washington County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Wisconsin: Wisconsin personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Wisconsin guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Washington County earn?
The median is $96,359; 48% earn $100,000 or more and 15% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Washington County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,153 against $1,087 statewide, and 46% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Washington County?
By population: West Bend, Germantown, Hartford, Richfield, Jackson. The county has 9 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Washington County or elsewhere in Wisconsin, the same rules apply.
Where can someone in Washington County check a lender's license?
With the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.