1st Advantage Mortgage44% of Washoe County households earn $100,000 or more; the median is $88,096 (ACS 2020-24). 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
- Washoe County, NV: the basics
- Income in Washoe County compared with Nevada
- Jobs and commutes in Washoe County
- Washoe County against other Nevada counties
- Rent, home values and ownership in Washoe County
- Census places in Washoe County
- Washoe County and the counties next door
- Washoe County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- What the numbers mean for Washoe County borrowers
- Debt-to-income at Washoe County's medians
- Four steps for Washoe County borrowers
- Nevada lender licensing
- More guides for Washoe County
- Frequently asked questions
Washoe County, NV: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Washoe County's population at 497,200; only 1 of Nevada's 17 county-level areas are larger. Packed into 6,316 square miles, that is close to 79 residents for every square mile of land. It is one of the counties that make up the Reno, NV metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Reno is the biggest of its 17 Census places, at roughly 273,212 people (55% of the county total).
Income in Washoe County compared with Nevada
Half of Washoe County households take in less than $88,096 a year and half take in more, 13% above the Nevada median of $78,260. That places it 4th among Nevada's 17 county-level areas.
| Household income | Washoe County | vs Nevada |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 17.9% | -2.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.3% | -2.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 29.9% | +2.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 13.9% | +3.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 44% of Washoe County households make $100,000 or more, and 18% make less than $35,000. Washoe County counts about 52,957 residents below the poverty line, 10.7% of the population. For a borrower in Washoe 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 Washoe County
Education and health care employs 19% of working residents, the largest share; professional and administrative services is next with 13%. Compared with Nevada, the county leans toward manufacturing (9% against 5%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 5.1% in Washoe County. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 10%; under 15 minutes: 28%. Only 6.4% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | Washoe County | Compared with Nevada |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 18.8% | +1.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 13.3% | +0.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 13.1% | -6.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.9% | -0.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.3% | +4.1 pts |
| Construction | 8.0% | +0.4 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Washoe County against other Nevada counties
The 3 Washoe County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Nevada, and what each means for a borrower:
- Washoe County ranks the highest of 17 Nevada counties for the share of adults with a bachelor's degree: 34%, against 28% statewide. More graduates often means more student debt to factor in.
- Few Nevada counties match Washoe County on median home value: $539,900 here, $435,400 for the state, ranking 2nd highest of 17. Owners with equity have more options, including secured credit, but that puts the house at risk.
- Homeownership: 60% in Washoe County. Only 1 of 17 Nevada counties are lower. Many renters means few borrowers have home equity to fall back on.
Rent, home values and ownership in Washoe County
Half of Washoe County renters pay more than $1,608 a month and half pay less; the Nevada midpoint is $1,597. 52% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 24% spend half or more. With a median value of $539,900, a typical Washoe County house costs 6.1 times what the median household earns in a year. In Washoe County, 60% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them.
| Home costs | Washoe County | Nevada | Compared with Nevada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent-burdened renters | 52% | 56% | -4.0 pts |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 31% | -3.7 pts |
| Median home value | $539,900 | $435,400 | 24% higher |
| Owners | 60% | 60% | -0.1 pts |
| Median gross rent | $1,608/mo | $1,597/mo | level |
Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Census places in Washoe County
456,446 of Washoe County's 497,200 residents live in its 17 Census places (92%); the 14 largest are listed. Incline Village has the highest median household income on the list ($167,069) and Wadsworth the lowest ($63,056), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Wadsworth ($950) and steepest in Cold Springs ($2,185). Linked names have their own city guide; this page covers every other Washoe County community.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reno | city | 273,212 | $80,760 | $1,556 | 82 mi |
| Sparks | city | 110,024 | $89,056 | $1,716 | 80 mi |
| Sun Valley | CDP | 22,228 | $77,446 | $1,214 | 78 mi |
| Spanish Springs | CDP | 17,980 | $127,658 | $1,963 | 74 mi |
| Cold Springs | CDP | 11,321 | $93,732 | $2,185 | 74 mi |
| Incline Village | CDP | 9,272 | $167,069 | $1,961 | 102 mi |
| Lemmon Valley | CDP | 4,412 | $76,029 | n/a | 73 mi |
| Washoe Valley | CDP | 3,315 | $122,614 | $1,410 | 100 mi |
| Golden Valley | CDP | 1,139 | $93,456 | n/a | 77 mi |
| Mogul | CDP | 1,050 | $145,250 | n/a | 85 mi |
| Verdi | CDP | 1,012 | $80,670 | n/a | 85 mi |
| Wadsworth | CDP | 705 | $63,056 | $950 | 78 mi |
| Nixon | CDP | 305 | $72,839 | $586 | 64 mi |
| Sutcliffe | CDP | 282 | $31,202 | n/a | 54 mi |
Washoe County and the counties next door
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (50 to 92 miles). Richest neighbor: Storey County, $93,409. Poorest: Modoc County, $59,455. Washoe County: $88,096. The list crosses into California, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washoe County | - | $88,096 | $1,608/mo | 60% |
| Lassen County, CA | 50 mi | $67,403 | $1,000/mo | 68% |
| Pershing County, NV | 69 mi | $66,902 | $715/mo | 73% |
| Plumas County, CA | 80 mi | $66,031 | $1,194/mo | 75% |
| Modoc County, CA | 81 mi | $59,455 | $836/mo | 77% |
| Storey County, NV | 90 mi | $93,409 | $1,153/mo | 96% |
| Sierra County, CA | 92 mi | $63,355 | n/a | 72% |
Washoe County residents: age, schooling, coverage
In Washoe County, 34% of adults have at least a four-year degree (28% in Nevada). Health coverage gaps: 9.9% of Washoe County residents are uninsured.
| Measure | Washoe County | Gap to Nevada | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 34.2% | +6.3 pts | +12.1 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.1% | -1.8 pts | +0.7 pts |
| Poverty rate | 10.7% | -1.8 pts | -2.5 pts |
| No health insurance | 9.9% | -1.5 pts | +2.0 pts |
| No high school diploma | 11.0% | -1.5 pts | n/a |
| Work from home | 12.6% | +0.7 pts | +4.0 pts |
| No vehicle | 6.4% | -0.6 pts | +1.0 pts |
| Median age | 39.0 | -0.1 yrs | -2.5 yrs |
| Commute length | Washoe County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 28.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 44.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.5% |
| 60+ min | 4.3% |
What the numbers mean for Washoe County borrowers
What the Washoe County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Six-figure budgets. For the 44% earning $100,000 or more, lifestyle creep, not approval, is the usual problem.
- Tight rental budgets. With 52% of Washoe County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
Debt-to-income at Washoe County's medians
DTI math using Washoe County medians ($88,096 income, $1,608 rent):
- Start: $7,341 gross per month ($88,096 / 12)
- Housing at the median rent of $1,608 uses 22%
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $1,035 left for all other debt payments
Homeowners in Washoe County should swap in their mortgage, taxes and insurance for rent.
Four steps for Washoe County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Washoe County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Washoe County.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Verify the Nevada license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Nevada lender licensing
Washoe County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Nevada Financial Institutions Division. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The Nevada guide covers state rules in more detail.
More guides for Washoe County
More local guides:
Frequently asked questions
Where does Washoe County rank on income in Nevada?
4th of 17, with a median of $88,096. The state median is $78,260.
Is Washoe County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,608 against $1,597 statewide, and 52% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Washoe County?
By population: Reno, Sparks, Sun Valley, Spanish Springs, Cold Springs. The county has 17 Census places in all.
Is the fit check different in Washoe County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Washoe County?
Start with the Nevada Financial Institutions Division, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.