Population 256,765 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Washington County
Household size in Washington County
| Period | Washington County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.58 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.61 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.65 | 2.55 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.62 | 2.53 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.04 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
At 2.62 people per household, Washington County sits close to the national average of 2.65. The typical household here is bigger than in Arkansas overall, where it has 2.53 people. Household size has crept up from 2.58 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Washington County
| Period | Washington County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.6 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 33.5 | 38.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 33.9 | 39.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 34.6 | 39.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.0 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
Washington County is young: half of its residents are under 34.6, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults and children. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 32.6, mirroring the country. Only one other Arkansas county is younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Washington County
| Period | Washington County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.4% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.5% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 11.7% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.1% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | −0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are about as common in Washington County as they are nationally: 11.1%, against 11.6%. Single parents are less common here than in Arkansas overall (12.3%). Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 1.3 points, in line with the national trend.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Washington County
Renters in Washington County
| Period | Washington County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.7% | 32.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 44.5% | 33.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 47.4% | 34.4% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 44.4% | 33.6% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.7 pts | +1.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is more common in Washington County than nationally: 44.4% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% for the U.S. Among owners, 42.7% have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged up 0.7 points, as it has nationally. Of Arkansas' 75 counties, only two have a higher share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Washington County
| Period | Washington County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.5% | 13.4% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.6% | 13.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.4% | 14.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 8.5% | 13.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.0 pts | −0.3 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Washington County is close to the national rate: 8.5% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. The rate is lower than in Arkansas as a whole (13.1%). Vacancy has fallen 3.0 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Washington County
| Period | Washington County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1987 | 1981 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1990 | 1983 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1992 | 1985 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1995 | 1988 | 1980 |
| Change | +8 | +6 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Washington County is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1995, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1987 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Few Arkansas counties have newer homes: only four of 75.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Washington County
| Period | Washington County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $719 | $660 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $775 | $718 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $860 | $785 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,213 | $1,007 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$494 | +$346 | +$606 |
The median renter in Washington County pays $1,213 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Still, rents here are higher than in Arkansas overall ($1,007). Rent has climbed $494 a month since 2006–10, up 69%, faster than rents rose nationally. Only one other Arkansas county has higher rents.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Washington County
Bachelor's degrees in Washington County
| Period | Washington County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.0% | 20.6% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 29.6% | 21.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 34.2% | 23.8% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 35.9% | 26.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.0 pts | +5.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
More than a third of adults 25 and older in Washington County (35.9%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. The share is higher than in Arkansas overall (26.2%). Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 8.0 points, mirroring the country. Only two of Arkansas' 75 counties have a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Washington County
| Period | Washington County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 81.5% | 82.6% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 82.6% | 84.6% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 84.8% | 86.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 87.5% | 88.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.0 pts | +6.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in eight adults in Washington County never finished high school, a bit more than nationally: 87.5% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The picture is much the same across Arkansas. The share with a diploma is up 6.0 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Washington County
| Period | Washington County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.4% | 7.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.0% | 8.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.8% | 5.2% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.7% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.7 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Washington County runs below the national rate: 3.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment has fallen 2.7 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Washington County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County | 2.62 | 34.6 | 11.1% | 44.4% | 8.5% | 1995 | $1,213 | 35.9% | 87.5% | 3.7% |
| Madison County | 2.72 | 42.1 | 12.2% | 20.5% | 15.9% | 1989 | $723 | 13.7% | 85.6% | 5.3% |
| Cherokee County | 2.52 | 38.2 | 11.9% | 34.3% | 14.5% | 1988 | $834 | 28.9% | 88.6% | 5.3% |
| Newton County | 2.21 | 49.9 | 7.7% | 23.5% | 22.7% | 1985 | $583 | 15.6% | 83.1% | 3.7% |
| Wagoner County | 2.80 | 39.6 | 9.4% | 18.7% | 7.2% | 1995 | $1,211 | 28.0% | 92.4% | 4.2% |
| Searcy County | 2.48 | 48.2 | 8.7% | 20.6% | 31.5% | 1983 | $621 | 15.2% | 83.9% | 4.3% |
| Tulsa County | 2.55 | 36.8 | 12.1% | 40.3% | 8.0% | 1981 | $1,305 | 33.7% | 89.5% | 5.5% |
| Creek County | 2.57 | 40.5 | 10.7% | 25.6% | 10.5% | 1986 | $1,000 | 18.9% | 90.9% | 3.3% |
| Izard County | 2.47 | 46.4 | 12.2% | 24.6% | 21.0% | 1984 | $760 | 20.1% | 87.3% | 7.0% |
| Sharp County | 2.63 | 45.4 | 10.8% | 21.2% | 24.7% | 1981 | $762 | 15.1% | 85.1% | 6.7% |
| Payne County | 2.28 | 32.8 | 10.3% | 49.0% | 13.5% | 1983 | $1,003 | 42.2% | 94.0% | 5.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Onslow County, NC · Jefferson County, MO · Jefferson County, TX · Johnson County, TX · Johnston County, NC · Norfolk City, VA · Northampton County, PA · Okaloosa County, FL · Oneida County, NY · Jackson County, OR
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Washington County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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