Population 155,709 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Washington County
Household size in Washington County
| Period | Washington County | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.55 | 2.68 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.55 | 2.73 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.55 | 2.74 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.55 | 2.68 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.01 | +0.01 | −0.03 |
The average household in Washington County has 2.55 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Households are largest in the west and smallest in the center.
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 | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.5 | 38.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 40.7 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.5 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 41.2 | 40.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.7 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
At 41.2, the median age in Washington County is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The median age has climbed from 39.5 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. The youngest areas are in the west, the oldest in the southeast.
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 | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.8% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.2% | 12.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 11.9% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 13.5% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.7 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are a bit more common in Washington County than nationally: 13.5%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share has risen 1.7 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Washington County has a higher share of single-parent households than at least four in five Maryland counties.
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 | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 33.7% | 31.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 35.6% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 34.1% | 33.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 33.2% | 32.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.5 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
About a third of households in Washington County rent their homes (33.2%), close to the national share of 34.8%. Among owners, 35.9% have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the center and least common in the southeast.
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 | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.0% | 9.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.0% | 8.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.8% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.6% | 7.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.4 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in Washington County: 7.6% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. The picture is much the same across Maryland. Since 2006–10, vacancy has edged down 1.4 points, 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 | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1972 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1973 | 1975 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1974 | 1976 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1976 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +4 | +6 |
The typical home in Washington County was built around 1976, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). The median year built has moved up from 1972 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northwest, the oldest in the center.
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 | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $818 | $1,249 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $935 | $1,363 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,018 | $1,576 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,207 | $1,869 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$389 | +$620 | +$606 |
Rent in Washington County runs $1,207 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $389 a month since 2006–10, up 48%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 28.2% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the center; the highest are in the east.
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 | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.9% | 36.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 19.9% | 37.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.3% | 40.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 24.3% | 43.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.4 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Washington County: 24.3% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 5.4 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the southeast and least in the center.
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 | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 83.3% | 88.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 86.4% | 89.1% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 87.4% | 90.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 88.6% | 90.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.3 pts | +2.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Washington County is close to the national rate: 88.6% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in Maryland overall (90.9%). The share with a diploma has risen 5.3 points since 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 | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.6% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.2% | 8.1% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.5% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.4% | 5.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been a little easier to find in Washington County than nationally: unemployment was 4.4%, against 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 2.2 points, mirroring the country. 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 | 2.55 | 41.2 | 13.5% | 33.2% | 7.6% | 1976 | $1,207 | 24.3% | 88.6% | 4.4% |
| Morgan County | 2.36 | 49.3 | 9.8% | 15.9% | 18.8% | 1986 | $876 | 18.2% | 88.9% | 3.7% |
| Carroll County | 2.71 | 42.3 | 8.1% | 15.7% | 4.8% | 1982 | $1,567 | 40.9% | 95.3% | 3.6% |
| Allegany County | 2.28 | 42.9 | 11.2% | 29.3% | 15.9% | 1959 | $810 | 21.2% | 90.6% | 4.9% |
| Harford County | 2.65 | 41.7 | 9.6% | 20.3% | 4.6% | 1986 | $1,682 | 40.4% | 95.2% | 3.9% |
| Garrett County | 2.27 | 46.3 | 8.7% | 20.3% | 20.7% | 1980 | $827 | 24.9% | 90.1% | 4.8% |
| Cecil County | 2.58 | 42.4 | 11.4% | 24.7% | 8.4% | 1986 | $1,403 | 27.8% | 91.7% | 5.9% |
| Preston County | 2.42 | 44.5 | 7.8% | 18.5% | 12.9% | 1984 | $846 | 18.3% | 86.4% | 4.5% |
| New Castle County | 2.61 | 41.0 | 13.1% | 31.0% | 6.1% | 1976 | $1,596 | 39.9% | 92.6% | 4.8% |
| Monongalia County | 2.37 | 35.4 | 8.1% | 42.1% | 12.7% | 1987 | $1,034 | 50.7% | 94.6% | 4.6% |
| Salem County | 2.60 | 42.0 | 12.2% | 29.0% | 10.7% | 1963 | $1,279 | 25.0% | 90.1% | 7.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Catawba County, NC · Comal County, TX · Dorchester County, SC · Mesa County, CO · Martin County, FL · Middlesex County, CT · Monroe County, MI · Olmsted County, MN · Orange County, NC · Ouachita Parish, LA
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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