Population 31,331 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Washington County
Household size in Washington County
| Period | Washington County | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.30 | 2.37 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.21 | 2.36 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.23 | 2.35 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.16 | 2.30 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.14 | −0.07 | −0.03 |
Households in Washington County are small: just 2.16 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Household size has dropped from 2.30 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only two of Maine's 16 counties have smaller households.
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 | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.4 | 42.1 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 46.2 | 43.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 47.6 | 45.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 48.3 | 45.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.9 | +2.9 | +2.3 |
Washington County skews older: half of its residents are older than 48.3, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has climbed from 44.4 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.8% | 10.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.0% | 10.1% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 11.4% | 9.4% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.1% | 8.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.3 pts | −1.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in ten households in Washington County (10.1%), a little below the national share of 11.6%. Even so, single parents are more common here than in Maine as a whole (8.8%). The single-parent share has edged up 1.3 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
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 | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.8% | 26.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.0% | 28.6% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.5% | 27.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 20.3% | 25.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −3.5 pts | −1.2 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 20.3% of households in Washington County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. About six in ten owners (58.3%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has fallen 3.5 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
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 | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.5% | 17.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 33.9% | 18.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 36.5% | 19.0% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 32.0% | 16.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Washington County: 32.0% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 2.5 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 | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1967 | 1969 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1971 | 1971 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1972 | 1973 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1974 | 1975 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +6 | +6 |
Housing in Washington County leans a little older: the median home dates to 1974, against 1980 nationally. The picture is much the same across Maine. The median year built has moved up from 1967 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
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 | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $534 | $766 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $614 | $831 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $659 | $919 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $824 | $1,230 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$290 | +$464 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Washington County costs $824 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $290 a month from 2006–10, a 54% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 30.9% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
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 | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.0% | 27.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 20.1% | 28.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.0% | 32.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 24.7% | 36.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.7 pts | +9.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Washington County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 24.7%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree is up 5.7 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 85.3% | 89.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 87.5% | 91.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 89.4% | 92.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 91.0% | 94.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.7 pts | +4.8 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Washington County is a bit above the national rate: 91.0% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Even so, the rate is lower than in Maine overall (94.8%). No other Maine county has a lower share of high school graduates.
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 | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.6% | 6.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.9% | 7.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.4% | 4.2% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.2% | 3.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.3 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment runs a little high in Washington County: 6.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. No other Maine county has higher unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 4.3 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 | 2.16 | 48.3 | 10.1% | 20.3% | 32.0% | 1974 | $824 | 24.7% | 91.0% | 6.2% |
| Penobscot County | 2.30 | 43.3 | 8.6% | 29.5% | 12.4% | 1976 | $1,056 | 32.6% | 95.0% | 3.7% |
| Somerset County | 2.18 | 46.3 | 9.1% | 22.6% | 19.0% | 1975 | $953 | 21.2% | 93.1% | 3.5% |
| Franklin County | 2.32 | 46.1 | 6.7% | 23.7% | 27.0% | 1974 | $810 | 33.2% | 94.0% | 5.3% |
| Orleans County | 2.26 | 46.1 | 8.9% | 20.3% | 24.7% | 1977 | $943 | 30.8% | 92.3% | 5.4% |
| Franklin County | 2.56 | 42.0 | 10.7% | 22.6% | 14.3% | 1976 | $1,258 | 30.1% | 93.6% | 3.3% |
| Grand Isle County | 2.38 | 49.9 | 4.6% | 10.1% | 38.7% | 1984 | $1,550 | 43.5% | 95.6% | 3.2% |
| Clinton County | 2.21 | 42.5 | 11.7% | 30.6% | 12.8% | 1974 | $1,006 | 27.8% | 88.9% | 4.3% |
| Franklin County | 2.21 | 42.2 | 13.0% | 27.5% | 19.6% | 1968 | $847 | 24.3% | 88.0% | 4.2% |
| Montmorency County | 1.94 | 55.0 | 7.0% | 12.1% | 43.4% | 1975 | $709 | 15.3% | 90.7% | 5.4% |
| Oscoda County | 2.28 | 51.9 | 8.4% | 12.8% | 49.1% | 1974 | $798 | 15.7% | 85.6% | 8.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Toombs County, GA · Decatur County, IN · Defiance County, OH · Del Norte County, CA · Dickinson County, MI · Dillon County, SC · Upshur County, WV · Union Parish, LA · Union County, SC · Union 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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