Population 276,238 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Washington County
Household size in Washington County
| Period | Washington County | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.74 | 2.58 | 2.52 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.73 | 2.61 | 2.54 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.72 | 2.63 | 2.55 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.66 | 2.58 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.08 | −0.00 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
At 2.66 people per household, Washington County sits close to the national average of 2.65. The typical household here is bigger than in the wider Minneapolis area, where it has 2.58 people. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 2.74, in line with the national trend. Only eight of Minnesota's 87 counties have larger 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 | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.6 | 36.8 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 39.2 | 37.8 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.2 | 38.6 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 40.9 | 39.2 | 40.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.3 | +2.5 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
Half of the people in Washington County are younger than 40.9 and half are older, close to the national median of 40.1. The population here is older than in the Minneapolis area overall, where the median age is 39.2. The median age has climbed from 37.6 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 | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.7% | 10.2% | 9.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.5% | 10.6% | 10.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.7% | 9.9% | 9.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.3% | 9.8% | 9.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.4 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Washington County: 8.3% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Compared with other Minnesota counties, Washington County has a lower share of single-parent households than most.
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 | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.6% | 27.3% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 19.3% | 29.6% | 27.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 18.9% | 30.0% | 28.4% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 18.7% | 29.3% | 27.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.1 pts | +2.0 pts | +2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Washington County is largely a place of homeowners: only 18.7% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About three in ten owners (29.5%) have paid off their mortgages, well below the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 3.1 points, as it has nationally.
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 | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.6% | 7.0% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 5.2% | 6.2% | 9.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.6% | 5.5% | 8.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 4.4% | 5.7% | 8.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | −1.3 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in Washington County: just 4.4% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. Vacancy has edged down 1.3 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only three of Minnesota's 87 counties have a lower vacancy rate.
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 | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1986 | 1975 | 1973 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1986 | 1976 | 1974 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1988 | 1977 | 1975 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1991 | 1980 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Washington County is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1991, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1986 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the center, while the northeast has the oldest housing. Only four of Minnesota's 87 counties have newer homes.
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 | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,192 | $1,007 | $882 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,251 | $1,077 | $953 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,484 | $1,258 | $1,099 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,894 | $1,603 | $1,404 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$702 | +$597 | +$522 | +$606 |
The median renter in Washington County pays $1,894 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $702 a month since 2006–10, up 59%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 32.4% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Washington County has the highest rents of any Minnesota county.
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 | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.1% | 37.2% | 32.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 42.4% | 39.1% | 33.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 45.1% | 41.8% | 36.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 50.1% | 45.4% | 39.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +9.0 pts | +8.1 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in Washington County: 50.1% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher, against 35.6% nationally. Education tends to track local incomes and the kinds of jobs nearby. The share with a degree has risen 9.0 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Few Minnesota counties have a higher share of college graduates: only two of 87.
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 | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 95.8% | 92.4% | 91.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 96.0% | 92.9% | 92.2% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 96.1% | 93.5% | 93.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.1% | 94.0% | 93.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.3 pts | +1.6 pts | +2.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Washington County: 96.1% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Few Minnesota counties have a higher share of high school graduates: only three of 87.
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 | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.2% | 6.7% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.4% | 6.8% | 6.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.4% | 3.6% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.1% | 4.0% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.1 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Washington County has been low: just 3.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment is down 2.1 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current 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 | 2.66 | 40.9 | 8.3% | 18.7% | 4.4% | 1991 | $1,894 | 50.1% | 96.1% | 3.1% |
| Ramsey County | 2.50 | 37.3 | 11.7% | 39.4% | 6.6% | 1963 | $1,455 | 45.3% | 91.0% | 4.9% |
| St. Croix County | 2.58 | 40.7 | 8.6% | 21.7% | 4.4% | 1991 | $1,372 | 39.1% | 96.7% | 2.5% |
| Hennepin County | 2.43 | 39.3 | 9.4% | 37.3% | 6.7% | 1972 | $1,684 | 53.6% | 93.7% | 4.6% |
| Carver County | 2.72 | 39.9 | 9.4% | 18.5% | 3.5% | 1996 | $1,620 | 50.9% | 96.9% | 3.0% |
| Dunn County | 2.47 | 38.6 | 7.6% | 33.0% | 9.6% | 1983 | $1,055 | 31.0% | 94.9% | 4.4% |
| McLeod County | 2.40 | 42.5 | 9.2% | 22.6% | 5.5% | 1978 | $947 | 20.1% | 93.6% | 3.4% |
| Chippewa County | 2.40 | 42.7 | 7.7% | 25.8% | 7.1% | 1976 | $994 | 23.9% | 93.8% | 3.0% |
| Chippewa County | 2.36 | 41.1 | 11.1% | 27.7% | 10.3% | 1958 | $882 | 19.4% | 91.6% | 4.2% |
| Lac qui Parle County | 2.25 | 46.8 | 7.4% | 17.5% | 15.3% | 1950 | $716 | 24.2% | 95.2% | 2.1% |
| Marathon County | 2.42 | 42.2 | 9.0% | 26.7% | 5.8% | 1978 | $1,010 | 28.5% | 93.3% | 2.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Rockingham County, NH · Larimer County, CO · Marion County, OR · Nueces County, TX · Ottawa County, MI · Outagamie County, WI · Racine County, WI · Richmond City, VA · Richmond County, GA · Iredell County, NC
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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