Population 53,926 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Washington County
Household size in Washington County
| Period | Washington County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.32 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.33 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.34 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.41 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.09 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Washington County run small, averaging 2.41 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.32, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the northeast.
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 | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.2 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 44.3 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 46.5 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 46.6 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.5 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
Washington County skews older: half of its residents are older than 46.6, 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 43.2 in 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.6% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.8% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.7% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.3% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Washington County: 8.3% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is down 1.3 points from 2006–10, 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 | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.8% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 23.0% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.9% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 24.2% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.6 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 24.2% 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. Just over half of owners (53.1%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the center and least common in the southwest. The renter share has fallen 1.6 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 | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.6% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.3% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 14.3% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 13.3% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.7 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy runs high in Washington County: 13.3% of homes are empty, against 9.6% nationally. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Vacancy is up 2.7 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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 | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1979 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1981 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1980 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1983 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +5 | +6 |
Homes in Washington County are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1983, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1979 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 | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $640 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $623 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $742 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $885 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$245 | +$600 | +$606 |
The median renter in Washington County pays $885 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $245 a month from 2006–10, a 38% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 25.0% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. The priciest rents are in the west; the most affordable are in the northeast.
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 | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.1% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 23.9% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.0% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 26.4% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.3 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are less common in Washington County than nationally: 26.4% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 5.3 points, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the center and least in the southeast.
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 | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 80.8% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 83.7% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 85.7% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 90.6% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +9.8 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Washington County is close to the national rate: 90.6% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 9.8 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.5% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.3% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.0% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.9% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.5 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Washington County has been strong: just 2.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 3.5 points since 2006–10, 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 | 2.41 | 46.6 | 8.3% | 24.2% | 13.3% | 1983 | $885 | 26.4% | 90.6% | 2.9% |
| Bristol City | 2.38 | 45.6 | 17.7% | 36.4% | 19.3% | 1965 | $867 | 24.0% | 89.6% | 7.0% |
| Smyth County | 2.31 | 45.7 | 11.0% | 29.0% | 16.4% | 1973 | $758 | 16.6% | 87.1% | 3.5% |
| Scott County | 2.28 | 47.8 | 10.5% | 23.0% | 22.0% | 1976 | $700 | 15.0% | 84.3% | 3.3% |
| Grayson County | 2.26 | 48.6 | 6.5% | 19.6% | 28.4% | 1975 | $736 | 15.5% | 85.3% | 3.6% |
| Galax City | 2.32 | 43.9 | 17.6% | 43.7% | 14.2% | 1966 | $752 | 19.1% | 84.4% | 5.1% |
| Lee County | 2.43 | 45.9 | 11.7% | 27.0% | 19.6% | 1977 | $769 | 16.0% | 83.0% | 8.1% |
| Carroll County | 2.32 | 49.0 | 8.3% | 22.9% | 22.9% | 1982 | $745 | 17.2% | 85.9% | 5.8% |
| Harlan County | 2.38 | 41.3 | 13.2% | 28.4% | 17.4% | 1976 | $705 | 13.8% | 81.7% | 9.8% |
| Patrick County | 2.23 | 51.4 | 6.5% | 23.1% | 21.4% | 1980 | $727 | 15.2% | 84.4% | 2.7% |
| Bell County | 2.34 | 39.9 | 14.5% | 41.2% | 14.0% | 1980 | $624 | 18.0% | 80.3% | 9.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Thomas County, GA · Cabo Rojo Municipio, PR · Calaveras County, CA · Caldwell County, TX · Callaway County, MO · Campbell County, WY · Carter County, OK · Chambers County, TX · Charlottesville City, VA · Chenango County, NY
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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