Population 137,879 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Washington County
Household size in Washington County
| Period | Washington County | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.55 | 2.51 | 2.45 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.53 | 2.53 | 2.47 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.49 | 2.51 | 2.43 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.44 | 2.45 | 2.40 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.10 | −0.06 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
The average household in Washington County has 2.44 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.55, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the northeast 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 | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.1 | 37.8 | 38.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 41.7 | 38.7 | 39.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 43.7 | 39.6 | 40.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 44.6 | 39.8 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.5 | +1.9 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 44.6, Washington County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 40.1 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. The youngest areas are in the northeast, the oldest in the center.
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 | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.0% | 13.0% | 10.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.7% | 12.8% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.7% | 12.2% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.8% | 12.2% | 9.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Washington County: 7.8% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 1.2 points, mirroring the country.
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 | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.8% | 37.2% | 30.5% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.0% | 39.1% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.5% | 39.9% | 33.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 21.9% | 39.6% | 32.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.1 pts | +2.4 pts | +1.6 pts | +1.5 pts |
Washington County is largely a place of homeowners: only 21.9% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About a third of owners (33.9%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the east; owners are most common in the south.
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 | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.8% | 8.4% | 10.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 5.6% | 8.1% | 10.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.0% | 7.8% | 10.1% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 4.7% | 7.2% | 9.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | −1.2 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in Washington County: just 4.7% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. Since 2006–10, vacancy has edged down 1.2 points, mirroring the country. Few Wisconsin counties have a lower vacancy rate: only two of 72.
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 | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1979 | 1964 | 1970 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1981 | 1965 | 1971 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1982 | 1966 | 1972 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1984 | 1968 | 1974 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
Homes in Washington County are a bit newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1984, versus 1980 across the U.S. The median year built has moved up from 1979 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the center, while the north has the oldest housing. Only four of Wisconsin's 72 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 | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $773 | $849 | $758 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $973 | $928 | $821 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $991 | $1,022 | $904 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,278 | $1,290 | $1,139 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$505 | +$441 | +$380 | +$606 |
Rent in Washington County runs $1,278 a month at the median, utilities included, below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $505 a month since 2006–10, up 65%, roughly in step with the nation. Rent takes 26.5% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the center and lowest 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 | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.1% | 31.0% | 26.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 28.0% | 32.9% | 28.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 31.6% | 35.4% | 30.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 35.4% | 39.2% | 33.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +9.2 pts | +8.1 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
Just over a third of adults 25 and older in Washington County (35.4%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. The share is lower than in the Milwaukee area overall (39.2%). Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 9.2 points, mirroring the country. Only six of Wisconsin's 72 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 | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 92.1% | 88.5% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 92.9% | 89.5% | 90.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.9% | 91.0% | 92.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.8% | 92.2% | 93.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.7 pts | +3.7 pts | +3.8 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Washington County: 95.8% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 3.7 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Washington County has a higher share of high school graduates than at least four in five Wisconsin counties.
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 | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.3% | 7.7% | 6.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.6% | 8.7% | 7.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.8% | 4.5% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.6% | 4.0% | 3.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.6 pts | −3.7 pts | −3.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Washington County has been strong: just 2.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 2.6 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. 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 | 2.44 | 44.6 | 7.8% | 21.9% | 4.7% | 1984 | $1,278 | 35.4% | 95.8% | 2.6% |
| Ozaukee County | 2.43 | 44.5 | 7.1% | 27.1% | 5.2% | 1978 | $1,567 | 51.4% | 97.8% | 2.7% |
| Dodge County | 2.39 | 43.6 | 8.4% | 28.7% | 7.5% | 1969 | $1,009 | 20.3% | 92.8% | 3.4% |
| Columbia County | 2.36 | 43.6 | 9.5% | 23.3% | 9.8% | 1975 | $1,019 | 25.9% | 94.0% | 3.0% |
| Sauk County | 2.38 | 42.4 | 8.3% | 27.6% | 10.2% | 1979 | $1,013 | 27.2% | 92.6% | 2.2% |
| Muskegon County | 2.56 | 40.8 | 15.4% | 21.9% | 10.5% | 1969 | $1,093 | 21.1% | 92.1% | 7.2% |
| Richland County | 2.34 | 46.5 | 7.4% | 26.1% | 14.9% | 1969 | $911 | 21.1% | 92.7% | 3.4% |
| Newaygo County | 2.58 | 42.8 | 10.1% | 13.5% | 18.4% | 1978 | $929 | 17.7% | 89.3% | 4.4% |
| Montcalm County | 2.77 | 40.6 | 9.2% | 16.9% | 11.5% | 1977 | $909 | 15.7% | 88.2% | 4.8% |
| Allamakee County | 2.39 | 42.7 | 6.7% | 20.4% | 15.2% | 1968 | $744 | 22.0% | 92.0% | 2.6% |
| Gratiot County | 2.45 | 40.2 | 11.6% | 21.1% | 8.4% | 1966 | $891 | 20.3% | 92.6% | 4.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Sussex County, NJ · Humboldt County, CA · Jackson County, MS · Kaufman County, TX · Lebanon County, PA · Randolph County, NC · Rapides Parish, LA · Rock Island County, IL · Spotsylvania County, VA · Strafford County, NH
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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