Population 369,822 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Washtenaw County
Household size in Washtenaw County
| Period | Washtenaw County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.43 | 2.58 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.54 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.55 | 2.53 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.44 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.01 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
Households in Washtenaw County run small, averaging 2.44 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. The picture is much the same across Michigan.
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 Washtenaw County
| Period | Washtenaw County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.3 | 38.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 36.6 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 37.4 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 38.2 | 41.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.9 | +2.4 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Washtenaw County is 38.2 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 36.3 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Few Michigan counties are younger: only five of 83.
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 Washtenaw County
| Period | Washtenaw County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.0% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.4% | 11.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.7% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.0% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 8.0% of households in Washtenaw County, well below the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 1.0 points, 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 Washtenaw County
Renters in Washtenaw County
| Period | Washtenaw County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.0% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 39.4% | 28.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 38.9% | 28.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 38.4% | 26.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.4 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Nearly four in ten households in Washtenaw County rent their homes (38.4%), a bit above the national share of 34.8%. Among owners, 39.7% have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. The renter share is up 1.4 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only one other Michigan county has a higher share of renters.
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 Washtenaw County
| Period | Washtenaw County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.8% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.7% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.7% | 11.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 6.8% | 10.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.0 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in Washtenaw County: 6.8% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. Vacancy has fallen 3.0 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Washtenaw County has a lower vacancy rate than the great majority of Michigan counties.
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 Washtenaw County
| Period | Washtenaw County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1974 | 1969 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1976 | 1970 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1977 | 1971 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1979 | 1972 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +3 | +6 |
The typical home in Washtenaw County was built around 1979, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). Homes here are newer than in Michigan overall, where the median home dates to 1972. The median year built has moved up from 1974 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the south, while the center has the oldest housing.
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 Washtenaw County
| Period | Washtenaw County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,041 | $833 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,103 | $886 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,264 | $978 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,610 | $1,228 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$569 | +$395 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Washtenaw County costs $1,610 a month with utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rents here are higher than in Michigan overall ($1,228). Rents are up $569 a month from 2006–10, a 55% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Only one other Michigan county has higher rents.
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 Washtenaw County
Bachelor's degrees in Washtenaw County
| Period | Washtenaw County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 53.4% | 26.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 51.8% | 27.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 56.9% | 29.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 58.5% | 32.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.1 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
Washtenaw County is highly educated: about six in ten adults 25 and older (58.5%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 5.1 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. No other Michigan county has 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 Washtenaw County
| Period | Washtenaw County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 93.9% | 88.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 94.3% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.1% | 90.7% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.5% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.5 pts | +3.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Washtenaw County: 95.5% 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 1.5 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Washtenaw County has a higher share of high school graduates than the great majority of Michigan 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 Washtenaw County
| Period | Washtenaw County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.0% | 11.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.7% | 11.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.2% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.7% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.3 pts | −5.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 4.7%, unemployment in Washtenaw County is close to the national rate of 5.4%. The rate is lower than in Michigan overall (5.9%). Unemployment is down 3.3 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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).
Washtenaw 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washtenaw County | 2.44 | 38.2 | 8.0% | 38.4% | 6.8% | 1979 | $1,610 | 58.5% | 95.5% | 4.7% |
| Wayne County | 2.64 | 38.8 | 14.5% | 35.2% | 11.4% | 1960 | $1,257 | 27.2% | 87.4% | 9.1% |
| Jackson County | 2.49 | 41.4 | 10.7% | 25.0% | 9.8% | 1968 | $1,032 | 23.7% | 92.5% | 5.2% |
| Calhoun County | 2.51 | 41.0 | 12.4% | 27.3% | 11.0% | 1963 | $1,006 | 22.7% | 91.3% | 6.5% |
| Kalamazoo County | 2.47 | 37.5 | 10.8% | 35.5% | 7.6% | 1975 | $1,167 | 40.8% | 94.3% | 5.3% |
| Van Buren County | 2.48 | 42.5 | 11.8% | 19.4% | 15.2% | 1977 | $958 | 22.7% | 89.8% | 4.3% |
| Lake County | 2.77 | 39.5 | 10.0% | 25.2% | 5.8% | 1980 | $1,746 | 45.6% | 90.5% | 4.9% |
| Chautauqua County | 2.33 | 43.2 | 12.7% | 31.1% | 17.2% | 1955 | $830 | 24.9% | 89.5% | 6.2% |
| McHenry County | 2.71 | 41.4 | 9.3% | 17.3% | 4.3% | 1985 | $1,557 | 35.3% | 93.6% | 4.6% |
| Cattaraugus County | 2.34 | 43.5 | 11.9% | 24.8% | 17.2% | 1961 | $799 | 21.1% | 89.1% | 5.0% |
| Boone County | 2.78 | 41.0 | 12.1% | 18.2% | 5.2% | 1984 | $1,234 | 24.0% | 86.8% | 6.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Lake County, FL · Santa Barbara County, CA · San Juan Municipio, PR · Rutherford County, TN · Rockland County, NY · Richland County, SC · Marion County, FL · Alachua County, FL · Lane County, OR · Sarasota County, FL
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 Washtenaw 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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