Washington, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Washington, Iowa had a total population of 7,290, the 56th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $55,373, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Washington Quick Facts
How Washington Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,314 | 7,290 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $56,536 | $55,373 | -2.1% |
| Median home value | $144,500 | $152,300 | +5.4% |
How Washington Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Washington Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Washington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalona | 2,692 | $80,129 | 4.6% | $257,900 |
| Wellman | 1,454 | $57,560 | 3.6% | $174,500 |
| Keota | 891 | $64,188 | 10.4% | $106,600 |
| Riverside | 890 | $84,091 | 2.3% | $183,700 |
| Ainsworth | 633 | $68,333 | 4.3% | $118,400 |
| Brighton | 588 | $50,481 | 29.7% | $92,900 |
| Crawfordsville | 312 | $75,625 | 6.1% | $79,200 |
| West Chester | 178 | $49,375 | 24.2% | $80,300 |
| Coppock | 29 | N/A | 17.2% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Washington
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles City | 7,232 | $59,180 | $115,400 | 12.8% | 13.3% |
| Creston | 7,435 | $52,633 | $114,500 | 23.9% | 15.8% |
| Knoxville | 7,473 | $61,599 | $160,300 | 30.6% | 12.5% |
| Hiawatha | 7,206 | $66,270 | $216,900 | 32.4% | 13.7% |
| Decorah | 7,535 | $64,366 | $244,500 | 42.2% | 8.1% |
Population Overview
Washington is a small city located in Iowa, within Washington County. The total population is 7,290. It ranks as the 56th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Washington is 42.5 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 10.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Washington is $55,373. This is 26% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.8%. This is 15% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 3.3%. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $152,300. Housing costs are 27% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Washington is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 63.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Washington is White (non-Hispanic), making up 85.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.9%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (11.9% vs 7.3%).
Education
23.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 25% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Washington, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Iowa city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Washington, Iowa?
Washington, Iowa has a population of 7,290 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Washington, IA?
The median household income in Washington is $55,373, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Washington, IA?
The poverty rate in Washington is 12.8%. This means approximately 909 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Washington, Iowa?
Washington's population is 85.0% White, 0.7% Black, 11.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Washington, IA?
The median home value in Washington is $152,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Washington, Iowa?
23.6% of adults (25+) in Washington hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.