Washington County, Missouri Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Washington County is located in Missouri with a total population of 23,483. It is the 47th most populous county out of 115 in Missouri.

Age Demographics

The median age in Washington County is 40.2 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Washington County is $51,886. This is 25% lower than the state median of $68,920. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 34% lower. The poverty rate stands at 18.2%. This is 44% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 9% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $118,400. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $215,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Washington County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 67.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

Washington County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.8% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.9%. The Black or African American population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 5.1%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.

Education

12.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 61% lower than the state rate of 31.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 83.2%.