Washington County, VA

County

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2024 Population

53,926

US Senator

Mark Warner

Democratic Party

US Senator

Tim Kaine

Democratic Party

2024 Poverty Rate

11.1%

0.937% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$64,552

2.83% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$214,000

6.05% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

23,585

0.233% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in Washington County, VA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

99.4% of the residents in Washington County, VA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Washington County, VA are Virginia Highlands Community College (650 degrees awarded in 2023) and Emory & Henry University (311 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Washington County, VA was $214,000, and the homeownership rate was 75.8%.

Most people in Washington County, VA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Washington County, VA was 2 cars per household.

Washington County, VA borders Johnson County, TN, Sullivan County, TN, Grayson County, VA, Russell County, VA, Scott County, VA, Smyth County, VA, and Bristol city, VA.

United States Virginia Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA

Population & Diversity

Washington County, VA is home to a population of 53.9k people, from which 99.4% are citizens. As of 2024, 1.31% of Washington County, VA residents were born outside of the country (708 people).

In 2024, there were 51.7 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (50.7k people) in Washington County, VA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 981 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 492 Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

99.4%

2024 Citizenship

99.3%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 99.4% of Washington County, VA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Washington County, VA was 99.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Washington County, VA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Washington County, VA

White (Non-Hispanic)
50.7k ± 270
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
981 ± 94
Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
492 ± 118

1.86%

Hispanic Population

1k people

1.86% of the people in Washington County, VA are hispanic (1k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Washington County, VA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Virginia.

Most Common Origin

El Salvador
107,827 ± 8,012 people
India
97,961 ± 7,641 people
Mexico
63,695 ± 6,173 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Virginia was El Salvador, the natal country of 107,827 Virginia residents, followed by India with 97,961 and Mexico with 63,695.

Foreign-Born Population

1.31%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

708 people

1.36%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

734 people

As of 2024, 1.31% of Washington County, VA residents (708 people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Washington County, VA was 1.36%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Washington County, VA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,361 ± 244
Gulf War (2001-)
947 ± 247
Gulf War (1990s)
598 ± 187

Washington County, VA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.44 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Washington County, VA.

Economy

The economy of Washington County, VA employs 23.6k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Washington County, VA were Health Care & Social Assistance (3,592 people), Retail Trade (3,435 people), and Manufacturing (2,958 people), and the highest paying industries were Management of Companies & Enterprises ($92,125), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($82,625), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($66,563).

Employment

Occupations

23.6k

2024 Value

± 1,127

−0.233%

1 Year decline

± 6.72%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Washington County, VA declined at a rate of −0.233%, from 23.6k employees to 23.6k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Washington County, VA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,692 people), Management Occupations (2,430 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (2,369 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Washington County, VA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Virginia (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

23.6k

2024 Value

± 1,127

−0.233%

1 Year decline

± 6.72%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Washington County, VA declined at a rate of −0.233%, from 23.6k employees to 23.6k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Washington County, VA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (3,592 people), Retail Trade (3,435 people), and Manufacturing (2,958 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Washington County, VA, though some of these residents may live in Washington County, VA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$47,101

Median earning men ± $2,327

$38,103

Median earning women ± $2,443

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($94,074), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($59,259), and Public Administration ($58,929).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($73,971), Public Administration ($43,804), and Other Services Except Public Administration ($43,542).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

Y-Axis

2.48%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 4.1M people employed in Virginia. This represents a 2.48% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.8%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Virginia.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

100
Construction
96
Retail Trade
81
Other Services (except Public Administration)

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$166k
Manufacturing
$157k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$109k
Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Virginia went to Kamala Harris with 51.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (46.1%), followed by Other (0.905%).

Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are the senators currently representing the state of Virginia. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Virginia is currently represented by 11 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Washington County, VA. Showing the available data for Virginia.

2024 Election Results

Kamala Harris (51.8%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (46.1%)
Republican Party
Other (0.905%)
Other Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Virginia went to Kamala Harris with 51.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (46.1%), followed by Other (0.905%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Virginia for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Virginia

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

Mark Warner

Senator from Virginia

Assumed office on January 3, 2009

Tim Kaine

Senator from Virginia

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are the senators currently representing Virginia.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Virginia over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2023, universities in Washington County, VA awarded 961 degrees. The student population of Washington County, VA in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 1,346 male students and 2,070 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Washington County, VA are White (828 and 86.3%), Black or African American (46 and 4.8%), Hispanic or Latino (31 and 3.23%), and Two or More Races (22 and 2.29%).

The largest universities in Washington County, VA by number of degrees awarded are Virginia Highlands Community College (650 and 67.6%) and Emory & Henry University (311 and 32.4%).

The most popular majors in Washington County, VA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (139 and 14.5%), Other Liberal Arts & Sciences, General Studies, & Humanities (99 and 10.3%), and Registered Nursing (77 and 8.01%).

The median tuition cost in Washington County, VA for private four year colleges is $34,500.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2023 in Washington County, VA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 96.3%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 15%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 3,416 (39.4% men and 60.6% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 3,416 students enrolled in Washington County, VA, 39.4% men and 60.6% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 2,734 records, of which 62.8% were women and 37.2% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Electrician
18 degrees awarded
Liberal Arts & Sciences
139 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
77 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Washington County, VA was Electrician with 18 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Washington County, VA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Virginia Highlands Community College
650 degrees awarded
Emory & Henry University
311 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Virginia Highlands Community College with 650 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 441 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Washington County, VA, which is 0.848 times less than the 520 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 828 degrees mean that there were 18 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 46 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($34,500) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($780) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($1,260) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Washington County, VA was $214,000 in 2024, which is 0.643 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $201,800 to $214,000, a 6.05% increase. The homeownership rate in Washington County, VA is 75.8%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Washington County, VA have an average commute time of 24.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Washington County, VA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 8.74% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Washington County, VA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 2.86%.

Housing

Property

$214,000

Median Property Value 2024

±$9,903

$16,756

Median Property Taxes

±$903

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Washington County, VA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Washington County, VA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

75.8%

Homeownership

2024

67.3%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 75.8% of the housing units in Washington County, VA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 75.8%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Washington County, VA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$64,552

Median Household Income

± $3,311

22.1k

Number of Households

± 1,021

In 2024, the median household income of the 22.1k households in Washington County, VA grew to $64,552 from the previous year's value of $62,774.

The following chart displays the households in Washington County, VA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Washington County, VA is from Virginia.

0.472

2023 Wage GINI in Virginia

0.475

2022 Wage GINI in Virginia

In 2023, the income inequality in Virginia was 0.472 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.599% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Virginia was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Virginia in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Virginia across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (82.1%)
Worked At Home (8.52%)
Carpooled (7.31%)

In 2024, 82.1% of workers in Washington County, VA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (8.52%) and those who carpooled to work (7.31%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

24.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Washington County, VA have a shorter commute time (24.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.98% of the workforce in Washington County, VA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Washington County, VA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Washington County, VA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Washington County, VA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 8.74% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Washington County, VA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 2.86%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

11.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Washington County, VA (5.82k out of 52.6k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 35 - 44, followed by Females 45 - 54 and then Males 35 - 44.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Washington County, VA is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 15.7% of the children was living in poverty in Washington County, VA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 3.8%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 155 in Washington County, VA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 56.5 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

Health

93.3% of the population of Washington County, VA has health coverage, with 39.2% on employee plans, 18.4% on Medicaid, 21.4% on Medicare, 11.9% on non-group plans, and 2.43% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Washington County, VA see 1,095 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,095 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1384 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 409 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.7% were men and 50.3% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,095 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Washington County, VA

Primary care physicians in Washington County, VA see an average of 1,095 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,095 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Washington County, VA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 18.7% under 18 years, 17.5% between 18 and 34 years, 38.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 24.8% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.7% were men and 50.3% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

6.68%

Uninsured

39.2%

Employer Coverage

18.4%

Medicaid

21.4%

Medicare

11.9%

Non-Group

2.43%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Washington County, VA declined by 7.73% from 7.24% to 6.68%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Washington County, VA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 78.5 in Washington County, VA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Washington County, VA.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 37.2% in Washington County, VA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Washington County, VA.