Washington County, Iowa Income Statistics
Washington County Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
B
Washington County Around average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Washington County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $76,076 | $75,133 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $54,036 | $57,332 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 3.8% | 4.0% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 9.3% | 10.5% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 7.0% | 8.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Washington County is about 1% higher than in Iowa. Income has been growing slower in Washington County (3.8%/yr) than in Iowa (4.0%/yr).
About 9% of adults in Washington County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Iowa average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Washington County, Iowa grew by 51.3% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $76,076 in 2024. That's an average of about 3.8% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Washington County
| Metric | Washington County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.499 | 0.510 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $61,308 | $66,524 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $49,865 | $52,524 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 18.7% | 21.0% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Washington County, it is 0.499, lower than Iowa's 0.510, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 23% more than women's income in Washington County, Iowa. Over a 35-year career, a 23% wage gap accumulates to roughly $400,505 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Washington County, Iowa has narrowed from about 20% to 19% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 24% in 2018, and was narrowest at 12% in 2022. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,418 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Washington County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 3.6% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 9.8% | 11.3% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 18 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 265 people are unemployed in Washington County, Iowa.
The average commute time in Washington County is 18 minutes, longer than the 16 minutes in Iowa.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Washington County, Iowa has fallen from 3.9% to 2.2% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 5.0% in 2014.
Washington County, IA Wealth Compared With Nearby Counties
Washington County, IA is the 2nd largest of the 6 counties compared here, 22,560 residents against a local median of 15,705. The measure that sets Washington County, IA apart most is unemployment: 2.2%, 41% below the local median of 3.8%. That is the better end of the local range on this measure.
The counties themselves spread 6.5% on unemployment, so Washington County, IA sits at one end of an already wide local range rather than apart from it. Washington County, IA has the 2nd lowest unemployment of the 6 areas compared here.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County, IA | 22,560 | $76,076 #2/6 | 3.8%/yr #5/6 | 2.2% #2/6 | 0.499 #3/6 |
| Johnson County, IA | 156,634 | $74,948 | 3.4%/yr | 3.8% | 0.552 |
| Jefferson County, IA | 15,705 | $60,987 | 3.9%/yr | 8.0% | 0.539 |
| Henry County, IA | 20,002 | $67,907 | 4.0%/yr | 1.5% | 0.538 |
| Keokuk County, IA | 7,337 | $61,530 | 4.2%/yr | 4.5% | 0.480 |
| Louisa County, IA | 10,678 | $77,267 | 5.1%/yr | 3.0% | 0.496 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Washington County, Iowa has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it about on par with Iowa, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Washington County, Iowa.
How Rich Is Washington County, Iowa?
Washington County has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $76,076, about 1% higher than the Iowa average of $75,133.
How has median household income changed in Washington County, Iowa?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Washington County, Iowa rose 51%, from $50,294 to $76,076. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Iowa as a whole: +51% against +56%.
What was the median household income in Washington County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Washington County, Iowa was $71,464, about the same as in 2022. The Iowa median that year was $73,347.
What was the median household income in Washington County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Washington County, Iowa was $64,300. By 2024 it had risen 18% to $76,076.
Is unemployment high in Washington County, Iowa?
Unemployment in Washington County, Iowa is only 2.2%, well below the Iowa rate of 3.6%, a sign of a tight labor market where employers compete for workers.
What is the Gini coefficient in Washington County, Iowa?
The Gini coefficient in Washington County is 0.499. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Washington County, Iowa?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Washington County, Iowa has narrowed from about 20% to 19% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 24% in 2018, and was narrowest at 12% in 2022. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,418 since 2009.
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