City profile · Iowa · Census ACS 2023

Washington, IA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Washington - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

7,314
Residents
$56,536
Median income
$144,500
Median home
$962
Median rent (state)

Washington - the verdict

Washington ranks in the 30th percentile for household income and the 30th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

30th
percentile, household income
25th
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
30th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Washington, IA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 7,314 residents in Washington, a small town within Iowa. Washington households earn a median of $56,536 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 12.4%. Home values in Washington run a median of $144,500, and the median resident age is 39.6 years. Educational attainment runs 21.5% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 60.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 5 residential building permits were authorized in Washington (Construction Slowdown), down 37% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 2091.1 crimes per 100,000 residents, near the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Washington's yearly average temperature at 49.3°F with 37.9 inches of precipitation per year and 25.2 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Iowa run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Iowa scores 87.8 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $962 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Iowa's average monthly utility costs around $212 (state average). Commute times here average 16.5 minutes, with 76.8% driving alone and 7.8% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 44.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

7,314 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Iowa

Median Household Income

$56,536 /yr

Poverty 12.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Iowa average

How does Washington compare to other US cities?

Here's how Washington stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 30% higher than other cities
Home value 25% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 30% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Iowa and the picture shifts: Washington ranks #121 of 141 Iowa cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Washington's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Iowa, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

30thIncome percentile
30thSafety percentile

30th percentile nationally for median household income · 30th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Washington's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Washington's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 47 Avg. percentile National median
Washington's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Washington's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$144,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 75% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Washington $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Washington, IA Washington, IA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Washington, IA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Washington, IA median $56,536/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Washington, IA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Washington, IA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 12.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 60.8%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
7,314
Median Income
$56,536
Median Home Value
$144,500
Median Age
39.6
Poverty Rate
12.4%
Labor force participation
60.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2091.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
221.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1869.5
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
49.3°F
Annual Precipitation
37.9"
Annual Snowfall
25.2"

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
7,200 residents7,250 residents7,300 residents7,350 residents7,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 7,348 residents 7,261 residents ▼ -1.2%
Washington's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
5
housing units authorized
Single-Family
1
detached homes
Multifamily
4
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 8
2020 5
2021 6
2022 7
2023 5
2024 5

Permit volume decreased 37% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
16.5 minutes
Drive Alone
76.8%
Carpool
8.8%
Public Transit
2.5%
Walk
2.7%
Work from Home
7.8%
Other
1.4%

Based on 3,492 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Iowa - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$95
avg/month
Natural Gas
$75
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$212
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Iowa state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Iowa state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Washington sits in

Cost of Living Index
87.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$962/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
44.2 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Iowa

Charles City
7,321 people
Hiawatha
7,178 people
Creston
7,466 people
Knoxville
7,493 people
Decorah
7,597 people
Clear Lake
7,603 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Washington's 7,314 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Heber, CA
7,308 people
Northport, NY
7,320 people
La Follette, TN
7,308 people
Cedarhurst, NY
7,306 people
Cherry Valley, CA
7,302 people
Mira Monte, CA
7,301 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Washington's $56,536 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Sawmills, NC
$56,534 median income
Grand Rapids, MN
$56,542 median income
Hamilton, MO
$56,548 median income
Reedsville, PA
$56,548 median income
Perrysburg, NY
$56,522 median income
Cocoa, FL
$56,553 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Washington, IA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Washington, IA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 86.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 11.1% White 86.3% Black or African American 1.0% Asian 1.1% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 5.8% Two or more races 5.8% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Washington compares to nearby Iowa cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Washington (this city) 7,314 $56,536
Charles City 7,321 $56,734
Hiawatha 7,178 $67,628
Creston 7,466 $50,752
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Washington, IA?

What is the population of Washington, IA? +

Washington, IA has a population of 7,314 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Washington, IA? +

Median annual household income in Washington runs $56,536, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Washington? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Washington; the closest available measure is the Iowa state average, a cost of living index of 87.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Iowa vary by metro area.

Is Washington, IA safe? +

Washington has a total crime rate of 2091.1 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Washington, IA? +

A typical home in Washington is worth $144,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Washington? +

The average annual temperature in Washington runs 49.3°F, 37.9 inches of precipitation, and 25.2 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.