City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Washington, NC

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.

9,754
Residents
$41,723
Median income
$193,800
Median home
$925
Median rent (state)

Washington - the verdict

Nationally, Washington sits in the 9th percentile for household income and the 8th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

9th
percentile, household income
41st
percentile, home value
7th
percentile, median rent
8th
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, NC

North Carolina's Washington is a small town, with 9,754 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $41,723 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 14.3%. Washington's housing stock carries a median value of $193,800, and the median resident age is 49.4 years. Educational attainment runs 22.7% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 50.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 27 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Slowing), down 7% from five years earlier. Washington's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 3899.8 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in North Carolina run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts North Carolina at 94.3 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $925 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $215 across North Carolina, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Workers in Washington report an average commute of 17.1 minutes, with 79.2% driving alone and 10.2% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 88.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

9,754 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$41,723 /yr

Poverty 14.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Washington compare to other US cities?

Where Washington sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 9% higher than other cities
Home value 41% pricier than other cities
Median rent 7% pricier than other cities
Safety 8% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just North Carolina and the picture shifts: Washington ranks #151 of 195 North Carolina cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Washington against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to North Carolina only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

North Carolina-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Washington near the bottom of North Carolina's cities

Among the 746 North Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Washington ranks #552 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Washington only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#563 of 700
20th percentile in North Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#552 of 746
0th percentile in North Carolina
Median Home Value
#345 of 708
51st percentile in North Carolina
Poverty Rate
#257 of 746
65th percentile in North Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#349 of 746
53rd percentile in North Carolina

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within North Carolina only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

9thIncome percentile
8thSafety percentile

9th percentile nationally for median household income · 8th 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 31 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+)

$193,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 59% 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%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $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, NC Washington, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Washington, NC-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, NC median $41,723/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, NC'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, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 22.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 14.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 50.5%

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

Population
9,754
Median Income
$41,723
Median Home Value
$193,800
Median Age
49.4
Poverty Rate
14.3%
Labor force participation
50.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
22.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3899.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
520.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3379.8
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.

Schools

Total Schools
7
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
9,800 residents9,900 residents10,000 residents10,100 residents 202020212022202320242025 10,061 residents 9,910 residents ▼ -1.5%
Washington's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
27
housing units authorized
Single-Family
27
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 29
2020 17
2021 37
2022 54
2023 69
2024 27

Permit volume decreased 7% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
17.1 minutes
Drive Alone
79.2%
Carpool
6.3%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.3%
Work from Home
10.2%
Other
2.0%

Based on 4,027 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for North Carolina - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$215
estimated/month

Estimates reflect North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$925/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
88.2 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Morehead City
9,696 people
Hillsborough
9,656 people
St. Stephens
9,409 people
Lake Norman of Catawba
9,308 people
Rolesville
10,200 people
Gibsonville
9,289 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Washington's 9,754 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Fultondale, AL
9,753 people
Mahomet, IL
9,755 people
Fairview, TN
9,751 people
Madera Acres, CA
9,758 people
Keokuk, IA
9,748 people
Mount Airy, MD
9,746 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Washington's $41,723 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Greenville, VA
$41,724 median income
Elliston, MT
$41,719 median income
Alva, OK
$41,728 median income
Montvale, VA
$41,732 median income
Newport, WA
$41,733 median income
Anthoston, KY
$41,734 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Washington, NC 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, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 48.5% 43.4% 6.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.6% White 48.5% Black or African American 43.4% Asian 0.6% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.2% Two or more races 6.1% 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 North Carolina 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) 9,754 $41,723
Morehead City 9,696 $53,718
Hillsborough 9,656 $98,467
St. Stephens 9,409 $57,882
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Washington, NC?

What is the population of Washington, NC? +

Washington, NC counts 9,754 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Washington, the typical household earns $41,723 per year, 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 North Carolina state average, a cost of living index of 94.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within North Carolina vary by metro area.

Is Washington, NC safe? +

Washington has a total crime rate of 3899.8 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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, NC? +

The median home value in Washington is $193,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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

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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.