County · Florida

Washington County, Florida

Washington County, Florida. Washington County had 26,695 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.4% since 2020, slower than Florida (+8.9%). It holds 5 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs) and 7 census tracts. GEOID 12133.

Washington County is one of the 2 counties of the Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).

Residents, July 2025 estimate

26,695

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 25,318 · ACS 2020-2024: 25,529

Median household income

$58,210

±$6,699 (90% margin)
Florida: $74,568

Median home value

$171,000

±$13,730 (90% margin)
Florida: $359,000

Median gross rent

$888

±$94 (90% margin)
Florida: $1,669

How many people live in Washington County, and is it growing?

The 2020 Census counted 25,318 residents in Washington County. The Census Bureau estimates 26,695 for July 1, 2025, up 5.4% since 2020, slower than Florida (+8.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 25,529 over 585 square miles of land.

  • July 2020→2021 −470 (24,854)
  • 2021→2022 +558 (25,412)
  • 2022→2023 +101 (25,513)
  • 2023→2024 +945 (26,458)
  • 2024→2025 +237 (26,695)
Washington County in Florida. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.
Counts, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates, with the change from 2015-2019
MeasureWashington CountyFloridaChange since 2015-2019
Total population25,52922,416,077+765
Households9,287±2548,752,810+460
Average household size2.46±0.072.51no clear change
Housing units11,044±4410,256,470no clear change

Washington County's population since 2000

From 20,973 in 2000 to 26,695 in 2025: up 27.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.

  • 2000 Census 20,973
  • 2005 (estimate) 22,216
  • 2010 Census 24,896
  • 2015 (estimate) 24,556
  • 2020 Census 25,318
  • 2025 (estimate) 26,695

Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov

What cities and towns are in Washington County?

Washington County holds 5 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Chipley with 3,804 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.

Places in Washington County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Ring: estimate with a coefficient of variation over 40%.
Chipleycity3,6603,683±49$46,193$143,70012.7%100%
Vernoncity732815±227$43,194$115,80027.9%100%
Wausautown371320±104$32,500$68,40031.9%100%
CaryvilleGEOID 1210975town301309±167$62,292not published23.6%100%
EbroGEOID 1219725town237229±81$78,036$191,7005.7%100%

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov

Who lives in Washington County?

The median resident of Washington County is 41.7 years old; 20.0% are under 18 and 18.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 75.9%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 13.4%. 2.7% of residents were born outside the United States.

Age, origin and education, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
MeasureWashington CountyFloridaChange since 2015-2019
Median age41.7±0.442.6no clear change
Under 18 years20.0%±0.1 pts19.5%–
65 years and over18.8%±0.5 pts21.3%–
Hispanic or Latino (any race)4.0%27.4%+0.3 pts
White alone, not Hispanic75.9%±0.9 pts50.4%−1.5 pts
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic13.4%±0.8 pts14.6%−1.6 pts
Asian alone, not Hispanic0.6%±0.2 pts2.9%no clear change
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic0.5%±0.2 pts0.1%–
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic0.0%±0.2 pts0.1%–
Two or more races, not Hispanic5.4%±1.2 pts3.8%–
Some other race alone, not Hispanic0.1%±0.1 pts0.7%–
Born outside the United States2.7%±0.7 pts21.9%no clear change
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+)4.1%±0.9 pts30.6%–
Civilian veterans (age 18+)9.1%±1.3 pts7.4%–
With a disability20.4%±2.4 pts13.7%–
No health insurance coverage14.1%±2.7 pts11.5%no clear change
High school graduate or higher (age 25+)84.3%±2.0 pts89.9%–
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+)11.5%±1.4 pts34.1%no clear change
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+)4.6%±0.8 pts12.9%–
Moved from another state in the past year1.1%±0.5 pts2.9%–

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov

What do households in Washington County earn?

Half of Washington County's 9,287 households earn less than $58,210 a year (±$6,699), against $74,568 in Florida. In 2015-2019 the median was $45,563 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $12,647 after inflation. 17.3% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
MeasureWashington CountyFloridaChange since 2015-2019
Median household income$58,210±$6,699$74,568+$12,647
Mean household income$73,563±$4,179$105,967–
Per capita income$27,434±$1,164$42,609+$4,788
People below the poverty line17.3%±3.4 pts12.6%−6.8 pts
Children under 18 below the poverty line23.9%±8.0 pts16.5%no clear change
Households receiving SNAP12.4%±2.8 pts12.6%–
Households with a broadband subscription87.0%±2.2 pts91.6%–

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov

What does housing cost in Washington County?

Owners occupy 80.0% of Washington County's occupied homes and renters 20.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $171,000 by its owner (±$13,730). The median renter pays $888 a month including utilities, and 35.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
MeasureWashington CountyFloridaChange since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied)$171,000±$13,730$359,000+$31,685
Median gross rent$888±$94$1,669no clear change
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent35.1%±9.1 pts50.2%no clear change
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage$1,375±$96$1,959–
Owner-occupied homes80.0%±3.2 pts67.6%no clear change
Housing units11,044±4410,256,470no clear change
Homeowner vacancy rate2.1%±1.4 pts1.4%–
Rental vacancy rate4.7%±5.4 pts7.6%–
Single-family detached homes57.5%±3.7 pts54.7%–
Mobile homes36.7%±3.3 pts8.0%–
Built 2020 or later3.1%±1.2 pts3.2%–
Built 1939 or earlier2.9%±1.0 pts1.9%–

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov

How many new homes is Washington County building?

Builders took permits for 223 new housing units across Washington County in 2025 (223 single-family), 8.4 per 1,000 residents.

  • 2019 70 units
  • 2020 60 units
  • 2021 90 units
  • 2022 106 units
  • 2023 175 units
  • 2024 217 units
  • 2025 223 units

Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey

How do people in Washington County get to work?

82.5% of Washington County's workers drive alone and 7.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 36.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.6%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
MeasureWashington CountyFloridaChange since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+)46.8%±2.1 pts59.8%–
Unemployment rate3.6%±1.1 pts4.8%−5.3 pts
Drove alone to work82.5%±3.0 pts70.2%–
Carpooled7.7%±1.8 pts9.2%–
Public transportation0.0%±0.1 pts1.2%–
Walked1.4%±0.9 pts1.4%–
Worked from home7.4%±2.3 pts15.7%+5.0 pts
Mean travel time to work36.1 min±2.228.0 min+5.3 min

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov

What are Washington County's census tracts?

Washington County is divided into 7 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $48,177 (Tract 9701.04) to $75,694 (Tract 9701.02).

Census tracts of Washington County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates; sort by any column
Tract 9701.0212133970102Chipley (3%)1,6941,927±379$75,694$218,800$1,2548.7%
Tract 9701.0312133970103Chipley (64%)3,5213,737±307$65,567$153,900$7679.5%
Tract 9701.0412133970104Chipley (57%)3,1192,329±304$48,177$219,400$88814.7%
Tract 970212133970200Caryville (21%)3,6553,234±388$49,413$126,400$98621.9%
Tract 9703.0112133970301–2,7033,041±540$62,158$193,200$67726.3%
Tract 9703.0212133970302Vernon (11%)6,4677,336±390$60,929$209,800$96818.7%
Tract 9703.0312133970303Wausau (10%)4,1593,925±476$51,393$120,300$1,00717.6%

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov

How does Washington County compare with Florida's other counties?

Washington County's rank among Florida's counties with a reliable estimate (1 = highest)
MeasureRank
Population53rd of 67
Growth 2020-202544th of 67
Residents per square mile52nd of 67
Median household income50th of 67
Median home value54th of 67
Median gross rent56th of 67
Poverty rate19th of 67
Bachelor's degree or higher62nd of 67
Median age43rd of 67

Every county in Florida

Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed

How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections

Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Washington County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.