County · Minnesota
Washington County, Minnesota
Washington County, Minnesota. Washington County had 286,895 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 7.2% since 2020, faster than Minnesota (+2.2%). It holds 33 places (27 cities, villages and boroughs and 6 towns and townships) and 59 census tracts. GEOID 27163.
Washington County is one of the 15 counties of the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
286,895
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 267,568 · ACS 2020-2024: 276,238
Median household income
$115,345
±$2,183 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $89,062
Median home value
$422,000
±$5,583 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $329,300
Median gross rent
$1,710
±$45 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $1,280
How many people live in Washington County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 267,568 residents in Washington County. The Census Bureau estimates 286,895 for July 1, 2025, up 7.2% since 2020, faster than Minnesota (+2.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 276,238 over 385 square miles of land.
| Measure | Washington County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 276,238 | 5,739,445 | +20,300 |
| Households | 105,577±567 | 2,307,955 | +11,146 |
| Average household size | 2.58±0.01 | 2.43 | −0.09 |
| Housing units | 109,307±100 | 2,545,030 | +10,886 |
Washington County's population since 2000
From 201,130 in 2000 to 286,895 in 2025: up 42.6%. 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.
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 33 places: 27 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 6 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Woodbury with 81,558 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Woodbury | 75,102 | $125,310 |
|---|---|---|
| Cottage Grove | 38,839 | $120,791 |
| Oakdale | 28,303 | $93,772 |
| Forest Lake | 20,611 | $92,944 |
| Stillwater | 19,394 | $105,853 |
| Hugo | 15,766 | $116,228 |
| Lake Elmo | 11,335 | $153,669 |
| Mahtomedi | 8,138 | $123,319 |
| St. Paul Park | 5,544 | $100,642 |
| Oak Park Heights | 4,849 | $82,476 |
| Bayport | 4,024 | $125,893 |
| Scandia | 3,984 | $101,953 |
| West Lakeland TownshipGEOID 2716369520 | 3,976 | $216,310 |
| Grant | 3,966 | $150,875 |
| Newport | 3,797 | $71,979 |
| Afton | 2,955 | $133,305 |
| May Township, Washington County | 2,670 | $137,321 |
| Baytown Township | 2,088 | $188,125 |
| Stillwater Township | 1,866 | $161,563 |
| Denmark Township | 1,801 | $148,269 |
| Lakeland | 1,710 | $100,132 |
| Dellwood | 1,171 | $225,000 |
| Lake St. Croix Beach | 1,043 | $102,159 |
| Birchwood Village | 863 | $156,563 |
| LandfallGEOID 2735414 | 843 | $42,000 |
| Marine on St. Croix | 664 | $126,250 |
| Willernie | 515 | $85,531 |
| White Bear Lake | 24,883 | $83,554 |
| Pine SpringsGEOID 2751316 | 377 | $156,250 |
| St. Marys Point | 353 | $113,750 |
| Lakeland Shores | 339 | $134,375 |
| Grey Cloud Island TownshipGEOID 2716325982 | 283 | $125,833 |
| Hastings | 22,154 | $93,998 |
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 39.8 years old; 24.0% are under 18 and 16.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 77.2%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 7.7%. 8.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Washington County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.8±0.3 | 38.8 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 24.0%±0.1 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.6%±0.1 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.3% | 6.4% | +1.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 77.2%±0.3 pts | 75.9% | −5.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 5.5%±0.3 pts | 6.9% | +1.0 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 7.7%±0.2 pts | 5.1% | +1.9 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.7%±0.4 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.5%±0.5 pts | 8.7% | +1.6 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 12.5%±0.6 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.4%±0.4 pts | 5.9% | – |
| With a disability | 9.9%±0.6 pts | 11.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.5%±0.4 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.1%±0.5 pts | 93.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 49.1%±0.9 pts | 39.4% | +4.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 17.4%±0.8 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.7%±0.3 pts | 1.8% | – |
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 105,577 households earn less than $115,345 a year (±$2,183), against $89,062 in Minnesota. In 2015-2019 the median was $118,972 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $3,627 after inflation. 5.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Washington County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $115,345±$2,183 | $89,062 | −$3,627 |
| Mean household income | $148,415±$3,062 | $118,304 | – |
| Per capita income | $56,954±$1,151 | $48,237 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 5.1%±0.6 pts | 9.3% | +0.8 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 5.0%±1.1 pts | 10.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 4.1%±0.4 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.9%±0.5 pts | 91.6% | – |
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 81.3% of Washington County's occupied homes and renters 18.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $422,000 by its owner (±$5,583). The median renter pays $1,710 a month including utilities, and 41.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Washington County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $422,000±$5,583 | $329,300 | +$65,837 |
| Median gross rent | $1,710±$45 | $1,280 | +$101 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.0%±3.6 pts | 38.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,275±$29 | $1,947 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 81.3%±1.0 pts | 72.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 109,307±100 | 2,545,030 | +10,886 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.3%±1.6 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 67.1%±1.1 pts | 66.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.8%±0.3 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 4.3%±0.5 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.1%±0.6 pts | 15.6% | – |
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 2,382 new housing units across Washington County in 2025 (1,225 single-family), 8.3 per 1,000 residents.
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?
66.3% of Washington County's workers drive alone and 23.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.4%.
| Measure | Washington County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 68.3%±0.7 pts | 68.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.4%±0.5 pts | 4.1% | +0.9 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 66.3%±1.3 pts | 68.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.5%±0.6 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Walked | 0.9%±0.2 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 23.6%±1.2 pts | 17.6% | +17.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.0 min±0.5 | 22.7 min | −1.9 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 59 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $53,250 (Tract 709.12) to $216,310 (Tract 707.05).
All 59 census tracts of Washington County, with their figures
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 Minnesota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 5th of 87 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 3rd of 87 |
| Residents per square mile | 5th of 87 |
| Median household income | 3rd of 87 |
| Median home value | 2nd of 87 |
| Median gross rent | 1st of 87 |
| Poverty rate | 84th of 87 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 4th of 87 |
| Median age | 62nd of 87 |
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.