County · North Carolina
Washington County, North Carolina
Washington County, North Carolina. Washington County had 10,638 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.3% since 2020, while North Carolina grew 7.2%. It holds 3 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 37187.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
10,638
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 11,003 · ACS 2020-2024: 10,812
Median household income
$41,813
±$7,001 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$125,900
±$16,607 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$743
±$256 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Washington County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 11,003 residents in Washington County. The Census Bureau estimates 10,638 for July 1, 2025, down 3.3% since 2020, while North Carolina grew 7.2%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 10,812 over 347 square miles of land.
| Measure | Washington County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 10,812 | 10,730,404 | −1,110 |
| Households | 4,744±237 | 4,282,345 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.25±0.11 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,040±20 | 4,895,668 | −418 |
Washington County's population since 2000
From 13,723 in 2000 to 10,638 in 2025: down 22.5%. 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 3 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Plymouth with 3,170 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
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 48.8 years old; 19.1% are under 18 and 28.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 47.7%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 44.5%. 1.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Washington County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 48.8±1.9 | 39.1 | +2.7 |
| Under 18 years | 19.1%±0.3 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 28.0%±0.2 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.0% | 11.3% | −1.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 44.5%±0.5 pts | 60.0% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 47.7%±2.5 pts | 20.0% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 3.3% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.7%±2.6 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.1%±0.6 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.9%±1.3 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.7%±2.5 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 26.5%±3.2 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.2%±2.8 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.1%±3.0 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 14.8%±3.1 pts | 35.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.8%±1.4 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.6%±0.6 pts | 3.0% | – |
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 4,744 households earn less than $41,813 a year (±$7,001), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $44,279 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 24.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Washington County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $41,813±$7,001 | $72,388 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $62,368±$7,400 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $28,281±$3,046 | $41,385 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 24.1%±4.9 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 31.6%±12.1 pts | 17.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 33.9%±5.3 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 78.2%±4.1 pts | 90.1% | – |
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 68.0% of Washington County's occupied homes and renters 32.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $125,900 by its owner (±$16,607). The median renter pays $743 a month including utilities, and 33.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Washington County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $125,900±$16,607 | $288,900 | +$20,799 |
| Median gross rent | $743±$256 | $1,228 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 33.3%±13.8 pts | 39.6% | −24.7 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,200±$94 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 68.0%±5.0 pts | 66.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,040±20 | 4,895,668 | −418 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.2%±2.6 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.3%±5.6 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 66.6%±4.6 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 23.6%±4.7 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 8.0%±2.7 pts | 4.9% | – |
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 7 new housing units across Washington County in 2025 (7 single-family), 0.7 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?
80.0% of Washington County's workers drive alone and 8.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 32.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 13.0%.
| Measure | Washington County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 45.0%±3.7 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 13.0%±6.3 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 80.0%±5.9 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.1%±4.2 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 0.5%±0.9 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.1%±4.1 pts | 16.3% | +5.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 32.4 min±6.1 | 25.1 min | +8.2 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 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $38,020 (Tract 9502.01) to $85,338 (Tract 9503).
| Tract 950137187950100 | 3,904±470 | $40,515 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9502.0137187950201 | 2,609±261 | $38,020 |
| Tract 9502.0237187950202 | 2,872±446 | $45,117 |
| Tract 950337187950300 | 1,427±327 | $85,338 |
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 North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 95th of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 96th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 93rd of 100 |
| Median household income | 99th of 100 |
| Median home value | 89th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 92nd of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 5th of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 93rd of 100 |
| Median age | 16th of 100 |
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.