countyscore
67
County Score
Water Quality 86Safety 84.6Disaster Risk 83.3

County Report Card

About Washington County, Kentucky

A Top-Tier National Performer

Washington County boasts an impressive composite score of 65.8, placing it far above the national median of 50.0. This puts the county in an elite tier for overall livability compared to its peers across the country.

Leading the Bluegrass State

With a 65.8 score, Washington County easily clears the Kentucky state average of 58.6. It stands out as one of the most balanced counties in the state, offering high safety and excellent infrastructure.

Safety and Reliability

The county records a stellar safety score of 84.6 and a water quality score of 86.0. Residents also benefit from a high risk score of 83.3, meaning it is better protected against environmental hazards than most areas.

Room to Grow Income

The primary challenge lies in the income score of 38.3, as the median household income sits at $59,762. Improving local wages and expanding the healthcare system, which scores 52.0, are the next logical steps for the community.

A Safe Bet for Retirees

Washington County is an ideal destination for retirees or remote workers who value safety and environmental stability. The combination of low crime and high-quality water makes it a secure place to call home.

2040608010065.769.984.65254.838.783.38658.3Tax65.7Cost69.9Safety84.6Health52Schools54.8Income38.7Risk83.3Water86Weather58.367/100
This county
National avg
5 above average1 below average

Washington County DNA

C-overall

How Washington County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Washington County excels in 5 of 9 measured dimensions, led by Disaster Risk (83.3/100). A few areas trail the national average, including Income (38.7/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
65.7+13.700000000000003
Cost
69.9+21.900000000000006
Safety
84.6+29.599999999999994
Health
52
Schools
54.8
Income
38.7-12.299999999999997
Risk
83.3+36.3
Water
86+28
Weather
58.3
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Think property taxes are too high in Washington County?

Many homeowners in Washington County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$179,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$744/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$179,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$29,760/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $61,616/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

8.3

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

Ohio County
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Median income: $70,392
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Sublette County
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Aleutians East Borough
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Pope County
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Cherokee County
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Median income: $71,269
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Kossuth County
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Median income: $67,697
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Casey County
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Median income: $45,510
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Nearby counties

Marion County
Kentucky
62.4
Nelson County
Kentucky
53.8
Anderson County
Kentucky
59
Mercer County
Kentucky
58.6
Spencer County
Kentucky
59.6
Boyle County
Kentucky
55.4
Woodford County
Kentucky
55.8
Taylor County
Kentucky
58.9

Deep Dives

Washington County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Washington County

via TaxByCounty

Washington County taxes: Below national median

Washington County's effective tax rate of 0.716% falls below the national median of 0.84%, placing the county in the lower half of U.S. jurisdictions. The median annual tax of $1,205 represents less than 45% of the national median of $2,690.

Right at Kentucky's average tax rate

Washington County's 0.716% effective rate sits just one basis point below Kentucky's state average of 0.719%, making it a middle-ground county. At $1,205, the median tax slightly exceeds the state median of $1,093.

Competitive rates in the region

Washington County's 0.716% rate slots between Warren County's 0.642% and Union County's 0.787%, offering moderate taxation for the area. It exceeds Wayne County's 0.578% but falls short of Webster County's 0.985%.

Median tax: $1,205 per year

On the median home valued at $168,300, Washington County homeowners pay an estimated $1,205 annually in property taxes. When mortgage escrow is included, the annual cost reaches approximately $1,320.

Property assessments can be challenged

Washington County homeowners—like those statewide—may find their properties assessed higher than fair market value. Filing an appeal is free and can unlock significant savings on future tax bills.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Washington County

via IncomeByCounty

Washington County below U.S. income median

Washington County's median household income of $59,762 trails the national median by $14,993, or about 20%. This gap underscores the economic challenges smaller, rural Kentucky counties navigate relative to national prosperity.

Solid performer within Kentucky

Washington County earns $3,853 above Kentucky's state average of $55,909, placing it among the middle tier of Kentucky counties. The county punches above its small-town status in regional economic standing.

Mid-range incomes in local peer group

Washington County's $59,762 median sits between Union County ($60,989) and Webster County ($58,786), but well above struggling peers like Wayne ($41,933) and Whitley ($41,719). This positions Washington as a stable, moderate-income community.

Best housing affordability in the region

Washington County boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio (14.0%) among its peer counties, meaning housing costs consume the smallest slice of household budgets. A median home value of $168,300 offers genuine wealth-building through homeownership.

Maximize affordability advantages

Washington County's exceptional housing affordability frees up income for retirement savings, education investments, and entrepreneurship. Households here should capitalize on lower cost-of-living to aggressively fund IRAs, 529 college savings plans, and business ventures.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Washington County

via CrimeByCounty

Exceptional safety in Washington County

Washington County boasts an impressive safety score of 99.4, making it one of the more secure locations in the nation. Its total crime rate of 357.6 per 100,000 is a mere fraction of the national average of 2,385.5.

Outperforming the Kentucky state average

The county's crime rate of 357.6 per 100,000 is less than half of the Kentucky state average of 786.2. This performance secures its position as a high-ranking safe haven within the state's 120 counties.

Washington County leads the regional pack

Washington County is significantly safer than neighboring Wayne County, which reports a crime rate of 717.0 per 100,000. It stands out as a regional leader in crime prevention and public safety.

Low rates for both violent and property crime

The county reports 91.5 violent crimes per 100,000, which is well below the national rate of 369.8. Property crimes are similarly low at 266.1, compared to the staggering national average of 2,015.7.

Maintain the peace with home security

While crime is exceptionally low, residents should use motion-activated lighting to deter the small number of property crimes that occur. Community awareness remains the best defense for this quiet Kentucky county.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Washington County

via WeatherByCounty

A Classic Wet Subtropical Climate

Washington County receives 50.1 inches of rain annually, which is over a foot more than the national average. Specific annual temperature data is not currently recorded for this county.

Average Rainfall for the Commonwealth

The county's 50.1 inches of precipitation is almost identical to the Kentucky state average of 50.6 inches. It represents the standard hydrological profile for the region.

Among the Lowest Snow Totals

With only 3.3 inches of annual snow, Washington is much less snowy than Warren or Rowan counties. Its winter precipitation is almost exclusively rain compared to its eastern neighbors.

Rain-Heavy and Snow-Light

Snow is a rarity here, averaging only 3.3 inches per year. While specific seasonal temperature records are missing, the high annual rainfall remains a defining characteristic.

Focus on Moisture Management

Prioritize basement waterproofing and crawlspace moisture control to handle the 50-inch annual rainfall. Winter gear needs are minimal, as heavy snow accumulation is statistically unlikely.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Washington County

via SoilByCounty

Washington County's High-Performing Soil

Washington County features an average pH of 6.08, making it less acidic than the state average of 5.8. This brings the soil closer to the national 6.5 median, creating a more balanced environment for root development.

Dense Silt and Clay Mix

The soil composition consists of 60.6% silt and 22.1% clay, offering excellent structure and nutrient-holding capacity. Because sand makes up only 14.2% of the mix, the soil holds water effectively but can be slow to warm up in the spring.

Superior Water Storage for Crops

The county's Available Water Capacity of 0.190 in/in exceeds the Kentucky state average of 0.186. Although the 2.31% organic matter is below the state average, the overall soil score of 60.5 indicates very high agricultural potential.

Efficient Water Management

With a soil score well above the state average of 56.2, Washington County offers some of the best growing conditions in the region. The high silt content requires mindful tilling to maintain good drainage and prevent heavy clods from forming.

Ideal Conditions in Zone 7a

Washington County sits in Hardiness Zone 7a, providing a long window for summer harvests. The high water capacity makes it an ideal spot to plant a diverse garden that can withstand short dry spells.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Washington County

via LawnByCounty

Thriving Lawns in Washington County

With a lawn difficulty score of 69.4, Washington County is one of the easier places in Kentucky to maintain a lush green space. This score outperforms both the national median and the state average of 66.3, thanks to favorable growing conditions in Zone 7a.

Ideal Rainfall for Consistent Growth

The county receives 50.1 inches of annual precipitation, aligning perfectly with the state average of 50.4 inches. This consistent moisture supply supports steady growth throughout the season and reduces the need for constant manual watering.

Balanced Soil for Healthy Roots

The soil pH sits at a near-perfect 6.08, falling right within the ideal 6.0 to 7.0 range for turfgrass. The composition of 22.1% clay and 14.2% sand provides a stable foundation that holds nutrients well while remaining workable for DIY landscapers.

Short-Term Dryness and Resilience

Washington County experienced only six weeks of drought in the past year and currently reports no abnormally dry areas. This relative stability allows homeowners to focus on standard maintenance rather than emergency water conservation strategies.

The Best Path to a Green Lawn

The balanced soil pH makes this an ideal location for diverse grass types, including fine fescues and perennial ryegrass. For the best results, start your lawn projects in the late summer or early fall to take advantage of the favorable precipitation levels.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Washington County's county score?
Washington County, Kentucky has a composite county score of 67 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Washington County rank among counties in Kentucky?
Washington County ranks #18 among all counties in Kentucky on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Washington County, Kentucky?
The median annual property tax in Washington County is $1,174, with an effective tax rate of 0.66%. This earns Washington County a tax score of 65.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Washington County?
The median household income in Washington County, Kentucky is $61,616 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Washington County earns an income score of 38.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Washington County, Kentucky a good place to live?
Washington County scores 67/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #18 in Kentucky. The best way to evaluate Washington County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Washington County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.