County profile · Iowa
Washington County, IA market data
How Washington County compares with other counties for 56 business types: competitors, household spending, official counts and growth.
- Population, 2025
- 22,667
- +0.6% since 2020
- Households
- 8,972
- Median household income
- $75,647
- +20.9% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $203,900
- Jobs located here
- 8,019
- Highest market score
- 72
- Fast food and sandwich shops, #313 of 2,222 scored counties
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in Washington County by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of Washington County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
Washington County has an estimated 22,667 people and 8,972 households. Population estimates show Washington County grew 0.6% from 2020 to 2025, slower than the U.S. (+3.1%). Median household income in Washington County is $75,647, 6% below the U.S. median of $80,734. Against the 2015–2019 survey, the median rose 20.9%, before inflation.
Relative to the U.S., household spending in Washington County runs highest on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 123, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on child care and other personal services (66).
Of the business types scored in Washington County, fast food and sandwich shops (72), spas and skin care studios (70) and convenience stores (70) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For fast food and sandwich shops, that ranks #313 of 2,222 scored counties.
Washington County is part of the Iowa City metro area. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for gas stations (2.2 times the U.S. rate) and lowest for real estate businesses (65% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in Washington County
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares Washington County with other counties for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among counties | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 72 | #313 of 2,222 | 10 | 11.1 | $3.4M | 112 | 6 |
| Spas and skin care | 70 | #213 of 1,769 | 5 | 5.6 | $1.8M | 200 | Under 3 |
| Convenience stores | 70 | #421 of 2,261 | 5 | 5.6 | $10.8M | 137 | Under 3 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 65 | #517 of 2,087 | 8 | 8.9 | $2.2M | 170 | Under 3 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 63 | #589 of 2,210 | 12 | 13.4 | $1.4M | 163 | Under 3 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 63 | #643 of 2,405 | 81 | 90.3 | $423K | 114 | 29 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 59 | #661 of 2,063 | 9 | 10.0 | $3.8M | 103 | 3 |
| Gyms | 57 | #652 of 1,792 | 6 | 6.7 | $1.3M | 98 | Under 3 |
| Real estate | 57 | #704 of 2,229 | 12 | 13.4 | Index only | 240 | 11 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 56 | #911 of 2,394 | 52 | 58.0 | $240K | 157 | 26 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 54 | #796 of 1,889 | 9 | 10.0 | $3.8M | 92 | 3 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 54 | #802 of 1,886 | 11 | 12.3 | $1.1M | 115 | 6 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 54 | #818 of 2,176 | 12 | 13.4 | Index only | 190 | 6 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 53 | #999 of 2,385 | 35 | 39.0 | $250K | 118 | Under 3 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 52 | #1,118 of 2,402 | 19 | 21.2 | $2.8M | 84 | 6 |
| Pizza | 50 | #1,056 of 2,090 | 14 | 15.6 | $2.4M | 48 | 6 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 48 | #1,262 of 2,405 | 44 | 49.0 | $778K | 117 | 20 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 46 | #1,258 of 2,088 | 13 | 14.5 | $588K | 89 | Under 3 |
| Tire shops | 44 | #929 of 1,530 | 5 | 5.6 | $2.1M | 84 | 3 |
| Physical therapy | 41 | #952 of 1,422 | 6 | 6.7 | $2.1M | 87 | 5 |
| Hair salons | 41 | #1,605 of 2,339 | 24 | 26.7 | $365K | 85 | Under 3 |
| HVAC and plumbing | 36 | #1,338 of 1,707 | 7 | 7.8 | $3.5M | 73 | 9 |
| Collision repair and body shops | 34 | #1,032 of 1,327 | 8 | 8.9 | $1.3M | 43 | 3 |
| Grocery stores | 33 | #1,574 of 2,070 | 9 | 10.0 | $6M | 64 | 6 |
| Gas stations | 32 | #1,903 of 2,358 | 21 | 23.4 | $1.3M | 54 | 15 |
| Funeral homes | 31 | #1,195 of 1,472 | 5 | 5.6 | $287K | 42 | 6 |
| Child care and preschools | 30 | #1,330 of 1,611 | 6 | 6.7 | $573K | 57 | 6 |
| Auto repair and car care | 30 | #2,036 of 2,401 | 55 | 61.3 | $192K | 71 | 22 |
| Auto repair shops | 29 | #2,065 of 2,378 | 36 | 40.1 | $293K | 66 | 17 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | 28 | #1,176 of 1,334 | 7 | 7.8 | $1.1M | 54 | Under 3 |
| Home repair trades | 22 | #1,972 of 2,057 | 17 | 18.9 | $1.4M | 58 | 26 |
| Pet businesses | 22 | #2,080 of 2,200 | 19 | 21.2 | $389K | 44 | 10 |
| Veterinarians | 20 | #1,385 of 1,485 | 7 | 7.8 | $1.1M | 39 | 6 |
| Insurance agencies | 19 | #2,095 of 2,272 | 18 | 20.1 | $910K | 72 | 22 |
| Electricians | 17 | #1,120 of 1,160 | 6 | 6.7 | $4M | 34 | 12 |
| Car washes and detailing | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 4.5 | $2.6M | 105 | Under 3 |
| Chiropractors | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 4.5 | $3.1M | 130 | 8 |
| Optometrists and eye care | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 4.5 | $3.1M | 100 | 4 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 4.5 | $1.8M | 73 | 4 |
| Pet stores | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 4.5 | $1.8M | 41 | Under 3 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 4.5 | $3.1M | 175 | 3 |
| Roofing and gutters | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 4.5 | $6M | 71 | 5 |
| Barbershops | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 3.3 | $2.9M | 155 | Under 3 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 3.3 | $3.6M | 216 | 15 |
| Nail salons | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 3.3 | $2.9M | 175 | Under 3 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.2 | $5.4M | Too few | 11 |
| House cleaning | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.1 | $10.9M | Too few | 4 |
| Laundromats | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.1 | $17.3M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Dry cleaners | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Pest control | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Property management | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
Household spending in Washington County
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $10.5M | $1,176 | 123 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $27M | $3,004 | 116 |
| Food away from home | $34.2M | $3,816 | 94 |
| Groceries | $53.8M | $5,996 | 95 |
| Personal care products and services | $8.8M | $977 | 97 |
| Child care and other personal services | $3.4M | $383 | 66 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $7.6M | $851 | 87 |
| Medical and dental services | $12.5M | $1,391 | 108 |
| Pets | $7.4M | $823 | 91 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $17.3M | $1,925 | 94 |
| Vehicle insurance | $16.4M | $1,825 | 93 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $24.2M | $2,692 | 89 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $10.9M | $1,211 | 86 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $124.5M | $13,881 | 83 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in Washington County
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 22,667+0.6% since 2020
- Households
- 8,972
- Median age
- 40.9
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 74%
- Vehicles per household
- 2.1
- Land area
- 569 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 40
- Median household income
- $75,647+20.9% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $95,752
- Median home value
- $203,900
- Jobs located here
- 8,019
- Daytime population
- 19,131Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in Washington County?
These figures cover the whole county. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of Washington County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Nearest counties in Iowa 8
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- Louisa County, IA10,678 people
- Keokuk County, IA9,924 people
- Jefferson County, IA15,705 people
- Henry County, IA20,004 people
- Iowa County, IA16,507 people
- Muscatine County, IA42,559 people
- Cedar County, IA18,349 people
Questions
How fast is Washington County, IA growing?
Population estimates put Washington County at 22,667 people in 2025, up 0.6% since 2020, slower than the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 8,972 households. Median household income rose 20.9% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
How much do households in Washington County, IA spend?
Households in Washington County spend about $124.5M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $53.8M on groceries and $34.2M on food away from home. Set against the U.S., households in Washington County spend the most on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 123, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on child care and other personal services (66).
Which business types have the highest market scores in Washington County, IA?
The highest Groundwork market scores in Washington County are for fast food and sandwich shops (72), spas and skin care studios (70) and convenience stores (70). Washington County ranks #313 of 2,222 scored counties for fast food and sandwich shops.
How does Washington County, IA compare with the U.S.?
The median household income in Washington County is $75,647 a year, 6% below the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 0.6% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $203,900, against $332,700 for the U.S. For its number of households, Washington County has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for gas stations (2.2 times the U.S. rate) and the fewest for real estate businesses (65% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. 35 of the 56 business types have a score in Washington County, each ranked against other counties.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in Washington County. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
All markets in Iowa · Every U.S. market · How we measure
Screening a site or an acquisition in Washington County?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of Washington County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.