Population
286,895
2025
+6.9% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Washington County, MN: population growth, jobs and income
Washington County gained 3,901 residents between 2024 and 2025 (+1.4%).
Washington County had an estimated 286,895 residents in 2025, up 6.9% (18,498 more people) since 2020. That is faster than Minnesota as a whole (+2.1%), and the 3rd fastest growth of 87 counties in Minnesota.
Data as of 2025 · updated
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In the Washington County report
One-time $99 PDF: everything on this page for Washington County, ranked against Minnesota and the U.S., plus these figures that are not on the free page:
- Median gross rent$1,710/mo2020–24
- Vacant homes, incl. seasonal and second homes3.4%2020–24
- New homes permitted, last 12 months1,6392025-10/2026-09
- Rent growth, 5 yearsIn the report
- Permits in 5+ unit buildingsIn the report
- IRS income moving in (net AGI)In the report
- Neighbouring-county comparison tableIn the report
What's inside: 5 pages
- 1 Summary, headline numbers and ranks (free preview)
- 2 Ranks and the neighbouring-county table
- 3 Migration, with IRS mover and income flows
- 4 Rent, vacant homes, permits and employers
- 5 Every source and the methods
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
+3,046
2025
10.6 per 1,000 residents
+13,131 in total, 2021–2025
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. People moving in from other U.S. counties minus people moving out.
Unemployment rate
3.4%
2025
+0.5 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
2,382
2025
−9.0% since 2021
8.3 per 1,000 residents
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
Median household income
$115,345
2020–24
+18.2% since 2016–20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–24. American Community Survey 5-year estimate.
Private-sector employment
95,631
2023
+16.5% since 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
What the numbers say
Net domestic migration added 3,046 people in 2025: more people moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out.
Private employers had 95,631 paid employees in mid-March 2023, +16.5% since 2018 (County Business Patterns).
Unemployment averaged 3.4% in 2025, 0.5 points higher than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 2,382 new homes in 2025, or 8.3 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $115,345 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +18.2% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 393rd.
Part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area.
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Washington County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 286,895 | +3,901 |
| 2024 | 282,994 | +4,104 |
| 2023 | 278,890 | +2,641 |
| 2022 | 276,249 | +3,551 |
| 2021 | 272,698 | +4,301 |
| 2020 | 268,397 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in Washington County
Washington County grew by 18,498 people since 2020; the largest part came from domestic migration (+13,131).
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | +604 | +3,274 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | +281 | +2,275 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | +3,046 | +13,131 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | −30 | −182 | |
| Total change | +3,901 | +18,498 |
Census Bureau population estimates, components of change, each year July 1 to June 30. The components add up to the change in the estimate; the Census adjustment is the small balancing figure the Bureau publishes.
How it ranks
| Measure | In Minnesota | Among U.S. counties |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth | 3rd of 87 | 393rd of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 4th of 87 | 480th of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 3rd of 87 | 317th of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 3rd of 87 | 68th of 3,107 |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 13th of 87 | 804th of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 6th of 87 | 235th of 3,005 |
1st = highest (lowest for unemployment). Counties are ranked only against others with a figure for the same period.
Get the county report — $99
The County Growth and Demographics Report for Washington County, MN as a PDF, from federal data: population and migration, housing and rents, permits, private employers and jobs, unemployment, ranks in the state and the country, and neighbouring counties, with a source next to every number. Pay once, no subscription.
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Neighbouring counties
Washington County grew faster than all 7 of its neighbouring counties (+6.9%, 2020–25).
Its median household income ($115,345, 2020–24) is higher than in all 7 of its neighbouring counties.
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County, MN This county | 286,895 | +6.9% | 10.6 | 8.3 | $115,345 |
| Ramsey County, MN | 541,623 | −1.8% | −5.4 | 1.3 | $81,568 |
| Dakota County, MN | 457,710 | +3.9% | 3.2 | 5.1 | $106,318 |
| St. Croix County, WI | 98,276 | +4.7% | 3.6 | 4.7 | $103,046 |
| Anoka County, MN | 381,605 | +4.7% | 3.9 | 2.0 | $101,869 |
| Chisago County, MN | 59,142 | +4.3% | 1.8 | 4.1 | $99,400 |
| Pierce County, WI | 43,519 | +3.1% | 4.1 | 8.4 | $92,109 |
| Polk County, WI | 45,803 | +1.7% | 3.7 | 5.3 | $77,219 |
Census Bureau population estimates and building permits, American Community Survey 5-year income. Rates per 1,000 residents. – means no figure, or a base too small for a change or rate (it would swing on a few people). A figure from another period shows its year and is left out of the comparison.
Compare side by side:
Questions
Is Washington County growing?
Yes. Its population grew 6.9% between 2020 and 2025, about 18,498 more people (Census Bureau population estimates). Minnesota as a whole changed +2.1% over the same years. That ranks 3rd of 87 counties in Minnesota for population growth.
How many people moved to Washington County?
On net, about 3,046 people in 2025: that many more moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
What is the unemployment rate in Washington County?
It averaged 3.4% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
What is the population of Washington County?
About 286,895 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
How many jobs are in Washington County?
Private employers there had 95,631 paid employees in mid-March 2023, +16.5% since 2018 (Census Bureau County Business Patterns; government jobs and the self-employed are not counted).
What Beacon CRE covers in Minnesota
Map, parcel and listing layers cover North and South Carolina only for now. This page and the other Minnesota county pages carry the public federal growth figures.
Washington County data alerts
Email me when Washington County gets new Census numbers: population, building permits, jobs and income. About 4 emails a year, one click to stop.
Sources and method
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns
Each number shows its own period. Changes compare the latest period with five years earlier (or the earliest period available). Beacon CRE last refreshed these figures on 2026-11-05. Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how we compute every number. More on every layer: data sources and licences.
Jobs outside North and South Carolina use County Business Patterns (paid private-sector employees in mid-March); wages and government jobs are not included.