Population
10,638
2025
−3.1% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Washington County, NC growth snapshot
Washington County had an estimated 10,638 residents in 2025, down 3.1% (338 fewer people) since 2020. That is slower than North Carolina as a whole (+7.2%), and the 137th fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.
Data as of 2025 · updated
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
+57
2025
5.4 per 1,000 residents
+81 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.
Jobs
3,065
2025
−0.5% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average annual employment covered by unemployment insurance.
Average weekly wage
$1,005
2025
+25.3% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average weekly wage, all covered jobs.
Unemployment rate
4.8%
2025
−1.3 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
7
2025
0.7 per 1,000 residents
Small base: the change swings on a few homes or people, so we don't show it.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
Median household income
$41,813
2020–24
+35.1% 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
2,527
2023
−8.6% 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 57 people in 2025: more people moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out.
Employers counted 3,065 jobs in 2025, −0.5% since 2020 (118th of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $1,005.
Unemployment averaged 4.8% in 2025, 1.3 points lower than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 7 new homes in 2025, or 0.7 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $41,813 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +35.1% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 2,697th.
Washington County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10,638 | −12 |
| 2024 | 10,650 | −69 |
| 2023 | 10,719 | −69 |
| 2022 | 10,788 | −96 |
| 2021 | 10,884 | −92 |
| 2020 | 10,976 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in Washington County
Washington County lost 338 people since 2020 even though 81 more people moved in from other U.S. counties than left: deaths outnumbered births by 484, and net international migration added 66.
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | −95 | −484 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | +25 | +66 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | +57 | +81 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | +1 | −1 | |
| Total change | −12 | −338 |
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 North Carolina | Among U.S. counties |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth | 96th of 100 | 2,697th of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 58th of 100 | 1,013th of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 95th of 100 | 2,743rd of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 99th of 100 | 3,001st of 3,107 |
| Average weekly wage | 37th of 100 | – |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 89th of 100 | 2,400th of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 98th of 100 | 2,311th of 3,005 |
1st = highest (lowest for unemployment). Counties are ranked only against others with a figure for the same period.
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Neighbouring counties
Over 2020–25, Washington County's population change (−3.1%) was ahead of 1 of its 7 neighbouring counties and behind 6.
6 of its 7 neighbouring counties had a higher median household income than Washington County's $41,813 (2020–24).
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County, NC This county | 10,638 | −3.1% | 5.4 | 0.7 | $41,813 |
| Chowan County, NC | 14,082 | +2.8% | 5.9 | 3.4 | $53,864 |
| Tyrrell County, NC | 3,537 | +9.3% | 11.6 | 5.1 | $41,685 |
| Perquimans County, NC | 13,490 | +3.6% | 11.6 | 3.2 | $67,917 |
| Beaufort County, NC | 44,670 | −0.1% | 3.9 | 2.7 | $58,357 |
| Bertie County, NC | 17,086 | −3.6% | −1.9 | 1.9 | $48,750 |
| Hyde County, NC | 4,554 | +1.0% | −5.3 | 7.7 | $53,713 |
| Martin County, NC | 21,601 | −1.6% | 9.7 | 0.0 | $48,578 |
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.
All 100 North Carolina counties · All Carolinas counties and metros
Questions
What is the population of Washington County?
About 10,638 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
Is Washington County growing?
No. Its population fell 3.1% between 2020 and 2025, about 338 fewer people (Census Bureau population estimates). North Carolina as a whole changed +7.2% over the same years. That ranks 137th of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.
How many people moved to Washington County?
On net, about 57 people in 2025: that many more moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
How many jobs are in Washington County?
Employers there reported 3,065 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, −0.5% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $1,005 in 2025.
What is the unemployment rate in Washington County?
It averaged 4.8% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
How many new homes are being built in Washington County?
Building permits authorized 7 new housing units in 2025, 0.7 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.
What is the median household income in Washington County?
$41,813 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does Washington County compare with other North Carolina counties?
Among North Carolina counties it ranks 96th of 100 for population growth; 58th of 100 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 95th of 100 for private-sector job growth; 99th of 100 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 2,697th of 3,107 counties for population growth.
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Sources and method
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
- 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.