RANK #183 / 996 · POP 247,331 · AR
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.2%
Fayetteville, home to the University of Arkansas, anchors Washington County in the scenic Ozark Mountains of northwest Arkansas. The county, established in 1828, is roughly divided between the rolling Springfield Plateau in the north and the steeper, forested Boston Mountains to the south. This geography provides extensive outdoor recreation, with Devil's Den State Park offering hiking, mountain biking, and camping amidst sandstone formations. Commuting within the county is generally efficient, with an average travel time of around 20.9 minutes, and public transit options like Ozark Regional Transit and Razorback Transit serve Fayetteville and other areas.
Life in Washington County attracts a mix of families and young professionals, drawn by the natural surroundings and educational opportunities. The economy is diverse, with significant sectors including education, healthcare, and business services. The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville is a major employer and cultural hub. While the county recently postponed joining a regional industrial development authority, discussions around attracting advanced manufacturing and technology projects continue, aiming to create higher-paying jobs.
Below national median (4.7x)
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.1x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Trillium Wind Project (Proposed)
RES Group
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Residential Master-Planned Communities (Combined)
Various (e.g., D.R. Horton, Rausch-Coleman Homes)
|
$100M | Under Construction |
|
Washington County Solar Array & Energy Efficiency Measures
Washington County / Seal Solar / Johnson Controls
|
$50M | Completed |
|
Battery Storage Facilities (Multiple Projects)
Today's Power Inc. / BrightNight
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Washington County has a Boom Town Index score of 82/100, ranking #183 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.2% and a median household income of $61,985, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Washington County is $235,500 with median rent at $935/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2632, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.9% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.2%. Home values changed +3.8% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.53% of Washington County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.