RANK #583 / 1001 NAT · #39 / 45 NY · POP 60,522
1YR FORECAST: +1.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +27%
Washington County, New York, known as the "Slate Capital of the World" for its unique red slate, sits at the eastern edge of New York, bordering Vermont. This largely rural and agricultural county is approximately 50 miles from Albany, the state capital. Commuting options include Amtrak service from Fort Edward and Whitehall, and bus services like Adirondack Trailways. The community offers a tranquil atmosphere with a focus on its natural landscape, bordered by Lake George and the Hudson River. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with opportunities for hiking, biking, boating, fishing, and skiing at Willard Mountain.
Life in Washington County is characterized by close-knit communities and a relatively low cost of living. The county is home to families, agricultural professionals, and creative entrepreneurs. While agriculture remains a cornerstone, manufacturing is the largest employment sector, with companies involved in medical instruments, paper products, and electronic components. The county is also seeing growth in healthcare and wellness services. Recent economic development efforts include the establishment of a land bank to revitalize properties and initiatives to foster private-sector industries.
Washington County is one of 75 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +2.9% runs above the profile's typical +0.8%.
See all 75 Affordable Slow Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 13.5x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Fort Edward Solar Project
Boralex
|
$100M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Washington County scores 41/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#583). Median household income is $73,495 and job growth is running at +0.1%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
By national standards, Washington County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $196,200, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.37 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,033/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Washington County is losing population (-0.6% YoY) while the job market is essentially flat (+0.1% employment change). Home values are +2.9% over the past 12 months. A slow-bleed pattern — not a collapse, but residents are leaving faster than employers are hiring.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.59% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Washington County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.