RANK #166 / 996 · POP 59,639 · OH
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.4%
Marietta, the county seat of Washington County, holds the distinction of being Ohio's first permanent settlement, established in 1788. Located at the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers, Marietta is approximately 125 miles southeast of Columbus. The community offers a blend of historical charm and natural beauty, with opportunities for outdoor recreation along its rivers and in areas like the Wayne National Forest and Boord State Nature Preserve. Commuting within the county is primarily by car, with an average commute time of 23.5 minutes, though public transit options are available in select areas of Washington County.
Life in Washington County often appeals to those seeking a community with a strong sense of history and access to outdoor activities. Many residents own their homes, and the public schools are generally rated above average. The local economy is supported by various sectors, including manufacturing, education, healthcare, and social assistance. Recent economic developments include investments in multimodal transportation infrastructure and the revitalization of former industrial sites, attracting interest from sectors such as data centers.
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 2.6x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
200MW High-Performance Data Center
Undisclosed
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
Memorial Health Systems Expansion and Renovation
Memorial Health Systems
|
$200M | Operating |
|
Appalachian Multimodal Port Facility (Former AMP-Gorsuch site)
Southeastern Ohio Port Authority (SeOPA)
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Muskingum River Industrial Park Development
Southeastern Ohio Port Authority (SeOPA)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Marietta College Construction and Renovation Projects
Marietta College
|
$34M | Completed |
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 83/100, ranking #166 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.4% and a median household income of $59,053, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Washington County is $164,000 with median rent at $794/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3601, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.4%. Home values changed +5.6% in the past 12 months.