RANK #134 / 1001 NAT · #10 / 49 OH · POP 58,978
1YR FORECAST: +2.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +35%
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.
Washington County is one of 75 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +5.8% runs above the profile's typical +0.8%.
See all 75 Affordable Slow Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 7.0x — 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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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 1001 counties.
Washington County ranks #134 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 87/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +0.7% and a median household income of $63,603 point to a county with active economic momentum.
Housing in Washington County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $185,600 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.34, with rents averaging $852/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Washington County is losing population (-0.6% YoY) while the job market is essentially flat (+0.7% employment change). Home values are +5.8% over the past 12 months. A slow-bleed pattern — not a collapse, but residents are leaving faster than employers are hiring.
Not particularly — 0.94% of Washington County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.
Home values climbed +5.8% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Washington County is now valued at $185,600. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.