RANK #981 / 1001 NAT · #15 / 15 OK · POP 53,326
1YR FORECAST: +2.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: -19%
Washington County, Oklahoma, is distinguished by Bartlesville, its largest city and county seat, which is home to the Price Tower, a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed skyscraper. Located in northeastern Oklahoma, about 47 miles north of Tulsa, the county offers a blend of small-town living with access to larger city amenities. The community has a conservative feel, with many families, young professionals, and retirees choosing to reside there. Outdoor recreation opportunities include Copan Lake for fishing and boating, and Jo Allyn Lowe Park, which features a fishing lake, arboretum, and paths through tallgrass prairie. Life in Washington County offers a quieter pace, with a strong sense of community. The public schools in the county are rated above average. The economy has historically been tied to the energy sector, particularly oil and gas production, with Bartlesville having been a significant hub for the petroleum industry. While specific projects are not detailed, the county continues to see investment in energy-related industries. The area's economic landscape supports a population where most residents own their homes.
Washington County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +5.5% runs above the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks overvalued at 7.5x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
High Banks Wind Project
NextEra Energy
|
$604M | Proposed |
|
Trillium Wind Project (Proposed)
RES
|
$200M | Proposed |
|
Lithium-ion Battery Processing Facility
Blue Whale Materials
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Residential Developments (Multiple Projects)
Various Homebuilders
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Washington County scores just 1/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #981 of 1001 counties. Job growth at +0.4% and median household income of $60,162 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Washington County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $173,200 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.35, with rents averaging $907/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Washington County's population is growing — up +0.8% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.4%). Home values shifted +5.5% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.3% 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.
Home values climbed +5.5% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Washington County is now valued at $173,200. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.