RANK #183 / 1001 NAT · POP 130,344
1YR FORECAST: +2.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +34%
Washington County, often called South County by locals, is Rhode Island's largest county by land area, encompassing coastal towns like Narragansett and Westerly. Narragansett is particularly known for The Towers, an architectural landmark that serves as a centerpiece for the town. The county offers extensive outdoor recreation, including numerous state beaches such as East Matunuck and Misquamicut, and large natural spaces like Burlingame State Park and the Arcadia Management Area, which is the largest contiguous public land parcel in Rhode Island. Commuting to Providence is feasible, with Amtrak stations in Kingston and Westerly providing rail options. The community feel varies from bustling coastal areas to quieter inland towns.
Life in Washington County is characterized by access to highly-rated public schools and a generally safe environment. The presence of the University of Rhode Island in Kingston contributes to a lively atmosphere in that village. The economy is supported by diverse sectors, including a significant marine economy, with Washington County producing a substantial portion of the state's marine economy's gross domestic product. There is also ongoing investment in infrastructure and energy sectors, alongside efforts to bolster tourism and support local businesses.
Washington County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +5.7% YoY, population +0.2%, wages +4.4%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 17.1x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Battery Storage Project
Unknown
|
$205M | Planned |
|
Statewide Broadband Expansion (BEAD Program & Capital Projects Funds)
Rhode Island Commerce Corporation / Various ISPs
|
$161M | Under Construction |
|
Community Solar Portfolio (Multiple Projects)
Various (e.g., Standard Solar, Brown University, AES Clean Energy, Nautilus Solar)
|
$81M | Operating/Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Washington County ranks #183 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 82/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +0.8% and a median household income of $106,638 point to a county with active economic momentum.
Washington County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $510,800 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.21 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,327/month on average.
Population and employment in Washington County are both close to flat — population +0.2% YoY and jobs +0.8%. Home values shifted +5.7% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.53% 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 +5.7% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Washington County is now valued at $510,800. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.