RANK #526 / 1001 NAT · #15 / 33 TN · POP 136,261
1YR FORECAST: -0.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +28%
Washington County, Tennessee, holds the distinction of being the state's oldest county, established in 1777 when the area was still part of North Carolina. Its county seat, Jonesborough, chartered in 1779, is Tennessee's oldest town and features a well-preserved historic district. Located in the northeastern part of the state, nestled in the Appalachian Highlands, the county is home to Johnson City, a regional hub for education, medicine, and commerce. Commutes within the county and to nearby areas are facilitated by access to Interstates 26 and 81. The natural scenery includes parts of the Cherokee National Forest, Buffalo Mountain Park, and the Nolichucky and Watauga Rivers, offering extensive outdoor recreation like hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and kayaking.
Life in Washington County offers a blend of community and access to amenities. The public school system includes several highly-rated elementary, middle, and high schools. East Tennessee State University in Johnson City contributes to the area's educational and healthcare services, attracting both young professionals and retirees. Recent economic developments show significant investment in advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and information technology, with new businesses and housing developments expanding across Johnson City, Jonesborough, and Gray. The region's economy is also supported by agribusiness and a focus on workforce development programs.
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 -0.0% YoY, population +1.2%, wages +3.9%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 9.3x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
ebm-papst Manufacturing Facility
ebm-papst Inc.
|
$37M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Washington County scores 47/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#526). Median household income is $62,809 and job growth is running at -0.8%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Washington County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $249,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.25, with rents averaging $1,005/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Washington County's population is growing — up +1.2% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.8%). Home values shifted -0.0% 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 4.32% 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.