RANK #483 / 1001 NAT · POP 196,431
1YR FORECAST: -1.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +28%
Washington County, Utah, often called "Utah's Dixie" due to its mild winters and warm climate, is known for its striking red rock landscapes and proximity to Zion National Park. St. George, the county seat, serves as a central hub, with many smaller communities like Ivins, Hurricane, and Santa Clara located within a 20-mile radius. The area offers extensive outdoor recreation, including hiking and biking trails, state parks such as Snow Canyon and Sand Hollow, and various water features. Commuting within the St. George metropolitan area is generally manageable, with an average commute time of 16 minutes for residents of Washington City.
Life in Washington County attracts a mix of families, young professionals, and retirees, many of whom own their homes. The public school system, managed by the Washington County School District, serves over 42,000 students and is considered above average. The economy is driven by tourism, education, and services, with recent job growth in leisure, hospitality, education, and health services. The region has seen investment in infrastructure, including new trail systems, and continues to experience development, drawing both new residents and 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 -0.8% YoY, population +3.5%, wages +4.5%). 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
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks overvalued at 22.0x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Washington County Regional Reuse System
Washington County Water Conservancy District
|
$1,300M | Under Construction |
|
Washington City Mega Site (near St. George Regional Airport)
Washington City
|
$1,000M | Proposed |
|
High Banks Wind Project (Washington County portion)
Washington County Downeast Wind
|
$250M | Approved |
|
Washington Gateway (Exit 13 along I-15)
Rize Capital, LLC
|
$50M | Proposed |
|
Multifamily Housing Zoning along I-15 (between exit 16 and 31)
Washington County
|
$50M | Proposed |
|
Millcreek Power Generation Facility Expansion
City of St. George
|
$47M | Completed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Washington County scores 51/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#483). Median household income is $80,632 and job growth is running at +3.7%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Washington County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $510,700 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.16 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,566/month on average.
Washington County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +3.5% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +3.7% clip. Home values shifted -0.8% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.49% 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.