RANK #104 / 996 · POP 136,842 · WI
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.9%
Washington County, Wisconsin, is often recognized for Holy Hill Basilica and National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians, a prominent landmark offering scenic views from one of southeastern Wisconsin's highest elevations. Located northwest of Milwaukee, the county provides a blend of urban and rural living. Commuting to Milwaukee is possible via the Washington County Commuter Express, which also connects to Milwaukee County Transit Services. The community feel across towns like West Bend, the county seat, and Germantown, with its European influences, emphasizes local events and historical preservation. The county also features over 1,200 acres of parks, numerous hiking trails, and access to the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, offering extensive outdoor recreation.
Life in Washington County appeals to families and young professionals, with many residents owning their homes. The public school systems are highly rated, contributing to the area's quality of life. The economy is supported by a manufacturing heritage, with companies producing consumer products. Recent economic developments include efforts to attract working-age families and address housing needs through initiatives that incentivize private sector construction of new homes. The county also focuses on entrepreneurship, with investments in small business loans.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.7x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Next Generation Housing Initiative (Multiple Developments)
Washington County & various builders (e.g., Regal Place, LLC, A&N Contracting)
|
$300M | Under Construction |
|
Wisconsin Reliability Project (Natural Gas Infrastructure)
TC Energy (ANR Pipeline Company)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Community Solar Portfolio
We Energies
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Washington County has a Boom Town Index score of 90/100, ranking #104 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.6% and a median household income of $91,915, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Washington County is $293,300 with median rent at $1,073/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3134, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.4% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.6%. Home values changed +6.2% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.56% of Washington County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.