West Bend
RANK #155 / 996 NAT · #15 / 29 WI · POP 136,842
1YR FORECAST: +4.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +33%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
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 ranks #155 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 84/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +1.6% and a median household income of $91,915 point to a county with active economic momentum.
Housing in Washington County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $293,300 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.31, with rents averaging $1,073/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Washington County are hiring — job growth of +1.6% — but the population is close to flat (+0.4% YoY). Home values moved +6.2% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.56% 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 +6.2% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Washington County is now valued at $293,300. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.