RANK #410 / 996 · POP 370,231 · MI
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.0%
Washtenaw County, Michigan, is distinguished by Ann Arbor, home to the University of Michigan, which anchors the county's identity. Located in southeast Michigan, it sits about 25 minutes from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, offering a blend of urban amenities and natural landscapes. The Huron River flows through towns like Dexter, Ann Arbor, and Ypsilanti, contributing to the area's outdoor recreation opportunities, including kayaking and hiking. Commuting within the county and to nearby cities like Detroit is facilitated by major roadways such as I-94, US-23, and M-14, alongside public transit options like TheRide, which serves Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and surrounding townships.
Life in Washtenaw County offers diverse community experiences, from the cultural activities in Ann Arbor to the smaller, walkable downtowns of towns like Chelsea, Dexter, and Saline. The county is known for its highly rated public schools, including Ann Arbor Public Schools and Washtenaw International High School, making it attractive to families. The economy has shifted from manufacturing towards automation, research, and healthcare, largely influenced by the University of Michigan and related technology companies. Recent economic developments include investments in data centers and energy sectors, alongside efforts to redevelop vacant properties into housing and commercial spaces.
Below national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.4x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Stargate Michigan Campus (OpenAI, Oracle, Related Digital)
OpenAI, Oracle, Related Digital
|
$7,000M | Planned |
|
University of Michigan / Los Alamos National Laboratory High-Performance Computational Facility
University of Michigan, Los Alamos National Laboratory
|
$1,250M | Proposed |
|
Form8tion (Thor Equities) Data Center
Thor Equities (Form8tion unit)
|
$1,000M | Proposed |
|
Voyager Energy Storage
Voyager Energy Storage (electricity to be purchased by Consumers Energy)
|
$400M | Planned |
|
Washtenaw Solar Project
Invenergy (to be transferred to Consumers Energy)
|
$150M | Proposed |
|
White Tail Solar Project
Ranger Power (to be transferred to Consumers Energy)
|
$130M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Washtenaw County has a Boom Town Index score of 59/100, ranking #410 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.5% and a median household income of $84,245, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Washtenaw County is $336,300 with median rent at $1,335/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2505, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.6% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.5%. Home values changed +2.0% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 5.59% of Washtenaw County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.