The Town Files

Washington County, Iowa

22,561 people. The median home is worth $203,900 (typical Iowa town: $156,300) and the median household earns $75,647.

Towns in Washington County

Towns in Washington County

TownPeopleMedian homeIncomeMedian age
Washington7,352$152,300$55,37342.5
Kalona2,630$257,900$80,12941.4

People and housing

Washington CountyTypical Iowa town
Median home value$203,900$156,300
Median rent$879$820
Median household income$75,647$69,254
Median age40.740.2
Bachelor's degree or higher26.2%21.8%
Below the poverty line8.2%9.3%

Jobs and pay

8,558 jobs in 2024, average pay $48,539 a year.

Largest industries in Washington CountyHotels & restaurants1,173 jobs · $32,728Health care & social assistan…1,055 jobs · $32,858Retail1,022 jobs · $31,558Manufacturing926 jobs · $64,526Construction870 jobs · $58,695Wholesale trade430 jobs · $77,144
BLS QCEW 2024.
Unemployment rate in Washington County0%2%4%6%2000200420082012201620202023 2.6%
BLS LAUS via USDA ERS, annual averages.

Storms since 1996

NOAA recorded 539 storm events in Washington County from 1996 to 2026.

Storm events in Washington County by type since 1996Hail94Flood32Drought17Tornado17Dense Fog8High Wind10Ice Storm9Heavy Snow15Flash Flood30Winter Storm60
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database.

Federal disaster declarations

Washington County has been included in 15 FEMA declarations since 1953.

DeclaredIncidentDeclaration
August 17, 2020Severe StormDR-4557: Severe Storms
March 23, 2020BiologicalDR-4483: Covid-19 Pandemic
March 13, 2020BiologicalEM-3480: Covid-19
August 5, 2014Severe StormDR-4187: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding
July 29, 2010Severe StormDR-1930: Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes
May 27, 2008Severe StormDR-1763: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024; BLS QCEW and LAUS; NOAA Storm Events; FEMA OpenFEMA (not endorsed by FEMA).