Your life in Washington County, Maryland

What stands out

Three things set Washington County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the overdose death rate is in the top 8% of American counties (37 per 100,000) and home internet speed is in the top 11% of American counties (280 Mbps). Within Maryland it ranks 4th of 24 counties for the overdose death rate.

Where you are

You live in Washington County, Maryland. 154,645 people live here with you. The population grew 0.4% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +693).

Maryland is the only state that levies both an estate tax and an inheritance tax, and its counties add their own income taxes of up to 3.2% on top of the state rate. Household income is the highest in the country, concentrated in the Washington suburbs of Montgomery and Howard counties. Social Security is not taxed and there is a pension exclusion for residents 65 and over.

Money

The typical household here brings in $73,017 a year, higher than 79% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $58,252. Unemployment runs 3.3%, lower than 54% of American counties. 10% of workers work from home.

Maryland takes 4.7% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,416 a year.

Home

The median home costs $331K, pricier than 76% of American counties, about 2.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,022 a month. Property tax is 0.92% of home value, roughly $2,406 a year on that median home, higher than 54% of American counties. 65% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.8 per 1,000 residents, lower than 53% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 37 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 75.1 years, shorter than 59% of American counties. There are 326 active physicians in the county, about 21.1 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 7.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

88% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 35 points. 59% of eligible voters turned out. Under Maryland law you need local approval to carry a concealed handgun, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 54°F, highs near 65 and lows near 43, colder than 57% of American counties. About 32 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 70 out of 100, riskier than 70% of American counties; the county has had 17 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 280 Mbps down, faster than 89% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 5 breweries, 4 museums, 1 National Park Service site.

Where these numbers come from

• BLS QCEW 2024
• CDC 2024
• CMS 2024
• Census 2023
• Census ACS
• Census ACS 2022
• Census Population Estimates 2023
• Census SAHIE 2024
• County Health Rankings 2024
• Derived from ACS 2022 home value / household income
• FAA Airport Database
• FEMA Disaster Declarations 1953–2026
• FEMA National Risk Index 2023 (0–100, all hazards)
• HRSA Area Health Resources File 2023
• IMLS
• NOAA Climate Normals
• National Park Service
• Ookla Speedtest Intelligence
• Open Brewery DB
• OpenElections 2024
• SEDA via County Health Rankings 2024 (3.0 = at grade level; not a Z-score)
• Tax Foundation 2023
• USDA Food Environment Atlas
• Zillow ZHVI 2024
• Maryland tax and law data: state revenue department, Tax Foundation, Giffords, Guttmacher (2026)

Percentiles compare this county with every other county that reports the same figure. Missing figures are left out rather than guessed. Share this page: the address is permanent.