Washington
Pennsylvania

What stands out

Three things set Washington County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the school test score is in the top 5% of American counties (3.49 where 3.0 is grade level), the uninsured rate is in the bottom 7% of American counties (5.6%), and winter sunshine is in the bottom 8% of American counties (-1.2 on the USDA scale). Within Pennsylvania it ranks 4th of 67 counties for the school test score.

Where you are

You live in Washington County, Pennsylvania. 209,631 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +996).

Pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% income tax and exempts all retirement income, including Social Security, pensions and 401(k) and IRA withdrawals after age 59½. It is one of six states with an inheritance tax, which applies even to children at 4.5%. Local earned-income taxes of 1% to nearly 4% apply in most municipalities, and Philadelphia's wage tax is the highest of any city in the country.

Money

The typical household here brings in $74,403 a year, higher than 81% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $72,319. Unemployment runs 4.6%, higher than 83% of American counties. 12% of workers work from home.

Pennsylvania takes 3.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,284 a year.

Home

The median home costs $241K, pricier than 53% of American counties, about 2.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $918 a month. Property tax is 1.16% of home value, roughly $2,374 a year on that median home, higher than 70% of American counties. 76% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.4 per 1,000 residents, lower than 74% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 24 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 76.1 years, longer than 53% of American counties. There are 491 active physicians in the county, about 23.4 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.7 of 5 stars. 5.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.48 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 95% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 22 points. 72% of eligible voters turned out. Under Pennsylvania law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 52°F, highs near 62 and lows near 41, colder than 68% of American counties. About 36 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 45 out of 100, safer than 55% of American counties; the county has had 14 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 256 Mbps down, faster than 77% of American counties. There are 6 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 2 breweries, 6 museums.