Education, Employment and Housing
Washington County, KS has around 5 public schools, including Washington County High School. Approximately 92.8% of adults have a high school diploma, while about 15% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The average student-teacher ratio is 12:1. Schools generally score above the state average in safety and graduation rates (88%). Educational programs include FFA, vocational training, and dual-credit courses. Adult education and GED preparation are available through partnerships with area colleges. School safety measures and updated facilities foster a supportive learning environment throughout the county.
As of 2022, Washington County, KS had an employment rate of 60.4%. The largest industries are Health Care & Social Assistance (17.6%), Manufacturing (13.7%), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (13.6%). The most common occupations are Management (18.4%) and Production (13.1%). Around 79% of workers commute by car, with an average one-way commute of 17.1 minutes. Most residents (89.7%) work within the county, while 7.9% commute to neighboring counties.
Washington County, KS, has a homeownership rate of about 80% and a median home value around $90,000 (2022). Rental options are limited, with median gross rents near $600 monthly. The housing market is stable with modest value growth; most homes are single-family, built before 1980. Major neighborhoods are centered in Washington and small towns like Hanover and Clifton. Property taxes average 1.4% of assessed value. The area is known for rural settings, affordable housing, and a strong sense of community.
County Crime & Safety
Washington County, KS, boasts a low crime rate compared to state and national averages. According to recent reports, the county saw only 8 violent crimes and 42 property crimes in 2022, with a crime rate of approximately 6.5 per 1,000 residents. Most incidents involve theft or minor property offenses, with violent crime being rare. The local sheriff’s office emphasizes community policing and rapid reporting procedures, aiding in maintaining safety. Overall, residents generally experience a high level of public safety in Washington County.
Elections
Washington County, Kansas, has approximately 3,300 registered voters as of 2024. The county holds general, primary, and local elections, with polling locations in communities like Washington and Hanover. In the 2020 presidential election, about 77% voted Republican and 21% Democrat. The Washington County Clerk’s Office administers elections, with major parties being Republican and Democrat. Recent issues involve school funding and agricultural policy. Typically, voter turnout ranges from 65-75% in general elections.
Demographics
As of the 2020 Census, Washington County, Kansas had a population of 5,530. The median age was 47.9 years, reflecting an older demographic, with 24.3% aged 65 or older. The gender distribution was 50.3% male and 49.7% female. Racially, the population was predominantly White (95.7%), with smaller proportions of Hispanic or Latino (2.2%), two or more races (1.6%), and other races (0.5%). The county is characterized by a largely homogeneous population and a significant senior presence.
Popular names
- Kenneth Meadows
- Ryan Diederich
- Tyson Pruser
- Victoria Parker
- Alex Alldredge
- Amanda Cook
- Andrew Bruna
- Anthony Bruna
- Ashley Holle
- Barbara Bruna
- Betty Graves
- Betty Zenger
- Brad Portenier
- Brent Lehman
- Brittany Springer
- Caleb Boston
- Chad Hiltgen
- Charles Walter
- Cindy Herrs
- Connie Howley
- Courtney Jueneman
- Dawn Kramer
- Dylan Dittmer
- Elizabeth Hiltgen
- Elmer Zabokrtsky
- Eric Helms
- Ernest Hiesterman
- Evelyn Diederich
- Frank Nutsch
- James Nutsch
- James Pachta
- Jay Jueneman
- John Dummermuth
- Josh Kuhaneck
- Julia Jueneman
- Keith Ayres
- Kyler Ohlde
- Larry Sinn
- Laura Wurtz
- Marilyn Lovgren
- Marlene Goodwin
- Megan Woodyard
- Nicholas Baker
- Ralph Rogge
- Randy Laflen
- Rhonda Meyerhoff
- Robert Allen
- Robert Hiltgen
- Ronald Smith
- Stacy Durst
- Terry Morse
- Terry Ohlde
- Todd Edgar
- Tommy Grace
- Travis Smith
- Trent Schaefer
- Aaron Crowl
- Aaron Peters
- Aaron Stuenkel
- Adam Goeckel
Other Counties in Kansas
- Allen
- Anderson
- Atchison
- Barber
- Barton
- Bourbon
- Brown
- Butler
- Chase
- Chautauqua
- Cherokee
- Cheyenne
- Clark
- Clay
- Cloud
- Coffey
- Comanche
- Cowley
- Crawford
- Decatur
- Dickinson
- Doniphan
- Douglas
- Edwards
- Elk
- Ellis
- Ellsworth
- Finney
- Ford
- Franklin
- Geary
- Gove
- Graham
- Grant
- Gray
- Greeley
- Greenwood
- Hamilton
- Harper
- Harvey
- Haskell
- Hodgeman
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Jewell
- Johnson
- Kearny
- Kingman
- Kiowa
- Labette
- Lane