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Washington County, UT

RANK #763 / 996  ·  POP 183,297  ·  UT

PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.3%

Washington County ranks in the bottom tier of U.S. counties on economic momentum.

[01] Why Washington County?

Washington County, Utah, often called "Utah's Dixie" due to its mild winters and warm climate, is known for its striking red rock landscapes and proximity to Zion National Park. St. George, the county seat, serves as a central hub, with many smaller communities like Ivins, Hurricane, and Santa Clara located within a 20-mile radius. The area offers extensive outdoor recreation, including hiking and biking trails, state parks such as Snow Canyon and Sand Hollow, and various water features. Commuting within the St. George metropolitan area is generally manageable, with an average commute time of 16 minutes for residents of Washington City.

Life in Washington County attracts a mix of families, young professionals, and retirees, many of whom own their homes. The public school system, managed by the Washington County School District, serves over 42,000 students and is considered above average. The economy is driven by tourism, education, and services, with recent job growth in leisure, hospitality, education, and health services. The region has seen investment in infrastructure, including new trail systems, and continues to experience development, drawing both new residents and businesses.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
8.7x

Overvalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+4.6%

Well above national median

Home Prices
-0.5%

Prices declining

Climate & Terrain
2.6

Moderate climate & terrain

Price/Rent
19x

Above national median (13x)

Housing looks overvalued at 8.7x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Washington County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
183,297
+3.83% YoY
Median Household Income
$71,976
Median Home Value
$417,400
-0.49% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,321
Average Annual Pay
$48,688
+4.2% YoY
Employment
86,508
+3.7% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.1724
Less affordable than average
Migration Inflow
2.75%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$543,000
Days on Market
89
Slower market
Months of Supply
11.4
Buyer's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
97.8%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
8.4%
Listings w/ Price Drops
28.1%
Building Permits (2024)
3,152
Single-Family Permits
2,467

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$2,697M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Washington County Regional Reuse System
Washington County Water Conservancy District
$1,300M Under Construction
Washington City Mega Site (near St. George Regional Airport)
Washington City
$1,000M Proposed
High Banks Wind Project (Washington County portion)
Washington County Downeast Wind
$250M Approved
Washington Gateway (Exit 13 along I-15)
Rize Capital, LLC
$50M Proposed
Multifamily Housing Zoning along I-15 (between exit 16 and 31)
Washington County
$50M Proposed
Millcreek Power Generation Facility Expansion
City of St. George
$47M Completed

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +4.6% 80 percentile
Population Growth +3.8% 98 percentile
Income Growth +10.7% 87 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.9% 69 percentile
Home Price Change -0.5% 26 percentile
Rent Growth +2.0% 34 percentile
Price/Rent 19x 12 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Washington County, UT a good place to move to?

Washington County has a Boom Town Index score of 23/100, ranking #763 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +3.7% and a median household income of $71,976, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Washington County affordable?

The median home value in Washington County is $417,400 with median rent at $1,321/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.1724, which is less affordable than the national average.

Is Washington County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +3.8% year-over-year. Job growth: +3.7%. Home values changed -0.5% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Washington County?

Yes — 2.75% of Washington County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

Tooele County, UT 33 Polk County, TX 33 Middlesex County, MA 33 Lexington County, SC 33 Angelina County, TX 33 Brazos County, TX 33 Benton County, WA 33 Tulare County, CA 33