Washington, IA

Census place 1982335 · pop 7,290

D−50/ 100
🫤 Rough
D−
in IA
📍 Iowa ranks #11 of 50 states →
🏆 Jobs2.5% · top 7%
🚽 Broadband85.0% · bottom 12%
Taxes
1.75% property · US 0.99%6.94% sales · US 7.00%3.80% flat income · US 4.63%

Sales & income are statewide.

The breakdown — worst first

Broadband access85.0%12

U.S. median 90.0% · worse than most cities

85.0% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.

Income inequality0.4914

U.S. median 0.43 · worse than most cities

Gini 0.49 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).

Property-tax burden1.75%16

U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities

1.75% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.

Adult obesity40.4%17

U.S. median 36.5% · worse than most cities

40.4% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).

Median household income$55,37321

U.S. median $67,857 · worse than most cities

$55,373 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.

Adult smoking16.6%21

U.S. median 14.6% · worse than most cities

16.6% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.

Physical inactivity30.7%22

U.S. median 26.5% · worse than most cities

30.7% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.

Population growth (5yr)-0.3%28

U.S. median +2.4% · worse than most cities

-0.3% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?

Property crime rate1883/100k31

U.S. median 964/100k · worse than most cities

1883 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.

Bachelor's degree or higher23.6%33

U.S. median 24.3% · worse than most cities

23.6% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.

Poverty rate12.8%43

U.S. median 12.1% · worse than most cities

12.8% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.

Violent crime rate222/100k46

U.S. median 152/100k · worse than most cities

222 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.

Uninsured adults9.9%46

U.S. median 9.3% · worse than most cities

9.9% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.

Homeownership63.2%48

U.S. median 67.2% · worse than most cities

63.2% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.

Poor mental health16.6%58

U.S. median 17.4% · better than most cities

16.6% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).

Natural disaster riskCounty-level61/10082

U.S. median 77/100 · better than most cities

61/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Commute time19 min83

U.S. median 24 min · better than most cities

19 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.

Housing cost$152,30086

U.S. median $214,900 · better than most cities

$152,300 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.

Unemployment rateCounty-level2.5%93

U.S. median 3.6% · better than most cities

2.5% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Not measured for Washington: Air, Bad air, Rent. Not every public source covers every city — EPA air monitors and Zillow rent only reach some places, and national crime data is still being added.

Frequently asked

Is Washington, IA a good place to live?
By the numbers, Washington scores 50/100 — a D− (Rough) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 19 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is unemployment rate and its weakest is broadband access. Iowa overall ranks #11 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
How safe is Washington, IA?
Washington reports 222 violent crimes per 100k and 1883 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
Is Washington, IA expensive to live in?
Washington has a median home value of $152,300 — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
What's the biggest downside of living in Washington, IA?
Its weakest measured area is broadband access (85.0%) — 12/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
What is Washington, IA best at?
Its strongest measured area is unemployment rate (2.5%) — 93/100, better than most U.S. cities. (A county-level figure.)

Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.