Washington County, Arkansas: commercial real estate data.
Washington County, Arkansas had an estimated 266,184 residents on July 1, 2024, up 8.3 percent since the 2020 census base of 245,862, across 942 square miles. County output reached $18.16 bn in 2024, 6,281 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 186 7(a) approvals worth $114.0 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Washington County
How many people live in Washington County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024256,765
- Households97,184
- Average household size2.64
- Median household income$70,639
- Median age32.5
- Median gross rent$1,071 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$298,400
- Home value to household income4.2 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income18.2 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher35.3 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree14.8 percent
- Adults 25 and over158,346
- Population under 1860,304
- Share under 1823.5 percent
- Population 65 and over31,687
- Share 65 and over12.3 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 64164,774
- Civilian labor force132,329
- Unemployment rate3.4 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over67.4 percent
- Rank by population among Arkansas counties3rd of 75
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included281st of 3,222
Washington County is the 3rd largest of 75 Arkansas counties by population. A median home costs 4.2 times median household income, which is seriously unaffordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 23.5 percent against 12.3 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Washington County
Is Washington County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 2024266,184
- Census 2020 base population245,862
- Population change since the 2020 census base8.27 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 20244,304
- Births, 20243,391
- Deaths, 20241,882
- Natural change, 20241,509
- Net domestic migration, 20241,246
- Net international migration, 20241,524
- Total net migration, 20242,770
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 20249,509
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents225th of 3,144
The county has grown 8.27 percent since the 2020 census base. The population grew in 2024 from both sources: births exceeded deaths and more people moved in than left.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Washington County
Where are people moving to Washington County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving7,859
- People arriving, from those returns13,898
- Tax returns filed by households leaving7,343
- Net household movement516
- Adjusted gross income arriving$504.3 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$56.3 m
- Average income of an arriving household$64,173
- Average income of a leaving household$61,019
- Largest single originBenton County (2,199 households)
- Largest single destinationBenton County (2,526 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benton County | 2,199 | 4,166 | $131.8 m |
| Pulaski County | 288 | 472 | $19.6 m |
| Sebastian County | 241 | 385 | $12.2 m |
| Madison County | 163 | 348 | $7.3 m |
| Faulkner County | 94 | 164 | $4.9 m |
| Pope County | 92 | 146 | $3.9 m |
| Carroll County | 89 | 158 | $3.8 m |
| Los Angeles County | 87 | 182 | $7.5 m |
Households arriving report $3,154 more average income than households leaving, so the migration is raising local spending power rather than just moving it around. The largest single source of arrivals is Benton County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Washington County
What is the Washington County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$18.16 bn
- County GDP, 2023$16.82 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20248.0 percent
- GDP change over five years41.5 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Arkansas areas BEA publishes3rd of 75
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes281st of 3,127
- GDP per resident$70,726
Output grew 8.0 percent in the latest year and 41.5 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Washington County
Employment by industry in Washington County
- Covered employment, annual average120,673
- Establishments reporting7,052
- Average annual pay$59,680
- Average weekly wage$1,148
- Health care and social assistance, employment17,072
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$60,645
- Retail trade, employment13,948
- Retail trade, average annual pay$41,414
- Manufacturing, employment13,486
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$56,693
- Accommodation and food services, employment13,299
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$22,658
- Construction, employment7,925
- Transportation and warehousing, employment5,566
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 17,072 | 891 | $60,645 |
| Retail trade | 13,948 | 807 | $41,414 |
| Manufacturing | 13,486 | 228 | $56,693 |
| Accommodation and food services | 13,299 | 678 | $22,658 |
| Construction | 7,925 | 713 | $70,844 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 5,566 | 195 | $63,263 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 5,429 | 443 | $41,332 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 4,960 | 898 | $74,005 |
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 17,072 jobs, 14.1 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Washington County
How many businesses are in Washington County?
- Establishments, all industries6,281
- Employment at those establishments101,087
- Annual payroll$5.25 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents24.5
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Washington County
Building permits in Washington County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 20243,502
- Declared construction value permitted$911.5 m
- Single family units authorized1,915
- Multifamily units authorized1,587
- Multifamily share of units45.3 percent
- Average declared value per unit$260,289
- Units authorized per 1,000 households36.0
Multifamily is 45.3 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is being built for renters rather than buyers.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Washington County
SBA loans in Washington County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded186
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$114.0 m
- Average 7(a) approval$612,945
- Median 7(a) approval$263,650
- 10th percentile approval$33,400
- 90th percentile approval$1,836,150
- Largest single approval$4,782,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)2,089
- Jobs per approval11.2
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active60
- Distinct industries receiving approvals92
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer12.4 percent
- Loans on real estate terms23
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter144
- Franchise loans31
- Franchise share of approvals16.7 percent
- Leading industry by approval countFull-Service Restaurants (11)
- Most active lenderArvest Bank (48)
- 504 approvals recorded47
- 504 gross approval dollars$38.3 m
- Average 504 approval$815,170
- Median 504 approval$568,000
- Distinct CDCs active3
- 504 jobs per approval13.3
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved16.3
- Most active CDCRural Missouri, Inc. (25)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$152.3 m
The average approval of $612,945 sits well above the median of $263,650, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 12.4 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Washington County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Washington County
Do SBA loans in Washington County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded50
- Paid in full49
- Charged off1
- Charge-off rate on resolved loans2.0 percent
- Status: Paid in full49
- Status: Cancelled21
- Status: Exempt from disclosure108
- Status: Charged off1
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed7
Of the 50 loans that have reached a final outcome, 2.0 percent were charged off. This is computed only over resolved loans, because a loan still running has not yet succeeded or failed and counting it either way would be wrong.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Washington County
SBA lending by place in Washington County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending15
- Fayetteville, approvals99
- Springdale, approvals53
- Elkins, approvals6
- Farmington, approvals5
- Lincoln, approvals3
- Summers, approvals3
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | 99 | $52,964,600 |
| Springdale | 53 | $30,331,100 |
| Elkins | 6 | $1,876,600 |
| Farmington | 5 | $1,142,500 |
| Lincoln | 3 | $6,979,800 |
| Summers | 3 | $5,188,000 |
| Prairie Grove | 3 | $3,830,200 |
| Tontitown | 3 | $383,700 |
| 7 other borrower cities | 11 | $11,311,300 |
Fayetteville accounts for 99 approvals against 53 in Springdale. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Washington County
How large is Washington County?
- Land area942 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Arkansas counties4th of 75
- Width, east to west37.2 mi
- Height, north to south33.5 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary4
- Residents per square mile of land273
- Establishments per square mile6.67
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Washington County
Flood risk in Washington County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Washington County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 050212
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book14
- Of those, participating in the NFIP14
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Best Community Rating System class in the county A lower CRS class is a larger flood insurance premium discount.Class 8
- Communities carrying a CRS class2
- Radon levels in Washington County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/LZone 3
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Washington County (community 050212), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries no Community Rating System class, so no CRS premium discount applies there. The EPA places Washington County in radon zone 3, a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. The best Community Rating System class among the county's communities is 8, which carries a flood insurance premium discount for policies written in that community. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Washington County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Washington County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024256,765
- Households97,184
- Average household size2.64
- Median household income$70,639
- Median age32.5
Common questions
Washington County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Washington County, Arkansas?
The Census Bureau estimates 266,184 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 256,765, in 97,184 households, ranking 3rd of 75 Arkansas counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Washington County's population growing?
The population has grown 8.27 percent since the 2020 census base of 245,862, to 266,184 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 3,391 births against 1,882 deaths, with net migration of 2,770. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Washington County?
$70,639. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $298,400, which is 4.2 times income, and median gross rent is $1,071 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Washington County?
6,281 establishments, employing 101,087 people with an annual payroll of $5.25 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Washington County?
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 17,072 jobs, 14.1 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 120,673 jobs at an average annual pay of $59,680, or $1,148 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Washington County?
186 7(a) approvals totaling $114.0 m since FY2020, across 60 lenders, with a median approval of $263,650, plus 47 504 approvals worth $38.3 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
Do SBA loans in Washington County get paid back?
Of the 50 loans that have reached a final outcome, 49 were paid in full and 1 charged off, a charge-off rate of 2.0 percent. Loans still running are excluded, because they have not yet succeeded or failed.
How many building permits were issued in Washington County?
3,502 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $911.5 m. Multifamily was 45.3 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Washington County?
Zone 3, a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Washington County come from?
The largest single origin is Benton County, with 2,199 households. Arriving households report an average income of $64,173 against $61,019 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Washington County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Washington County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Washington County
Cities and places in Washington.
18 Census places lie wholly or partly in Washington County. All 18 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | city | 99,319 | 99 | Wholly in this county |
| Springdale | city | 88,160 | 53 | 67.2 percent here, 32.8 percent Benton County |
| Farmington | city | 9,094 | 5 | Wholly in this county |
| Prairie Grove | city | 7,798 | 3 | Wholly in this county |
| Tontitown | city | 6,425 | 3 | Wholly in this county |
| Elkins | city | 3,808 | 6 | Wholly in this county |
| Johnson | city | 3,656 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| West Fork | city | 3,095 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Elm Springs | city | 3,069 | None recorded | 82.7 percent here, 17.3 percent Benton County |
| Lincoln | city | 2,794 | 3 | Wholly in this county |
| Goshen | town | 2,298 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Greenland | city | 1,274 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Winslow | city | 291 | 3 | Wholly in this county |
| Cincinnati | CDP | 278 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Summers | CDP | 267 | 3 | Wholly in this county |
| Morrow | CDP | 182 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Evansville | CDP | 75 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Canehill | CDP | 0 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
A further 6 of the county's 186 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Washington County, the largest being Rogers (2), Bentonville (1), Sprindale (1). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.
Nearby