Washington County is growing in both the number of jobs and in the number of residents. In 2015, Washington County’s population was estimated at 22,247, an increase of 543 people from 2010. Neighboring Keokuk, Henry and Louisa counties had decreases in population during the same time. Washington Economic Development Group (WEDG) director Ed Raber says there are three ways to grow – migration of people into the county from other parts of the United States, people from other countries, and more births than deaths. Washington County saw an inflow of population with 202 domestic and 15 international.
Raber predicts all of the communities in Washington County will have population growth in the next census. Last year was the highest number of jobs in Washington County. There were 8478 jobs, not counting agriculture employment in 2016.