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Living in
Washington.
About
Life in Washington
If you're thinking about settling in Washington, know that you're looking at a solid Peoria suburb that's grown substantially over the past two decades—the population nearly doubled from 2000 to 2020—but has since leveled off, which speaks to a community that's reached a comfortable equilibrium rather than chasing explosive growth. This is a family-oriented place with a median household income around $95,179 and a cost of living that won't drain your savings; median home values sit around $221,900, and you can find rentals in the $1,087 ballpark, which is genuinely manageable for the Midwest. The job market here is tied to the larger Peoria Metro economy, so you'll want to consider what's available in manufacturing, healthcare, and professional services across the region—the 4.5% unemployment rate is solid, and a 20-minute average commute keeps you from losing your life to traffic.
Washington at a Glance
Population, income, housing and more
Median Age
38.2 yrs
Poverty Rate
5.1%
Foreign-Born
1.4%
Broadband Internet
94.8%
of households
Population Growth
-1.2%
recent change · Census Bureau
Median household income
Demographics1.4% foreign-born, most often from China, excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan
Who lives in Washington: race and ethnicity, ages, households, languages and countries of origin
In Washington, the largest foreign-born group is from China, excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan (39.9%), and 1.1% of residents speak Spanish at home.
Under 18
28.9%
of residents
65 and Older
16.3%
of residents
Households with Kids
33.8%
anyone under 18
Living Alone
30.8%
of households
Married Couples
56.6%
of households
Avg Household Size
2.61
people
Race & Ethnicity
Hispanic or Latino of any race; other groups are non-Hispanic
Top countries of origin (foreign-born)
Languages Spoken at Home
Cost of Livingrent 9% below IL average
Rent, home values, and income in Washington
In Washington, rent runs 9% below the IL average, and home values are 16% below the IL average.
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
Rent Burdened
40.5%
spending 30%+ of income on rent
Severely Rent Burdened
31.7%
spending 50%+
Cost of Living Index
91.2
metro area (BEA) · US avg = 100
Median Property Tax
$5,062
per year, owner-occupied homes
Homeowners
80.4%
of occupied homes are owned
Typical Home Built
1978
median year built
Home Value Trend
Latest: $235,947 (September 2026)
Jobs & Economyunemployment about average for IL
Unemployment in Washington
Unemployment in Tazewell County, which includes Washington, is close to the IL average.
Unemployment rate
Washington: Tazewell County rate (county-wide) · BLS annual average
Unemployment Rate — 10 Year Trend
Tazewell County (county-wide) · Annual averages
What Washington Residents Do for Work · share of employed residents by industry
City residents, wherever they work
Commute19.6 min avg
How Washington residents get to work, and the nearest airports
In Washington, most residents drive alone to work (76%), and 79% get there in under 30 minutes.
How People Get to Work
Commute Time Distribution
Nearest airports · with airline service
- 15 mi
General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport (PIA)
Regional airport · few flights401k passengers boarded in 2025
- 114 mi
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Medium hub9.4M passengers boarded in 2025
- 118 mi
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Major hub40.7M passengers boarded in 2025
Straight-line distance. Size is the FAA’s hub category, based on passenger traffic: regional airports may have only a few flights a day.
Safetyviolent crime 73% below national average
Crime rates for 2025
Violent crime in Washington runs 73% below the national average.
Violent Crime Rate
88.6
per 100,000 residents
Below average (329 national, 2025)
Property Crime Rate
1,385.6
per 100,000 residents
Below average (1,552 national, 2025)
Washington Police Department
Natural DisastersThunderstorm Wind most common — 23 events in 2025
Natural hazard risk, storms and earthquakes
FEMA National Risk Index
Relatively Moderate
84.2 / 100
Compares expected losses from natural hazards, social vulnerability and community resilience against every US county (higher = more risk).
Tazewell County, county-wide · FEMA NRI December 2025
In Tazewell County, which includes Washington, the most common type is thunderstorm wind, with 23 recorded events in 2025.
Most common events:
Storm events by year
| Year | Events | Top Type | Property Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 23 | Thunderstorm Wind | $8,000 |
| 2024 | 19 | Thunderstorm Wind | $21,000 |
| 2023 | 21 | Hail | None reported |
| 2022 | 13 | Thunderstorm Wind | None reported |
| 2021 | 10 | Thunderstorm Wind | $105,000 |
| 2020 | 12 | Thunderstorm Wind | $84,000 |
| 2019 | 25 | Thunderstorm Wind | $129,000 |
| 2018 | 7 | Thunderstorm Wind | $158,000 |
Property damage is the National Weather Service's estimate filed with each event. “None reported” means the events were logged with $0 damage; “Not estimated” means no estimate was filed. Storms covering several counties aren't counted here, since NOAA doesn't split their damage by county.
1 earthquake of magnitude 2.5+ within 100 miles in the past year
Tazewell County, county-wide
Air Quality45 median AQI — Good
Days by air quality category (2025)
Air quality in Peoria County, IL (the nearest EPA-monitored county, about 18 miles from Washington) is typically good — 214 good-air days per year.
Median AQI
45
Good Days
214
per year
Moderate Days
139
per year
Unhealthy Days
2
per year
Nearest EPA monitor county: Peoria County, IL (18 mi away)
Climate84°F summers, 20°F winters
30-year climate averages (1991–2020) — monthly temperatures and precipitation
Washington has warm summers (avg high 84°F) and cold winters (avg low 20°F).
Spring (Mar–May)
62°/41°F
avg high / low
Summer (Jun–Aug)
84°/63°F
avg high / low
Fall (Sep–Nov)
66°/43°F
avg high / low
Winter (Dec–Feb)
37°/20°F
avg high / low
Annual Precipitation
39.3"
Annual Snowfall
23.9"
Hot Days/Year
24
days above 90°F
Freeze Days/Year
134
days below 32°F
Rainy Days/Year
116
Average month
Show month-by-month table ↓Hide table ↑
| Month | High | Low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 33°F | 17°F | 2.05" |
| Feb | 38°F | 21°F | 1.76" |
| Mar | 50°F | 31°F | 2.44" |
| Apr | 63°F | 41°F | 3.77" |
| May | 74°F | 52°F | 4.77" |
| Jun | 83°F | 61°F | 4.05" |
| Jul | 86°F | 65°F | 3.86" |
| Aug | 84°F | 63°F | 3.74" |
| Sep | 80°F | 55°F | 3.21" |
| Oct | 67°F | 43°F | 3.14" |
| Nov | 51°F | 32°F | 2.64" |
| Dec | 39°F | 23°F | 2.04" |
Healthcare
Hospitals, ratings, and health insurance in Washington
Uninsured
6.1%
of residents
No hospitals inside Washington's limits — nearest hospitals · within 15 miles
Saint Francis Medical Center
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available · 8.2 mi away · Peoria
Carle Health Methodist Hospital
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available · 8.4 mi away · Peoria
Carle Eureka Hospital
Critical Access Hospitals · ER available · 8.6 mi away · Eureka
Adult Health · vs. the typical US place
Share of adults. Modeled estimates, not counted cases. “US” = the typical US place.
Medicare-certified hospitals only. Doesn’t include clinics, urgent care, or freestanding ERs.
Education16.1:1 student/teacher ratio
Schools and degree attainment in Washington
Washington's student/teacher ratio is 16.1:1, close to the national average of 16:1, and 43.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Public Schools
5
within city limits
Private Schools
1
within city limits
College Degree Rate
43.7%
adults 25+ with bachelor's or higher
Student/Teacher Ratio
16.1:1
National avg 16:1
Schools located within city limits (2023) — school-level metrics change slowly year to year
Colleges Near Washington (within 15 miles)
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 3,574 students · in-state tuition $43,850 · 76% graduate · median earnings $76,013 (10 yrs after entry)
Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing
8.2 mi awayPrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 273 students · in-state tuition $22,008 · 89% graduate · median earnings $80,384 (10 yrs after entry)
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 245 students · in-state tuition $18,318 · 62% graduate · median earnings $71,324 (10 yrs after entry)
Degree-granting colleges with 100+ students, placed by campus location (main campuses only — branch campuses are reported under their parent school)
Parks & Recreationclosest: Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument, 63 mi
Nearby national parks, recreation areas and public libraries for Washington
Washington has 2 nearby national parks or recreation areas, closest being Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument (63 mi away).
Nearby National Parks & Recreation Areas
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
63 mi awayLincoln Home National Historic Site
National Historic Site
64 mi awayPublic Libraries in Washington
Washington District Library
380 North Wilmor Road, Washington
Sunnyland Branch Library
16 Washington Plaza, Washington
Cities Near Washington
The closest cities within 60 miles
Planning a move to Washington?
Read our full moving guide — what it's really like to live here.
Washington FAQ
Is Washington, Illinois affordable?⌄
Washington's median rent is $1,155/month, which is below the national average, making it relatively affordable. The median household income is $95,179/year. Median home value is $221,900.
Is Washington, Illinois safe?⌄
Washington's violent crime rate was 89 per 100,000 residents in 2025, which is well below the national average — one of the safer cities in the country of 329/100k that year. Property crime rate is 1386 per 100,000. As with any city, crime rates vary by neighborhood.
What is the job market like in Washington, Illinois?⌄
Tazewell County, which includes Washington, has an unemployment rate of 4.5%, which is close to the national average of 4.3%.
What is the cost of living in Washington, Illinois?⌄
The cost of living in Washington is primarily driven by housing. Median rent is $1,155/month and median household income is $95,179/year. The median home value is $221,900. About 41% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing.
How is the commute in Washington, Illinois?⌄
The average commute in Washington is 20 minutes, which is shorter than average compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Data from the US Census Bureau, BLS, FBI, NOAA, EPA, Zillow Research and other public sources. Where our data comes from