Personal loans in Washington County, NC: data and tips for borrowers

Washington County at a glance

All figures here are ACS 2020 to 2024 five-year estimates for Washington County. They are estimates with margins of error, and they say nothing about any one household.

Jobs and income in Washington County

In Washington County, 25% of employed residents work in education and health care, 12% in retail and 10% in manufacturing. Relative to the rest of our Carolina county set, Washington County is heavier in agriculture and mining (5% against 2%).

Households in Washington County are spread across the income scale: 40% earn under $35,000, 42% earn between $35,000 and $100,000, and 18% earn $100,000 or more. Against our Carolina county medians, Washington County runs -8 points on $100,000+ households and +11 on households under $35,000. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, is 0.50.

Age, schooling and housing in Washington County

Washington County has a median age of 48.8 and a bachelor's-or-higher rate of 15% among adults 25 and older. Washington County is older than typical by 6.5 years and less likely to hold a degree by 9 points.

Of every 100 homes in Washington County, about 67 are detached houses and 2 sit in larger apartment buildings. That is -1 points against the Carolina county median on detached houses and -2 on large buildings.

Monthly budget benchmarks in Washington County

Median rent in Washington County ($743) runs 21% of the median monthly household income ($3,484 before taxes). The 30% yardstick works out to $1,045. Many lenders also look at total monthly debt payments as a share of gross income; 36% is a widely cited benchmark, worth about $1,254 a month at the median, though each lender sets its own limit. The price-to-income ratio for housing is roughly 3.0.

What the numbers suggest about borrowing in Washington County

Unemployment in Washington County runs 13.0%, above most places we cover. If your income is uneven, borrow less, choose a payment you can sustain in a thin month and read the hardship terms.

Housing costs press on Washington County owners: 43% with a mortgage are cost-burdened. Using equity for anything but essentials adds risk to the home.

The median Washington County home was built in 1975, older than most in our Carolina county set. Roofs, wiring and HVAC bills come with age; get written estimates before borrowing.

Where Washington County ranks

In the 146 Carolina county places in our dataset, Washington County has a median household income of $41,813 (No. 141 of 146), a median gross rent of $743 (No. 131 of 146), and a median home value of $125,900 (No. 123 of 146). Treat the order as context, nothing more.

For scale, look at two North Carolina places of similar size: Camden County ($91,078 income, $1,232 rent), where Washington County runs 54% below on income and 40% below on rent and Alleghany County ($47,172 income, $675 rent), where Washington County runs 11% below on income and 10% above on rent.

About Washington County

Washington County takes in 3 Census places, 3 of them incorporated towns or cities; the largest are Plymouth, Roper, Creswell. If your town has no separate guide, this county page is the closest match; its numbers cover all 3 communities and the countryside.

Before you borrow in Washington County

• Look the lender up with the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks and file any complaint there. North Carolina does not allow payday storefronts.
• Keep every document in one folder: disclosure, agreement, payment confirmations.
• Take a day to review a contract. A lender that rushes you has told you something.
• Check the payment against Washington County rent or mortgage in the DTI calculator before applying anywhere.
• Ask each lender for the same four numbers: amount financed, APR, fees and total repayment.

Where people live in Washington County

Here is how Washington County's 10,812 residents divide among its 3 Census places.

Washington County housing stock

24% of homes in Washington County are mobile homes (11% statewide), and 2% are in buildings of five or more units. Apartment buildings (2% of Washington County units) mean more renters borrowing for deposits and moves.

How income is spread in Washington County

29% of Washington County households earn less than $25,000 a year, against 16% across North Carolina; 18% earn $100,000 or more. For the 40% of Washington County households under $35,000, free help and payment plans usually beat borrowing (no-cost options).

Neighbors of Washington County: people and schooling

The five closest Carolina counties to Washington County, by distance between county centers. Perquimans County is the oldest of them (median age 50.7) and Chowan County has the largest share of college graduates (25%).

Ranking Washington County against other North Carolina counties

Washington County ranks furthest from the middle of North Carolina on unemployment and car-free households, then household income.

• Unemployment puts Washington County at #1 of 100 among North Carolina counties (13.0%). Gather income records before applying.
• Washington County: 14.1% for car-free households, #1 of 100 in North Carolina. Transit and ride costs belong in the budget.
• On household income ($41,813), Washington County ranks #2 lowest of 100 statewide, against $59,717 for the middle Carolina county. Free and low-cost help is worth a call first.
• On poverty (24.1%), Washington County ranks #5 of 100 statewide, against 15.4% for the middle Carolina county. Assistance programs should come before credit.