Located in the state of Illinois, Washington is a mid-sized city with a population of 16,894 residents. According to the most recent Census, 95% of Washington residents are White, 1% Asian and 0% Black. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Washington will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 20 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Washington could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Illinois if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, cost of living, education, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Washington and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Washington to Illinois and the national average.
Using data and statistics Washington has received a livability score of 73 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 84th percentile when compared to all other cities. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Washington has higher than average scores for the following: crime (A+), cost of living (A-), employment (A+) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Washington does not rank well for, including: amenities (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.
Low violent crime rates (murder, rape, robbery, assault) provide a safer environment for residents, reducing the risk of personal harm, property theft or violence. Low crime can also lead to increased property values and desirability. With 95 crimes per 100,000 residents, Washington has a violent crime rate that is far below the national average.
The Washington unemployment rate of 1.5% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Washington excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Washington is actually affordable. The median home price for Washington homes is $331,231, which is 7.3% higher than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Washington, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.9, which is 17.1% lower than the Illinois average.
| Statistic | Washington | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 20min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 88.4% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 4.8% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.2% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.2% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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