Named after George Washington[4] after it came under American control, the town was first settled during the rule of the Spanish Empire. It was originally called St. John Meyer's Settlement and was the site of the Spanish log fort San Juan del Misuri (1796–1803).
Family and followers of Daniel Boone settled the area across the river from Washington, Missouri starting in 1799. In 1814 a ferry boat was licensed for crossing the Missouri River to the north, and the settlement became known as Washington Landing. In 1827 a town was laid out, with sale of lots starting in 1829. The cost of land was waived if the buyer could build a substantial house within two years. This encouraged many new settlers.
Substantial numbers of anti-slavery German families started moving to the town in 1833, and they soon overwhelmed the existing population of slaveowners. However, many of the original slaveowners' homes still remain throughout the town. Washington became a strong supporter of the Union during the American Civil War. The town was ransacked by Confederate General Sterling Price's soldiers, but they were unable to keep control of the area.
After the war, Washington became a railroad and steamboat transportation center. Its manufacturing industry, while strong, is not as vibrant as it was decades ago.
The town of Washington has 445 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Due to its historic charm, Washington has a growing heritage tourism industry, with visitors also attracted to the nearby Missouri Rhineland.
The Washington Bridge was constructed in 1934 and was the only bridge spanning the Missouri River in Franklin County. It was replaced with a new, wider bridge that was opened to traffic on December 3, 2018. The original bridge was demolished on April 13, 2019.[5]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.87 square miles (25.56 km2), of which 9.34 square miles (24.19 km2) is land and 0.53 square miles (1.37 km2) is water.[7] The majority of annual precipitation falls during the humid springs and summers. Typically, fall and winter are relatively dry. While snow is not rare, it is not as frequent as in the upper Midwest. An average of 19 inches falls annually.
Climate
Climate data for Washington, Missouri, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 2009–present
The 2020 United States census[11] counted 14,500 people, 5,785 households, and 3,766 families in Washington. The population density was 1,501.0 per square mile (579.5/km2). There were 6,203 housing units at an average density of 642.1 per square mile (247.9/km2). The racial makeup was 92.21% (13,370) white, 0.61% (89) black or African-American, 0.22% (32) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.79% (114) Asian, 0.12% (18) Pacific Islander, 0.99% (143) from other races, and 5.06% (734) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 1.7% (242) of the population.
Of the 5,785 households, 30.9% had children under the age of 18; 50.3% were married couples living together; 24.6% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 29.3% consisted of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.4 and the average family size was 2.9.
22.7% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 92.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 93.6 males.
The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey[12] estimates show that the median household income was $66,779 (with a margin of error of +/- $6,377) and the median family income was $80,056 (+/- $4,419). Males had a median income of $44,859 (+/- $4,169) versus $33,981 (+/- $2,766) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $36,920 (+/- $1,560). Approximately, 5.0% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.0% of those under the age of 18 and 4.5% of those ages 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the census[13] of 2010, there were 13,982 people, 5,863 households, and 3,665 families living in the city. The population density was 1,497.0 inhabitants per square mile (578.0/km2). There were 6,319 housing units at an average density of 676.6 per square mile (261.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.7% White, 0.7% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.7% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.1% of the population.
There were 5,863 households, of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.5% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.97.
The median age in the city was 39.4 years. 24.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.8% were from 25 to 44; 26.1% were from 45 to 64; and 17% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.8% male and 52.2% female.
2000 census
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 13,243 people, 5,258 households, and 3,501 families living in the city. The population density was 1,548.9 inhabitants per square mile (598.0/km2). There were 5,565 housing units at an average density of 650.9 per square mile (251.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.76% White, 0.85% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.23% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.66% of the population.
There were 5,258 households, out of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.7% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was .
In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.7% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $43,417, and the median income for a family was $52,433. Males had a median income of $36,163 versus $23,666 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,360. About 3.0% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.
