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CITY · 2020 ACS

Washington

District of Columbia · 689,545 residents · 61.126 sq mi
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The short version

Washington is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $90,842. Population has grown 21% since 2000. 60% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $618,100. At a median age of 33.9, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Despite a median home value of $618,100, the poverty rate sits 20% above the US average — a pattern often seen in resort and college towns.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 33.9
US median: 38.8
More educated
60% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 168%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

689,545
+21%since 2000
from 572,059 in 2000
1990 – 2025
11,281 / sq mi
+21%since 2000
from 9,359 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
33.9
−2%since 2000
from 34.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 19902024
560K596K632K669K705K1990201020202024Washington
2024681K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

$90,842
+51%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $40,127 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
$58,659
+105%since 2000
from $28,659 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
57.1%
+17.8 ptssince 2009
from 39.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
15.5%
−4.8 ptssince 2000
from 20.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Other services6.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Information4.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Arts, entertainment, food3.6%
US avg: 2%
Public administration3.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance3.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade2.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade1.1%
US avg: 10%
Transportation & warehousing0.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

$618,100
+168%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $153,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
$1,607
+73%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $618 in 2000
US average: $1,124
38.3%
−2.4 ptssince 2000
from 40.8% in 2000
61.7% rent
6.8
+78%since 2000
from 3.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Washington on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic27.8%(159,178)
Black59.4%(340,088)
Hispanic / Latino7.9%(44,953)
Asian2.6%(15,039)
Other0%
Diversity Score67.8%(387,579)
2020
White, non-Hispanic38%(261,771)
Black40.9%(282,066)
Hispanic / Latino11.3%(77,652)
Asian4.8%(33,192)
Other3.6%(24,747)
Diversity Score82.8%(570,970)
83
+22%since 2000
from 68 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

59.8%
+20.7 ptssince 2000
from 39.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
91.9%
+14.0 ptssince 2000
from 77.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
34.5%
+13.5 ptssince 2000
from 21.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

30.9 min
+59%since 2000
from 19.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
32.1%
−4.8 ptssince 2009
from 36.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
35.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 35.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

7.1%
−2.9 ptssince 2011
from 10.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
70.7%
+3.5 ptssince 2011
from 67.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
65.5%
−12.7 ptssince 2009
from 78.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

47.5%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.2% in 2009
52.5%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 52.8% in 2009
13.4%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 12.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
3.7%
−89.6 ptssince 2013
from 93.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Explore

Neighborhoods in Washington

Adams MorganAmerican University ParkAnacostiaBarney CircleBenning RidgeBerkleyBloomingdaleBrightwoodBrooklandBuena VistaCapitol HillCathedral HeightsCatholic UniversityChevy ChaseCleveland ParkColumbia HeightsCongress HeightsDeanwoodDowntownDupont CircleDupont ParkEckingtonEdgewoodFoggy BottomGeorgetownGreenwayKingman ParkLogan CircleManor ParkMarshall HeightsMichigan ParkMount PleasantMount Vernon SquareNavy YardNear NortheastNoMaPenn QuarterPetworthRandle HighlandsRiggs ParkShawShipley TerraceSixteenth Street HeightsSouthwest WaterfrontSpring ValleyWashington HighlandsWest EndWoodley ParkNeighborhoods in Washington
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Washington, District of Columbia?

Washington, District of Columbia has about 689,545 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Washington, District of Columbia?

The typical household in Washington, District of Columbia earns about $90,842 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Washington, District of Columbia expensive?

In Washington, District of Columbia, the median home is worth about $618,100, and the typical rent is about $1,607 a month.

How educated are people in Washington, District of Columbia?

About 59.8% of adults age 25 and over in Washington, District of Columbia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Washington, District of Columbia?

About 15.5% of people in Washington, District of Columbia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Washington, District of Columbia grown since 1990?

Yes, Washington, District of Columbia has grown since 1990. The population has added about 82,645 residents, a change of about 14 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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