CensusEasy
METRO AREA · 1990 CENSUS

Washington Metro

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV · 23 counties · 4,105,955 residents · 6,034.457 sq mi
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The short version

Washington is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $46,814. Population has declined 14% since 2000. 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 20%. Median home value is $163,491. Poverty is rare here, at 6.6% of residents.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $30,130
Mid-age
median age 32.6
US median: 33.0
More educated
37% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,105,955
−14%vs 2000
vs 4,762,865 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
680 / sq mi
−14%vs 2000
vs 789 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
Median age
32.6
−7%vs 2000
vs 34.9 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
3.9M4.5M5.2M5.9M6.5M1990201020202024Washington
20246.3M
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$46,814
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $64,059 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,122
−31%vs 2000
vs $30,646 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
6.6%
−0.9 ptsvs 2000
vs 7.5% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$163,491
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $181,721 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$682
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $835 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
61.8%
−2.7 ptsvs 2000
vs 64.5% in 2000
38.2% rent
Afford Score
3.5
+23%vs 2000
vs 2.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Washington on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic55.1%(2,624,169)
Black26.3%(1,250,659)
Hispanic / Latino9%(429,502)
Asian6.9%(327,069)
Other0%
Diversity Score74.1%(3,527,208)
1990
White, non-Hispanic66.8%(2,742,019)
Black25.8%(1,060,034)
Hispanic / Latino5.4%(220,626)
Asian4.9%(202,989)
Other2.5%(100,913)
Diversity Score66.6%(2,735,458)
Diversity Score
67
−10%vs 2000
vs 74 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
37.1%
−5.0 ptsvs 2000
vs 42.1% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
84.5%
−2.3 ptsvs 2000
vs 86.8% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
15.8%
−3.1 ptsvs 2000
vs 18.9% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
28.1 min
+15%vs 2000
vs 24.3 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

In this metro

Principal cities

WashingtonCENTRAL693,645ArlingtonCENTRAL236,254AlexandriaCENTRAL160,662FrederickCENTRAL92,059GaithersburgCENTRAL71,113BethesdaCENTRAL69,397RockvilleCENTRAL67,563RestonCENTRAL64,414North BethesdaCENTRAL49,677McLeanCENTRAL49,627
What's inside

23 component counties

Fairfax CountyCENTRAL1,167,873Montgomery CountyCENTRAL1,074,582Prince George's CountyCENTRAL970,374District of ColumbiaCENTRAL693,645Prince William CountyCENTRAL502,966Loudoun CountyCENTRAL449,749Frederick County302,883Arlington CountyCENTRAL243,931Charles County176,593Stafford CountyCENTRAL170,803AlexandriaCENTRAL160,662Spotsylvania County155,388Fauquier County76,503Jefferson County63,102Culpeper County57,666ManassasCENTRAL44,332Warren County42,740Fredericksburg30,393FairfaxCENTRAL26,772Manassas ParkCENTRAL16,560Clarke County15,609Falls ChurchCENTRAL15,159Rappahannock County7,439
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Washington

San Francisco
Pop 4,630,041
Boston
Pop 5,034,221
Philadelphia
Pop 6,329,118
Atlanta
Pop 6,482,182
Places similar to Washington
Head to head

Compare Washington side by side

WASHINGTON VS
San Francisco
Income$136,713+192%
Home value$1,186,704+626%
Population4,630,041−28%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WASHINGTON VS
Boston
Income$116,759+149%
Home value$656,837+302%
Population5,034,221−22%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WASHINGTON VS
Philadelphia
Income$94,031+101%
Home value$347,163+112%
Population6,329,118−2%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WASHINGTON VS
Atlanta
Income$91,036+94%
Home value$376,129+130%
Population6,482,182same
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV has about 4,105,955 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The typical household in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV earns about $46,814 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV expensive?

In Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, the median home is worth about $163,491, and the typical rent is about $682 a month.

How educated are people in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

About 37.1% of adults age 25 and over in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

About 6.6% of people in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV live below the federal poverty line.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

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