City profile · District of Columbia · Census ACS 2023

Washington, DC

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Washington - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

672,079
Residents
$106,287
Median income
$724,600
Median home
$2,246
Median rent (state)

Washington - the verdict

Washington ranks in the 81st percentile for household income and the 5th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

81st
percentile, household income
93rd
percentile, home value
87th
percentile, median rent
5th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Washington, DC

672,079 people live in Washington, District of Columbia - a mid-sized U.S. city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Washington households earn a median of $106,287 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 10.7%. Washington's housing stock carries a median value of $724,600, and the median resident age is 34.9 years. 63.6% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 66.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 1,737 residential building permits were authorized in Washington (Construction Slowdown), down 71% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Washington's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 4513.9 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

District of Columbia carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, District of Columbia scores 109.9 (Well Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $2,246 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts District of Columbia's average monthly utility costs around $210 (state average). Workers in Washington report an average commute of 21.4 minutes, with 28.2% driving alone and 29.4% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 97.6 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

672,079 residents

Census ACS 2023 - District of Columbia

Median Household Income

$106,287 /yr

Poverty 10.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

109.9 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, District of Columbia average

How does Washington compare to other US cities?

Washington measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 81% higher than other cities
Home value 93% pricier than other cities
Median rent 87% pricier than other cities
Safety 5% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Washington against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to District of Columbia only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

81stIncome percentile
5thSafety percentile

81st percentile nationally for median household income · 5th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Washington's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Washington's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 32 Avg. percentile National median
Washington's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Washington's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$724,600 7th percentile more affordable than 7% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). This entry sits in this band. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Washington $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Washington, DC Washington, DC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Washington, DC-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Washington, DC median $106,287/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Washington, DC's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Washington, DC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 63.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 10.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 66.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
672,079
Median Income
$106,287
Median Home Value
$724,600
Median Age
34.9
Poverty Rate
10.7%
Labor force participation
66.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
63.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4513.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
925.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3588.0
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
242
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
660,000 residents670,000 residents680,000 residents690,000 residents700,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 670,958 residents 693,645 residents ▲ +3.4%
Washington's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
1,737
housing units authorized
Single-Family
146
detached homes
Multifamily
1,591
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 5,945
2020 7,370
2021 4,740
2022 7,705
2023 3,020
2024 1,737

Permit volume decreased 71% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
21.4 minutes
Drive Alone
28.2%
Carpool
4.3%
Public Transit
22.3%
Walk
10.0%
Work from Home
29.4%
Other
5.8%

Based on 368,917 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for District of Columbia - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$90
avg/month
Natural Gas
$65
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$55
avg/month
Total Utilities
$210
estimated/month

Estimates reflect District of Columbia state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a District of Columbia state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Washington sits in

Cost of Living Index
109.9
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,246/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
97.6 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Washington's 672,079 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

El Paso, TX
678,147 people
Boston, MA
663,972 people
Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), TN
684,298 people
Oklahoma City, OK
688,693 people
Las Vegas, NV
650,873 people
Portland, OR
642,715 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Washington's $106,287 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Pine Canyon, CA
$106,284 median income
East Dailey, WV
$106,306 median income
Shawnee, KS
$106,312 median income
Erlands Point, WA
$106,313 median income
Alger, WA
$106,318 median income
Maple Park, IL
$106,250 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Washington, DC Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Washington, DC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 39.1% 43.3% 8.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 11.6% White 39.1% Black or African American 43.3% Asian 4.1% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 4.8% Two or more races 8.4% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

Census ACS 5-year FIPS DC FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Washington, DC?

What is the population of Washington, DC? +

Washington, DC counts 672,079 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Washington, DC? +

The median household income in Washington is $106,287 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Washington? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Washington; the closest available measure is the District of Columbia state average, a cost of living index of 109.9 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within District of Columbia vary by metro area.

Is Washington, DC safe? +

Washington has a total crime rate of 4513.9 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Washington, DC? +

A typical home in Washington is worth $724,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.