City · District of Columbia
Washington, District of Columbia
Washington, city, in District of Columbia, District of Columbia. Washington had 693,645 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.6% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 689,545 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 681,294 (controlled total). GEOID 1150000.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
693,645
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 689,545 · ACS 2020-2024: 681,294
Median household income
$109,870
±$1,937 (90% margin)
District of Columbia: $109,870
Median home value
$737,100
±$10,625 (90% margin)
District of Columbia: $737,100
Median gross rent
$1,954
±$26 (90% margin)
District of Columbia: $1,954
Where is Washington and what county is it in?
Washington is a city in District of Columbia, District of Columbia. It covers 61.1 square miles of land, 11,281 residents per square mile in 2020.
Washington is in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 23 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Washington covers the same area as District of Columbia: the city and the county are one area, so the county's figures are Washington's; the county page lists its census tracts.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Washington, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 693,645 people lived in Washington on July 1, 2025, up 0.6% since 2020, in line with District of Columbia (+0.6%). The 2020 Census counted 689,545 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 681,294.
| Measure | Washington | District of Columbia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 681,294 | 681,294 | −11,389 |
| Households | 324,491 ±1,816 | 324,491 | +40,105 |
| Average household size | 1.99 ±0.01 | 1.99 | −0.31 |
| Housing units | 361,014 ±148 | 361,014 | +45,838 |
Washington's population since 2000
From 572,059 in 2000 to 693,645 in 2025: up 21.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Washington as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Washington?
The median resident of Washington is 34.9 years old; 18.7% are under 18 and 12.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 41.6%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 36.5%. 14.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Washington | District of Columbia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.9 ±0.1 | 34.9 | +0.9 |
| Under 18 years | 18.7% ±0.1 pts | 18.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 12.8% ±0.1 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Male | 47.5% ±0.1 pts | 47.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 11.9% | 11.9% | +0.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 36.5% ±0.1 pts | 36.5% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 41.6% ±0.3 pts | 41.6% | −3.8 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.3% ±0.1 pts | 4.3% | +0.4 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.9% ±0.3 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7% ±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 14.3% ±0.4 pts | 14.3% | +0.6 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 19.1% ±0.5 pts | 19.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.5% ±0.2 pts | 3.5% | – |
| With a disability | 11.5% ±0.4 pts | 11.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.6% ±0.3 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.7% ±0.4 pts | 92.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 64.2% ±0.6 pts | 64.2% | +5.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 38.0% ±0.6 pts | 38.0% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 80.2% ±0.6 pts | 80.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 8.2% ±0.4 pts | 8.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Washington earn?
Half of Washington's 324,491 households earn less than $109,870 a year (±$1,937), against $109,870 in District of Columbia and $109,870 in District of Columbia. In 2015-2019 the median was $106,357 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $3,513 after inflation. 15.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Washington | District of Columbia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $109,870 ±$1,937 | $109,870 | +$3,513 |
| Mean household income | $162,297 ±$2,303 | $162,297 | – |
| Per capita income | $77,348 ±$1,050 | $77,348 | +$8,248 |
| People below the poverty line | 15.4% ±0.7 pts | 15.4% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 22.8% ±1.8 pts | 22.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.3% ±0.6 pts | 14.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 96.5% ±0.4 pts | 96.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.2% ±0.5 pts | 91.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Washington?
Owners occupy 41.5% of Washington's occupied homes and renters 58.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $737,100 by its owner (±$10,625). The median renter pays $1,954 a month including utilities, and 36.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Washington | District of Columbia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $737,100 ±$10,625 | $737,100 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $1,954 ±$26 | $1,954 | +$58 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 36.6% ±1.0 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,128 ±$53 | $3,128 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 41.5% ±0.8 pts | 41.5% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 58.5% ±0.8 pts | 58.5% | – |
| Housing units | 361,014 ±148 | 361,014 | +45,838 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.6% ±0.3 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.9% ±0.6 pts | 6.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 11.0% ±0.4 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.9% ±0.2 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 13.6% ±0.6 pts | 13.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 31.5% ±0.7 pts | 31.5% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 36.0% ±0.8 pts | 36.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Washington building?
Builders took permits for 1,591 new housing units in Washington in 2025 (181 in single-family houses), 2.3 per 1,000 residents against 2.3 across District of Columbia.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Washington work and get to work?
27.4% of Washington's workers drive alone and 33.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 30.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.3%.
| Measure | Washington | District of Columbia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 71.6% ±0.6 pts | 71.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.3% ±0.4 pts | 6.3% | −0.6 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 27.4% ±0.8 pts | 27.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 4.0% ±0.3 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 20.3% ±0.7 pts | 20.3% | – |
| Walked | 9.5% ±0.4 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 33.0% ±0.8 pts | 33.0% | +26.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 30.0 min ±0.4 | 30.0 min | −0.8 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Washington?
206 census tracts lie mostly in Washington (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $14,259 (Tract 98.01) to $250,000 or more (Tract 50.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 106.02District of Columbia | 7,378 | $140,455 |
| Tract 77.03District of Columbia | 7,078 | $76,731 |
| Tract 72.02District of Columbia | 6,091 | $140,906 |
| Tract 27.02District of Columbia | 6,039 | $132,768 |
| Tract 3District of Columbia | 5,988 | $171,250 |
| Tract 96.02District of Columbia | 5,822 | $44,718 |
| Tract 21.02District of Columbia | 5,702 | $106,148 |
| Tract 15District of Columbia | 5,607 | $250,000 or more |
| Tract 18.04District of Columbia | 5,454 | $73,651 |
| Tract 21.01District of Columbia | 5,453 | $119,539 |
| Tract 108District of Columbia | 5,364 | $36,776 |
| Tract 73.04District of Columbia | 5,288 | $44,044 |
Every census tract in Washington: the tract table of District of Columbia
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Washington) · Census block assignment files
How does Washington compare with other places in District of Columbia?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Washington is the 22nd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the most populous of 1 in District of Columbia.
Washington ranks 1st of 1 places in District of Columbia with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 1st | 1 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 1st | 1 |
| Residents per square mile | 1st | 1 |
| Median household income | 1st | 1 |
| Per capita income | 1st | 1 |
| Median home value | 1st | 1 |
| Median gross rent | 1st | 1 |
| Poverty rate | 1st | 1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1st | 1 |
| Median age | 1st | 1 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1st | 1 |
| Work from home | 1st | 1 |
| Travel time to work | 1st | 1 |
Washington's figures with every place in District of Columbia (CSV)
Every place in District of Columbia, sortable · Compare Washington with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Washington?
3 of the 57 figures for Washington on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Washington are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Washington.