Census-designated place · Virginia
Arlington, Virginia
Arlington, census-designated place, in Arlington County, Virginia. Arlington had 236,254 people in the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (controlled total). GEOID 5103000.
Residents, 2020-2024
236,254
Census count or controlled total
2020 Census count: 238,643
Median household income
$142,114
±$3,551 (90% margin)
Virginia: $93,170
Median home value
$895,000
±$16,854 (90% margin)
Virginia: $383,700
Median gross rent
$2,322
±$26 (90% margin)
Virginia: $1,579
Where is Arlington and what county is it in?
Arlington is a census-designated place: an unincorporated community the Census Bureau draws for counting, with no city government of its own, in Arlington County, Virginia. It covers 26.0 square miles of land, 9,180 residents per square mile in 2020.
Arlington is in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 23 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Arlington covers the same area as Arlington County: the place and the county are one area, so the county's figures are Arlington'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 Arlington, and is it growing?
The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts Arlington's population at 236,254. The 2020 Census counted 238,643 residents.
The Census Bureau publishes yearly population estimates for incorporated places only; Arlington is a census-designated place, so its figures come from the ACS and the 2020 Census.
| Measure | Arlington | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 236,254 | 8,705,170 | +2,790 |
| Households | 112,027 ±978 | 3,365,732 | +4,995 |
| Average household size | 2.08 ±0.02 | 2.52 | −0.07 |
| Housing units | 121,970 ±99 | 3,684,756 | +7,191 |
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 Arlington?
The median resident of Arlington is 35.5 years old; 18.0% are under 18 and 11.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 58.0%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 15.9%. 22.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Arlington | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.5 ±0.2 | 39.0 | +0.8 |
| Under 18 years | 18.0% | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 11.9% ±0.1 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Male | 50.3% ±0.1 pts | 49.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 15.9% | 11.0% | +0.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 58.0% ±0.3 pts | 58.4% | −3.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 9.3% ±0.2 pts | 18.3% | +0.4 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 10.5% ±0.3 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| 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 | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.5% ±0.5 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7% ±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 22.4% ±0.8 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 29.4% ±0.8 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.3% ±0.5 pts | 9.4% | – |
| With a disability | 6.7% ±0.4 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.3% ±0.5 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.2% ±0.6 pts | 91.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 77.1% ±0.9 pts | 42.2% | +1.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 41.7% ±1.0 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 78.7% ±1.0 pts | 86.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 7.9% ±0.5 pts | 3.1% | – |
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 Arlington earn?
Half of Arlington's 112,027 households earn less than $142,114 a year (±$3,551), against $142,114 in Arlington County and $93,170 in Virginia. In 2015-2019 the median was $147,771 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $5,657 after inflation. 7.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Arlington | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $142,114 ±$3,551 | $93,170 | −$5,657 |
| Mean household income | $189,970 ±$4,427 | $128,260 | – |
| Per capita income | $90,786 ±$1,921 | $50,666 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 7.4% ±0.7 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 7.8% ±1.7 pts | 12.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 4.0% ±0.4 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.2% ±0.3 pts | 95.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 95.2% ±0.7 pts | 91.0% | – |
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 Arlington?
Owners occupy 41.3% of Arlington's occupied homes and renters 58.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $895,000 by its owner (±$16,854). The median renter pays $2,322 a month including utilities, and 31.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Arlington | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $895,000 ±$16,854 | $383,700 | +$26,869 |
| Median gross rent | $2,322 ±$26 | $1,579 | −$102 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 31.3% ±1.6 pts | 39.4% | +2.3 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,649 ±$80 | $2,127 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 41.3% ±1.0 pts | 67.3% | −1.4 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 58.7% ±1.0 pts | 32.7% | – |
| Housing units | 121,970 ±99 | 3,684,756 | +7,191 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.1% ±0.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.8% ±0.8 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 24.8% ±0.6 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.2% ±0.1 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.0% ±0.3 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 11.6% ±0.7 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 8.2% ±0.5 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 15.2% ±0.9 pts | 6.1% | – |
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 do people in Arlington work and get to work?
38.0% of Arlington's workers drive alone and 35.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.3%.
| Measure | Arlington | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 77.3% ±0.6 pts | 65.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.3% ±0.3 pts | 4.3% | +0.6 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 38.0% ±1.1 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.0% ±0.8 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 14.0% ±0.8 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 4.4% ±0.5 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 35.3% ±1.3 pts | 18.3% | +28.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.2 min ±0.4 | 27.3 min | −3.0 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 Arlington?
71 census tracts lie mostly in Arlington (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $62,396 (Tract 1020.03) to $250,000 or more (Tract 1004).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 1022Arlington County | 7,572 | $71,579 |
| Tract 1013Arlington County | 7,557 | $213,893 |
| Tract 1003Arlington County | 7,039 | $250,000 or more |
| Tract 1002Arlington County | 6,835 | $247,721 |
| Tract 1011Arlington County | 6,176 | $190,000 |
| Tract 1007Arlington County | 6,035 | $190,893 |
| Tract 1032Arlington County | 5,867 | $128,158 |
| Tract 1023.02Arlington County | 5,273 | $115,326 |
| Tract 1001Arlington County | 5,259 | $243,063 |
| Tract 1025Arlington County | 5,160 | $105,566 |
| Tract 1031Arlington County | 5,158 | $146,845 |
| Tract 1017.01Arlington County | 4,954 | $132,632 |
Every census tract in Arlington: the tract table of Arlington County
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 Arlington) · Census block assignment files
How does Arlington compare with other places in Virginia?
Arlington ranks 76th of 365 places in Virginia with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population (ACS 2020-2024) | 3rd | 374 |
| Residents per square mile | 7th | 374 |
| Median household income | 76th | 365 |
| Per capita income | 16th | 374 |
| Median home value | 20th | 359 |
| Median gross rent | 64th | 341 |
| Poverty rate | 173rd | 263 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22nd | 359 |
| Median age | 292nd | 372 |
| Owner-occupied share | 344th | 368 |
| Work from home | 28th | 286 |
| Travel time to work | 183rd | 372 |
Arlington's figures with every place in Virginia (CSV)
Every place in Virginia, sortable · Compare Arlington 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 Arlington?
2 of the 57 figures for Arlington 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 Arlington 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' school search.