672,738
Washington is a city located in District of Columbia District of Columbia. Washington has a 2024 population of 672,738. Washington is currently growing at a rate of 0.07% annually and its population has increased by 0.28% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 670,868 in 2020.
The average household income in Washington is $150,292 with a poverty rate of 15.1%. The median age in Washington is 34.8 years: 34.6 years for males, and 34.9 years for females.
Washington, D.C. (formally the District of Columbia) is also known as the District, D.C. or just Washington, and it's the capital of the United States. This capital district on the Potomac River was created in 1790 when both Maryland and Virginia donated land for its formation, which included areas of Alexandria and Georgetown. Washington, D.C. is named in honor of George Washington, and it was officially founded in 1791.
Washington, D.C. had a population estimated at 632,300 in 2012, which is believed to have grown modestly in 2013. It's now the 24th most populous city in the United States, but it has the 7th largest metropolitan area with 5.7 million people. During the work week, the population of Washington, D.C. also soars to add one million more as commuters rush in from Virginia and Maryland suburbs.
When the Washington, D.C. area includes Baltimore and its suburbs, the resulting Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area has a population of more than 8.5 million, which is the 4th largest Combined Statistical Area in the United States.
Washington DC Population Statistics
Most of the growth in Washington, D.C. between 2000 and 2010 was caused by young people between 20 and 34, whose numbers grew 23%. This has slowed recently, and census figures show that half of the District's population growth from 2000 to 2013 was from so-called millennials.
At the 2010 Census, people under 35 accounted for 60% of Washington, D.C.'s population, which means more babies and strong natural growth in the coming decades. Nearly 17% of the District's population is 18 or younger, which is lower than the United States average of 24%. The District also has the lowest median age (34) when compared to the 50 states.
Washington D.C. has always had a significant African American population since it was founded. Between 1800 and 1940, African Americans accounted for about 30% of the population, which reached a peak in 1970 at 70%. This declined as many moved into the nearby suburbs, which caused gentrification and a 31% increase in the non-Hispanic white population between 2000 and 2010.
A report in 2007 found that 30% of residents in Washington, D.C. are functionally illiterate, which is much higher than the national rate of 1 in 5. The study attributed this partly to immigrants who aren't proficient in English.
Washington DC Population Growth
For six of the last seven decades, Washington, D.C. was shrinking, and lost population since the 1940s with a high in 1950 of 802,178 people, which dropped to just 572,059 in 2000. This shrinking city has been spreading outward with massive urban sprawl, with growth that's been concentrated in the suburbs.
It seems Washington, D.C. has turned this around and is now growing fast, with its 2013 population up more than 10% over 2000, which means its finally growing more quickly than the suburbs. Demographers and a growing preference for the urban lifestyle among its young people means this trend will probably only strengthen.
There are now about 9,000 more people moving into the District than moving out, and its natural growth rate is adding 13,000 more every year.
While it hasn't broken through the rank of the 24th most populous city in the country, the District's growth rate has been faster than most larger cities, including Houston, Las Vegas, Seattle, and Dallas, and it's one of the fastest growing cities on the East Coast.According to the D.C. Chief Financial Officer, Natwar Gandhi, the District's significant growth over the last few years is expected to end as housing construction and job growth slows, although there will still be growth. According to Gandhi, the growth rate of 1.8% in 2013 will drop to 1.3% in 2013, 1.1% a year later and drop by 0.8% in 2017.
By 2020, this means the District will likely have a population of 700,000.
Washington Demographics
According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Washington was:
- Black or African American: 44.3%
- White: 39.61%
- Two or more races: 7.05%
- Other race: 4.6%
- Asian: 4.04%
- Native American: 0.33%
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.06%
State
District of Columbia
County
District of Columbia
Land Area (mi²)
61.1
sq mi
Density (mi²)
11,005.80
/sq mi
Growth Since 2020
0.28% (
1,870
)
The current population of Washington, District of Columbia is 672,738 based on our projections of the latest US Census estimates.The last official US Census in 2020 recorded the population at 670,868.
Population by Race
Black or African American
White
Two or more races
Other race
Asian
Native American
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
Washington Population by Race
Washington Population Pyramid 2024
Washington Median Age
34.8
Total
34.6
Male
34.9
Female
Washington Adults
There are 546,531 adults, (84,451 of whom are seniors) in Washington.
Washington Age Dependency
45.1
Age Dependency Ratio
18.3
Old Age Dependency Ratio
26.8
Child Dependency Ratio
Washington Sex Ratio
Female | 349,790 | 52.16% |
Male | 320,797 | 47.84% |
Washington Population by Age
Washington Renter vs Owner Occupied by Household Type
Household Type | Count | Average Size | Owner | Renter |
---|---|---|---|---|
All | 315,785 | 2.03 | 41.4 | 58.6 |
Non Family | 185,332 | 1.27 | 32 | 68 |
Married | 79,884 | 2.99 | 66.9 | 33.1 |
Female | 40,342 | 3.5 | 34.5 | 65.5 |
Male | 10,227 | 2.65 | 41 | 59 |
3.04
Average Family Size
2.03
Average Household Size
41.4%
Rate of Home Ownership
Married
Male
Female
NonFamily
owner
renter
Washington Households and Families
Less Than 9th Grade
9th to 12th Grade
High School Graduate
Some College
Associates Degree
Bachelors Degree
Graduate Degree
Washington Educational Attainment by Sex (over 25)
Washington Educational Attainment by Race
High School Graduation Rate
Bachelors Rate
The highest rate of high school graduation is among islander people with a rate of 100%.
The highest rate of bachelors degrees is among white people with a rate of 92.77%.
Washington Educational Attainment by Race
All
Male
Female
$83,447
Average Earnings
$89,871
Average Male
$79,048
Average Female
Washington Earnings by Educational Attainment
Washington Language by Age
Only English
Spanish
Other Indo-European Languages
Asian and Pacific Island Languages
Other Languages
Washington Language
82.45% of Washington residents speak only English, while 17.55% speak other languages. The non-English language spoken by the largest group is Spanish, which is spoken by 9.16% of the population.
Washington Language
Washington Poverty by Race
rate
15.1%
Overall Poverty Rate
13.78%
Male Poverty Rate
16.31%
Female Poverty Rate
Poverty in Washington
The race most likely to be in poverty in Washington is Black, with 23.88% below the poverty level.
The race least likely to be in poverty in Washington is White, with 5.36% below the poverty level.
The poverty rate among those that worked full-time for the past 12 months was 1.32%. Among those working part-time, it was 20.12%, and for those that did not work, the poverty rate was 35.44%.
Washington Poverty
rate
Washington Poverty Rate by Education
rate
Washington Poverty Rate by Employment Status and Sex
Washington Income by Household Type
Households
Families
MarriedFamilies
NonFamilies
mean
median
Income by Household Type
Washington Marital Status
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
NeverMarried
Marriage Rates
31.3%
Overall Marriage Rate
34.9%
Male Marriage Rate
28.1%
Female Marriage Rate
Washington Married by Age and Sex
male
female
Washington Marriage
The age group where males are most likely to be married is 35-44, while the female age group most likely to be married is 35-44.
Washington Marital Status by Race
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
NeverMarried
Washington Marital Status
Second Gulf War
First Gulf War
Vietnam
Korea
World War II
Washington Veterans by War
count
Washington Veterans by Age
count
Washington Veterans by Race
Washington Veterans by Education
Less Than 9th Grade
High School Graduate
Some College
Bachelors or Greater
8.72%
Veteran Poverty Rate
26.16%
Veteran Disability Rate
Washington Veterans by Education
LaborForceParticipation
Washington Employment by Age
LaborForceParticipation
Washington Employment by Race
LaborForceParticipation
Washington Employment by Education
Origin of Non-Citizens
Non citizens include legal permanent residents (green card holders), international students, temporary workers, humanitarian migrants, and illegal immigrants.
Origin of Naturalized Citizens
Europe
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Latin America
North America
35.96%
Born in Washington
86.56%
Native Born
13.44%
Foreign Born
6.87%
Non Citizen
6.57%
Naturalized
Place of Birth
86.56% of Washington residents were born in the United States, with 35.96% having been born in District of Columbia. 6.87% of residents are not US citizens. Of those not born in the United States, the largest percentage are from Latin America.
Washington Place of Birth
Note: data after 2022 is projected based on recent change
Year | Population | Growth | Growth Rate |
---|---|---|---|
2029 | 675,075 | 467 | 0.07% |
2028 | 674,608 | 468 | 0.07% |
2027 | 674,140 | 467 | 0.07% |
2026 | 673,673 | 468 | 0.07% |
2025 | 673,205 | 467 | 0.07% |
2024 | 672,738 | 468 | 0.07% |
2023 | 672,270 | 467 | 0.07% |
2022 | 671,803 | 3,012 | 0.45% |
2021 | 668,791 | -2,077 | -0.31% |
2020 | 670,868 | -37,385 | -5.28% |
2019 | 708,253 | 4,106 | 0.58% |
2018 | 704,147 | 7,068 | 1.01% |
2017 | 697,079 | 9,503 | 1.38% |
2016 | 687,576 | 10,562 | 1.56% |
2015 | 677,014 | 13,411 | 2.02% |
2014 | 663,603 | 12,044 | 1.85% |
2013 | 651,559 | 15,822 | 2.49% |
2012 | 635,737 | 15,447 | 2.49% |
2011 | 620,290 | 15,008 | 2.48% |
2010 | 605,282 | 0 | 0% |
2000 | 572,059 | -34,841 | -5.74% |
1990 | 606,900 | -31,532 | -4.94% |
1980 | 638,432 | -118,236 | -15.63% |
1970 | 756,668 | -7,288 | -0.95% |
1960 | 763,956 | -38,222 | -4.76% |
1950 | 802,178 | 139,087 | 20.98% |
1940 | 663,091 | 176,222 | 36.19% |
1930 | 486,869 | 49,298 | 11.27% |
1920 | 437,571 | 106,502 | 32.17% |
1910 | 331,069 | 52,351 | 18.78% |
1900 | 278,718 | 48,326 | 20.98% |
1890 | 230,392 | 83,099 | 56.42% |
1880 | 147,293 | 38,094 | 34.88% |
1870 | 109,199 | 48,077 | 78.66% |
1860 | 61,122 | 21,121 | 52.8% |
1850 | 40,001 | 16,637 | 71.21% |
1840 | 23,364 | 4,538 | 24.1% |
1830 | 18,826 | 5,579 | 42.12% |
1820 | 13,247 | 5,039 | 61.39% |
1810 | 8,208 | 4,998 | 155.7% |
1800 | 3,210 | -671,865 | -99.52% |
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