District of Columbia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, District of Columbia had a total population of 681,294, with a median household income of $109,870, which is 36% higher than the national average. The poverty rate is 15.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
District of Columbia Quick Facts
How District of Columbia Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 672,079 | 681,294 | +1.4% |
| Median household income | $106,287 | $109,870 | +3.4% |
| Median home value | $724,600 | $737,100 | +1.7% |
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 68 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Largest Cities in District of Columbia
| # | City | Population | Median Income | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | 681,294 | $109,870 | 15.4% |
Richest Cities in District of Columbia
| # | City | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $109,870 | $737,100 | 64.3% |
Most Affordable Cities in District of Columbia
By home-value-to-income ratio (lower = more affordable). Min. population 1,000.
| # | City | Ratio | Home Value | Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | 6.7x | $737,100 | $109,870 |
Explore District of Columbia Rankings
All Counties in District of Columbia (1)
| District of Columbia | 681,294 | $109,870 | 15.4% | $737,100 |
All Cities & Places in District of Columbia (1)
| Washington | 681,294 | $109,870 | 15.4% | $737,100 |
Download District of Columbia Data
Free CSV downloads of District of Columbia demographic data — no account or payment required. Files use official Census place names (e.g. "Springfield city", "Oakdale CDP"), so they match Census Bureau sources exactly.
Population Overview
District of Columbia has a total population of 681,294, making it a smaller state in the nation. The median age is 34.9 years, 10% lower than the national median of 38.9 years.
Age Demographics
The median age in District of Columbia is 34.9 years. This is 10% lower than the national median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in District of Columbia is $109,870. This is 36% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.4%. This is 24% higher than the national poverty rate of 12.4%. The unemployment rate is 6.3%. This is 21% higher than the national rate of 5.2%. The median home value is $737,100. Housing costs are 122% higher than the national median of $332,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 41.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% lower than the national average of 65.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
District of Columbia is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 36.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the national average (41.6% vs 11.9%).
Education
64.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 80% higher than the national rate of 35.7%. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.7%. Notably, 38.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for District of Columbia come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has a total population of 681,294 according to the U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median income in District of Columbia?
The median household income in District of Columbia is $109,870, which is 36% higher than the national median of $80,734.
How many cities are in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has 1 Census-designated places (cities, towns, and CDPs) and 1 counties.
What is the poverty rate in District of Columbia?
The poverty rate in District of Columbia is 15.4%, compared to the national average of 12.4%.
What is the largest city in District of Columbia?
The largest city in District of Columbia is Washington with a population of 681,294.