Alexandria city, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Alexandria city is a major urban center located in Virginia, within Alexandria city. The total population is 156,788. It ranks as the 7th most populous out of 681 cities and towns in Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Alexandria city is 37.5 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 38.8 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Alexandria city is $113,638. This is 25% higher than the state median of $90,974. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 45% higher. The poverty rate stands at 8.4%. This is 15% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 3.4%. This is 22% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $696,800. Housing costs are 93% higher than the state median of $360,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 42.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% lower than the state average of 67.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Alexandria city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 49.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 20.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (18.2% vs 10.7%).

Education

65.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 59% higher than the state rate of 41.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.9%. Notably, 34.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Alexandria city, Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 681 Census-designated places in Virginia. For official data, visit data.census.gov.