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Alexandria, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Alexandria, Virginia had a total population of 156,976, the 7th largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $119,681, which is 28% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.9%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Alexandria Quick Facts

Population 156,976
Median Household Income $119,681
Median Home Value $735,100
Poverty Rate 7.9%
Unemployment Rate 3.3%
Median Age 37.7 years
Homeownership Rate 42.1%
Affordability Ratio 6.1x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 66.2%
High School Graduation Rate 93.0%
Diversity Index 67/100
Population 156,976 7th of 681
Median Income $119,681 top 30%
Poverty Rate 7.9% 36% lower than national
Median Home Value $735,100 top 10%

How Alexandria Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population156,788156,976+0.1%
Median household income$113,638$119,681+5.3%
Median home value$696,800$735,100+5.5%

How Alexandria Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 8.8%
$25K-$50K 9.0%
$50K-$100K 23.5%
$100K+ 58.7%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
3.4%
$10K-$15K
1.8%
$15K-$20K
1.8%
$20K-$25K
1.9%
$25K-$30K
1.8%
$30K-$35K
1.4%
$35K-$40K
2.0%
$40K-$45K
1.8%
$45K-$50K
2.1%
$50K-$60K
4.5%
$60K-$75K
7.3%
$75K-$100K
11.7%
$100K-$125K
11.6%
$125K-$150K
8.2%
$150K-$200K
13.6%
$200K+
25.3%

Employment

3.3% Unemployment Rate State: 4.3%|National: 5.2%
78.3% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 42.1%
Renter 57.9%
Affordability Index Expensive
6.1x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $2,089/mo 20.9% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

67out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 61 | National average: 61

Education

Alexandria Rankings in Virginia

#7 Population of 681
#132 Median Income of 585
#79 Education of 680
#50 Home Value of 580

Cities Similar to Alexandria

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Hampton137,557$69,621$245,70028.5%12.7%
Newport News184,216$69,634$260,60030.6%14.5%
Arlington236,254$142,114$895,00077.1%7.4%
Chesapeake252,583$95,373$378,40036.9%9.4%
Suffolk98,796$92,666$347,40033.3%9.4%

Population Overview

Alexandria is a major urban center located in Virginia. The total population is 156,976. It ranks as the 7th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Alexandria is 37.7 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Alexandria is $119,681. This is 28% higher than the state median of $93,170. It is also 48% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.9%. This is 20% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 3.3%. This is 23% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $735,100. Housing costs are 92% higher than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 42.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% lower than the state average of 67.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Alexandria is White (non-Hispanic), making up 49.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 21.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (18.3% vs 11.0%).

Education

66.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% higher than the state rate of 42.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.0%. Notably, 34.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Alexandria, Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Alexandria, Virginia?

Alexandria, Virginia has a population of 156,976 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Alexandria, VA?

The median household income in Alexandria is $119,681, which is 48% higher than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Alexandria, VA?

The poverty rate in Alexandria is 7.9%. This means approximately 12,336 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Alexandria, Virginia?

Alexandria's population is 49.1% White, 21.0% Black, 18.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.2% Asian.

What is the median home value in Alexandria, VA?

The median home value in Alexandria is $735,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.1x.

How educated is Alexandria, Virginia?

66.2% of adults (25+) in Alexandria hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 34.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.