Arlington CDP, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Arlington CDP is a major urban center located in Virginia, within Arlington County. The total population is 235,463. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 681 cities and towns in Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Arlington CDP is 35.5 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 38.8 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Arlington CDP is $140,160. This is 54% higher than the state median of $90,974. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 78% higher. The poverty rate stands at 7.1%. This is 28% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 3.3%. This is 24% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $864,800. Housing costs are 140% higher than the state median of $360,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 41.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% lower than the state average of 67.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Arlington CDP is White (non-Hispanic), making up 58.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.7%. The Black or African American population (9.2%) is well below the state average of 18.4%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (10.5% vs 6.8%).

Education

77.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Arlington CDP in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 86% 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 95.4%. Notably, 41.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Arlington CDP, 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.