Arlington County, Virginia Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Arlington County is located in Virginia with a total population of 235,463. It is the 8th most populous county out of 133 in Virginia. The county encompasses 1 Census-designated place.

Age Demographics

The median age in Arlington County 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 County 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 County 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 County 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.