Arlington, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Arlington, Virginia had a total population of 236,254, the 3rd largest community in Virginia, with a median household income of $142,114, which is 53% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Arlington is the 3rd largest city in Virginia with a population of 236,254.
- Household income is 53% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Virginia.
- 77.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Virginia.
Arlington Quick Facts
How Arlington 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 | 235,463 | 236,254 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $140,160 | $142,114 | +1.4% |
| Median home value | $864,800 | $895,000 | +3.5% |
How Arlington Compares
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: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Arlington Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Arlington
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chesapeake | 252,583 | $95,373 | $378,400 | 36.9% | 9.4% |
| Norfolk | 233,596 | $66,109 | $289,900 | 33.5% | 16.5% |
| Richmond | 229,359 | $64,587 | $353,000 | 45.6% | 18.2% |
| Alexandria | 156,976 | $119,681 | $735,100 | 66.2% | 7.9% |
| Newport News | 184,216 | $69,634 | $260,600 | 30.6% | 14.5% |
Population Overview
Arlington is a major urban center located in Virginia, within Arlington County. The total population is 236,254. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Arlington is 35.5 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Arlington is $142,114. This is 53% higher than the state median of $93,170. It is also 76% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.4%. This is 25% 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 $895,000. Housing costs are 133% higher than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 41.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 39% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Arlington is White (non-Hispanic), making up 58.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.9%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (10.5% vs 6.9%).
Education
77.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Arlington in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 83% 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 95.2%. Notably, 41.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Arlington, 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 Arlington, Virginia?
Arlington, Virginia has a population of 236,254 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Arlington, VA?
The median household income in Arlington is $142,114, which is 76% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Arlington, VA?
The poverty rate in Arlington is 7.4%. This means approximately 17,249 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Arlington, Virginia?
Arlington's population is 58.0% White, 9.3% Black, 15.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 10.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Arlington, VA?
The median home value in Arlington is $895,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.3x.
How educated is Arlington, Virginia?
77.1% of adults (25+) in Arlington hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 41.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.