Rank #50 by Population · Updated April 2026
District of Columbia Population 2026
The population of District of Columbia is 672,079 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 50th-most populous state in the United States. The median household income is $106,287, the median home value is $724,600, and the median age is 34.9.
District of Columbia's population has grown 112.1% since 1910 (331,069 → 702,250).
672,079
Population
10995
People / sq mi
$106,287
Median Income
34.9
Median Age
District of Columbia covers 61 sq mi of land at a density of 10995.0 people per square mile.
About District of Columbia
Among US states, District of Columbia stands out first on household income: a median of $106,287, above the US median of $78,538. District of Columbia is a US state with a population of 672,079. It ranks #50 among US states by population.
Households here are among the highest-earning of all US states: median income is $106,287, above the US median of $78,538. Roughly 10.7% of residents fall below the poverty line, below the national 12.4%. Real estate commands a premium here — a median home value of $724,600, with typical rent around $1,900.
District of Columbia is among the best-educated US states: 63.6% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, above the national 35.0%. Working from home is common here: 29.4% of workers do so, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 30 minutes each way.
Taken together, the income and housing figures place District of Columbia firmly in the higher-cost, higher-earning tier of US states — a profile that tends to track dense job markets and competitive housing.
District of Columbia, #50 by population
District of Columbia Population History (1910-2024)
The state of District of Columbia had a population of 331,069 in 1910 and 702,250 in 2024, a 2.1× growth over 114 years. The peak was 802,178 in 1950. Average annual growth rate: 0.81%.
702,250
Population (2024)
331,069
Population (1910)
802,178
Peak (1950)
0.81%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1910 | 331,069 |
| 1920 | 437,571 |
| 1930 | 486,869 |
| 1940 | 663,091 |
| 1950 | 802,178 |
| 1960 | 763,956 |
| 1970 | 756,510 |
| 1980 | 638,333 |
| 1990 | 606,900 |
| 2000 | 572,059 |
| 2010 | 601,723 |
| 2020 | 689,545 |
| 2020 | 670,917 |
| 2021 | 669,256 |
| 2022 | 676,725 |
| 2023 | 687,324 |
| 2024 | 702,250 |
Age Distribution
Male: 47.6% · Female: 52.4%
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 39.1% |
| Black or African American | 43.3% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| American Indian & Alaska Native | 0.3% |
| Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander | 0.5% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.6% |
Economy & Income
$106,287
Median Household Income
$75,253
Per Capita Income
10.7%
Poverty Rate
4.6%
Unemployment Rate
$157,604
Mean Household Income
66.7%
Employment Rate
Cost of Living
District of Columbia's overall price level is 109.9 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (US average = 100), meaning prices are 9.9% higher the US average. Adjusting for cost of living, District of Columbia's median household income of $106,287 has the buying power of $96,712 in average-priced areas.
109.9
Price Level (US = 100)
$96,712
COL-Adjusted Median Income
$106,287
Nominal Median Income
Education
92.8%
High School Graduate+
63.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Births & Fertility
8,075
Live Births (2022)
12.0
Birth Rate (per 1,000)
53.3%
Births to Married Mothers
Births by Mother's Age
Births by Mother's Race
| White | 45.0% |
| Black or African American | 46.4% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 16.7% |
Housing
$724,600
Median Home Value
$1,900
Median Rent
356,101
Total Housing Units
41.1%
Owner-Occupied
58.9%
Renter-Occupied
9.7%
Vacant
Languages Spoken at Home
82.0% of District of Columbia residents age 5+ speak only English at home. The most common non-English languages spoken at home in District of Columbia:
| # | Language | Speakers | % of pop. 5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spanish | 20,344 | 3.22% |
| 2 | Amharic, Somali, or other Afro-Asiatic | 3,409 | 0.54% |
| 3 | Chinese (incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) | 1,602 | 0.25% |
| 4 | French (incl. Cajun) | 1,338 | 0.21% |
| 5 | Korean | 572 | 0.09% |
| 6 | Vietnamese | 476 | 0.08% |
| 7 | Arabic | 453 | 0.07% |
| 8 | Tagalog (incl. Filipino) | 384 | 0.06% |
| 9 | Japanese | 302 | 0.05% |
| 10 | Italian | 270 | 0.04% |
Commute
22.3%
Drive Alone
10.0%
Carpool
29.4%
Work From Home
30.3 min
Avg Commute
Largest Cities in District of Columbia
| # | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | 672,079 |
Counties in District of Columbia
| # | County | Population | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 672,079 | $106,287 |
Compare District of Columbia
Rankings for District of Columbia
Read more about District of Columbia
A complete guide to District of Columbia demographics — population, race & ethnicity breakdown, income, age, growth trends, and how the state compares nationally.
District of Columbia Demographics 2026: Population, Income, Race & Trends Explained →Metro areas in District of Columbia
Largest school districts in District of Columbia
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State rankings
Common questions about District of Columbia
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Frequently Asked Questions
District of Columbia has a population of 672,079 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 50th-most populous state in the United States.
District of Columbia is gaining population, with a +112.1% change over the available historical Census record. District of Columbia's population has grown 112.1% since 1910 (331,069 → 702,250).
The median household income in District of Columbia is $106,287, with a per capita income of $75,253. 10.7% of the population lives below the federal poverty level.
39.1% of District of Columbia's population identifies as White (Census ACS 2023). 43.3% is Black or African American, 0.0% is Asian, and 1.6% is Hispanic or Latino (any race, counted separately under Census methodology).
District of Columbia is 39.1% White, 43.3% Black or African American, 0.0% Asian, and 1.6% Hispanic or Latino (any race). Hispanic/Latino is counted as an ethnicity separate from race under Census methodology, so totals may exceed 100% in some breakdowns.
The median age in District of Columbia is 34.9 years. The population is 47.6% male and 52.4% female.
District of Columbia's population has grown 112.1% since 1910 (331,069 → 702,250).
Across recent Census Population Estimates, West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Illinois have shown the largest sustained population declines. District of Columbia's own trend is gaining. National state-by-state rankings are published annually by the Census Population Estimates Program.
Demographic data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates. Birth statistics from the CDC National Vital Statistics System via Data Commons. California does not report marital status on birth certificates. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
States Similar to District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.