2019 Population Rank
50
2019 Growth Rate
1.30%
District Of Columbia Square Miles
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State Capital
Red/Blue
Abbreviation
World Population Review
District Of Columbia Population 2019 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs)
711,571
Washington, D.C., also known simply as D.C. or the District, is the capital of the United States. Washington, D.C. is a federal district under the jurisdiction of Congress, and thus is not a part of any state in the United States. The District was formed from land donated by Virginia and Maryland and named in honor of George Washington. In 2019, Washington, D.C. has an estimated population of 711,571. Washington, D.C. has an estimated population of 711,571 in 2019, which makes it the 22nd most populous city in the U.S. If Washington, DC were a state, it would be the 49th most populous ahead of Wyoming and Vermont.
Washington, DC Area and Population Density
This district is a particularly small area, encompassing only 68 square miles of land and water. Only 61 square miles of land are available, and yet, this tiny area has the title of the highest density of population in the nation.
It has a population density of 11,535 people per square mile. During the work week, however, the population swells to more than one million as commuters come from Virginia and Maryland. The Washington metropolitan area has a population estimated at over 6 million, which makes it the 7th largest metro area in the United States. If the District is included with Baltimore and the suburbs, the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area has a population of more than 9 million, which makes it the 4th largest CSA in the country.
Washington, DC Gender and Religion Statistics
The median age in Washington, DC is 33.8 years, with a slight gender gap of 52.5% female, and 47.5% male spread across the state.
There are many religions represented in Washington, DC, including Baptist (17%), Catholic (13%), Evangelical Protestant (6%), Methodist (4%), Episcopalian (3%), Jewish (2%), Eastern Orthodox, Pentecostal, Buddhist, Adventist, Lutheran, Muslim, Buddhist, Mormon, Hindu and Presbyterian.
Washington, DC Boundary, Census and Creation History
The District of Columbia was formed in 1791 from territory ceded by Maryland and Virginia, but remained in some respects under their jurisdiction until the National government moved there in 1800. The District included the existing small cities of Georgetown and Alexandria as well as the site chosen for the Nation's new capital, Washington. In 1846 the portion south of the Potomac River, including Alexandria, was retroceded to Virginia.
In 1800 the census reported the District as part of Maryland and Virginia. All populations shown in the table exclude the portion returned to Virginia in 1846.
District Of Columbia Demographics
According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of District Of Columbia was:
- Black or African American: 47.75%
- White: 40.67%
- Other race: 4.60%
- Asian: 3.80%
- Two or more races: 2.87%
- Native American: 0.26%
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.04%
How Many People Live in District Of Columbia?
711,571District Of Columbia Population Chart
Washington, DC Population History
Washington DC had very slow growth initially, with a population of only 100,000 after its first 70 years. This number more than doubled to 250,000 by the time the Civil War had ended and has grown steadily ever since.
Washington, DC Population Growth
The District's population has made more than a 7.5% increase since the 2010 Census, continuing a trend of growth set since 2000 after 50 years of decline. In 2010, Washington, DC was the 24th most populous city. The Washington, DC area currently ranks 5th among metro areas in the US for population growth.
Washington, DC Population Projections
According to officials, the growth is due to people migrating to the area from other parts of the US. Growth is expected to continue into the future, with projections showing that the population may exceed 718,000 by 2030.
Population Data via US Census
District Of Columbia Growth Rate
District Of Columbia Population Rank
| Year | Pop | % Change |
| 2020 | 720,687 | 1.28% |
| 2019 | 711,571 | 1.30% |
| 2018 | 702,455 | 0.97% |
| 2017 | 695,691 | 1.33% |
| 2016 | 686,575 | 1.68% |
| 2015 | 675,254 | 1.92% |
| 2014 | 662,513 | 1.86% |
| 2013 | 650,431 | 2.47% |
| 2012 | 634,725 | 2.44% |
| 2011 | 619,602 | 2.40% |
| 2010 | 605,085 | 0.56% |
| 2000 | 572,059 | -0.59% |
| 1990 | 606,900 | -0.50% |
| 1980 | 638,333 | -1.68% |
| 1970 | 756,510 | -0.10% |
| 1960 | 763,956 | -0.49% |
| 1950 | 802,178 | 1.92% |
| 1940 | 663,091 | 3.14% |
| 1930 | 486,869 | 1.07% |
| 1920 | 437,571 | 2.83% |
| 1910 | 331,069 | 1.74% |
| 1900 | 278,718 | 1.92% |
| 1890 | 230,392 | 2.64% |
| 1880 | 177,624 | 3.04% |
| 1870 | 131,700 | 5.78% |
| 1860 | 75,080 | 3.80% |
| 1850 | 51,687 | 4.36% |
| 1840 | 33,745 | 1.10% |
| 1830 | 30,261 | 2.63% |
| 1820 | 23,336 | 4.20% |
| 1810 | 15,471 | 6.63% |
| 1800 | 8,144 | 0.00% |
- The second president of the U.S.- John Adams- was the first president to ever live in the White House. He moved in on November 1st of 1800. Construction was not completed while George Washington was in office.
- The Washington Monument was the tallest manmade structure of its time when it was erected in 1884. Just five years later, the Eiffel Tower in Paris overtook the honor.
- Washington, D.C., gets an average precipitation of over 39 inches of rainfall per year. That amount is approximately 2 inches more precipitation than Seattle sees annually.
- Over 177 embassies and numerous international cultural centers are located in the District of Columbia.
- The Smithsonian Museums have an astounding collection of almost 156 million items.
- The D.C. Metro is the second busiest subway system in the nation.
- The Old Stone House is the oldest building on its original foundation in D.C. and dates back to 1765.
- The Residence Act of 1790 designated a site along the Potomac River as the country's permanent capital.
- Fifteen percent of D.C.'s residents speak a language other than English.
District of Columbia
- Population702,455
- Density11488.33 per sq km
- Growth Since 201016.09%
- State Rank1
- % of State100.00%
| Race | Population |
| Black or African American | 321,062 |
| White | 273,471 |
| Some Other Race | 30,961 |
| Asian | 25,558 |
| Two or More Races | 19,293 |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 1,757 |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | 289 |
District Of Columbia Population Pyramid 2019
District Of Columbia Households and Families
| Type | Count | Average Size | Owned |
| All | 277,985 | 2.28 | 41.7 |
| Non Family | 156,574 | 1.42 | 34 |
| Married | 70,359 | 3.16 | 64.8 |
| Female | 40,960 | 3.71 | 32.4 |
| Male | 10,092 | 3.56 | 37.2 |
District Of Columbia Education
| Education Attained | Count | Percentage |
| Less Than 9th Grade | 18,889 | 3.95% |
| 9th to 12th Grade | 27,608 | 5.78% |
| High School Graduate | 84,119 | 17.60% |
| Some College | 62,203 | 13.02% |
| Associates Degree | 14,601 | 3.06% |
| Bachelors Degree | 113,830 | 23.82% |
| Graduate Degree | 156,593 | 32.77% |
District Of Columbia Educational Attainment by Race
| Name | Total | High School | Bachelors |
| Black | 216,598 | 185,317 | 55,272 |
| White | 189,407 | 188,202 | 172,578 |
| Hispanic | 45,736 | 32,617 | 21,096 |
| Asian | 19,603 | 18,386 | 15,625 |
| Other Race | 19,010 | 10,724 | 5,337 |
| Multiple Races | 10,716 | 10,018 | 7,416 |
| Native American | 1,375 | 1,222 | 712 |
| Islander | 243 | 243 | 152 |
The highest rate of high school graduation is among islander people with a rate of 100.00%.
The highest rate of bachelors degrees is among white people with a rate of 91.11%.
$59,284
Average Earnings
$63,921
Average Male
$54,246
Average Female
District Of Columbia Language
District Of Columbia Language by Age
District Of Columbia Language
82.49% of District Of Columbia residents speak only English, while 17.51% speak other languages. The non-English language spoken by the largest group is Spanish, which is spoken by 8.99% of the population.
District Of Columbia Poverty
District Of Columbia Poverty by Race
| Name | Total | In Poverty | Poverty Rate |
| Black | 307,477 | 81,287 | 26.44% |
| White | 227,102 | 14,868 | 6.55% |
| Hispanic | 69,138 | 9,665 | 13.98% |
| Other | 30,276 | 5,429 | 17.93% |
| Asian | 23,506 | 3,697 | 15.73% |
| Multiple | 18,173 | 1,930 | 10.62% |
| Native | 1,720 | 410 | 23.84% |
| Islander | 276 | 30 | 10.87% |
17.39%
Overall Poverty Rate
15.68%
Male Poverty Rate
18.93%
Female Poverty Rate
Poverty in District Of Columbia
The race most likely to be in poverty in District Of Columbia is Black, with 26.44% below the poverty level.
The race least likely to be in poverty in District Of Columbia is White, with 6.55% below the poverty level.
The poverty rate among those that worked full-time for the past 12 months was 1.79%. Among those working part-time, it was 22.61%, and for those that did not work, the poverty rate was 36.42%.
District Of Columbia Income
District Of Columbia Marital Status
District Of Columbia Marital Status
Marriage Rates
28.5%
Overall Marriage Rate
31.1%
Male Marriage Rate
26.1%
Female Marriage Rate
District Of Columbia Married by Age and Sex
District Of Columbia Marriage
The age group where males are most likely to be married is Over 65, while the female age group most likely to be married is 35-44.
District Of Columbia Marital Status by Race
District Of Columbia Veterans
District Of Columbia Veterans by Race
| Name | Veterans | % of Total |
| Black | 15,476 | 6.15% |
| White | 10,868 | 4.54% |
| Hispanic | 1,496 | 2.85% |
| 2 or More | 594 | 4.63% |
| Other | 358 | 1.63% |
| Asian | 225 | 0.97% |
| Indian | 167 | 11.29% |
| Hawaiian | 7 | 2.42% |
District Of Columbia Veterans by Education
11.71%
Veteran Poverty Rate
25.05%
Veteran Disability Rate
District Of Columbia Employment Status
69.5%
Labor Force Participation
63.4%
Employment Rate
8%
Unemployment Rate
District Of Columbia Place of Birth
Origin of Non Citizens
Non citizens include legal permanent residents (green card holders), international students, temporary workers, humanitarian migrants, and illegal immigrants.
Origin of Naturalized Citizens
85.96%
Native Born
14.04%
Foreign Born
8.22%
Non Citizen
Place of Birth
85.96% of District Of Columbia residents were born in the United States, with 36.75% having been born in District Of Columbia. 8.22% of residents are not US citizens. Of those not born in the United States, the largest percentage are from Latin America.
- US Census State Population Estimates - Most recent state estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program
- US Census County Population Estimates - Most recent county estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program
- American Community Survey (2009 - 2013)
- Census QuickFacts
- Historical Populations of States and Counties (1790 - 1990)