Alexandria, Virginia Population 2023

165,317

Alexandria is a city located in Fairfax County Virginia. With a 2023 population of 165,317, it is the 7th largest city in Virginia and the 169th largest city in the United States.Alexandria is currently growing at a rate of 1.19% annually and its population has increased by 3.67% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 159,467 in 2020. Spanning over 15 miles, Alexandria has a population density of 11,070 people per square mile.

The average household income in Alexandria is $135,100 with a poverty rate of 11.11%. The median rental costs in recent years comes to - per month, and the median house value is -. The median age in Alexandria is 36.8 years, 36.4 years for males, and 37.2 years for females.

Alexandria is an independent city that has been heavily influenced by Washington D.C., which is located just seven miles away. The city of Alexandria was originally founded in 1749 and wasn't incorporated as a city until 1852. It was designated later as an independent city in 1870.

Alexandria Age and Education Statistics

Alexandria’s residents are more educated than others in the state, with about 58% of the city’s residents holding at least a bachelor’s degree, exceeding the 33% average of Virginia.

Population Growth in Alexandria

The city has exhibited steady population growth, and recent estimates show that the figures are up over 11% since the city’s last recorded population in 2010. This growth is driven primarily by the number of jobs in the area, including roles in the U.S. military, the Department of Defense and other government and private entities.

The town founders called the new town "Belhaven," but this was never officially approved and fell out of favor quickly, replaced with the name Alexandria upon official incorporation in 1779.

Alexandria was included in the area chosen by George Washington in 1791 to become the District of Columbia. George Washington was also the land surveyor that sketched the shoreline where the city would eventually be.

In 1814 - during the War of 1812, Alexandria suffered an attack by the British which was successful. The surrender of the city allowed the British to loot from the town stores - including flour, sugar, and wine. After three days, the British troops withdrew to rally forces for another attack.

Alexandria Demographics

According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Alexandria was:

  • White: 59.75%
  • Black or African American: 21.86%
  • Asian: 6.69%
  • Two or more races: 5.91%
  • Other race: 5.41%
  • Native American: 0.32%
  • Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.06%
The current population of Alexandria, Virginia is 165,317 based on our projections of the latest US Census estimates.The last official US Census in 2020 recorded the population at 159,467.

Alexandria, Virginia Population 2023

Alexandria Metro Area Population by Year

Population by Race

White

Black or African American

Asian

Two or more races

Other race

Native American

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

Alexandria Population by Race

Alexandria Population Pyramid 2023

Alexandria Median Age

36.8

Total

36.4

Male

37.2

Female

Alexandria Adults

There are 129,258 adults, (18,424 of whom are seniors) in Alexandria.

Alexandria Age Dependency

42.8

Age Dependency Ratio

16.6

Old Age Dependency Ratio

26.2

Child Dependency Ratio

Alexandria Sex Ratio

Female82,05751.83%
Male76,25248.17%

Alexandria Population by Age

Alexandria Renter vs Owner Occupied by Household Type

3.07

Average Family Size

2.2

Average Household Size

43.4%

Rate of Home Ownership

Married

Male

Female

NonFamily

owner

renter

Alexandria Households and Families

Male

Female

Less Than 9th Grade

9th to 12th Grade

High School Graduate

Some College

Associates Degree

Bachelors Degree

Graduate Degree

Alexandria Educational Attainment by Sex (over 25)

Alexandria Educational Attainment by Race

High School Graduation Rate

Bachelors Rate

The highest rate of high school graduation is among white people with a rate of 91.73%.

The highest rate of bachelors degrees is among white people with a rate of 75.45%.

Alexandria Educational Attainment by Race

All

Male

Female

$68,113

Average Earnings

$74,015

Average Male

$63,350

Average Female

Alexandria Earnings by Educational Attainment

Alexandria Language by Age

Only English

Spanish

Other Indo-European Languages

Asian and Pacific Island Languages

Other Languages

Alexandria Language

68.08% of Alexandria residents speak only English, while 31.92% speak other languages. The non-English language spoken by the largest group is Spanish, which is spoken by 13.54% of the population.

Alexandria Language

Alexandria Poverty by Race

rate

11.11%

Overall Poverty Rate

8.82%

Male Poverty Rate

9.98%

Female Poverty Rate

Poverty in Alexandria

The race most likely to be in poverty in Alexandria is Native, with 28.11% below the poverty level.

The race least likely to be in poverty in Alexandria is White, with 4.68% below the poverty level.

The poverty rate among those that worked full-time for the past 12 months was 1.92%. Among those working part-time, it was 13.67%, and for those that did not work, the poverty rate was 20.13%.

Alexandria Poverty

Alexandria Poverty Rate by Education

Alexandria Poverty Rate by Employment Status and Sex

Alexandria Income by Household Type

Households

Families

MarriedFamilies

NonFamilies

mean

median

Income by Household Type

Alexandria Marital Status

Married

Widowed

Divorced

Separated

NeverMarried

Marriage Rates

43.7%

Overall Marriage Rate

46.9%

Male Marriage Rate

40.8%

Female Marriage Rate

Alexandria Married by Age and Sex

male

female

Alexandria 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.

Alexandria Marital Status by Race

Married

Widowed

Divorced

Separated

NeverMarried

Alexandria Marital Status

Second Gulf War

First Gulf War

Vietnam

Korea

World War II

11,346

Number of Veterans

9,311

Male Veterans

2,035

Female Veterans

Alexandria Veterans by War

Alexandria Veterans by Age

count

Alexandria Veterans by Race

Alexandria Veterans by Education

Less Than 9th Grade

High School Graduate

Some College

Bachelors or Greater

2.75%

Veteran Poverty Rate

14.41%

Veteran Disability Rate

Alexandria Veterans by Education

LaborForceParticipation

78.1%

Labor Force Participation

73.5%

Employment Rate

3.3%

Unemployment Rate

Alexandria Employment by Age

LaborForceParticipation

Alexandria Employment by Race

LaborForceParticipation

Alexandria Employment by Education

Origin of Non-Citizens

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania

Latin America

North America

Non citizens include legal permanent residents (green card holders), international students, temporary workers, humanitarian migrants, and illegal immigrants.

Origin of Naturalized Citizens

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania

Latin America

North America

21.56%

Born in Alexandria

73.37%

Native Born

25.9%

Foreign Born

14.8%

Non Citizen

11.11%

Naturalized

Place of Birth

73.37% of Alexandria residents were born in the United States, with 21.56% having been born in Virginia. 14.8% of residents are not US citizens. Of those not born in the United States, the largest percentage are from Latin America.

Alexandria Place of Birth

Note: data after 2020 is projected based on recent growth

Alexandria Population by Year