Washington ZIP Codes — District Of Columbia County, DC
About Washington, DC
Washington, DC, is the capital of the United States and serves as a vibrant hub for politics, culture, and history. Known for its iconic landmarks such as the White House and the U.S. Capitol, the city attracts millions of visitors each year. With a rich blend of historical significance and modern attractions, Washington, DC, offers a unique experience for residents and tourists alike.
Location & geography
Situated on the eastern bank of the Potomac River, Washington, DC, is bordered by Maryland to the northeast and Virginia to the southwest. Nearby cities include Arlington, Virginia, which is approximately 3 miles away, and Silver Spring, Maryland, located about 8 miles from the city center. The city covers a land area of 60.59 square miles and includes a water area of 6.99 square miles, contributing to its diverse urban landscape.
Community & economy
Washington, DC, boasts a diverse community characterized by a blend of cultures, languages, and traditions. The economy is driven by sectors such as government, education, and tourism, providing residents with numerous job opportunities. Daily life in the city is enriched by various events, festivals, and a strong presence of arts and entertainment, making it a vibrant place to live.
Transportation
The city is well connected through major highways, such as Interstate 395 and Interstate 295, facilitating ease of travel both in and out of the area. The nearest major airports include Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, about 3 miles away, and Dulles International Airport, located around 26 miles from downtown. Public transit options like the Metro system enhance accessibility within the city and surrounding regions.
History
Washington, DC, was founded in 1790 and designated as the nation's capital. It has been a center for significant historical events, including presidential inaugurations and civil rights marches, and has seen the emergence of various industries, particularly in public administration. The city's development over the centuries reflects its status as a focal point for American history and governance.
Did you know?
One surprising fact about Washington, DC, is that it does not belong to any state and is instead a federal district. Additionally, it is home to the world-famous Smithsonian Institution, which includes 19 museums and galleries, attracting millions of visitors annually.
Demographics & statistics
Age distribution
Age summary
| Group | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | 123,914 | 15.3% |
| 18 and over | 539,769 | 84.7% |
| 65 and over | 84,370 | 13.4% |
| Median age | 35.6 years | |
Race & ethnicity
| Group | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| Black or African American | 295,829 | 41.2% |
| White | 261,602 | 36.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 53,565 | 7.5% |
| Two or more races | 46,760 | 6.5% |
| Other race | 30,685 | 4.3% |
| Asian | 26,206 | 3.7% |
| American Indian / Alaska Native | 2,189 | 0.3% |
| Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander | 412 | 0.1% |
Household income
| Range | % of households |
|---|---|
| Under $10k | 7.6% |
| $10k–$15k | 3.4% |
| $15k–$25k | 4.7% |
| $25k–$35k | 4.5% |
| $35k–$50k | 6.4% |
| $50k–$75k | 10.6% |
| $75k–$100k | 10.8% |
| $100k–$150k | 16.0% |
| $150k–$200k | 10.5% |
| $200k+ | 25.5% |
| Median income | $105,644 |
Housing
Home values
Housing overview
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median home value | $713,864 |
| Median rent / month | $1,917 |
| Owner occupied | 42.5% |
| Renter occupied | 57.5% |
| Vacant | 10.5% |
| Single-family detached | 13.3% |
| Large apartment buildings | 48.2% |
| Mobile homes | 0.1% |
| Median rooms | 4.1 |
| Avg household size (owned) | 2.05 |
Year built
| Era | % |
|---|---|
| 2020 or later | 0.6% |
| 2010–2019 | 9.5% |
| 2000–2009 | 8.2% |
| 1990–1999 | 4.4% |
| 1980–1989 | 5.7% |
| 1970–1979 | 7.3% |
| 1960–1969 | 13.4% |
| 1950–1959 | 11.5% |
| 1940–1949 | 10.1% |
| 1939 or earlier | 29.3% |
Bedrooms
| Size | % of units |
|---|---|
| No bedroom (studio) | 14.5% |
| 1 bedroom | 32.8% |
| 2 bedrooms | 23.2% |
| 3 bedrooms | 17.6% |
| 4 bedrooms | 7.9% |
| 5+ bedrooms | 4.0% |
Vehicles per household
| Vehicles | % of households |
|---|---|
| No vehicle | 38.9% |
| 1 vehicle | 43.2% |
| 2 vehicles | 14.4% |
| 3 or more | 3.5% |
Heating fuel
| Fuel type | % |
|---|---|
| Utility gas | 49.2% |
| Electricity | 45.6% |
| Propane / LP gas | 1.1% |
| Fuel oil | 1.0% |
| Solar | 0.3% |
| No fuel used | 2.0% |
Households & families
| Household type | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| Married-couple family | 79,855 | 25.6% |
| Cohabiting couple | 24,265 | 7.7% |
| Male householder, no spouse | 81,560 | 26.7% |
| Female householder, no spouse | 130,070 | 40.0% |
| Households with children under 18 | 61,963 | 17.3% |
| Households with seniors (65+) | 66,969 | 21.9% |
| Average household size | 1.93 | |
Marital status
| Status | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Never married | 54.9% | 54.9% |
| Married | 35.7% | 29.0% |
| Separated | 1.4% | 1.4% |
| Widowed | 1.3% | 5.3% |
| Divorced | 6.8% | 9.4% |
Education
| Metric | % |
|---|---|
| HS diploma or higher | 93.8% |
| Bachelor's or higher | 68.8% |
School enrollment (ages 3–17)
| Type | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| Nursery / preschool | 14,557 | 8.9% |
| Kindergarten | 8,179 | 4.7% |
| Elementary school | 51,705 | 28.7% |
| High school | 22,858 | 11.8% |
| College / grad school | 52,878 | 45.9% |
Employment
Industry of employment
Occupation
| Category | % |
|---|---|
| Management, business & arts | 71.2% |
| Service | 11.2% |
| Sales & office | 12.5% |
| Natural resources & construction | 2.0% |
| Production & transportation | 3.1% |
Employment type
| Type | % |
|---|---|
| Private sector | 68.6% |
| Government | 26.4% |
| Self-employed | 4.9% |
| Unpaid family workers | 0.1% |
Commute
| Method | % |
|---|---|
| Drive alone | 28.4% |
| Carpool | 3.7% |
| Public transit | 23.1% |
| Walk | 14.7% |
| Other means | 5.3% |
| Avg commute (minutes) | 28.6 |
Poverty
Income support
| Source | % of households |
|---|---|
| Social Security | 17.9% |
| Retirement income | 16.5% |
| Supplemental Security | 3.9% |
| Cash public assistance | 3.2% |
| Food stamps / SNAP | 10.0% |
Health indicators
| Condition | % |
|---|---|
| High blood pressure | 27.1% |
| High cholesterol | 25.7% |
| Heart disease | 3.8% |
| Stroke | 2.6% |
| Asthma | 10.4% |
| Arthritis | 16.1% |
| Kidney disease | 2.4% |
| Pulmonary disease | 3.7% |
| Cancer | 4.9% |
| Behavior / access | % |
|---|---|
| Binge drinking | 22.1% |
| No physical activity | 16.3% |
| Less than 7 hrs sleep | 30.9% |
| Fair or poor health | 10.2% |
| Poor mental health | 15.1% |
| Poor physical health | 7.0% |
| No health insurance | 7.2% |
| Visited doctor (checkup) | 68.3% |
| Visited dentist | 67.3% |
| Cholesterol screening | 90.5% |
| Teeth loss | 9.8% |
Veterans & disability
| Veterans | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| Civilian veterans | 21,421 | 3.9% |
| Disability | % |
|---|---|
| Any disability | 9.8% |
| Under 18 | 2.8% |
| 18–64 years | 7.8% |
| 65 and over | 29.5% |
Health insurance coverage
| Type | % |
|---|---|
| Private insurance | 77.2% |
| Public insurance | 29.9% |
| Uninsured under 19 | 2.2% |
Language & origin
Language spoken at home (age 5+)
| Language | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| English only | 622,161 | 94.8% |
| Spanish | 32,639 | 5.0% |
| Other Indo-European | 20,708 | 3.0% |
| Asian & Pacific Islander | 3,156 | 0.6% |
| Other languages | 4,098 | 0.8% |
Place of birth & citizenship
| Origin | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| Native born (US) | 574,395 | 84.0% |
| Born in same state | 560,182 | 81.8% |
| Born in different state | 240,901 | 29.1% |
| Foreign born | 14,213 | 2.3% |
| Naturalized citizen | 89,288 | 16.0% |
| Not a US citizen | 43,840 | 51.0% |
Ancestry
| Ancestry | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| Italian | 49,241 | 7.4% |
| French | 43,240 | 6.5% |
| Arab | 18,217 | 2.7% |
| English | 4,792 | 0.7% |
| Polish | 3,786 | 0.6% |
| Ancestry | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| Irish | 2,640 | 0.4% |
| Norwegian | 2,478 | 0.4% |
| German | 2,262 | 0.3% |
| Dutch | 1,727 | 0.3% |
Technology access
| Metric | % of households |
|---|---|
| Computer access | 51.6% |
| Internet access | 96.1% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.