Washington, District of Columbia
City Overview
As of 2007, Washington's population is 581,530 people. Since 2000, it has had a population growth of 1.66 percent.
The median home cost in Washington is $862,400. Home appreciation the last year has been -5.12 percent.
Compared to the rest of the country, Washington's cost of living is 65.92% Higher than the U.S. average.
Washington public schools spend $8,334 per student. The average school expenditure in the U.S. is $6,058. There are about 13 students per teacher in Washington.
The unemployment rate in Washington is 5.40 percent(U.S. avg. is 4.60%). Recent job growth is Positive. Washington jobs have Increased by 2.61 percent.
Washington SperlingFile
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People
The 2007 Washington, DC, population is 581,530. There are 9,459 people per square mile (population density).
Family in Washington, DC
The median age is 35.7. The US median is 37.6. 33.86% of people in Washington, DC, are married. 9.60% are divorced.
The average household size is 2.08 people. 8.21% of people are married, with children. 11.40% have children, but are single.
Race in Washington, DC
31.74% of people are white, 56.91% are black, 3.23% are asian, 0.30% are native american, and 7.60% claim 'Other'.
10.14% of the people in Washington, DC, claim hispanic ethnicity (meaning 89.86% are non-hispanic).
Washington People SperlingViews
There's always a lot to do: It's the Nation's Capitol! Tourists come from all over to enjoy what the city has to offer. There's a lot to see: there are museums, The White House, historic... (read more)So much to do!: The Washington, DC metro area is a fantastic place to live if you like energy and excitement. The cultural, artistic, sports & entertainment opportunities are numerous.... (read more)Great place: Great place to live with lots of things to do all of the... (read more)Have an opinion about Washington? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Washington Click Here
Economy
The unemployment rate in Washington, DC, is 5.40%, with job growth of 2.61%. Future job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 25.18%.
Washington, DC Taxes
Washington, DC,sales tax rate is 5.75%. Income tax is 9.50%.
Washington, DC Income and Salaries
The income per capita is $35,080, which includes all adults and children. The median household income is $47,626.
Washington Economy SperlingViews
Traffic Sucks: It's... (read more)One of the least bearable commutes: Washington is known for having the second longest commuting times in the nation. If you can travel a part of your route by bicycle, you can alleviate the stress or... (read more)High gay population, Traffic, Crime, Condos, and m: There is no way you can compare DC to larger cities such as New York, LA, and Chicago. DC is not very big, it has its own culture, which is slowly dying, history, and... (read more)Have an opinion about Washington? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Washington Click Here
| Unemployment Rate | 5.40% | 4.60% |
| Recent Job Growth | 2.61% | 1.40% |
| Future Job Growth | 25.18% | 11.90% |
| Sales Taxes | 5.75% | 6.00% |
| Income Taxes | 9.50% | 5.02% |
| Income per Cap. | $35,080 | $24,020 |
| Household Income | $47,626 | $44,684 |
| ESTIMATED HOUSEHOLDS BY HOUSEHOLD INCOME | | |
| Income Less Than 15K | 17.94% | 13.64% |
| Income between 15K and 25K | 9.40% | 11.21% |
| Income between 25K and 35K | 10.25% | 11.46% |
| Income between 35K and 50K | 14.36% | 15.84% |
| Income between 50K and 75K | 15.98% | 19.28% |
| Income between 75K and 100K | 9.98% | 11.53% |
| Income between 100K and 150K | 11.27% | 10.70% |
| Income between 150K and 250K | 6.53% | 4.43% |
| Income between 250K and 500K | 2.71% | 1.31% |
| Income greater than 500K | 1.58% | 0.61% |
| POPULATION BY OCCUPATION | | |
| Management, Business, and Financial Operations | 18.57% | 13.61% |
| Professional and Related Occupations | 32.05% | 20.24% |
| Service | 16.33% | 14.75% |
| Sales and Office | 22.89% | 26.74% |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | 0.06% | 0.74% |
| Construction, Extraction, and Maintenance | 4.83% | 9.48% |
| Production, Transportation, and Material Moving | 5.27% | 14.44% |
Housing
The median home value in Washington, DC, is $862,400. Home appreciation is -5.12% over the last year. The median age of Washington, DC, real estate is 54 years.
Washington, DC Apartments and Rentals
Renters make up 54.16% of the Washington, DC, population. 9.71% of houses and apartments in Washington, DC, are unoccupied (vacancy rate).
Washington Housing SperlingViews
re: Too Expensive - 5/31/2008: I am not sure what your experience is but DC is one of the most diverese and exciting cities anywhere. Maybe you should losen up yourself and stop hanging out with the... (read more)Too Expensive: I am a DC native who is back in town visiting family. I have not lived in this city since 1991. The District seems much the same to me as when I left it, except that... (read more)Housing Cost: The Condominium market in Washington is thriving. The Logan Circle district is developing into a young and happening area to live. There are still afordable housing in... (read more)Have an opinion about Washington? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Washington Click Here
| Median Home Age | 54 | 27 |
| Median Home Cost | $862,400 | $217,200 |
| Home Appreciation | -5.12% | 9.80% |
| Homes Owned | 36.27% | 64.07% |
| Housing Vacant | 9.71% | 14.48% |
| Homes Rented | 54.16% | 21.45% |
| Property Tax Rate | $7.32 | $13.28 |
| OWNER-OCCUPIED HOUSING UNITS BY VALUE | | |
| Less Than $20,000 | 0.20% | 3.01% |
| $20,000 to $39,999 | 0.23% | 4.37% |
| $40,000 to $59,999 | 0.42% | 5.74% |
| $60,000 to $79,999 | 0.75% | 7.07% |
| $80,000 to $99,999 | 1.32% | 8.41% |
| $100,000 to $149,999 | 9.04% | 19.74% |
| $150,000 to $199,999 | 17.88% | 14.06% |
| $200,000 to $299,999 | 27.00% | 16.59% |
| $300,000 to $399,999 | 10.69% | 8.21% |
| $400,000 to $499,999 | 6.80% | 4.53% |
| $500,000 to $749,999 | 12.24% | 4.75% |
| $1,000,000 or more | 7.42% | 1.86% |
| HOUSING UNITS BY YEAR STRUCTURE BUILT | | |
| 1999 to October 2005 | 3.97% | 10.15% |
| 1995 to 1998 | 0.92% | 6.69% |
| 1990 to 1994 | 1.21% | 6.70% |
| 1980 to 1989 | 4.87% | 14.75% |
| 1970 to 1979 | 8.40% | 17.11% |
| 1960 to 1969 | 14.94% | 12.78% |
| 1950 to 1959 | 16.26% | 11.64% |
| 1940 to 1949 | 16.09% | 6.64% |
| 1939 or Earlier | 33.33% | 13.55% |
Health
There are 639 physicians per capita in Washington, DC. The US average is 170.
Washington, DC Health Index
Air quality in Washington, DC is 34 on a scale to 100 (higher is better). This is based on ozone alert days and number of pollutants in the air, as reported by the EPA.
Water quality in Washington, DC is 40 on a scale to 100 (higher is better). The EPA has a complex method of measuring watershed quality using 15 indicators.
Superfund index is 90 on a scale to 100 (higher is better). This is upon the number and impact of EPA Superfund pollution sites in the county, including spending on the cleanup efforts.
Washington Health SperlingViews
The best place to live in the world!!!: World class museums, history, culture, shopping, dining and Metro (subway transportation system)! Impossible to... (read more)re: DC Life not good - 3/8/2007: are you... (read more)re: Fed Up with DC, Traffic, Crime, Expenses - 6/1: Fresh out of college? Maybe you should have made a better start out plan and financially prepared yourself... (read more)Have an opinion about Washington? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Washington Click Here
Crime
Washington, DC, violent crime, on a scale from 1 (low crime) to 10, is 8. Violent crime is composed of four offenses: murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The US average is 3.
Washington, DC, property crime, on a scale from 1 (low) to 10, is 7. Property crime includes the offenses of burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. The object of the theft-type offenses is the taking of money or property, but there is no force or threat of force against the victims. The US average is 3.
Washington Crime SperlingViews
personal safety?: My opinion of general safety when I leave my house? Not so good.
I know many people who live in this city who have had a bad experience, in all parts of the city. ... (read more)Great fun, as long as you avoid being out at night: DC/MD/VA was a tough place to live, especially for a single white female. It's a decent place during the day, but I wouldn't reccomend going anywhere at night unless... (read more)There's always a lot to do: It's the Nation's Capitol! Tourists come from all over to enjoy what the city has to offer. There's a lot to see: there are museums, The White House, historic... (read more)Have an opinion about Washington? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Washington Click Here
Climate
Washington, DC, gets 43 inches of rain per year. The US average is 37. Snowfall is 13 inches. The average US city gets 25 inches of snow per year. The number of days with any measurable precipitation is 115.
On average, there are 203 sunny days per year in Washington, DC. The July high is around 87 degrees. The January low is 26. Our comfort index, which is based on humidity during the hot months, is a 41 out of 100, where higher is more comfortable. The US average on the comfort index is 44.
Washington Climate SperlingViews
Washington, DC: A very expensive city to live however may activities such as the Kennedy Center and federal muesums make it very attractive. The weather is warm and the winter is... (read more)Fall: Washington, DC is in proximity of numerous beautiful state and federal parks, which allows for good outdoors and hiking, especially in the... (read more)Traffic Sucks: It's... (read more)Have an opinion about Washington? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Washington Click Here
Educate
Washington, DC, schools spend $8,334 per student. There are 13 pupils per teacher, 473 students per librarian, and 328 children per counselor in Washington, DC schools.
Washington Education SperlingViews
The best place to live in the world!!!: World class museums, history, culture, shopping, dining and Metro (subway transportation system)! Impossible to... (read more)re: DC Life not good - 3/8/2007: are you... (read more)re: Fed Up with DC, Traffic, Crime, Expenses - 6/1: Fresh out of college? Maybe you should have made a better start out plan and financially prepared yourself... (read more)Have an opinion about Washington? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Washington Click Here
Transportation
The average one-way commute in Washington, DC, takes 33 minutes. 38% of commuters drive their own car alone. 11% carpool with others. 33% take mass transit and 4% work from home.
Washington Transportation SperlingViews
Traffic Sucks: It's... (read more)One of the least bearable commutes: Washington is known for having the second longest commuting times in the nation. If you can travel a part of your route by bicycle, you can alleviate the stress or... (read more)High gay population, Traffic, Crime, Condos, and m: There is no way you can compare DC to larger cities such as New York, LA, and Chicago. DC is not very big, it has its own culture, which is slowly dying, history, and... (read more)Have an opinion about Washington? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Washington Click Here
Cost of Living
Our cost of living indices are based on a US average of 100. An amount below 100 means Washington, DC is cheaper than the US average. A cost of living index above 100 means Washington, DC is more expensive.
Overall, Washington, DC cost of living is 165.92.
Washington Cost of Living SperlingViews
Expensive housing!: For a city in which so many government employees work, DC's housing and rental prices are completely ridiculous. There are some neighborhoods near DC that are... (read more)Washington, DC vs. Richmond, VA: My job relocated to Richmond, VA this past Jan. from Washington, DC so here is my take on both places.
I moved to Washington, DC in 2001 after living in Florida for... (read more)Great place to live...if you can afford it.: I have lived in Southern Cal for many years. I moved to the DC area in 1988 for the season changes. The DC area is full of fun things to do for the whole family. DC also... (read more)Have an opinion about Washington? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Washington Click Here
Religion
73.16% of the people in Washington, DC are religious, meaning they affiliate with a religion. 27.98% are Catholic; 24.63% are Protestant; 0.14% are LDS; 5.32% are another Christian faith; 4.46% in Washington, DC are Jewish; 0.06% are an eastern faith; 10.57% affilite with Islam.
Washington Religion SperlingViews
The best place to live in the world!!!: World class museums, history, culture, shopping, dining and Metro (subway transportation system)! Impossible to... (read more)re: DC Life not good - 3/8/2007: are you... (read more)re: Fed Up with DC, Traffic, Crime, Expenses - 6/1: Fresh out of college? Maybe you should have made a better start out plan and financially prepared yourself... (read more)Have an opinion about Washington? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Washington Click Here
| Percent Religious | 73.16% | 50.03% |
| Catholic | 27.98% | 21.92% |
| Protestant | 24.63% | 19.12% |
| LDS | 0.14% | 1.57% |
| Baptist | 15.86% | 8.16% |
| Episcopalian | 3.44% | 8.12% |
| Pentecostal | 0.34% | 1.89% |
| Lutheran | 0.84% | 2.81% |
| Methodist | 2.69% | 3.84% |
| Presbyterian | 1.45% | 1.33% |
| Other Christian | 5.32% | 4.66% |
| Jewish | 4.46% | 2.16% |
| Eastern | 0.06% | 0.05% |
| Islam | 10.57% | 0.54% |
Voting
89.18% of the people in Washington, DC are registered as Democrats. 9.34% are registered Republican. Remaining are independent: 1.48%.
Washington Voting SperlingViews
personal safety?: My opinion of general safety when I leave my house? Not so good.
I know many people who live in this city who have had a bad experience, in all parts of the city. ... (read more)Great fun, as long as you avoid being out at night: DC/MD/VA was a tough place to live, especially for a single white female. It's a decent place during the day, but I wouldn't reccomend going anywhere at night unless... (read more)There's always a lot to do: It's the Nation's Capitol! Tourists come from all over to enjoy what the city has to offer. There's a lot to see: there are museums, The White House, historic... (read more)Have an opinion about Washington? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Washington Click Here
