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Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metro Area

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV · Metro Area

6,318,377Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 23 counties (13 central, 10 outlying), part of the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income
$126,684
Median home value
$579,900
Land area
6,036 sq mi
1,047 people per sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

CountyRolePopulationMedian incomeMedian home value
Fairfax County, VACentral1,147,837$153,637$732,800
Montgomery County, MDCentral1,065,949$132,450$640,300
Prince Georges County, MDCentral959,754$101,798$426,000
District of Columbia, DCCentral681,294$109,870$737,100
Prince William County, VACentral488,880$131,402$530,100
Loudoun County, VACentral432,998$181,765$743,800
Frederick County, MDOutlying287,048$122,002$464,600
Arlington County, VACentral236,254$142,114$895,000
Charles County, MDOutlying170,527$122,816$428,500
Stafford County, VACentral163,466$137,807$485,100
Alexandria city, VACentral156,976$119,681$735,100
Spotsylvania County, VAOutlying146,603$112,738$404,900
Fauquier County, VAOutlying74,577$130,189$573,700
Jefferson County, WVOutlying59,260$98,806$350,800
Culpeper County, VAOutlying54,397$100,049$409,200
Manassas city, VACentral42,976$113,590$449,900
Warren County, VAOutlying41,531$84,682$348,400
Fredericksburg city, VAOutlying28,873$86,071$483,700
Fairfax city, VACentral25,026$132,348$722,600
Manassas Park city, VACentral16,798$103,250$395,900
Clarke County, VAOutlying15,216$117,111$550,100
Falls Church city, VACentral14,710$143,262$1,055,600
Rappahannock County, VAOutlying7,427$83,380$506,400

Largest cities and towns

331 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

PlaceTypePopulationMedian income
Washington, DCCity681,294$109,870
Arlington, VACDP236,254$142,114
Alexandria, VACity156,976$119,681
Germantown, MDCDP90,719$117,546
Frederick, MDCity83,395$97,069
Waldorf, MDCDP82,943$116,089
Silver Spring, MDCDP81,462$99,860
Centreville, VACDP71,706$139,510
Dale City, VACDP71,016$111,994
Gaithersburg, MDCity69,825$112,467
Bethesda, MDCDP69,397$192,237
Rockville, MDCity67,671$128,649
Reston, VACDP64,414$148,710
Bowie, MDCity57,926$141,995
Aspen Hill, MDCDP53,279$111,575
Wheaton, MDCDP52,926$111,478
North Bethesda, MDCDP49,677$129,092
McLean, VACDP49,627$250,000+
Leesburg, VATown49,171$145,205
Lake Ridge, VACDP46,049$127,154
Ashburn, VACDP46,026$154,978
Potomac, MDCDP45,902$236,675
Burke, VACDP44,029$185,818
Manassas, VACity42,976$113,590
Linton Hall, VACDP41,876$178,915

Also in the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA combined area

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate
8.1%
Unemployment
4.8%
College Educated
54.4%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income
$126,684
Mean Household Income
$166,652

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male
49.2%
Female
50.8%

Population Split

Male49.2%
Female50.8%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

German8.9%
Irish8.2%
English8.2%
African4.9%
Italian4.0%
Mexican2.6%
Polish2.0%
Scottish1.6%
French1.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

24.3%Foreign Born
75.7%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized55.5%
Non-Citizen44.5%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later34.2%
Before 201065.8%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units
2,506,631
Median Rent
$2,027/mo
Median Home Value
$579,900
Median Year Built
1983

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled
1,600,298
College Enrollment
19.6%
High School
21.2%
College Educated
54.4%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time
32.4 min
Drive Alone Rate
54.7%
Public Transit
7.0%
Work From Home
25.4%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18
22.7%
18-34 Years
22.6%
35-64 Years
40.4%
65+ Years
14.3%

Population Composition

Under 1822.7%
18-3422.6%
35-6440.4%
65+14.3%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples
47.8%
Single Parent
5.7%
Living Alone
28.9%
Avg Size
2.62

Household Types

Married Couples47.8%
Single Parent5.7%
Living Alone28.9%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income
$63,554
SNAP Usage
7.9%
Health Insurance
92.6%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k8.6%
$25k - $50k9.2%
$50k - $100k21.5%
$100k+60.8%

Key Industries

Manufacturing
3.1%
Retail Trade
7.5%
Education & Health Care
19.7%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

9.4%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

92.6%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet
94.7%vs ~90% National Avg
Computer Ownership
97.8%vs ~95% National Avg
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better
108.9
0130
Below average< 97
Near average97 - 103
Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better
107.4
0200
Hard to Afford< 80
Moderate80 - 100
Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)