Thanks for Visiting!

Register for free to get the full story.

Sign Up
Already have a Placer.ai account? Log In

Washington, D.C. Population Changes & Migration Trends

by 
Bracha Arnold
 on 
January 26, 2023
Washington, D.C. Population Changes & Migration Trends

With its high concentration of government institutions, universities, and thriving art scene, Washington, D.C. has long attracted out-of-towners willing to relocate to take advantage of the city’s unique professional, academic, and cultural opportunities. And while the population influx slowed over COVID, domestic migration trends appear to have fully bounced back, with both D.C. and its surrounding counties looking stronger than ever. We took a closer look at migration patterns and demographic trends over the past three years to explore who is moving in and who is moving out of the capital city and its surrounding areas. 

Overall Population Changes

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted population trends in major U.S. cities, and Washington, D.C. was no exception. Prior to COVID, the city – home to a large student population – was prone to certain seasonal fluctuations, with populations regularly dipping in May and rebounding in September. But in March 2020, as government buildings, offices, and universities shifted to remote work, D.C.’s population plummeted, and remained below 2019 levels throughout the rest of 2020 and much of 2021. Now, Washington D.C.’s population decline has not just reversed – the city’s population is significantly higher than it was pre-pandemic. As of November 2022, the District had 6.5% more residents than in January 2018. 

In contrast, neighboring cities Arlington, VA and Alexandria, VA – popular with many D.C. commuters – continued seeing stable growth patterns, even though the cities’ proximity to the nation’s capital lost much of its relevance with the shift to remote work. From January 2018 to November 2022, Arlington's population grew by 3.5% and Alexandria's population grew by 9.6%. Nearby Prince George’s County, MD, another D.C.-adjacent area, also saw its population remain steady during the pandemic and beyond, with 3.5% population growth between January 2018 and November 2022. These counties seemed to follow migration patterns seen throughout much of the country, where smaller CBSAs (Core Based Statistical Areas) experienced growth

Downtown Revival

The difference between the pandemic population trend line in Washington, D.C. and the population trend line in the counties surrounding the District may have to do with the different demographics that each county attracts. D.C. is known for its high share of young adults – 17.3% of D.C.’s population is between 20 and 29 years old, compared to just 13.1% of the general population nationwide. The median age in the District is also on the younger side at 34, in contrast to neighboring cities and counties such as Arlington, Alexandria, and Prince George's County, where the median age is higher – 36.5, 37, and 38, respectively. 

Digging deeper into D.C.’s recent inbound migration trends also shows that the significant influx of new residents is mostly concentrated in the city's downtown areas. Neighborhoods such as the West End, Mount Vernon, and Capitol Hill saw their populations increase by 53.1%, 18.9%, and 13.7%, respectively, between December 2019 and November 2022. 

Many of these D.C. newcomers are young professionals looking to establish careers in government, politics, or policy – a trend reinforced by the prevalence of single-occupancy housing in D.C. With 48.2% of all households occupied by a single person – compared to just 29% nationwide – the city is sometimes referred to as "the loneliest city in America.” The single-occupancy households, high concentration of higher-education institutions, and wealth of government and policy jobs help make Washington, D.C. a desirable destination for young professionals. 

These demographic patterns can also explain why D.C. saw a dramatic population drop over the pandemic – many of the city’s residents were likely unattached students or young professionals who chose to leave once they no longer had a logistical reason to stay in town. Meanwhile, the more suburban nature of Alexandria and Virginia likely appeals more to families and individuals looking for a longer-term, more stable living arrangement – and who probably have reasons to stay in their city even without the draw of an easy commute.

Why Do People Leave D.C.?

The fact that the counties surrounding Washington, D.C. attract a more established demographic while D.C. itself is home to a younger, more transient population becomes further evident when zooming into regional migration trends. Between December 2019 and November 2022, people leaving the city did not move far, often relocating to nearby counties such as Arlington, VA, Alexandria, VA, and Prince George’s County, MD. This migration pattern reinforces the idea that for many, D.C. is a place to establish a career, while the nearby cities are places to establish a life.

And there are plenty of reasons why some might choose to leave the District in favor of these cities.  Some outgoing D.C. residents may seek community, which may be hard to find in work-centric D.C. Others may simply want to enjoy the high quality of life that Arlington and Alexandria have to offer – Travel & Leisure Magazine voted Alexandria as one of the best cities in the country, and Arlington residents were determined to be the second-happiest in America. 

The trend of people leaving Washington, D.C., while staying in the region suggests that, for many, the District is a relatively brief stop on their journey as they seek places where they can both establish a life while cultivating D.C.-centric careers.

Demographic Shifts in the DMV Area

D.C.’s domestic migration patterns offers insight into the role of the city as a destination for young professionals drawn to the city for its job opportunities and proximity to the nation’s political hubs. As these young professionals become more established in their careers and families, many choose to move to surrounding areas in Maryland and Virginia. Despite this, D.C. remains an important gateway city for upwardly mobile young professionals, and the surrounding areas only stand to continue to benefit from that positioning. 

For more data-driven migration insights, visit placer.ai/blog.  

Get 3 brand & industry
breakdowns every week

Subscribe to the newsletter

Great! Prepare your inbox for data-driven insights...
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Get a Demo

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please provide a valid email
Please enter your email
Please enter company name

Thanks for reaching out!

One of our experts will be in touch soon

Try Placer.ai Free
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Text Link
Washington, DC
Text Link
Covid-19
4 Strategies Retailers are Using to Drive Traffic to Their Venues
5 Key Regional Grocery Players Impressing in 2023
Upscale Kitchenware Trending Up
Costco Finds More Room for Growth
Four C-Store Chains Making an A-Grade
National Parks + Outdoor Summer Activities
Diving Into Darden: Summer 2023 Update
The Summer Event Effect
Messi: Massive in Miami
Looking Back on Back to School 2023
The Anchor Recap: August 2023
Placer.ai Office Index: August 2023 Recap
Placer.ai Mall Index: August 2023 Recap
Placer.ai White Paper Recap: August 2023
Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Strikes Again
Big Scoop: We All Scream For Ice Cream
Sports Away: Lululemon & Nike’s Momentum Continues
Summer Visits Heat Up For Recreation and Outdoor Gear Chains
No CSS overwrite - July 2023 Office Index Recap
Staging - August 2023 Mall Indec
Mid-Atlantic Grocery Deep Dive
Experiential Chains Heating Up This Summer
Petco Goes Big by Going Small
Ulta Beauty: Leading the Discretionary Pack
Discount and Dollar Chains Continue to Thrive
Summer of Sports: DICK’s Sporting Goods and Hibbett Sports
Off-Price: Succeeding Into Summer
The Anchor Recap: July 2023
Superstores Maintaining Pandemic Gains Amidst Economic Headwinds
2023: Home Improvement at the Halfway Point
July 2023 Office Index Recap
Placer.ai Mall Index: July 2023 Recap
widget test
The Taylor Swift Visit Lift
Southwestern Grocery Dive
July 2023 White Paper Recap: Halfway Point Review & Quarterly Index
Yum! Brands: Driving Dining Visits
Slurpees and Summer Movies Stimulate Consumer Foot Traffic
Cool Beans: Summer Coffee Update
Checking In on Back to School 2023
Crocs and New Balance Tip The Scales
Burger Bliss: Shake Shack and In-N-Out Stacking Visits
Chipotle & McDonald's Continue to Reign Supreme
Vibenomics and Placer.ai Partner to Enhance Retail Media In-Store Measurement
California Grocers Here We Come!
Marriott’s Different Audiences
Bonchon and Kura Sushi Thrive in the Fast-Casual Scene
A Shoe In: Footwear Climbs to the Top
Cheers! Raising a Glass to Beverage Retail
Placer.ai Office Index: June 2023 Recap
Placer.ai Mall Index June 2023 Recap – A Turn of the Tide and a Dive into Open-Air Lifestyle Centers
Local Kitchens: Redefining the Restaurant
Unlocking Urban Insights: The Value in Manhattan’s Employees
Ohio State Parks On The Rise
How is Inflation Impacting the High-Income Shoppers?
Five Fast-Growing Dining Chains
What To Expect From Prime Day and July Sales Events in 2023
The State Of Fashion: How Are Apparel Retailers Faring in 2023?
2023’s Latest Dining Success Story: GEN Korean BBQ House
The NBA Finals: A Location Intelligence Perspective
Moving the Market: The Impact of Domestic Migration on Housing Costs
Post-Pandemic Museum Update
The Darden-est Things
The Enduring Demand for Urban and Suburban Retail
Leveraging Data to Evaluate the Impact of Municipal Investments
Trader Joe's Success Amidst Food Inflation and Changing Consumer Behavior
Placer.ai Office Index: May 2023 Recap
Fitness at its Fittest: Staying Strong in 2023
Movie Theaters, Off-Price, and Home Improvement: May 2023 Recap
Placer.ai Mall Index - May 2023 Recap
What’s Working for Bath & Body Works?
Why Are Specialty Grocers Thriving in 2023?
The CAVA Craze: A Location Intelligence Perspective on the Mediterranean Marvel
How Will Primark’s US Expansion Impact Target?
All Eyes on Eyewear
Northwestern U.S. Grocery Dive
Return of the Lunch: Salad Chains Are Thriving
Retail Media Networks – Off the Beaten Track
Bet Your Bottom Dollar: Discount and Dollar Stores Drive Foot Traffic
Ulta & Lululemon: Discretionary Spending On The Up
The Score After Q1: Sporting Goods Chains
Who Uses NYC Airports: Biting Into The Big Apple’s Main Transport Hubs
Off Price: Strength in The Face of Retail Challenges
Visits Improve for Home Improvement
Walmart, Target & Wholesalers in Q1 2023 – The Return of Mission-Driven Shopping?
Department Store Roundup: Q1 2023
Placer.ai Office Index: April 2023 Recap
Placer.ai Mall Index, April 2023 – A Rebound on the Horizon?
How Will Bed Bath & Beyond’s Bankruptcy Impact the Retail Space?
Buffet Restaurants: Filling Up on Foot Traffic
Thrift Stores: Vintage Visits Drive New Age in Apparel
The Windy City: A Hub of Post-Pandemic Opportunity
Diving into Dining Traffic - Q1 2023
Bring On The Joe
A Dollar (or more) For Your Thoughts: Five Below and pOpshelf
Dining Out With The Cheesecake Factory
Retail Foot Traffic Recap – March 2023
Digging Into 2023: McDonald’s and Chipotle Update
Placer.ai Office Index: March 2023 Recap
How Did Key Retail Categories Perform in Q1 2023?