Looking at the District's adult (over age 18) and child (under age 18) population over time, both categories increased steadily between 2000 and 2020. Similarly, both were estimated to have declined during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most recently, the adult and children populations are estimated to have rebounded surpassing the 2020 Census counts for each category.
Adult and Child Population Trends in the District of Columbia, 1990-2024
Sources: US Census Bureau, Decennial Counts and Population Estimates
The 18 to 34 year old age group or "millennials” grew by more than 37,300 (or 21%) between 2000 and 2010 and then by another 17,000 (or 8%) more between 2010 and 2020. The number of millennials were estimated to have decreased during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic holding relatively flat each year since. The 35 to 64 year old group increased by approximately 30,400 residents (14%) between 2010 and 2020. After the decreases experienced during the pandemic, this age group has been estimated to have held relatively flat. Unlike other age groups, the 65+ age group not only increased between 2010 and 2020 (by approximately 16,000 residents) but are estimated to have increased modestly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic as well.
Adult Population by Age Groups in the District of Columbia, 1990-2023
Sources: US Census Bureau, Decennial Census and Population Estimates Note: 2024 estimates by age group are not yet available
The number of children under age 5 increased by approximately 9,700 children or 30% between 2010 and 2020. Since 2020, the estimated number of children under the age of 5 has steadily decreased prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the decreased number of births. Like young children, 5 to 13 year olds increased by almost 16,000 children or 35% between 2010 and 2020 but are estimated to have increased modestly each year since 2020. The 14 to 17 year olds, or high school students, decreased between 2010 and 2020 but are estimated to have increased modestly for the past three years.
Child Population by Age Groups in the District of Columbia, 1990-2023
Sources: US Census Bureau, Decennial Census and Population Estimates Note: 2024 estimates by age group are not yet available
