The adult population in Washington, DC (ages 18 and older) increased between 2000 and 2010 and then again between 2010 and 2020. Since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the adult population is estimated to have declined by approximately 18,600 residents between 2020 and 2021 and then increased by approximately 3,000 adults between 2021 and 2022.
The pattern for children differs. The number of children increased by approximately 25,800 between 2010 and 2020. But since the pandemic, the number is estimated to have decreased by 809 children between 2020 and 2021 and then estimated to have decreased further by 1,360 children between 2021 and 2022.
Adult and Youth Population Trends in the District of Columbia, 1990-2022
Sources: US Census Bureau, Decennial Counts and Population Estimates
(Detailed age breakdowns not yet available for 2022.) The 18 to 34 year old age group grew substantially between 2000 and 2010, after declining the prior decade. Between 2000 and 2010, this “millennial” group grew by more than 37,000 people and they are estimated to have grown by approximately 15,500 between 2010 and 2020. Since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, this age group has been estimated to decrease by approximately 16,000 residents between 2020 and 2021. The 35 to 64 year old group has been steadily increasing since 1990 and jumped substantially in number between 2010 and 2020 (increasing by almost 31,000 residents. This age group is estimated to have decreased by approximately 4,000 residents between 2020 and 2021. The 65+ age group increased between 2010 and 2020 and are estimated to have increased slightly between 2020 and 2021.
Adult Population by Age Groups in the District of Columbia, 1990-2021
Sources: US Census Bureau Decennial Census and 2021 Population Estimates
(Detailed age breakdowns not yet available for 2022.) The estimated number of children under age 5 increased by more than 10,000 children between 2010 and 2020 and then are estimated to have decreased by approximately 2,000 children between 2020 and 2021. The number of 5 to 13 year olds increased by approximately 16,800 children between 2010 and 2020 and is estimated to have increased slightly between 2020 and 2021 by 500 children. The 14 to 17 year olds have steadily decreased between 1990 and 2020 but are estimated to have increased by approximately 800 youth between 2020 and 2021.
Child Population by Age Groups in the District of Columbia, 1990-2021
Sources: US Census Bureau Decennial Census and 2021 Population Estimates
