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 19,500 residents between 2020 and 2021, and then increased by approximately 2,500 adults between 2021 and 2022 and another 5,000 adults between 2022 and 2023.
The number of children also increased substantially between 2010 and 2020 (an approximate 24,300 increase). But in 2021, in the midst of the pandemic, the number of children was estimated to have decreased by approximately 1,100 compared to 2020. Since then, the number of children has increased reaching approximately 126,600 in 2023.
Adult and Child Population Trends in the District of Columbia, 1990-2023
Sources: US Census Bureau, Decennial Counts and Population Estimates
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 37,300 people and they are estimated to have grown by approximately 17,000 more between 2010 and 2020. Since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, this age group decreased by approximately 15,000 residents between 2020 and 2021 and then stayed mostly flat in 2022. The 35 to 64 year old group has been steadily increasing since 1990 and jumped substantially in number between 2010 and 2020 (increasing by approximately 30,400 residents). This age group is estimated to have decreased by approximately 4,800 residents between 2020 and 2021 and stayed flat for 2022. 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 between 2020 and 2021 and again between 2021 and 2022 (by almost 1,000 and 1,500 residents. respectively).
Adult Population by Age Groups in the District of Columbia, 1990-2022
Sources: US Census Bureau, Decennial Census and Population Estimates Note: 2023 estimates by age group are not yet available
The estimated number of children under age 5 increased by approximately 9,700 children between 2010 and 2020 and then are estimated to have decreased by approximately 1,600 children between 2020 and 2021 and again by 1,600 between 2021 and 2022. The number of 5 to 13 year olds increased by almost 16,000 children between 2010 and 2020 and is estimated to have increased slightly in 2021 and again in 2022. The 14 to 17 year olds have steadily decreased between 1990 and 2020 but are estimated to have increased by approximately 750 youth between 2020 and 2021 and another 900 students between 2021 and 2022.
Child Population by Age Groups in the District of Columbia, 1990-2022
Sources: US Census Bureau, Decennial Census and Population Estimates Note: 2023 estimates by age group are not yet available
