2023 Census Data Highlights Continued Population Growth in Washington, DC

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Data Places DC in Top Ten States for Population Percentage Growth; Migration Out of DC Slows

(Washington, DC) – Today, the U.S. Census Bureau released new population data that shows that the District’s population grew by 8,023 people from July 1, 2022 to July 1, 2023, making this the second consecutive year that DC’s population increased. 

“DC’s Comeback is underway, and you can see it in these numbers,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “In our Comeback Plan, we are clear: we are focused on keeping people in DC, bringing people to DC, and making sure that every neighborhood is a vibrant place for people to live, work, visit, and play. We are going to continue to attract great employers, to invest in housing and economic opportunity, and to prioritize our city’s greatest asset: our people.”

The District is showing strong signs of growth with two consecutive years of population increase, reversing population declines during COVID-19. The growth from 2022 to 2023 is larger than the growth between 2021 and 2022 when the District gained 1,912 people. As of the July 1, 2023, DC’s population was at 678,972, with a population increase of 1.2% year over year. With this increase, DC ranks 7th among all states in terms of population percentage growth from 2022 to 2023.

This growth is attributed to the District having 2,607 more births than deaths in the year. Additionally, this is the first year since 2019 that the District has a positive net migration, with 5,460 more people moving into the District than moving out. International migration has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, with a net gain of 6,969 people moving into the District – almost 150% more than in 2019. Domestic migration trends are also shifting, with a significant decline in people moving out of the District to other states. 

For more information on this data release, visit the U.S. Census Bureau’s website. Additional demographic data about the District is available on DC Office of Planning’s Demographic Data hub at opdatahub.dc.gov.