Fast Facts

The Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area consists of the District, five counties in Maryland, 17 counties and independent cities in Virginia, and Jefferson, West Virginia. In total, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area consists of 24 jurisdictions (Excel File).

Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area Map

Residents

  • Residents: 6,216,589, ranked 6th of the 15 largest employment metros (2017)
  • Employed Residents: 3,262,831, ranked 5th of the 15 largest employment metros (2017)
  • Unemployment Rate: 3.7%, ranked 5th of the 15 largest employment metros (2017)
  • Enrolled in School: 1,627,437, ranked 6th of the 15 largest employment metros (2017)
  • Educational Attainment: 50.8% of the population over 25 years old with a Bachelor’s degree or higher; 25.0% with a graduate or professional degree, ranked 1st of the 15 largest employment metros (2017)

Households

  • Households: 2,203,717, ranked 7th of the 15 largest employment metros (2017)
  • Median Household Income: $99,669, ranked 2nd of the 15 largest employment metros (2017)
  • Home Ownership Rate: 63.6%, ranked 6th of the 15 largest employment metros (2017)

Economy

  • GRP: $530 billion, ranked 5th of all metros (2017, current dollars)
  • Payroll jobs: 3,274,100, ranked 5th of the 15 largest employment metros (2017)
  • Professional & Business Service Jobs: 746,700, ranked 4th of the 15 largest employment metros (2017)
  • Federal Government Jobs: 368,000, ranked 1st of the 15 largest employment metros (2017)
  • Non-Farm Proprietors (Self-Employment) per 1,000 residents: 149.7, ranked 8th of the 15 largest employment metros (2016)
  • Federal procurement: $73.5 billion (2016)
  • Utility Patents (Innovation Patents): 2,310 (13.2% by Federal agencies); ranked 12th of 15 largest employment metros (2015)

Metropolitan Statistical Area Comparison (As of 10/2018)