District of Columbia Income Statistics
District of Columbia Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a state's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
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A
District of Columbia Above averageWealthiest state in US
Source: Map AI Methodology
Wealthiest and Least Wealthy Counties in District of Columbia
- District of Columbia (121% of U.S. avg)
- District of Columbia (121% of U.S. avg)
Ranked by the Map AI Wealth Index, which combines income, employment, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | District of Columbia | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $110,571 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $101,685 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 5.3% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 32.8% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 26.7% | 13.2% |
The median household income in District of Columbia is about 37% higher than in US. Income has been growing faster in District of Columbia (5.3%/yr) than in US (4.8%/yr).
About 33% of adults in District of Columbia earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the US average of 14%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in District of Columbia grew by 94.0% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $110,571 in 2024. That's an average of about 5.3% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in District of Columbia
| Metric | District of Columbia | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.501 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $113,820 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $99,936 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 12.2% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In District of Columbia, it is 0.501, lower than US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 14% more than women's income in District of Columbia. Over a 35-year career, a 14% wage gap accumulates to roughly $485,940 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in District of Columbia has widened from about 11% to 12% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 16% in 2019, and was narrowest at 10% in 2014. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $7,298 since 2009.
Sharply against the trend: the pay gap in District of Columbia widened by 1.2 points while US's narrowed by 4.0 points.
Employment
| Metric | District of Columbia | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 32.9% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 30 | 22 |
Approximately 25,405 people are unemployed in District of Columbia.
The average commute time in District of Columbia is 30 minutes, longer than the 22 minutes in US.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in District of Columbia has fallen from 9.9% to 6.3% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 10.9% in 2013.
District of Columbia Wealth Compared With Nearby States
District of Columbia is the smallest of the 6 states compared here, 678,314 residents against a local median of 8,702,460. The measure that sets District of Columbia apart most is unemployment: 6.3%, 24% above the local median of 5.1%. That is the weaker end of the local range on this measure.
Income growth tells the same story from another angle: 5.3%/yr against a local median of 4.3%/yr, 22% above it. The picture is mixed rather than uniform: income growth runs ahead of the neighbourhood while unemployment runs behind it, so District of Columbia is trading one against the other rather than simply out-performing what surrounds it. The states themselves spread 2.2% on unemployment, so District of Columbia sits at one end of an already wide local range rather than apart from it. District of Columbia has the 5th lowest unemployment of the 6 areas compared here.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 678,314 | $110,571 #1/6 | 5.3%/yr #1/6 | 6.3% #5/6 | 0.501 #1/6 |
| Maryland | 6,204,886 | $103,916 | 4.0%/yr | 4.8% | 0.534 |
| Delaware | 1,017,061 | $85,760 | 4.3%/yr | 5.1% | 0.525 |
| Pennsylvania | 13,004,688 | $78,249 | 4.4%/yr | 5.2% | 0.537 |
| Virginia | 8,702,460 | $93,527 | 4.3%/yr | 4.1% | 0.544 |
| New Jersey | 9,334,304 | $103,817 | 4.4%/yr | 6.3% | 0.544 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, District of Columbia has an overall wealth index grade of A, making it notably better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in District of Columbia.
How Rich Is District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has a wealth index grade of A. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; an A grade means residents are much better off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $110,571, about 37% higher than the US average of $80,455.
How has median household income changed in District of Columbia?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in District of Columbia rose 94%, from $57,007 to $110,571. Over the same years, income here outpaced the U.S. as a whole: +94% against +57%.
What was the median household income in District of Columbia in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in District of Columbia was $107,036, up 5% from $101,678 in 2022. The US median that year was $78,147.
What was the median household income in District of Columbia in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in District of Columbia was $91,684. By 2024 it had risen 21% to $110,571.
Do many residents of District of Columbia earn over $100,000?
Yes. 33% of adults in District of Columbia earn $100,000 or more a year (about 1 in 3), against 14% (about 1 in 7) in the U.S.. 27% of households have a combined income of $200,000 or more, compared with 13% in the U.S..
What is the Gini coefficient in District of Columbia?
The Gini coefficient in District of Columbia is 0.501. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in District of Columbia?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in District of Columbia has widened from about 11% to 12% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 16% in 2019, and was narrowest at 10% in 2014. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $7,298 since 2009.
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