Documenting D.C.'s Demographic Shift

Data from Washington D.C. shows how the demographics of eastern neighborhoods have shifted heavily toward childless singles over the past decade.

1 minute read

March 1, 2015, 1:00 PM PST

By Philip Rojc @PhilipRojc


Rock Creek Park Washington D.C.

iofoto / Shutterstock

In a little more than a decade, Washington D.C. neighborhoods have seen some startling demographic changes. Analysts from the city's Office of Revenue Analysis used address data from local income taxes to extrapolate where different kinds of families lived in the years 2002 and 2013.

The result: a marked increase in childless singles living in eastern neighborhoods, and no real change in western ones. Fewer households east of Rock Creek Park were singles with dependents in 2013 than in 2002. Another noteworthy trend was a slight shift of married couples with no dependents toward more central zip codes. The distribution of married couples with dependents varied. 

The article includes maps documenting the shift for various household types and an interactive tool showing neighborhood composition by zip code in both years.

Monday, February 23, 2015 in District Measured

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Public Market sign over Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington with pop-up booths on street.

Seattle’s Pike Place Market Leans Into Pedestrian Infrastructure

After decades of debate, the market is testing a car ban in one of its busiest areas and adding walking links to the surrounding neighborhood.

May 15 - Cascade PBS

Yellow and silver light rain train in downtown Long Beach, California.

The World’s Longest Light Rail Line is in… Los Angeles?

In a city not known for its public transit, the 48.5-mile A Line is the longest of its kind on the planet.

May 15 - Secret Los Angeles

Man reaching for young girl sliding down playground slide.

Quantifying Social Infrastructure

New developments have clear rules for ensuring surrounding roads, water, and sewers can handle new users. Why not do the same for community amenities?

May 15 - Happy Cities