Population 101,483 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Anacostia
Household size in Anacostia
| Period | Anacostia | Washington area | District of Columbia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.49 | 2.73 | 2.19 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.59 | 2.82 | 2.29 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.68 | 2.86 | 2.38 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.42 | 2.77 | 2.09 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.07 | +0.04 | −0.11 | −0.03 |
The average household in Anacostia has 2.42 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 2.49, mirroring the country. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the south.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Anacostia
| Period | Anacostia | Washington area | District of Columbia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.1 | 37.0 | 36.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 32.7 | 37.6 | 35.6 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 32.7 | 38.5 | 35.4 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 34.5 | 39.2 | 36.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.4 | +2.2 | +0.2 | +2.3 |
Anacostia is young: half of its residents are under 34.5, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 32.1, as it has nationally.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Anacostia
| Period | Anacostia | Washington area | District of Columbia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.8% | 11.3% | 14.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 30.4% | 11.3% | 12.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 27.4% | 10.4% | 12.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 29.1% | 10.4% | 12.2% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.7 pts | −0.9 pts | −2.5 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Anacostia: 29.1% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has fallen 2.7 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. No other Washington neighborhood has a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Anacostia
Renters in Anacostia
| Period | Anacostia | Washington area | District of Columbia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 70.1% | 34.0% | 56.5% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 73.3% | 36.6% | 58.4% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 72.0% | 36.8% | 58.4% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 69.4% | 36.3% | 58.5% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.7 pts | +2.3 pts | +2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Anacostia rent: 69.4% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Just over three in ten owners (31.2%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged down 0.7 points, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Anacostia
| Period | Anacostia | Washington area | District of Columbia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.8% | 8.7% | 13.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.2% | 7.3% | 11.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 12.1% | 6.6% | 10.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 11.8% | 5.9% | 10.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −5.0 pts | −2.8 pts | −3.3 pts | −1.8 pts |
A few more homes sit empty in Anacostia than nationally: 11.8%, against 9.6%. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Vacancy is down 5.0 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Anacostia
| Period | Anacostia | Washington area | District of Columbia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1961 | 1977 | 1952 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1963 | 1978 | 1954 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1963 | 1979 | 1957 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1966 | 1982 | 1963 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +6 | +10 | +6 |
Anacostia is a place of older homes: half were built before 1966, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The median year built has moved up from 1961 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the south, the oldest in the east.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Anacostia
| Period | Anacostia | Washington area | District of Columbia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $856 | $1,470 | $1,166 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $955 | $1,583 | $1,368 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,114 | $1,907 | $1,677 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,391 | $2,236 | $2,078 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$535 | +$766 | +$912 | +$606 |
The median renter in Anacostia pays $1,391 a month for rent and utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $535 a month from 2006–10, a 63% jump, roughly in step with the nation. Rent takes 33.9% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Few Washington neighborhoods have lower rents: only three of 38.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Anacostia
Bachelor's degrees in Anacostia
| Period | Anacostia | Washington area | District of Columbia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.4% | 46.6% | 47.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.1% | 48.2% | 52.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.5% | 51.0% | 58.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 24.9% | 53.9% | 63.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +10.6 pts | +7.3 pts | +16.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Anacostia: 24.9% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 10.6 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Anacostia has the lowest share of college graduates of any Washington neighborhood.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Anacostia
| Period | Anacostia | Washington area | District of Columbia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 81.4% | 89.4% | 86.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 82.8% | 90.2% | 88.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 86.0% | 90.8% | 91.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 87.0% | 91.2% | 92.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.6 pts | +1.7 pts | +6.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in eight adults in Anacostia never finished high school, a bit more than nationally: 87.0% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma is up 5.6 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Anacostia has a lower share of high school graduates than the great majority of Washington neighborhoods.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Anacostia
| Period | Anacostia | Washington area | District of Columbia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.9% | 5.9% | 10.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 23.6% | 6.9% | 11.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 15.7% | 4.7% | 7.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 13.9% | 4.8% | 7.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.1 pts | −1.1 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Anacostia: 13.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Few Washington neighborhoods have higher unemployment: only two of 38. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 4.1 points, in line with the national trend.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Anacostia compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anacostia | 2.42 | 34.5 | 29.1% | 69.4% | 11.8% | 1966 | $1,391 | 24.9% | 87.0% | 13.9% |
| Fairlawn | 2.17 | 39.1 | 26.0% | 61.6% | 19.3% | 1954 | $1,355 | 40.7% | 82.1% | 6.7% |
| Congress Heights | 2.24 | 36.3 | 20.7% | 69.9% | 9.9% | 1967 | $1,555 | 25.3% | 83.1% | 17.3% |
| Hill East | 2.14 | 36.4 | 14.1% | 44.9% | 8.3% | 1963 | $2,608 | 62.8% | 90.9% | 12.8% |
| Lincoln Park | 1.99 | 39.0 | 5.8% | 39.9% | 8.1% | 1943 | $2,401 | 90.5% | 98.5% | 2.8% |
| Hillside | 2.77 | 39.2 | 22.7% | 18.1% | 4.1% | 1968 | $1,593 | 20.7% | 84.6% | 9.2% |
| Suitland-Silver Hill | 2.07 | 44.7 | 15.7% | 66.1% | 9.3% | 1977 | $1,609 | 25.0% | 91.7% | 7.3% |
| Capitol Hill | 1.79 | 33.4 | 6.4% | 69.6% | 12.1% | 1982 | $2,593 | 78.5% | 96.1% | 5.1% |
| South West | 1.56 | 36.6 | 9.1% | 68.8% | 16.4% | 1991 | $2,228 | 74.3% | 96.7% | 6.1% |
| Stadium-Armory | 2.33 | 34.8 | 19.8% | 57.1% | 12.0% | 1946 | $1,887 | 54.7% | 89.3% | 11.7% |
| Stanton Park | 1.96 | 36.0 | 3.4% | 49.7% | 9.6% | 1943 | $2,378 | 89.3% | 98.7% | 2.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: North Scottsdale, Scottsdale, AZ · Southeast Dallas, Dallas, TX · Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY · South Side, Corpus Christi, TX · Sunset Park, Brooklyn, NY · Southeastern Denver, Denver, CO · Northland, Columbus, OH · Southwest, Anaheim, CA · South Mountain, Phoenix, AZ · Paradise Valley, Phoenix, AZ
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Anacostia. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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