Population 234,363 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Arlington: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Arlington
Household size in Arlington
| Period | Arlington | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.18 | 2.73 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.34 | 2.82 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.25 | 2.86 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.22 | 2.77 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.04 | +0.04 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Arlington are small: just 2.22 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Household size has crept up from 2.18 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. Only 12 of the 243 Virginia cities with 5,000+ people have smaller households.
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 Arlington
| Period | Arlington | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.4 | 37.0 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 35.6 | 37.6 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 36.2 | 38.5 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 37.3 | 39.2 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.8 | +2.2 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Arlington is 37.3 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 35.4 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Residents skew youngest in the east and oldest in the northwest.
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 Arlington
| Period | Arlington | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.7% | 11.3% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 6.2% | 11.3% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 5.9% | 10.4% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.4% | 10.4% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Arlington: 5.4% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has edged down 1.3 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Of the 243 Virginia cities with 5,000+ people, only 20 have a lower 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 Arlington
Renters in Arlington
| Period | Arlington | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 53.1% | 34.0% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 55.2% | 36.6% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 57.3% | 36.8% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 58.8% | 36.3% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +5.7 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Arlington rent: 58.8% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. About a third of owners (32.5%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 5.7 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Arlington
| Period | Arlington | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.8% | 8.7% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.5% | 7.3% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.8% | 6.6% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 8.7% | 5.9% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
About as many homes sit empty in Arlington as nationally: 8.7%, against 9.6%. The rate is higher than in the Washington area overall (5.9%). Vacancy has fallen 2.2 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Arlington
| Period | Arlington | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1967 | 1977 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1968 | 1978 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1970 | 1979 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1973 | 1982 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +6 | +5 | +6 |
Housing in Arlington leans older: the median home dates to 1973, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1967 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the center, the oldest in the west.
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 Arlington
| Period | Arlington | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,605 | $1,470 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,748 | $1,583 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,202 | $1,907 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,521 | $2,236 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$916 | +$766 | +$600 | +$606 |
The median renter in Arlington pays $2,521 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $916 a month since 2006–10, up 57%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 28.6% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the northwest; the most affordable are in the south.
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 Arlington
Bachelor's degrees in Arlington
| Period | Arlington | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 70.2% | 46.6% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 72.4% | 48.2% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 75.5% | 51.0% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 76.5% | 53.9% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.3 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in Arlington: 76.5% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher, against 35.6% nationally. Education tends to track local incomes and the kinds of jobs nearby. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 6.3 points, mirroring the country. Only 13 of the 243 Virginia cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of college graduates.
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 Arlington
| Period | Arlington | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 92.5% | 89.4% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 93.8% | 90.2% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.4% | 90.8% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.9% | 91.2% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.4 pts | +1.7 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Arlington: 94.9% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 2.4 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Arlington
| Period | Arlington | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.3% | 5.9% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 3.8% | 6.9% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.7% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.4% | 4.8% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | +0.0 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been easier to find in Arlington than nationally: unemployment was 3.4%, against 5.4%. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
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).
Arlington compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington | 2.22 | 37.3 | 5.4% | 58.8% | 8.7% | 1973 | $2,521 | 76.5% | 94.9% | 3.4% |
| Fort Myer | 2.26 | 22.7 | 4.1% | 87.4% | 57.7% | 1941 | $3,356 | 43.7% | 99.5% | 24.5% |
| Seven Corners | 2.72 | 38.3 | 8.6% | 44.2% | 3.3% | 1963 | $1,987 | 46.8% | 82.9% | 6.8% |
| Falls Church | 2.73 | 40.2 | 7.9% | 44.0% | 5.0% | 1975 | $2,350 | 61.8% | 86.1% | 4.5% |
| West Falls Church | 3.00 | 38.4 | 8.7% | 33.3% | 4.5% | 1966 | $2,333 | 51.9% | 86.1% | 4.4% |
| Lincolnia | 2.72 | 39.2 | 8.0% | 43.0% | 8.9% | 1978 | $2,379 | 54.7% | 89.8% | 5.7% |
| Alexandria | 2.39 | 38.8 | 9.4% | 52.7% | 6.5% | 1975 | $2,281 | 58.7% | 90.0% | 4.3% |
| Washington area | 2.77 | 39.2 | 10.4% | 36.3% | 5.9% | 1982 | $2,236 | 53.9% | 91.2% | 4.8% |
| Jefferson Manor | 2.86 | 38.2 | 8.0% | 38.3% | 5.4% | 1974 | $2,621 | 59.3% | 88.9% | 1.8% |
| Idylwood | 2.50 | 37.6 | 7.5% | 44.0% | 3.1% | 1974 | $2,210 | 64.9% | 89.9% | 3.0% |
| Huntington | 1.79 | 38.5 | 6.1% | 56.5% | 8.6% | 1986 | $2,267 | 68.4% | 95.3% | 5.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Winchester, VA · Yonkers, NY · Wilmington, DE · Waukesha, WI · Whittier, CA · West Chester, PA · Waldorf, MD · Westerville, OH · Washington, DC · Warwick, RI
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 Arlington. 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.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.