Population 45,114 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Capitol Hill
Household size in Capitol Hill
| Period | Capitol Hill | Washington area | District of Columbia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.12 | 2.73 | 2.19 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.14 | 2.82 | 2.29 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.12 | 2.86 | 2.38 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 1.79 | 2.77 | 2.09 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.34 | +0.04 | −0.11 | −0.03 |
Capitol Hill is a place of small households, averaging 1.79 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has dropped from 2.12 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the northeast and smallest in the southwest.
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 Capitol Hill
| Period | Capitol Hill | Washington area | District of Columbia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.0 | 37.0 | 36.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 33.6 | 37.6 | 35.6 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 33.5 | 38.5 | 35.4 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 33.4 | 39.2 | 36.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | −4.6 | +2.2 | +0.2 | +2.3 |
Capitol Hill is young: half of its residents are under 33.4, 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 dropped from 38.0, even as the national median rose.
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 Capitol Hill
| Period | Capitol Hill | Washington area | District of Columbia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.5% | 11.3% | 14.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 6.9% | 11.3% | 12.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.0% | 10.4% | 12.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.4% | 10.4% | 12.2% | 11.6% |
| Change | −6.1 pts | −0.9 pts | −2.5 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Capitol Hill: 6.4% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has fallen 6.1 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Capitol Hill
Renters in Capitol Hill
| Period | Capitol Hill | Washington area | District of Columbia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 53.5% | 34.0% | 56.5% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 60.5% | 36.6% | 58.4% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 66.1% | 36.8% | 58.4% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 69.6% | 36.3% | 58.5% | 34.8% |
| Change | +16.0 pts | +2.3 pts | +2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Capitol Hill rent: 69.6% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among homeowners, 20.8% have no mortgage at all, well below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 16.0 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 Capitol Hill
| Period | Capitol Hill | Washington area | District of Columbia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.1% | 8.7% | 13.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 10.9% | 7.3% | 11.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.9% | 6.6% | 10.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 12.1% | 5.9% | 10.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.0 pts | −2.8 pts | −3.3 pts | −1.8 pts |
A few more homes sit empty in Capitol Hill than nationally: 12.1%, against 9.6%. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 3.0 points, 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 Capitol Hill
| Period | Capitol Hill | Washington area | District of Columbia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1955 | 1977 | 1952 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1969 | 1978 | 1954 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1974 | 1979 | 1957 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1982 | 1982 | 1963 | 1980 |
| Change | +27 | +6 | +10 | +6 |
The typical home in Capitol Hill was built around 1982, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). The median year built has moved up from 1955 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the southwest, while the center has the oldest housing. Only three of Washington's 38 neighborhoods have newer homes.
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 Capitol Hill
| Period | Capitol Hill | Washington area | District of Columbia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,205 | $1,470 | $1,166 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,569 | $1,583 | $1,368 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,031 | $1,907 | $1,677 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,593 | $2,236 | $2,078 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,389 | +$766 | +$912 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Capitol Hill costs $2,593 a month with utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $1,389 a month since 2006–10, up 115%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 25.6% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the southeast; the highest are in the southwest.
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 Capitol Hill
Bachelor's degrees in Capitol Hill
| Period | Capitol Hill | Washington area | District of Columbia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 52.1% | 46.6% | 47.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 65.3% | 48.2% | 52.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 74.9% | 51.0% | 58.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 78.5% | 53.9% | 63.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +26.5 pts | +7.3 pts | +16.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
Capitol Hill is highly educated: about eight in ten adults 25 and older (78.5%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 26.5 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the southwest and least in the northeast.
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 Capitol Hill
| Period | Capitol Hill | Washington area | District of Columbia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 84.8% | 89.4% | 86.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 91.6% | 90.2% | 88.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.5% | 90.8% | 91.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.1% | 91.2% | 92.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +11.3 pts | +1.7 pts | +6.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Capitol Hill: 96.1% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 11.3 points, mirroring the country.
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 Capitol Hill
| Period | Capitol Hill | Washington area | District of Columbia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.6% | 5.9% | 10.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.4% | 6.9% | 11.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.5% | 4.7% | 7.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.1% | 4.8% | 7.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.6 pts | −1.1 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Capitol Hill is close to the national rate: 5.1% of the labor force, against 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 4.6 points, mirroring the country. 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).
Capitol Hill 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capitol Hill | 1.79 | 33.4 | 6.4% | 69.6% | 12.1% | 1982 | $2,593 | 78.5% | 96.1% | 5.1% |
| Stanton Park | 1.96 | 36.0 | 3.4% | 49.7% | 9.6% | 1943 | $2,378 | 89.3% | 98.7% | 2.2% |
| Lincoln Park | 1.99 | 39.0 | 5.8% | 39.9% | 8.1% | 1943 | $2,401 | 90.5% | 98.5% | 2.8% |
| Hill East | 2.14 | 36.4 | 14.1% | 44.9% | 8.3% | 1963 | $2,608 | 62.8% | 90.9% | 12.8% |
| Stadium-Armory | 2.33 | 34.8 | 19.8% | 57.1% | 12.0% | 1946 | $1,887 | 54.7% | 89.3% | 11.7% |
| Mt Vernon Square | 1.59 | 32.1 | 6.7% | 78.1% | 9.8% | 2005 | $2,334 | 81.6% | 97.4% | 1.1% |
| South West | 1.56 | 36.6 | 9.1% | 68.8% | 16.4% | 1991 | $2,228 | 74.3% | 96.7% | 6.1% |
| Downtown | 1.42 | 35.8 | 3.9% | 70.5% | 15.4% | 1992 | $2,787 | 85.0% | 97.5% | 3.5% |
| Shaw | 1.90 | 33.4 | 13.1% | 71.4% | 10.3% | 1964 | $2,297 | 68.2% | 91.2% | 1.9% |
| Fairlawn | 2.17 | 39.1 | 26.0% | 61.6% | 19.3% | 1954 | $1,355 | 40.7% | 82.1% | 6.7% |
| Brentwood | 1.86 | 35.9 | 9.0% | 65.7% | 10.2% | 1974 | $1,825 | 57.6% | 91.9% | 7.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Shelby Forest-Frayser, Memphis, TN · Valley High-North Laguna, Sacramento, CA · Desert View, Phoenix, AZ · North San Jose, San Jose, CA · Downtown Seattle, Seattle, WA · Dunning, Chicago, IL · Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, NY · East Foothills, San Jose, CA · East Harlem, Manhattan, NY · North Cheyenne, Las Vegas, NV
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 Capitol Hill. 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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