Population 6,967 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Crystal City
Household size in Crystal City
| Period | Crystal City | Arlington | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1.63 | 2.18 | 2.73 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 1.76 | 2.34 | 2.82 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 1.75 | 2.25 | 2.86 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 1.66 | 2.22 | 2.77 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.03 | +0.04 | +0.04 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Crystal City is a place of small households, averaging 1.66 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 1.63, even as the national average fell. Only one other Arlington neighborhood has 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 Crystal City
| Period | Crystal City | Arlington | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.6 | 35.4 | 37.0 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 33.0 | 35.6 | 37.6 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 33.7 | 36.2 | 38.5 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 37.8 | 37.3 | 39.2 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.2 | +1.8 | +2.2 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Crystal City is 37.8 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 35.6, as it has nationally. Residents skew youngest in the northwest and oldest in the east.
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 Crystal City
| Period | Crystal City | Arlington | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.1% | 6.7% | 11.3% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 2.4% | 6.2% | 11.3% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 4.8% | 5.9% | 10.4% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.5% | 5.4% | 10.4% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.6 pts | −1.3 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 1.5% of households in Crystal City, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 0.6 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Few Arlington neighborhoods have a lower share of single-parent households: only two of 29.
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 Crystal City
Renters in Crystal City
| Period | Crystal City | Arlington | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 88.5% | 53.1% | 34.0% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 89.2% | 55.2% | 36.6% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 87.8% | 57.3% | 36.8% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 86.3% | 58.8% | 36.3% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | +5.7 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in Crystal City: 86.3% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. About six in ten owners (60.7%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has fallen 2.2 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose. Only one other Arlington neighborhood has a higher share of renters.
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 Crystal City
| Period | Crystal City | Arlington | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.2% | 10.8% | 8.7% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 23.1% | 11.5% | 7.3% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 15.7% | 6.8% | 6.6% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.3% | 8.7% | 5.9% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.9 pts | −2.2 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 14.3% of the housing in Crystal City, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is down 3.9 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 Crystal City
| Period | Crystal City | Arlington | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1981 | 1967 | 1977 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1982 | 1968 | 1978 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1988 | 1970 | 1979 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1986 | 1973 | 1982 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +6 | +6 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in Crystal City is younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1986, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1981 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the east has the oldest housing.
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 Crystal City
| Period | Crystal City | Arlington | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,882 | $1,605 | $1,470 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,950 | $1,748 | $1,583 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,378 | $2,202 | $1,907 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,680 | $2,521 | $2,236 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$798 | +$916 | +$766 | +$600 | +$606 |
The median renter in Crystal City pays $2,680 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $798 a month from 2006–10, a 42% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 24.8% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the south and lowest in the northwest.
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 Crystal City
Bachelor's degrees in Crystal City
| Period | Crystal City | Arlington | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 79.0% | 70.2% | 46.6% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 85.9% | 72.4% | 48.2% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 85.9% | 75.5% | 51.0% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 85.2% | 76.5% | 53.9% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.2 pts | +6.3 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
Crystal City is highly educated: nearly nine in ten adults 25 and older (85.2%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 6.2 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the east and least in the west.
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 Crystal City
| Period | Crystal City | Arlington | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 96.8% | 92.5% | 89.4% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 98.2% | 93.8% | 90.2% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 98.8% | 94.4% | 90.8% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 98.5% | 94.9% | 91.2% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.7 pts | +2.4 pts | +1.7 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Crystal City: 98.5% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 1.7 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Crystal City has a higher share of high school graduates than the great majority of Arlington 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 Crystal City
| Period | Crystal City | Arlington | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.7% | 3.3% | 5.9% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 3.1% | 3.8% | 6.9% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.4% | 2.7% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 0.7% | 3.4% | 4.8% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.0 pts | +0.0 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Crystal City has been low: just 0.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Crystal City has the lowest unemployment rate of any Arlington neighborhood. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 3.0 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).
Crystal City 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal City | 1.66 | 37.8 | 1.5% | 86.3% | 14.3% | 1986 | $2,680 | 85.2% | 98.5% | 0.7% |
| Aurora Highlands | 1.70 | 37.6 | 2.7% | 86.4% | 12.1% | 1989 | $2,610 | 82.8% | 97.5% | 2.8% |
| Arlington Ridge | 2.12 | 37.6 | 1.2% | 64.1% | 11.5% | 1961 | $2,761 | 87.3% | 99.4% | 2.4% |
| Long Branch Creek | 2.15 | 30.6 | 6.9% | 76.1% | 5.8% | 1992 | $2,463 | 65.5% | 93.9% | 3.7% |
| Columbia Heghts | 1.87 | 35.9 | 6.7% | 76.9% | 4.0% | 1968 | $1,983 | 70.1% | 95.1% | 6.1% |
| Penrose | 1.96 | 36.2 | 5.1% | 70.4% | 8.4% | 1971 | $1,953 | 62.6% | 89.7% | 6.3% |
| Nauck | 2.16 | 34.8 | 8.7% | 49.5% | 14.8% | 1978 | $2,264 | 66.7% | 98.8% | 2.9% |
| Potomac West | 2.31 | 35.4 | 9.0% | 57.6% | 5.1% | 1954 | $2,157 | 63.3% | 83.6% | 2.8% |
| South West | 1.56 | 36.6 | 9.1% | 68.8% | 16.4% | 1991 | $2,228 | 74.3% | 96.7% | 6.1% |
| Potomac Yard-Potomac Greens | 2.10 | 37.1 | 1.8% | 56.9% | 7.9% | 2003 | $2,983 | 88.3% | 97.9% | 1.4% |
| North Ridge Rosemont | 2.41 | 45.6 | 4.7% | 23.6% | 3.6% | 1950 | $2,215 | 82.5% | 96.1% | 3.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Seward Park, Seattle, WA · Delhi, Santa Ana, CA · Downtown Crossing, Boston, MA · South Park, Buffalo, NY · Durfee, Detroit, MI · South Bay, Eureka, CA · East Elmhurst, Queens, NY · East End, Alameda, CA · Eldorado Village, Largo, FL · Snow Woods, Dearborn, MI
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 Crystal City. 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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