Northern Virginia population growth, minority-majority transition, foreign born population transformation, and more demographics, data and graphs by region and county. Analyzed by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC). Population Overall Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Population of Northern Virginia Overview Northern Virginia is on the front lines of a demographic transformation shaping the United States. There has been an extraordinary amount of population growth in Northern Virginia. In 2025, the Northern Virginia population was 79% more than in 1990 when the population was 1,466,350. Population Estimate 2025 2,628,004 Annual Estimates/Trends Decennial Census/Trends Annual Estimates Annual Estimates: Population, Natural Change (Births and Deaths), Migration Annual estimates of population and the components of change (domestic migration, international migration, births, and deaths) paint a portrait of the annual growth patterns in the towns of Northern Virginia. Annual estimates are not based on a full census of the population. Rather, they are estimates based on a compilation of multiple administrative data pieces such as birth records and residential building permits. The estimates are obtained from the U.S. Census, which benchmarks estimates to the Decennial Censuses. Decennial Census data represents the population as of April 1 of the year, whereas the annual estimates are as of July 1 of each year. Decennial Population Decennial Census Data: Population The Decennial Census is based on a survey of the entire population. It is conducted once a decade. The 2020 Decennial Census population was released on August 12, 2021. The Decennial Census regional, county, and city population data is shown in the interactive charts that follow. Key Facts: Decennial Growth In 2020, Northern Virginia's population was 2,550,337 according to the Decennial Census. The population increased from 1,466,409 in 1990, a 74% increase in the 30 year period from 1990 to 2020. Northern Virginia added approximately 320,000 people in this past decade, 2010 to 2020. This is 96,000 or 23% less than the previous decade, signaling a significant slowdown in the pace of growth. However, growth still continues at a high amount. Virginia’s population grew by 630,369 from 2010 to 2020, of which 50.7% of that growth was in Northern Virginia. In 2020, 29.5% of Virginia’s population was in Northern Virginia, compared to 27.9% in 2010. Growth peaked in 2010. Growth in Northern Virginia has slowed since 2010. It has trended down annually since 2010, but it is still large and impactful growth that the the region is facing. The localities in Northern Virginia the growth is occurring in this decade is different in some ways than in the 1990s and 2000s. The preponderance of population growth of Northern Virginia continues to be located in the outer-ring suburbs of Prince William, Loudoun Counties, and the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park. However, the share of the region's growth that is in the outer-ring has dropped from 65.1% in the 2000 to 2010 period to 61.5% in the 2010 to 2020 period. Arlington has seen its share of the region's growth more than double from what it experienced in the 2000's. Alexandria has seen its share of the region's growth become 2.2 times what it experienced in the 2000's. Intensification of developmental pressures this decade in the inner-core is a response to the millennial generation preferences, demographics, urbanization, transportation and other market pressures.

Immigrant education data compiled by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission's as part of the One Region immigration study, Coronavirus (COVID-19) immigration study, and data dashboard to assess the economic impact of immigrants in Northern Virginia. Education Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Key Facts Education Immigrants who settle in Northern Virginia are well educated and bring with them varying levels of work and educational experience 2013 to 2017 Period Key Facts: 20.9 percent of immigrants had an advanced degree, either a master’s, professional or doctoral degree. 44.5 percent of immigrants in Northern Virginia age 25 and older had at least a bachelor’s degree. The proportion of immigrants with a bachelor’s degree or higher in Northern Virginia at 44.5 percent, is much higher than immigrants in the United States at 31.2 percent.

Northern Virginia town income, economically disadvantage populations, and more demographics, data and graphs. Analyzed by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC). Median Household Income of Towns Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Median Household Income of Towns Northern Virginia is known for having communities with some of the highest median incomes in the United States, including the county with the highest in the nation. High median household incomes coincide with the large, thriving business community of the Northern Virginia region. While the median household income is high, it must be recognized that there are segments of the community in need of assistance that live in this prosperous region of the country and that high housing costs offset the high income when it comes to standards of living and well-being. Median Household Income - Current The median household income of the counties, cities, and incorporated towns in Northern Virginia is shown in this graph. Loudoun County is the number one ranked county (county equivalent) for median household income in the nation. The towns of Clifton and Vienna have estimated median household incomes even greater than Loudoun County. All Northern Virginia counties, cities, and towns, have a median household income higher than Virginia, except for the Towns of Dumfries and Quantico. Quantico is the only locality in Northern Virginia with a median household income lower than the nation. Median Household Income - Historic Compared to Current Note, the American Community Survey is a survey with a small sample size. Due to the small population of many towns, the median household income of towns for should be used with caution and the margin of error of the median household income should be taken into consideration. If there is a large increase or decrease in the estimate from one time period to the next, and the margin of error is large and overlaps other periods, then the large change between time periods is likely due to statistical sampling error and the data should be used with caution. The margin of error is shown in the popup that is displayed when hovering over a bar in the bar charts. In addition to the margin of error, the accuracy of the American Community Survey data for an area can be gaged by evaluating the trend. If the data does not have a clear trend, and the margin of error is large and overlaps other periods, then the large change between time periods is likely due to statistical sampling error and the data should be used with caution.

Language spoken and Limited English Proficiency LEP)information compiled by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission's as part of the One Region immigration study, Coronavirus (COVID-19) immigration study, and data dashboard to assess the economic impact of immigrants in Northern Virginia. Language Spoken Key Facts Language Spoken Understanding the population with language barriers is particularly critical for the quick and accurate dissemination of health, safety, and public information. 2014 to 2018 Five-Year Estimates Key Facts: There are an estimated 584,000 people in Northern Virginia who live in a household where English is not spoken at home as the primary language. Of those, 31.2 percent of the population age five and over speak Spanish at home. Of those, the second most spoken language is Korean at 5.5 percent. There are an estimated 134,200 people in Northern Virginia who report speaking English less than well, making up 5.4 percent of the region's total population.

Northern Virginia population growth, minority-majority transition, foreign born population transformation, and more demographics, data and graphs by region and county. Analyzed by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC). People / Population Information on the people of the overall Northern Virginia region and it's county and cities. Overall Information on the people of Northern Virginia's incorporated towns . Towns

Northern Virginia income, economically disadvantage populations, workforce, and more demographics, data and graphs by region and county. Analyzed by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC). Economics Information on economics of the overall Northern Virginia region and its county and cities. Overall Information on economics of Northern Virginia incorporated towns . Towns

Northern Virginia educational attainment, public school student enrollment, and more demographics, data and graphs by region and county. Analyzed by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC). Student Enrollment Overall Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Public School Student Enrollment of Northern Virginia Overview Northern Virginia experienced sustained public school enrollment growth from 2004 through 2019, increasing from 315,898 students to a peak of 423,670. Since 2019, enrollment has declined in four of the past six years, including the most recent school year. Student enrollment in 2025 totaled 405,457. Note, the annual enrollment figures reflect September 30th of each year. Key Highlights Declining Student to Total Population Share: Since 2019, both total enrollment and the student share of the population have fallen. The student share declined from 16.7% in 2019 to a low of 15.8% in 2024. The 2025 share is currently unavailable, but will be available in mid-2026 when population data for 2025 is released by the U.S. Census Bureau. Multiple Contributing Factors: Recent declines in public school enrollment reflect a combination of factors, including declining births and birth rates, an aging population, accelerated out-migration of families due to housing costs, and elevation participation in home-schooling and private education options post-COVID 19 pandemic. Generational Transition: Public school enrollment trends closely track regional birth patterns, typically with a five-year lag. Births and birth rates in Northern Virginia have declined steadily since 2007, resulting in progressively smaller elementary school enrollment since 2013. Larger pre-2013 cohorts that supported enrollment growth are graduating and being replaced by smaller student populations, making continued enrollment decline increasingly likely. Future Growth and Planning Northern Virginia is undergoing a generational transition in its student population. The larger student populations that entered school prior to 2013 and sustained growth through the 2010s are now graduating from the school system, while smaller student populations advance through each grade. Continued enrollment declines are increasingly likely over the next five to ten years. In the longer term, Northern Virginia is projected to have substantial population growth. The region's population exceeded 2.60 million in 2024 and is forecast to surpass 3 million by 2040, according to the NVRC Demographic and Economic Fact Sheet . However, aging of the population and declining birth rates are reducing the number of school-age children entering the public school system. In addition, higher housing costs and other economic pressures are contributing to slow in-migration of families and prompting families to move out of the region. These factors are expected to result in overall stagnation or declines in student enrollment for the region, but specific areas of the region with large amounts of residential development will have increased enrollment. In summary, a multitude of variables alter student enrollment trends, including new development, transfers to and from private schools, in- and out-migration rates, and size and composition of families in existing housing stock. With growth and demographic shifts comes challenges in maintaining the high quality of education and school facilities in the region. Ensuring the continued excellence of education necessitates strategic planning and the acquisition of land or facilities for future school development, which has become increasingly complex in the region due to the limited supply of available land.

Northern Virginia educational attainment, public school student enrollment, and more demographics, data and graphs by region and county. Analyzed by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC). Education Information on education of the overall Northern Virginia region and its county and cities. Overall Information on education of Northern Virginia incorporated towns . Towns

Northern Virginia town economically disadvantaged populations, poverty, free and reduced price school meal (FARM) student and more demographics, data and graphs. Analyzed by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC). Safety Net Participants Overall Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Safety Net Participants While Northern Virginia is known for having communities with some of the highest median incomes in the United States, we must recognize that there are segments of the community in need of assistance that live in one of the most prosperous regions in the country. Affordable Care Act The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the comprehensive health care reform law enacted in March 2010. More than 151,000 residents in Northern Virginia in 2024 received health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) expenditures in Northern Virginia from 2011 to 2024 are shown in this graph, and the participants are shown in the tables below. Since 2011, the peak amount of expenditures was reached in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic downturn. The COVID-19 pandemic hit the world and its impact on the Northern Virginia region was significant from a health and economic standpoint. The temporary boost to SNAP benefits put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, known as emergency allotments, ended nationwide after the February 2023 issuance. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and TANF-UP (TANF Unemployed-Families) expenditures in Northern Virginia from 2019 to 2024 are shown in this graph, and the participants are shown in the tables below. Since 2019, the peak amount of expenditures was reached in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic downturn. The COVID-19 pandemic hit the world and its impact on the Northern Virginia region was significant from a health and economic standpoint. For additional information on the TANF and TANF-UP programs view the Virginia Department of Social Services's TANF program flyer . Medicaid Expansion The Medicaid Expansion Dashboard, which is maintained by the Virginia Department Medical Assistance Services , shows new health coverage for adults by overall enrollment, age, gender, family income, locality and region of residence.

Northern Virginia income, economically disadvantage populations, workforce, and more demographics, data and graphs by region and county. Analyzed by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC). Median Household Income Overall Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Median Household Income of Northern Virginia Overview Northern Virginia is known for having communities with some of the highest median incomes in the United States, including the county with the highest in the nation. High median household incomes coincide with the large, thriving business community of the Northern Virginia region. While the median household income is high, it must be recognized that there are segments of the community in need of assistance that live in this prosperous region of the country and that high housing costs offset the high income when it comes to standards of living and well-being. About the Data and Proper Data Interpretation Median household income data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau 2000 Census and the American Community Survey (ACS). It is important to note that any data sourced from the ACS is based on a small sample of the population of a place. Areas with smaller populations, such as the cities of Northern Virginia, may have a larger margin of error in the data due to the survey sample size being small. This is less of an issue the larger the population. The margin of error is shown in the popup that is displayed when hovering over a bar in the bar charts. If there is a large increase or decrease in the estimate from one time period to the next, and the margin of error is large and overlaps other periods, then the large change between time periods is likely due to statistical sampling error and is not considered statistically significant. In addition to the margin of error, the accuracy of the American Community Survey data for an area can be gaged by evaluating the trend. If the data has a clear trend then the data from one period to the next can be deemed reliable. Median Household Income - Current Five-Year Estimates All jurisdictions in the United States are included in the five-year American Community Survey estimates. The Median household incomes for all Northern Virginia jurisdictions are shown in this graph. The median household income of every Northern Virginia jurisdiction is higher than the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States. Out of all 3,144 jurisdictions in the USA, four of the 12 highest ranked for median household income are in Northern Virginia, and those include Loudoun County (1st), Fairfax County (4th), Falls Church City (11th), and Arlington (12th). Northern Virginia's median household income, at an estimated $149,502 (in 2024 dollars), is higher than 11th ranked Falls Church, making Northern Virginia one of the most affluent regions of the USA. Median Household Income - Current One-Year Estimates Those jurisdictions with a population of 65,000 or more are included in the one-year American Community Survey estimates, of which there are five Northern Virginia jurisdictions. The median household incomes for the five largest Northern Virginia jurisdictions are shown in this graph. The Northern Virginia median household income for the one-year estimates is representative of the five largest jurisdictions in Northern Virginia only. The five largest jurisdictions of Northern Virginia all have incomes higher than the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States. Out of the 850 jurisdictions with a population of 65,000 or more in the USA, three of the top twenty highest income jurisdictions are located in Northern Virginia, and those include Loudoun County (1st), Fairfax County (4th), and Arlington County (19th). The median household income of Northern Virginia's five largest jurisdiction together is estimated to be $149,502 (in 2024 dollars), making Northern Virginia one of the most affluent areas of the USA. Median Household Income - Historic Compared to Current Five-Year Estimates The Northern Virginia region's median household income had been rising since 1999 until it dropped in the 2020-2024 period. Since 1999, the greatest upward transformations in median household income, to levels well beyond inflation, have occurred in the Counties of Arlington and Loudoun. Median Household Income - Historic Compared to Current One-Year Estimates The median household income trend, for the regions large jurisdictions (population of 65,000 or more), are shown in the following graph. The Northern Virginia regional household income distribution for the one-year estimates is representative of the five largest jurisdictions in Northern Virginia only. Key Facts: There were dips in median household income in the early 2010s for some jurisdictions. The effects of the recession from 2007 to 2009 were still causing economic hardships and in 2013 there was federal sequestration when the federal government made large budget cuts. The Northern Virginia region is heavily dependent on the federal government for its economy, as indirectly indicated by the job layoffs during sequestration causing a sharp decline in household incomes. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically from 2012 to 2019, the trend in the Northern Virginia median household income was an upward trend after adjusting for inflation. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 triggered a wave of demographic and economic shifts both regionally and nationally. Between 2019 and 2023 there was a downward trend in the region's median household income after accounting for inflation. Nationally, wage growth outpaced inflation from 2019 through early 2021, lagged behind from early 2021 to mid-2023, and again began to outpace inflation from mid-2023 through 2024. Given that Northern Virginia's downward trend spanned 2019 to 2023, the steady decline is attributable primarily to underlying demographic shifts of this period rather than wages failing to keep pace with inflation. Notably, NVRC research has shown that workers retired early and many middle income office workers moved to more affordable areas as remote work surged. Between 2023 and 2024, median household income in the region increased after adjusting for inflation, similar to the national pattern of wages exceeding inflation. Policymakers have comprehensively addressed low-income housing to 80% or 100% of the HUD Area Median Income (AMI). However, the out-flow of young adult workers since the pandemic has underscored the need to expand first-time homebuyer housing programs to serve middle-income households earning up to 120% of the AMI and increase middle-income housing supply to enable first-time home buyers to afford comfortable living and family life in the region. A two-person household is a typical household size for first-time home buyers starting a family and would need to earn approximately $150,000 at 120% AMI to afford to purchase a starter home. Starter homes at this income level are limited in the region which is why more solutions are needed for the 120% AMI and under households. For further information on these demographic shifts, see the NVRC report Shifting Migration Patterns of Northern Virginia: Affordable Housing Needs published January 2025.

Northern Virginia Coronavirus (COVID-19) vulnerable population analysis and maps. Track cases and testing of vulnerable populations and communities in Virginia and the Northern Virginia region. Find analysis, data, maps, demographics, dashboards, and story maps. - Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC). Coronavirus Vulnerable Populations Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Social Vulnerability The U.S. Center for Disease Control's (CDC) 2018 Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) indicates the relative social vulnerability of every Virginia census tract. Social vulnerability is a measure of an area's resilience when confronted by disease outbreaks like the coronavirus (COVID-19) and stress on human nature such as natural or man-made disasters. The SVI can be used by governments and non-government entities to identify communities that may need support. Click on image to go to dashboard Senior Population The senior population has been one of the most vulnerable population in the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic. The senior population data and maps are a resource for government and non-government entities to identify communities in Virginia and the Northern Virginia region that may need support. Click on image to go to dashboard Immigrant Population The Immigration Study Dashboard provides a report published on October 21, 2020 that details the role of immigrants in Northern Virginia during the Covid-19 pandemic as well as the impact that the pandemic has had on the immigrant community. The immigrant population is especially vulnerable to gaps in our social safety nets. Understanding this population in Northern Virginia helps better inform local leaders as they aim to implement inclusive emergency response policies. Click on image to download a copy of the report

Northern Virginia population growth, minority-majority transition, foreign born population transformation, and more demographics, data and graphs by region and county. Analyzed by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC). Population Overall Population of Northern Virginia Data Northern Virginia is on the front lines of a demographic transformation shaping the United States. There has been an extraordinary amount of population growth in Northern Virginia. The April 1st Decennial Census population of Northern Virginia was 1,466,350 in 1990, 1,815,197 in 2000, 2,230,623 in 2010, and 2,550,377 in 2020. On July 1, 2025 the Northern Virginia population was estimated to be 2,628,004. Detailed information on the region and its counties and cities are available on the following population topics . Population Total Migration Births/Deaths Foreign Born Race and Ethnicity