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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, three of the five highest ranked for median household income are in Northern Virginia, and those include Loudoun County (1st), Falls Church City (4th), and Fairfax County (5th). Northern Virginia's median household income, at an estimated $142,583 (in 2023 dollars), is higher than 12th ranked Arlington, 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 2019-2023 period. 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; however, the pandemic has underscored the need to expand housing programs to serve middle-income two-person households earning up to $150,000 (roughly 120% of the HUD AMI) for enabling first-time home buyers to afford comfortable living and family life in the region. 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 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, 2024 the Northern Virginia population was estimated to be 2,601,818. 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

Economic data compiled by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission's as part of the One Region immigration study, Coronavirus (COVID-19) immigration study, and dashboard to assess the economic impact of immigrants in Northern Virginia. Labor Force Information on the overall Northern Virginia immigrant population, as presented in the original report published in March 2020. Overall Information on the economic impact of immigrants during COVID-19, as presented in the addendum report published in October 2020. COVID-19

Immigrant healthcare coverage 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. Healthcare Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Key Facts Healthcare Access to healthcare and medical services is critical for well-being A healthy population and a healthy workforce are essential to a thriving community regardless of immigration status. To overcome this pandemic, it is vital that communities look at creative ways to ensure that everyone stays safe and healthy. 2014 to 2018 Five-Year Estimates Key Facts: The foreign born make up a significant share of those lacking health insurance. Approximately 1 out of 5 foreign born persons are uninsured in Northern Virginia, which is significantly higher than the U.S. born population uninsured rate. Approximately 1 out of 20 U.S. born are uninsured. Foreign born make up almost 65 percent of all uninsured in Northern Virginia, while the overall foreign born population is 27.6 percent. The foreign born are clearly disproportionately burdened. Central American countries and Mexico, which are generally Hispanic, make up the largest share of the foreign born population without insurance in Northern Virginia.

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). Economics Overall Economics of Northern Virginia Data What is it that sets Northern Virginia apart from other places, that gives Northern Virginia its competitive edge, that makes it such a unique, dynamic and interesting place? It’s unparalleled human capital, the people who live here, work here, and come here from all corners of the globe. Proximity to the nation’s capital has transformed Northern Virginia and the entire Washington, D.C. metropolitan area into one of America’s — and the world’s — most dynamic, fastest growing, economically advanced, highly-educated, prosperous, and culturally-diverse regions on the planet. The region has some of the top, most renowned public school systems in the nation. The quality of education in the region's public school systems draws numerous amounts of families to the region. The demographic, social, and economic profile of this region shows it. Median Household Income Household Income Distribution Economically Disadvantaged Safety Net Participants Workforce

Demographic and economic data, reports, and resources covering Northern Virginia. Compiled and analyzed by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission. NOVA Region Dashboard Northern Virginia Regional Commission This dashboard provides detailed information about the Northern Virginia community's demographics, economics, and the people who live and work in Northern Virginia. This dashboard is maintained by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission . All data on this dashboard is best viewed on a desktop computer. Check back here regularly to see new analyses and finding. You may also subscribe to the NVRC Blog an d News and Highlights to be alerted when there is new analyses available. If we can help you with your data needs, please give us a call at 703-642-0700 or send us an email . Reports/Resources Federal Monitoring 2020 Census People Education Economics

Immigrant labor force 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. Labor Force - Overall Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Key Facts Labor Force - Overall Northern Virginia’s immigrant population is well-suited to maintaining and expanding the region’s labor force In Northern Virginia, immigrant entrepreneurs – those who work for their own businesses, incorporated or not – are making their mark locally. 2013 to 2017 Period Key Facts: In Northern Virginia, less than two-thirds, or 61.6 percent of the U.S.-born population are of working age — between 16 and 64 years old — the range considered to be working age by the Department of Labor. Meanwhile, more than four out of five, or 83.9 percent of the immigrant population in the region are of working age. While immigrants make up 27.4 percent of the overall population, they make up 34.0 percent of the region’s working-age population. Northern Virginia has a high percentage of immigrants, 31.8 percent, working in STEM industries compared to 22.8 percent of immigrants overall in the United States. What are the top 3 industry sectors of the U.S. Born labor force? What are the top 3 industry sectors of the U.S. Born labor force? Source: 2013-2017 American Community Survey, 5-Year Sample, downloaded from IPUMS USA, University of Minnesota, www.ipums.org . 1. Professional Services (25.4%) 2. Administration (14.7%) 3. Education ( 9.6%) What are the top 3 industry sectors of the Foreign Born labor force? What are the top 3 industry sectors of the Foreign Born labor force? 1. Professional Services (20.7%) 2. Entertainment, Arts, and Hospitality (12.1%) 3. Construction (10.8%) Source: NAE analysis of the 2013-2017 American Community Survey,5-Year Sample, downloaded from IPUMS USA, University of Minnesota, www.ipums.org ; ITEP, “Who Pays?”; Congressional Budget Office; U.S. Social Security Administration.

Economic data compiled by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission's as part of the One Region immigration study, Coronavirus (COVID-19) immigration study, and dashboard to assess the economic impact of immigrants in Northern Virginia. Economy Key Facts Economy Immigrants hold billions of dollars in economic power and contribute billions to the Northern Virginia economy As Virginia's economy continues to expand, businesses and firms will require more workers across all skill levels to stay competitive and productive. As a tight labor market, with some of the lowest levels of unemployment in the country according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2017 annual averages, much of the labor needed to meet Northern Virginia's demand for workers comes from outside the region, U.S born and immigrant alike. Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 2017 Estimates (in 2017 Inflation Adjusted Dollars) How many billions of dollars do immigrants contribute to the NOVA GDP? How many billions of dollars do immigrants contribute to the NOVA GDP? Source: National Association of Counties, Data Explorer, 2019. U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. NAE Analysis of the 2013-2017 American Community Survey, 5-Year Sample, downloaded from IPUMS USA, University of Minnesota, www.ipums.org . 57.7 Billion What is the total household earnings and tax contributions of NOVA's immigrants? What is the total household earnings and tax contributions of NOVA's immigrants? Total Household Earnings $28.3 Billion State & Local Taxes Paid $2.1 Billion Federal Taxes Paid $5.9 Billion Source: NAE analysis of the 2013-2017 American Community Survey,5-Year Sample, downloaded from IPUMS USA, University of Minnesota, www.ipums.org ; ITEP, “Who Pays?”; Congressional Budget Office; U.S. Social Security Administration.

Northern Virginia unemployment claims data and charts for monitoring the federal cutback impacts. Unemployment Claims Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Unemployment Claims Unemployment initial and continued claims serve as an indicator of economic health. Initial unemployment claims measure the number of people filing for unemployment benefits for the first time. Continued unemployment claims measure the number of people who already filed an initial claim in a prior week and have subsequently filed a continued claim for unemployment benefits because they continue to be unemployed. The weekly data provides policymakers and economists with the timeliest data about labor market conditions, often foreshadowing broader economic conditions that are reported on a monthly basis in state and federal job reports and databases. About the Data 1. Claims are filed in the jurisdiction where the employee worked. During a filing, each state and the District of Columbia are required to collect place of residence. This collected data is reported and exchanged between the U.S. Department of Labor and the states and the District of Columbia. The following data represents place of residence of the worker filing a claim . It does not represent place of work where the claim was initially filed. 2. Federally filed claims have reporting delays of several weeks or months because a claim is not classified as a federal (UCFE) claim until federal wages are confirmed. Also, individuals who are on administrative leave with pay or voluntarily quit do not qualify for unemployment benefits. Therefore, a large number of federal employees laid off in the first half of 2025 have yet to qualify or be officially confirmed for unemployment claims benefits. ***Friday Updates*** Claims data representing place of residence is submitted by Virginia Employment Commission to the U.S. Department of Labor. This dashboard is updated on Fridays.

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). Race and Ethnicity Overall Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Race and Ethnicity of Northern Virginia Overview A big story of the region is its racial and ethnic diversity and continuing diversification. Northern Virginia's racial and ethnic composition makes it more diverse today than the United State and Virginia and this has been the case for decades. Much of the continued diversification is attributed to the sizable increases in the number of Hispanics, Asians, and multiracial persons in the region. The following charts show the region's population by race and ethnicity, along with analyses of diversity for Northern Virginia and its counties and cities. Upcoming Changes to Categorization of Race/Ethnicity Race/ethnicity data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau is the primary source of race and ethnicity demographics. The U.S. Census Bureau currently collects race and ethnicity data based on the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) standards from 1997. New race/ethnicity standards were adopted by the Office of Management and Budget on March 28, 2024, the first such adoption since 1997. Changes are coming to how race and ethnicity information will be collected and reported in the United States. Federal agencies, including the U.S. Census Bureau, must implement the new standards into data collections as soon as possible, but no later than March 28, 2029. The U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS), a survey conducted annually, will be one of the first U.S. Census Bureau products to implement the new standards. As of July 2024, the U.S. Census Bureau was proposing to begin implementation of data collection in 2026 or 2027 for the ACS products. The 2030 Decennial Census will also reflect the new standards. The new race categories will offer individuals more precise ways to self-identify, especially for people who self-identify as multiracial or multiethnic. This will result in a more accurate representation of the U.S. population's race and ethnic characteristics. Changes will include a single combined question instead of separate race and ethnicity questions. Also, a new "Middle Eastern or North African" category will be added. These changes aim to better reflect the diversity of the American population. These changes will create challenges and implications for our understanding of the population and trends because the data will not be comparable to prior data. These modifications will alter the population size of subgroups. Specifically, the Census Bureau’s 2015 National Content Test results suggest anticipating increases in those identifying as Middle Eastern or North African, Hispanic or Latino, and Black or African American. Conversely, the number of individuals categorized as “white” or "some other race" is projected to decline. The combined race and ethnicity question is also expected to improve response rates for the race component on the decennial census and ACS forms. More information can be found on the U.S. Census Bureau's website . Decennial Census Data 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. The 2020 Census had improvements to the design of the two separate questions for race and ethnicity, data processing, and coding, which enabled a more thorough and accurate depiction of how people prefer to self-identify. These changes along with actual demographic changes in the population result in the changes seen from 2010 to 2020 in the following data. For more details on the 2020 Census questionnaire changes and its impacts please view the U.S. Census Bureau's technical information . The following charts show the region's population by race and ethnicity, along with analyses of diversity for Northern Virginia and its incorporated towns. People of Hispanic/Latino origin are an ethnic group and may be of any race. To display Hispanic/Latino together with racial groups, it is common to cross-tabulate race and ethnicity to display Hispanic/Latino as a single category and the non-Hispanic race groups as categories that sum to the total population. This means of displaying race and ethnic data has become quite common and for available data, it is the closest categorization c ompared to the new race/ethnicity standards that were adopted by the Office of Management and Budget on March 28, 2024 (for more information see prior section ). With this classification, Hispanic/Latino is treated identically to major race groups and not independently of race. Also, Census Bureau research has shown that this classification is much less impacted by the 2020 Census questionnaire improvements. NVRC has migrated its demographic analysis to the cross-tabulated categories. The following charts, as well as the calculation of diversity, use the cross-tabulated categories.

Northern Virginia economic monitoring of the 2025-2029 presidential administration's federal cutbacks. Analysis conducted by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC). Federal Monitoring Federal Monitoring of Northern Virginia Northern Virginia has approximately 12 percent of its residents employed in the federal government. The federal government budgetary cutback and job layoffs that the new presidential administration began implementing in January 2025 will have deep economic impacts on the region. Detailed information for understanding and monitoring the federal impacts is available on the following topics . Fact Sheet Reports/Resources Maps Safety Net Participants Unemployment Claims Local Area Economic Statistics