Alexandria: Demographics & People
Census counts 156,976 people in Alexandria, in 76,096 households. Population grew 0.1% from 156,788 (2022) to 156,976 (2024). Median age 37.7 years. Children under 18 are 18% of the population. Population is 49% White (non-Hispanic) and 21% Black. The community is highly diverse (Simpson index 0.63). 46% of households are family-led. County is losing 5,833 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 30% adult obesity, 9% smoke.
- 2.1 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 54% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 45 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population grew 0.1% from 156,788 (2022) to 156,976 (2024) — close to the U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~157,164 (extrapolated at 0.1%/yr trend).
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 159,467 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 0.1% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 156,788 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 156,976 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | stable |
| Population | 156,976 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 157,416 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 37.7y is 1.2 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 18% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 37.7 years (at Virginia median) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 18.1% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 156,976 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 28,473 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 40,500.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 67,655.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 20,348 |
| Population under 18 | 28,473 |
| Median age | 37.7 years (at Virginia median) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 156,976 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.63 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as highly diverse.
| White residents | 84,009 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 33,033 |
| Asian residents | 9,954 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 28,540 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 62.5% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | highly diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 54.0% |
| Asian population | 6.2% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 21.0% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 18.3% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 49.1% (vs Virginia 53.8%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 3.0% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 25% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 35,990 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 77,135 |
| Share born in this state | 22.9% |
| Share born in another state | 77.1% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 49.1% |
| Foreign-born residents | 3.0% |
| Naturalized citizens | 24.9% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 38,545 |
| From Europe | 3,593 |
| From Asia | 59 |
| From Africa | 8,797 |
| From Latin America | 505 |
| Census Foreign Born · Caribbean | 22 |
| Census Foreign Born · Central America | 15 |
| Census Foreign Born · South America | 22 |
Households & Family Composition
76,096 households. Averaging 2.1 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 46% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 34,192 families, 31% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 28,712 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 34,192 |
| Married couples with children | 10,702 |
| Single-parent households | 1,261 |
| Average household size | 2.06 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 11.3% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 731 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 523 |
| Family households | 34,764 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 45.7% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 76,096 households (vs Virginia 14,324) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 19.3% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 5,833 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 19.3% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 167,534 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 173,367 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -5,833 |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 5,223 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 3.4% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 1,628 residents live in group quarters (1.0% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 1,628 |
|---|
Veterans
| Veterans Services · Total count | 1 |
|---|
Sources: IRS BMF keyword
Other
| Congressional District · District | 8 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51510 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 510 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Alexandria City |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 15.6% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 13.50 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 17.90 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51510 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Alexandria city |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Large central metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 3,489 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51510 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Alexandria city |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 86.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 67.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 35.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 159,428 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 65 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 126 |
| Family Score · Youth Sports Orgs | 2 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 18.1% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 156,976, stable, family-oriented, affluent, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 156,976 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Alexandria city |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade