The data reveals hard truths about child, youth, and young adult well-being in our
Ward Snapshots.
The DC KIDS COUNT 2026 ward snapshots provide the best available ward-level data of child, youth, and young adult well-being by measuring and tracking the demographics, economic justice, education, early childhood, health and safety, and voting and democracy. Because it takes time for agencies to complete collecting, cleaning, and reporting data, some data reflect the old ward boundaries while others reflect the ward boundaries approved at the end of 2021 (based on 2020 Census counts).

Ward 5 Snapshot

Population: 90,611
13% of DC Total
Registered to Vote (June 2026): 69,909
14% of DC Total
Councilmember: Zachary Parker
SBOE Representative: Robert Henderson
Poverty Rate: 15%
Median Income for Families with Children: $159,250
Public School Students Staying in Home Ward (SY2023-24): 56%
Licensed Infant/Toddler Care Seats (FY2025): 1,500
12% of DC Total
Ward 5 Map Boundary
Demographics Icon

Demographics

To understand what it looks like to grow up in Ward 5 we start with Demographics.

Population by Age

17,583
Children and Youth Under 18
14% of DC Total

The population of children is growing faster (+15%) compared to DC as a whole.

DC +3%

The population of young adults is declining at a similar rate (-17%) as DC as a whole.

DC -13%
Children, Youth, and Young Adult Population Over Time

Child Population by Race

52%
Black
DC 50%
Black
17%
White
DC 22%
White
20%
Latinx
DC 18%
Latine
Economic Justice Icon

Economic Justice

Powerful injustices must be met with equally powerful Economic Justice.

Child Poverty

23%
Black
DC 37%
2094 Children and Youth Under 18 in Poverty
2%
White
DC 1%
<100 Children and Youth Under 18 in Poverty
14%
Latinx
DC 15%
498 Children and Youth Under 18 in Poverty

Employment

Median Family Income
1,784 (approx.)
Summer Youth Employment Program 2024 Participation
15% of DC Total

Housing Insecurity

37%
Households with High Housing Cost Burden
DC 36%
2356
Students experiencing homelessness in this ward's schools
24% of DC Total
Education Icon

Education

All children can be lifted up to reach their full potential with Education.

Public School Student Enrollment

66%
Black Students
Black Teachers 58%
9%
White Students
White Teachers 19%
19%
Latinx Students
Latinx Teachers 12%

Educational Opportunities

Similar or More Opportunities to DC Average
  • DCPS Student-Counselor Ratio: 257(25-26)
  • Afterschool program coverage for Elementary/Middle Grades: 60%
  • Summer program coverage for Elementary/Middle Grades: 25%
  • Commute Length: 2.2 Miles(24-25)
  • Teachers New to the Profession: 11%(25-26)
  • Learn24 OST Program Seats: 17%(FY25 projections)
  • AB/IB Participation: 52%(24-25)
Fewer Opportunities than Overall DC Average
  • DCPS 21st Century OST Programs: 12%(21-22)
  • Out-of-School Suspensions: 6%(24-25)

Educational Outcomes

22%
Math Proficiency
DC 26%
80%
High School 4-Year Graduation Rate
DC 79%
Higher or Similar Rates to DC Average
  • Black Students Language Arts Proficiency:: 23%(23-24)
  • Black Students Math Proficiency: 11%(23-24)
  • High School 4-Year Graduation Rate: 80%(24-25)
  • Post-Secondary Enrollment Rates: 60%(class of 2023)
Lower Rates than Overall DC Average
  • All Students Language Arts Proficiency: 34%(24-25)
  • All Students Math Proficiency: 22%(24-25)
  • Third-Grade Language Arts Proficiency: 23%(23-24)
  • Third-Grade Math Proficiency: 25%(23-24)
  • Passing AB/IB Exams: 31%(24-25)
Early Childhood Icon

Early Childhood

Equity for young people at every step starts from Early Childhood.

Birth Outcomes

64%
Prenatal Care in First Trimester
DC 64%
<5
Infant Mortality in a Single Year
4
Deaths Due to Pregnancy or Childbirth Over 5 Years
11 of DC Total

Early Care & Education

1500
Licensed Child Care Slots
12% of DC Total
Infants & Toddlers for Every Licensed Child Care Slot
2,551
Public Pre-K Enrollment
20% of DC Total

Poverty Under 5

21%
Black
DC 58%
453 Children in Poverty
1%
White
DC 1%
<100 Children in Poverty
17%
Latinx
DC 14%
245 Children in Poverty
Health & Safety Icon

Health & Safety

Let’s break down the barriers that stand in the way of our kids’ Health & Safety.

Access to Nutrition & Basic Needs

6,483
SNAP Children Enrollment
13% of DC Total
14938
Population Per Grocery Store
DC 8824

In 2024 (fiscal year), 16 children entered foster care which is 10% of the District total.

Adolescent Well-Being

15
Teen Birth Rates (per 1000)
14% of DC Total

In 2025, 14% of DC arrests of minors were in Police District 5 (roughly this ward), which is slightly higher than the 11% of DC teens living there.

8%
High School Suicide Attempts
DC 11%

Policing of Children

Percentage in this Ward's Police District Compared to DC as a Whole
Voting & Democracy Icon

Voting & Democracy

To grow up resilient, powerful, and heard kids must be a priority in Voting & Democracy.

Voting Population

69,909
Registered Voters (June 2026)
14% of DC Total
Eligible Voters by Age
13%
Share of DC’s Eligible Voters

Demographics of Registered Voters

65%
Black
DC 44%
28%
White
DC 47%
4%
Latinx
DC 5%

Voter Turnout

Download an appendix with the data for all DC wards included in our ward snapshots. Find more information about all the ward snapshot measures in our data references section.

Unless otherwise noted, data shown is based on the most recently available data which for most measures is the 2019-2023 5-year average, which will be written as "2023" (with similar 5-year ranges represented by the final year of the range for earlier years). Individuals who are Black and Latinx may be counted in both groups.