The Census Bureau estimates Arlington had 243,931 people on July 1, 2025, a record and up 2.2% from the 2020 census. It has grown 17% since 2010.
Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau: the Vintage 2025 county population estimates, the 2010 and 2020 decennial censuses, and the 2020-2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates. See also the Census Bureau’s QuickFacts for Arlington County.
The Census Bureau estimates Arlington had 243,931 residents on July 1, 2025, the highest figure yet and up 4,244 in a year. That is 2.2% more than the 238,643 people counted in the 2020 census and about 17% more than the 207,627 counted in 2010. Arlington is a county with no incorporated city or town, so the Census Bureau’s county figures describe the whole community.
What this means for you
- Arlington lost residents in 2021, then grew back. It added about 9,600 people from 2023 to 2025.
- It is young and highly educated: median age 35.5, and 77% of adults 25 and older have at least a bachelor’s degree.
- Most households rent. About 41% of homes are owner-occupied.
Population since 2020
The estimates show a drop of 5,340 people from 2020 to 2021, when 7,168 more people moved out of Arlington to other parts of the U.S. than moved in. Since then, arrivals from abroad and a steady surplus of births over deaths have pushed the total back up:
| Year to July 1 | Change | Births minus deaths | Net from abroad | Net from rest of U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | -5,340 | +1,290 | +957 | -7,168 |
| 2022 | -9 | +1,484 | +2,191 | -3,714 |
| 2023 | +893 | +1,289 | +2,590 | -3,013 |
| 2024 | +5,318 | +1,395 | +4,315 | -386 |
| 2025 | +4,244 | +1,415 | +2,745 | +65 |
In 2025, for the first time in the series, slightly more people moved to Arlington from elsewhere in the U.S. than left.
Age
The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts Arlington’s median age at 35.5. The largest group by far is 25 to 34, at 22.6% of residents, followed by 35 to 44 at 16.2%. Children under 15 make up about 15%, and residents 65 and older 11.9%.
Households, income and education
| Measure | Arlington |
|---|---|
| Households | 112,027 |
| Average household size | 2.08 |
| Median household income | $142,114 |
| Per capita income | $90,786 |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher (25+) | 77.1% |
| People below the poverty line | 7.4% |
Housing
The ACS counts 121,970 housing units. Just 41.3% of occupied homes are owner-occupied, so most Arlington households rent. The median value of an owner-occupied home is $895,000, and the median gross rent is $2,322 a month. For current home values, see our home prices page.
Compared with the neighbors
| Place | Population (ACS 2020-24) | Median age | Median household income | Bachelor’s or higher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington County | 236,254 | 35.5 | $142,114 | 77.1% |
| City of Alexandria | 156,976 | 37.7 | $119,681 | 66.2% |
| City of Falls Church | 14,710 | 40.5 | $143,262 | 80.5% |
| Fairfax County | 1,147,837 | 39.1 | $153,637 | 65.0% |
| Washington, D.C. | 681,294 | 34.9 | $109,870 | 64.2% |
| Virginia | 8,705,170 | 39.0 | $93,170 | 42.2% |
Alexandria, about four miles southeast, and Falls Church, about four miles west, are independent cities and belong to no county. In the Vintage 2025 estimates, Alexandria grew to 160,662, Falls Church to 15,159 and Fairfax County to 1,167,873.
About these numbers
- Population estimates are the Census Bureau’s yearly figures for July 1, built from births, deaths and migration since the last census. The bureau revises earlier years with each release.
- The American Community Survey samples households over five years, so its figures, including its population total, describe 2020 to 2024 as a whole and carry margins of error.
- The decennial census is the full count, every 10 years.
Related guides: Arlington history and landmarks, moving to Arlington and Arlington schools.
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Arlington, Virginia?
The Census Bureau estimates 243,931 people lived in Arlington County on July 1, 2025. The 2020 census counted 238,643. Arlington has no incorporated city, so the county and the community are the same place.
Is Arlington growing?
Yes, again. Estimates fell to about 233,500 in 2021 and 2022, then rose to 239,687 in 2024 and 243,931 in 2025, the highest yet. Arlington has grown about 17% since the 2010 census count of 207,627.
What is the median household income in Arlington, Virginia?
$142,114, according to the Census Bureau’s 2020-2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates, compared with $93,170 for Virginia and $153,637 in Fairfax County.
What is the median age in Arlington?
35.5 years, younger than Virginia’s 39.0. Nearly 23% of residents are 25 to 34, the largest age group.
How many households are in Arlington?
112,027, with an average of 2.08 people each, according to the 2020-2024 ACS. About 41% of homes are owner-occupied.
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