The data reveals hard truths
about child well-being in our
Ward Snapshots.
The DC Kids Count 2023 ward snapshots provide the best available ward-level data of child and young adult well-being by measuring and tracking the demographics, economic justice, education, early childhood, health and safety, and voting and democracy.
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Ward 5 Snapshot
Population: 88,948
13% of DC Total
Registered to Vote (Jan 2021): 71,786
14% of DC Total
Councilmember: Zachary Parker
SBOE Representative: Robert Henderson
Poverty Rate: 15%
Median Income for Families with Children: $98,275
Public School Students Staying in Home Ward (SY2021-22): 57%
Licensed Infant/Toddler Care Seats (FY2021): 1,412
12% of DC Total
Demographics
Economic Justice
Education
Early Childhood
Health & Safety
Voting & Democracy
Demographics
To understand what it looks like to grow up in Ward 5 we start with Demographics.
Population by Age
The population of children is growing at a similar rate (+8%) as DC as a whole.
DC +8%
The population of young adults is declining slightly slower (-8%) than DC as a whole.
DC -13%
Under 3
Under 5
Under 18
Ages 18–24
Children Under 3
Child Population by Race
Black
DC 54%
White
DC 22%
Latinx
DC 17%
Economic Justice
Powerful injustices must be met with equally powerful Economic Justice.
Child Poverty
Black
DC 36%
White
DC 1%
Latinx
DC 13%
Employment
Unemployment Rates
Median Family Income
15% of DC Total
Housing Insecurity
Homeless Students
SY18-29 18% of DC Total; SY20-21 18% of DC Total
Education
All children can be lifted up to reach their full potential with Education.
Public School Student Enrollment
Black Students
Black Teachers 55%
White Students
White Teachers 21%
Latinx Students
Latinx Teachers 11%
Educational Opportunities
Similar or More Opportunities to DC Average
Teachers New to the Profession: 12%
DCPS Student-Counselor Ratio: 326 (20-21)
AB/IB Participation: 76% (20-21)
School Suspensions: 17% (18-19)
School Arrests: 10% of DCPS Arrests (18-19)
Fewer Opportunities than Overall DC Average
Commute Length: 2.2 Miles (21-22)
DCPS Student-Security Officer Ratio: 98 (18-19)
Learn24 OST Program Seats: 11% (18-19)
DCPS 21st Century OST Programs: 12% (21-22)
Educational Outcomes
DC 33%
DC 73%
Higher or Similar Rates to DC Average
Third-Grade Language Arts Proficiency: 30% (18-19)
Black Students Language Arts Proficiency: 27% (18-19)
Third-Grade Math Proficiency: 39% (18-19)
Black Students Math Proficiency: 22% (18-19)
High School 4-Year Graduation Rate: 77% (20-21)
Post-Secondary Enrollment Rates: 61% (class of 2019)
Gap versus Overall DC Average
All Students Language Arts Proficiency: 26% (21-22)
All Students Math Proficiency: 15% (21-22)
Passing AB/IB Exams: 11% (20-21)
Early Childhood
Equity for young people at every step starts from Early Childhood.
Birth Outcomes
<5
Infant Mortality in a Single Year
11% of DC Total
Early Care & Education
12% of DC Total
Infants & Toddlers for Every Licensed Child Care Slot
20% of DC Total
Poverty Under 5
Black
DC 38%
White
DC <1%
Latinx
DC 12%
Health & Safety
Let’s break down the barriers that stand in the way of our kids’ Health & Safety.
Access to Nutrition & Basic Needs
10,053
Population Per Grocery Store
9,606 DC
In the year prior to COVID-19, 67 children entered foster care which is 17% of the District total. The number declined to 42 in fiscal year 2020, increased to 49 in FY21, and decreased to 33 in FY22.
Adolescent Well-Being
15
Teen Birth Rates (per 1000)
13% of DC Total
In the year prior to COVID-19, 14% of DC arrests of minors were in Police District 5 (roughly this ward), which is consistent with the 14% of DC teens living there. The pandemic didn’t change this level of representation (see below).
13.1%
High School Suicide Attempts
DC 14.9%
Policing of Children
Percentage in this Ward's Police District Compared to DC as a Whole
Voting & Democracy
To grow up resilient, powerful, and heard kids must be a priority in Voting & Democracy.
Voting Population
14% of DC Total
Eligible Voters by Age
Demographics of Registered Voters
Black
DC 50%
White
DC 31%
Latinx
DC 6%
Voter Turnout
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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.
