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.  Because it takes time for agencies to complete collecting, cleaning, and reporting data, most data in these ward snapshots reflect the old ward boundaries rather than those approved at the end of 2021 (based on 2020 Census counts).

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Ward 5 Snapshot

Population: 88,948
13% of DC Total

Registered to Vote (Jan 2023): 70,734
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 (FY2022): 1,441
12% of DC Total

Demographics

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

Population by Age
0
Children Under 1813% of DC Total

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%

3,510

Under 3

5783

Under 5

16637

Under 18

8652

Ages 18–24

Children Under 3

Child Population by Race
64%

Black

DC 54%

14%

White

DC 22%

16%

Latinx

DC 17%


Economic Justice

Powerful injustices must be met with equally powerful Economic Justice.

Child Poverty
24%

Black

DC 36%

3%

White

DC 1%

24%

Latinx

DC 13%

Employment

Unemployment Rates

Median Family Income

0
Summer Youth Employment Program 2020 Participation (Applied and Were Eligible)
15% of DC Total
Housing Insecurity
0%
Households with High Housing Cost BurdenDC 36%

Homeless Students

SY18-29 18% of DC Total; SY21-22 20% of DC Total


Education

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

Public School Student Enrollment
70%

Black Students
Black Teachers 56%

9%

White Students
White Teachers 23%

15%

Latinx Students
Latinx Teachers 11%

Educational Opportunities

Similar or More Opportunities to DC Average

Teachers New to the Profession: 14% (21-22)

DCPS Student-Counselor Ratio: 303 (22-23)

AB/IB Participation: 66% (21-22)

School Suspensions: 17% (18-19)

School Arrests: 10% of DCPS Arrests (18-19)

Afterschool program coverage for Elementary/Middle Grades: 60%

Summer program coverage for Elementary/Middle Grades: 25%

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: 9% of DC total (FY23 projections, excluding special competitions)

DCPS 21st Century OST Programs: 12% (21-22)

Educational Outcomes
0%
Math ProficiencyDC 19%
0%
High School 4-Year Graduation RateDC 75%

Higher or Similar Rates to DC Average

Third-Grade Language Arts Proficiency: 30% (18-19)

Black Students Language Arts Proficiency: 22% (21-22)

Third-Grade Math Proficiency: 39% (18-19)

Black Students Math Proficiency: 11% (21-22)

High School 4-Year Graduation Rate: 78% (21-22)

Post-Secondary Enrollment Rates: 58% (class of 2020)

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% (21-22)


Early Childhood

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

Birth Outcomes
0%
Prenatal Care in First TrimesterDC 70%

<5

Infant Mortality in a Single Year

0
Deaths Due to Pregnancy or Childbirth Over 5 Years
11% of DC Total
Early Care & Education
0
Licensed Child Care Slots12% of DC Total

Infants & Toddlers for Every Licensed Child Care Slot

0
Public Pre-K Enrollment14% of DC Total
Poverty Under 5
25%

Black

DC 38%

1%

White

DC <1%

30%

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
0
SNAP Children Enrollment (2021)13% of DC Total

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
0
Registered Voters (Jan 2023)14% of DC Total

Eligible Voters by Age

0%
Share of DC’s Eligible Voters
Demographics of Registered Voters
65%

Black

DC 44%

28%

White

DC 47%

4%

Latinx

DC 5%

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.