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
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; SY21-22 20% 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 56%
White Students
White Teachers 23%
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
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
<5
Infant Mortality in a Single Year
11% of DC Total
Early Care & Education
Infants & Toddlers for Every Licensed Child Care Slot
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
Eligible Voters by Age
Demographics of Registered Voters
Black
DC 44%
White
DC 47%
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.
