The data reveals hard truths
about child well-being in our
Ward Snapshots.
The DC Kids Count 2022 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 8 Snapshot
Population: 85,564
12% of DC Total
Registered to Vote (Jan 2021): 62,222
12% of DC Total
Councilmember: Trayon White, Sr.
SBOE Representative: Carlene Reid
Poverty Rate: 30%
Median Income for Families with Children: $35,907
Public School Students Staying in Home Ward (SY2021-22): 58%
Licensed Infant/Toddler Care Seats (FY2021): 1,701
14% 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 8 we start with Demographics.
Population by Age
The population of children is growing slower (+3%) than DC as a whole.
DC +9%
The population of young adults is declining faster (-24%) than DC as a whole.
DC -10%
Under 3
Under 5
Under 18
Ages 18–24
Children Under 3
Child Population by Race
Black
DC 55%
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 14%
Employment
Unemployment Rates
Median Family Income
30% of DC Total
Housing Insecurity
Homeless Students
SY18-29 30% of DC Total; SY20-21 24% 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 73%
White Students
White Teachers 14%
Latinx Students
Latinx Teachers 3%
Educational Opportunities
Similar or More Opportunities to DC Average
Teachers New to the Profession: 16% (2020-21)
Learn24 OST Program Seats: 25% (2018-19)
DCPS 21st Century OST Programs: 24% (2018-19)
Fewer Opportunities than Overall DC Average
Commute Length: 3 Miles (2021-22)
DCPS Student-Counselor Ratio: 601 (2020-21)
DCPS Student-Security Officer Ratio: 112 (2018-19)
AB/IB Participation: 35% (2020-21)
School Suspensions: 27% (2018-19)
School Arrests: 42% of DCPS Arrests (2018-19)
Educational Outcomes
DC 33%
DC 73%
Higher or Similar Rates to DC Average
Black Students Math Proficiency: 17% (2018-19)
Lower Rates than Overall DC Average
Third-Grade Language Arts Proficiency: 19% (2018-19)
All Students Language Arts Proficiency: 20% (2018-19)
Black Students Language Arts Proficiency: 21% (2018-19)
Third-Grade Math Proficiency: 27% (2018-19)
All Students Math Proficiency: 17% (2018-19)
Passing AB/IB Exams: 5% (2020-21)
High School 4-Year Graduation Rate: 64% (2020-21)
Post-Secondary Enrollment Rates: 48% (2020-21)
Early Childhood
Equity for young people at every step starts from Early Childhood.
Birth Outcomes
DC 69%
10
Infant Mortality in a Single Year
25% of DC Total
44% of DC Total
Early Care & Education
14% of DC Total
Infants & Toddlers for Every Licensed Child Care Slot
22% of DC Total
Poverty Under 5
Black
DC 36%
White
DC <1%
Latinx
DC 14%
Health & Safety
Let’s break down the barriers that stand in the way of our kids’ Health & Safety.
Access to Nutrition & Basic Needs
35% of DC Total
80,552
Population Per Grocery Store
9,606 DC
In the year prior to COVID-19, 120 children entered foster care which is 31% of the District total. The number declined to 61 in fiscal year 2020 and up to 87 in FY2021.
Adolescent Well-Being
30
Teen Birth Rates (per 1000)
27% of DC Total
In the year prior to COVID-19, 24% of DC arrests of minors were in Police District 7 (roughly this ward), which is higher than the 22% of DC youth. This over-representation changed during the pandemic (see below).
18.1%
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
12% 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.
