The data reveals hard truths
about child well-being in our
Ward Snapshots.
The DC Kids Count 2021 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: 86,384
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: 33%
Median Income for Families with Children: $31,597
Public School Students Staying in Home Ward (SY2018-19): 62%
Licensed Infant/Toddler Care Seats (FY2020): 1,782
15% 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
21% of DC Total
The population of children is growing slower (+10%) than DC as a whole.
DC +15%
The population of young adults is declining faster (-15%) 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 56%
White
DC 22%
Latinx
DC 17%
Economic Justice
Powerful injustices must be met with equally powerful Economic Justice.
Child Poverty
Black
DC 37%
White
DC 1%
Latinx
DC 14%
Employment
Unemployment Rates
Median Family Income
30% of DC Total
Housing Insecurity
DC 36%
Homeless Students
SY18-29 30% of DC Total; SY19-20 27% 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 70%
White Students
White Teachers 15%
Latinx Students
Latinx Teachers 2%
Educational Opportunities
Similar or More Opportunities to DC Average
Learn24 OST Program Seats: 25%
DCPS 21st Century OST Programs: 24%
Fewer Opportunities than Overall DC Average
Teachers New to the Profession: 10%
Commute Length: 1.8 Miles
DCPS Student-Counselor Ratio: 737
DCPS Student-Security Officer Ratio: 112
AB/IB Participation: 35%
School Suspensions: 27%
School Arrests: 42% of DCPS Arrests
Educational Outcomes
DC 33%
DC 71%
Higher or Similar Rates to DC Average
Black Students Math Proficiency: 17%
Lower Rates than Overall DC Average
Third-Grade Language Arts Proficiency: 19%
All Students Language Arts Proficiency: 20%
Black Students Language Arts Proficiency: 21%
Third-Grade Math Proficiency: 27%
All Students Math Proficiency: 17%
Passing AB/IB Exams: 11%
High School 4-Year Graduation Rate: 59%
Post-Secondary Enrollment Rates: 49%
Early Childhood
Equity for young people at every step starts from Early Childhood.
Birth Outcomes
DC 66%
28
Infant Mortality in a Single Year
44% of DC Total
40% of DC Total
Early Care & Education
15% of DC Total
Infants & Toddlers for Every Licensed Child Care Slot
22% of DC Total
Poverty Under 5
Black
DC 39%
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
35% of DC Total
28,795
Population Per Grocery Store
9,489 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.
Adolescent Well-Being
44
Teen Birth Rates (per 1000)
34% of DC Total
In the year prior to COVID-19, 24% of DC youth arrests were in Police District 7 (roughly this ward), which is higher than the 22% of DC youth.
18.1%
High School Suicide Attempts
DC 14.9%
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
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.
