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 8 Snapshot
Population: 83,272
12% of DC Total
Registered to Vote (Jan 2023): 62,470
12% of DC Total
Councilmember: Trayon White, Sr.
SBOE Representative: Carlene Reid
Poverty Rate: 30%
Median Income for Families with Children: $37,803
Public School Students Staying in Home Ward (SY2021-22): 58%
Licensed Infant/Toddler Care Seats (FY2021): 1,670
13% 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 +8%
The population of young adults is declining faster (-27%) 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
30% of DC Total
Housing Insecurity
Homeless Students
SY18-29 30% of DC Total; SY21-22 26% 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% (2021-22)
Learn24 OST Program Seats: 24% (FY23 projection, excluding special competitions)
DCPS 21st Century OST Programs: 23% (2021-22)
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: 34% (2021-22)
School Suspensions: 27% (2018-19)
School Arrests: 42% of DCPS Arrests (2018-19)
Educational Outcomes
Higher or Similar Rates to DC Average
Black Students Math Proficiency: 8% (2021-22)
Lower Rates than Overall DC Average
Third-Grade Language Arts Proficiency: 19% (2018-19)
All Students Language Arts Proficiency: 12% (2021-22)
Black Students Language Arts Proficiency: 12% (2021-22)
Third-Grade Math Proficiency: 27% (2018-19)
All Students Math Proficiency: 6% (2021-22)
Passing AB/IB Exams: 7% (2021-22)
High School 4-Year Graduation Rate: 63% (2021-22)
Post-Secondary Enrollment Rates: 41% (2021-22)
Early Childhood
Equity for young people at every step starts from Early Childhood.
Birth Outcomes
21
Infant Mortality in a Single Year
37% of DC Total
44% 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
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 , up to 87 in FY2021, and back to 69 in FY2022.
Adolescent Well-Being
28
Teen Birth Rates (per 1000)
29% 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 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.
