Earth Day Network
 Urban Environment Report: How Does Your City Perform?
 
CITY ENVIRONMENT DATA
Washington, DC
State District of Columbia
City Washington, DC
County1 N/A
City Population (2005)2 515,118 100.0% of state population
City Population Rank in United States, largest 50 Cities (2005) 29 (of top 50 in U.S.)
City Population Rank in Urban Environment Report (2005) 29 (of 72 in EDN study)
City Population Rank in State (2005) 1
City Size Classification - Population Large
City Size Classification - Population Density High Density
State Capitol City N/A
State Population (2005)2 515,118
 
 
CIVIC LEADERSHIP INFORMATION
Mayor Name (as of 1/1/2007) Adrien Fenty
Mayor/City Website (as of 1/1/2007) http://www.dc.gov/
Mayor/City Contact (as of 1/1/2007) 202-727-6263
Mayor Political Affiliation (as of 1/1/2007) Democrat
Next General Mayoral Election Tuesday, November 2, 2010
US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as of 10/18/06 Yes
State Governor Name (Not Available)
State/Governor Website (Not Available)
State/Governor Contact Information (Not Available)
State/Governor Party Affiliation (Not Available)
State Governor Current Term Ends (Not Available)
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Note: All rank information is out of 72 cities, though not all may have reported in every category.
1 is the 'best' (least polluting, most tree cover, etc) and 72 is the 'worst'.
 

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
 
EDN VULNERABLE POPULATION INDEX (EDN VPI) 1.32    
Vulnerable Population Estimate 18.0%    
     Disability Status 14.2% 29  
     Emphysema 1.24% 55  
     Cardiovascular Disease 25.41% 58  
     Diabetes 5.28% 54  
     Pediatric Asthma 8.57% 64  
     Adult Asthma 9.85% 64  
     Adult Obesity 19.9%   21
     People Without Health Insurance 13.1%   19
     Age: Children under 5 years 6.7% 19  
     Age: 65 years and over 12.1% 54  
     Not Literate (Adult Level 1 Literacy) 37.0% 61  
     Adults without High School Degree (or higher) 15.6% 44  
     High School Drop-Out Rate 34.8% 50  
     Unemployed (Civilian Labor Force) 9.1% 49  
     Individuals Below Poverty 18.9% 43  
     Children (under 18 years old) Below Poverty 31.1% 58  
     Free or Reduced Lunch 69.4% 48  
     Other Languages Spoken at Home (primary language is not English) 16.2% 36  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
1 • TOXICS & WASTE     (metadata) (score)    1.6***    
Overall Toxics Rank Average 3.3 (of 51) 1  
Cumulative Cancer-Causing Chemical Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 8 pounds   1
Cumulative Developmental Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 8 pounds 1
Cumulative Reproductive Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 0 pounds 1
Cumulative Suspected Neurological Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 32,368 pounds 1
Cumulative Suspected Respiratory Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 307,548 pounds 1
Dioxin Releases by State (grams in 2000) 0.1 grams 2
Number of Superfund Sites in County 1 site 16  
Municipal Solid Waste Generation, tons per person (1997) 0.872 tons per person 12
Recycling Rate (1997) 8.0% 46
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Generated by State (2004) (Not Available) (Not Available)
Municipal Solid Waste Generated Per Capita by State, tons/person (2004) (Not Available) (Not Available)
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) (Not Available) (Not Available)
% Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) (Not Available) (Not Available)
% Municipal Solid Waste to Waste-to-Energy (2004) (Not Available) (Not Available)
% Change in Municipal Solid Waste Generated (1997 to 2004) (Not Available) (Not Available)
% Change in State Recycling Rate (1997 to 2004) (Not Available) (Not Available)
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
2 • AIR QUALITY     (metadata) (score)    4.0***    
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Released, Tons in 2002 (Not Available)   (Not Available)
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Released, Tons in 2002 (Not Available)   (Not Available)
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Released, Tons in 2002 (Not Available)   (Not Available)
Mercury Released, Pounds in 2002 (Not Available)   (Not Available)
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2001-2003) 14.0 days 52  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2001 - 2003) 10.0 PM2.5 58  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2001 - 2003) 15.8 PM2.5 46  
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2002 - 2004) 10.7 days 49  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2002 - 2004) 6.3 PM2.5 55  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2002 - 2004) 15.1 PM2.5 47  
EPA Ambient Carbon Monoxide (CO) (8-hr ppm) 4 ppm 42  
EPA Ambient Lead (PB) Q Max (ug/m3) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Mean Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 ppm) 0.026 ppm 49  
EPA Larger Particle (PM10) 24-hr (ug/m3) 23 ug/m3 17  
EPA Mean Ambient Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 ppm) 0.008 ppm 47  
EPA Days over 100 AQI (Warning Level) 13 days 30  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
3 • DRINKING & SURFACE WATER     (metadata) (score) 3.3    
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Tap Water Quality & Compliance Grade Fair ---  
Right to Know Report, What's in your Tap Water Grade Fair ---  
Drinking Water Source Protection Grade Fair ---  
WATERSHED & RESOURCES
Watershed Name Middle Potomac-Anacostia-Occoquan ---  
# of Units in Watershed 36 units 38  
# of Assessed Watershed Units 35 units 28  
# of Threatened & Impaired Watershed Units 35 units 43  
% of Watershed Units Assessed as Impaired or Threatened 100.0% 56  
% of Watershed Units Not Assessed 2.8% 22  
U.S. Census Annual Rainfall, inches (1961-1990) 38.63 inches 28  
Water Area Total, square miles 7 square miles 72  
Water Area Inland, square miles 7 square miles 72  
Water Area Coastal, square miles 0 square miles 35  
Water Area Great Lakes, square miles 0 square miles 10  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Station Washington ---  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Length of record in years 57 years 27  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Annual 113 days 30  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Station Washington ---  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Length of record in years 55 years 34  
Snow & Ice Pellets, Annual inches (thru 1998) 16.7 inches 31  
WATER WITHDRAWN
Water Withdrawn - Total, gallons/day 10,000,000 gallons/day 72  
Fresh Water Withdrawn - Per capita, gallons/day 18,000,000 gallons/day 72  
Ground water, gallons/day 500,000 gallons/day 72  
Surface water, gallons/day 9,700,000 gallons/day 72  
Irrigation, gallons/day 0 gallons/day 71  
Public Supply, gallons/day 0 gallons/day 72  
Industrial, gallons/day 500,000 gallons/day 72  
Thermo-Electric, gallons/day 9,700,000 gallons/day 69  
Fresh Water Consumption, gallons/day 15,000,000 gallons/day 72  
WATER POLLUTION
Water Supplier Water and Sewer Utility Administration ---  
Number of People Served by Water Supplier 595,000 people 32  
Year(s) Included in Summary 1998-2003 ---  
Total Contaminants Detected (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Industrial Pollutants Detected (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Industrial Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected, Over Health Based Limits (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits (Not Available) (Not Available)  
WATER HEALTH & TESTING SUMMARY
Contaminants in Tap Water (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Contaminants in Tap Water, Over Health Based Limits (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Contaminants Reported as Tested by this Water Supplier (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Contaminants with Federal Legal Limit in Tap Water (Not Available) ---  
Regulated Contaminants Tested (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Unregulated Contaminants Tested (Not Available) (Not Available)  
WATER VIOLATION SUMMARY
Total Violations 0 violations 1  
Health Violations 0 violations 1  
Monitoring Violations 0 violations 1  
Reporting Violations 0 violations 1  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
4 • QUALITY OF LIFE (SITES4)     (metadata) (score) 2.9    
DENSITY & SPRAWL
Population Density, people per square mile of land area 9,316.4 people per square mile 9  
Housing Density, units per square mile of land area 4,476.1 housing units per square mile 6  
TRANSPORTATION
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2000) 29.7 minutes 65  
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2004) 28.0 minutes 64  
Means of Transportation - % Carpool (2000) 12.5% 42  
Means of Transportation - % Public (2000) 33.2% 2  
Means of Transportation - % Walk or Bike (2000) 13.0% 5  
Means of Transportation - % Work @ Home (2000) 3.8% 8  
Cost of Living: Transportation, % of National Average 113.5 61  
Motor Vehicle Registrations per 100 Residents (2003) 44.3 MV registrations   1
% Change in Motor Vehicle Registrations (1980 to 2003) -14.9%   1
Motor Vehicle Registrations - Autos Only per 100 Residents (2003) 35.7 MV registrations   7
Motor Vehicle Registrations per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.73 MV registrations   2
Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 1,536 miles   1
Total State Highway Mileage, Estimated % of Land Area (2003) 5.723%   51
Urban Highway Mileage, % of Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 100.0%   1
Total Highway Mileage per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.00 miles   1
Total Highway Mileage per Motor Vehicle Registration (2003) 6.74 miles   5
State $ Disbursements for Highways (2003) $368,000,000   3
State $ Disbursements for Highways, per highway mile (2003) $239,583 per mile   51
% Change in State Disbursements for Highways (1995 to 2003) 162.9%   50
Annual Person Hours of Delay, per person (2003) 34.0 hours per person 45  
Annual Congestion Cost, $ per person (2003) $577 per person 45  
Annual Congestion Delay and Fuel Cost (2003) $2,465,000,000 43  
Fuel Wasted, gallons per person (2003) 21 gallons per person 47  
INCOME & EMPLOYMENT
Median Household Income (2004) $46,574 7  
Median Household Income (2000) $40,127 20  
Per capita income (2004) $36,893 2  
Per capita Personal Income (2000) $28,659 2  
% of Families Below Poverty Level (2004) 16.9% 51  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (1999) 20.2% 50  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (2004) 18.9% 43  
% of Households with Public Assistance Income (2000) 5.5% 49  
% of Children Under 18 Years Old Below Poverty Level (1999) 31.1% 58  
People In the Labor Force, Unemployed (2005) 25,644 people 44  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 6.2% 49  
% of the Civilian Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 9.1% 49  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2000) 6.8% 69  
% of the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000) 10.8% 65  
% Change in the Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) -9.6% 10  
% Change in the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) -18.7% 10  
State Minimum Wage Laws (2006) Higher Than Federal ---  
State Minimum Wage Rates (2006) $7.00 per hour 9  
EDUCATION
# of School Age Kids K-12 (ages 5 to 17) 73,495 kids (14.3 % of total pop.) 39  
Largest School District Enrollment 68,925 kids (13.4 % of total pop.) 28  
% on Free or Reduced Lunch 69.4% 48  
Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) Graduation Rate 65.2% 20  
Level of Education: % with High School Degree or Higher (2004) 84.4% 29  
Level of Education: % with Bachelor's Degree or Higher (2004) 47.7% 3  
Adult Level 1 Literacy Rate 37% 61  
State School Bus Efficiency (2002) Ahead of the Curve   ---
State School Bus Soot Pollution Grade B   ---
State School Bus Cleanup Program Rank (2006) Incomplete   ---
State School Bus Smog Pollution Rank (2006) Above Average   ---
HOUSING & COST OF LIVING
Occupied Housing Units (2004) 248,563 units 19  
% of Owner Occupied Housing 56.4% 12  
Cost of Living: Housing 188.5 61  
Cost of Living: Utilities 84.7 12  
Cost of Living: Miscellaneous 109.3 64  
Cost of Living: Overall 137.4 61  
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Voter Turnout in the Election of November 2004 57.04%   41
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2002 Election 48.10%   29
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2004 Election 60.70%   17
State Volunteering Rate: 2002-2005 Combined 29.8%   25
SAFETY/SECURITY
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 5,992.7 incidents per 100,000 people 30  
Violent Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 1,325.3 incidents per 100,000 people 59  
Property Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 4,667.4 incidents per 100,000 people 20  
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2003) 7,174.5 incidents per 100,000 people 45  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
5 • PARKS & RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES     (metadata) (score) 3.2    
Average # of Parks, per square mile 4.9 parks per square mile 2  
Average Area Dedicated to Parks, per city square mile 13.1 park acres per city square mile 39  
Park Area per 1000 Residents, acres 13.2 acres 23  
Parkland as % of City Area 19.3% 2  
Adjusted Park Spending, per resident $155 per resident 40  
Total City Tree Canopy % 18.9% 16  
Total City Urbanized Area % 70.1% 50  
Park Programs to Assist Low-Income Park Users No ---  
Disability Advisory Committees No ---  
Collection of Data on Crime in Parks Some ---  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
6 • HUMAN & PUBLIC HEALTH     (metadata) (score) 2.7    
Pediatric Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.57% 64
Adult Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 9.85% 64
Chronic Bronchitis, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 3.29% 67
Emphysema, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 1.24% 55
Cardiovascular Disease, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 25.41% 58
Diabetes, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 5.28% 54  
% of Adults with Obesity (2001) 19.9% 21
Change in % of Adults with Obesity (1991-2001) 4.7% 1
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1992 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1992) 10%-14% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1997) 15%-19% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (2003) 20%-24% ---
% of Adults Lacking Healthcare Insurance, ages 18 - 65 (2001) 9.0% 10
Infant Mortality Rate (2002) 11.3% 51
Number of Cancer Deaths per 100,000 people (2002) 230.8 51
Cost of Living: Health 120.1 56  
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2003-04 Average) 13.5% 20
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2004-05 Average) 13.1% 19
Rate of Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 -3.0% 18
Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 -0.4% 18
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farms 23 farms 9
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farmers' Markets 58 markets 3
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Restaurants 6 restaurants 10
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Groceries 11 grocery stores 2
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Other 6 other sources 11
Cost of Living: Food 112.2 57
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Men (1999-2003) 79.3% 47
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Women (1999-2003) 39.4% 27
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
7 • GLOBAL WARMING CLIMATE CHANGE     (metadata) (score) 3.3    
Mini-Kyoto Participant, US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (as of 10/18/06) Yes ---
Number of State and Local Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Programs 0 programs   32
Net Metering No Net Metering   ---
Net Metering Residential Size Limit 100 kW   6
Net Metering Commercial Size Limit 100 kW   9
Completed Climate Action Plans Completed State Climate Action Plan   ---
Regional Initiatives Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Inventories Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Reporting & Registries No   ---
States with Public Benefit Funds None   ---
States with Renewable Portfolio Standards 11%   11
Date set for Renewable Portfolio Standards 2022   19
States with Green Pricing Programs None   ---
States with Renewable Energy Credit Tracking Systems Yes   ---
States with Mandates and Incentives Promoting Ethanol Excercises Tax credit/exemption and/or grant supporting ethanol use   ---
States with Residential Energy Codes No Residential Energy Codes   ---
States with Commercial Energy Codes 1999 ASHRAE or Later (ECPA Compliant)   ---
Green Building Standards for State Buildings None   ---
ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Participant (US CCP) No ---
% of State Generation that is from Renewable sources (2003) (Not Available)   (Not Available)
Average percentage of possible sunshine thru 1998: Length of record (years) 48 years 30
Average percentage of Possible Sunshine: Annual 55% 37
Annual Average wind speed, m.p.h. 9.4 mph 24
January Average wind speed, m.p.h. 10 mph 24
July Average wind speed, m.p.h. 8.3 mph 25
Heating Degree Days 4,047 days 23
Cooling Degree Days 1,549 days 42
Average Relative Humidity (%), Length of record (years) 38 years 26
Annual Morning Average Relative Humidity (%) 75% 13
Annual Afternoon Average Relative Humidity (%) 53% 13
Elevation, feet 23 feet 8
 
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
BACKGROUND INFORMATION      
SIZE & CLASSIFICATION
City Population (2005)2 515,118 29 (of 72 in EDN study) 100.0% of state population
City Population (2000) 572,059 21 (of 72 in EDN study)  
State Population (2005)2 515,118 50 (of 51 in EDN study)  
General Region Mid-Atlantic ---  
EPA Region 3 ---  
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
City Land Area, square miles 61.0 square miles 54 497.2% of state land area
State Land Area, square miles 61 square miles 51  
Watershed Name Middle Potomac-Anacostia-Occoquan ---  
Elevation, feet 23 ft. (7.0 m) 35  
Average Daily Temperature - January 34.9 °F (1.6°C) 38
Average Daily Temperature - July 79.2 °F (26.2°C) 46  
DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY
Median Age 35.8 years 29  
18 years and older, % of population (2004) 79.1% 9  
65 years and older, % of population (2004) 12.1% 18  
Under 5 years of age 34,806 kids (6.7% of total pop.) 33  
One Race-White % (2005) 32.4% 63  
One Race - Non-white % (2005) 67.6% 9  
Hispanic or Latino, of any race % (2005) 8.9% 42  
% of Population who Speak a non-English Language at Home (2004) 16.2% 37  
Largest School District Name District of Columbia ---  
 
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1 Use of the * within the County field indicates the city is in multiple counties. Typically the county for which the city serves as a county seat was selected.
2 Use of the * within the Population Rank Indicates year 2000 data was used since year 2004 data was not available.
3 Scores in parenthesis indicate partial scores, e.g. at least one scored indicator was not available or reported for this city.
4 SITES is an acronym developed by EDN as a summary for the 'Safety, Income, Transportation, Education and Sprawl' Topic.
 
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© 2006 Earth Day Network