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Washington Metropolitan Area

  • ️Wed Dec 12 2007
Washington – Arlington – Alexandria
—  MSA  —

Washington D.C.

Arlington, Virginia

Alexandria, Virginia
Country Flag of the United States.svg United States
State  - Flag of Virginia.svg Virginia
 - Flag of Maryland.svg Maryland
 - Flag of West Virginia.svg West Virginia
Principal cities Washington
 - Arlington
 - Alexandria
Area
 – Metro 14,412 km2 (5,564.6 sq mi)
Elevation 0 - N/A m (0 - N/A ft)
Population (2010)[1]
 – Density 371.8/km2 (962.9/sq mi)
 – Urban 3,933,920(4th)
 – MSA 5,582,170(7th)
  MSA/CSA = 2010, Urban = 2000
Time zone EST (UTC-6)
 – Summer (DST) EST (UTC-5)

The Washington Metropolitan Area is the metropolitan area centered on Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. The area includes all of the federal district and parts of the U.S. states of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The Office of Management and Budget defines the area as the Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV Metropolitan Statistical Area, a metropolitan statistical area used for statistical purposes by the United States Census Bureau and other agencies. The area includes as its principal cities Washington as well as the Virginia cities of Arlington and Alexandria. The Office of Management and Budget also includes the metropolitan statistical area as part of the larger Baltimore–Washington Metropolitan Area, which has a population of over 8.55 million.[citation needed]

The area is also sometimes referred to as the National Capital Region, particularly by federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security.[2] The area in the region that is surrounded by Interstate 495 is also referred to as the "Capital Beltway". The Virginia portion of the area is known as Northern Virginia.[citation needed]

The Washington Metropolitan Area is the most educated and by some measures, the most affluent metropolitan area in the United States.[3] As of the 2010 Census Bureau estimate, the population of the Washington Metropolitan Area was estimated to be 5,582,170 (+16.39%), making it the seventh-largest metropolitan area in the country.[4]

Composition

Aerial photo of Washington Metropolitan Area

Map highlighting the counties and developed areas of the region

Map highlighting labor patterns of regional counties

The U.S. Census Bureau divides the Washington statistical metropolitan area into two metropolitan divisions:[citation needed]

  • the Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV Metropolitan Division, comprising the majority of the metropolitan area
  • the Bethesda–Gaithersburg–Frederick, MD Metropolitan Division, consisting of Montgomery and Frederick counties

Note that Metropolitan Area and Metropolitan Statistical Area should not be confused with Metropolitan Division.

Political subdivisions

The area includes the following counties, districts, and independent cities:[citation needed]

District of Columbia

Maryland

The following counties are categorized as part of the Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV Metropolitan Statistical Area:

Although associated with the Washington Metropolitan Area, the following counties are categorized as part of the Baltimore-Towson, MD Metropolitan Statistical Area:

Although associated with the Washington Metropolitan Area, the following county is categorized as part of the Lexington Park, MD Micropolitan Statistical Area:

Virginia

Counties

Independent cities:

West Virginia

Geographic designations

The following information corresponds to the map to the right, which highlights labor patterns of regional counties. (Note that although Arlington County and the City of Alexandria act as the Virginia suburbs of the core business district of Washington, D.C., those regions are not suburbs of the Fairfax County core business district; Loudoun and Prince William Counties serve as Fairfax County's suburban region.[citation needed] All three counties together also help comprise the suburban jurisdictions to Washington, D.C.)

Total Regions: 22 (6 independent cities, 15 counties, 1 district), plus 3 Maryland counties associated with unofficially (Grand-total 25)

By geographic type:

  • Core: 3 Regions (1 independent city, 1 county, 1 district)
  • Suburban: 12 Regions (5 independent cities, 7 counties)
  • Exurban: 8 Regions (1 independent city, 7 counties)

By state:

  • Maryland: 5 Regions (0 independent cities, 5 counties)
  • Virginia: 15 Regions (6 independent cities, 9 counties)
  • West Virginia: 1 Region (0 independent cities, 1 county)

By region type:

  • Independent cities: 6 (Virginia: 6)
  • Counties: 15 (Maryland: 5, Virginia: 9, West Virginia: 1)
  • District: 1

Core

Suburban

Exurban

An exurb is "a non-rural residential community located outside a city, beyond the suburbs".[5]

Associated with (unofficially)

(These areas are not shown on the labor pattern map.)

Regional organizations

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments

Founded in 1957, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) is a regional organization of 21 Washington-area local governments, as well as area members of the Maryland and Virginia state legislatures, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives. MWCOG provides a forum for discussion and the development of regional responses to issues regarding the environment, transportation, public safety, homeland security, affordable housing, community planning, and economic development.[6]

The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board, a component of MWCOG, is the federally-designated metropolitan planning organization for the metropolitan Washington area.[7]

Principal cities

View of Washington with the skylines of Arlington and Tysons Corner in the background

The metropolitan area includes the following principal cities (most of which are not incorporated as cities; one, Arlington, is actually a county):

Demographics

Presidential election results
Year DEM GOP Others
2008 68.0% 1,603,902 31.0% 728,916 1.0% 25,288
2004 61.0% 1,258,743 38.0% 785,144 1.4% 19,735
2000 58.5% 1,023,089 37.9% 663,590 3.6% 62,437
1996 57.0% 861,881 37.0% 558,830 6.0% 89,259
1992 53.0% 859,889 34.1% 553.369 12.9% 209,651
1988 50.4% 684,453 48.6% 659,344 1.0% 14,219
1984 51.0% 653,568 48.5% 621,377 0.4% 5,656
1980 44.7% 484,590 44.6% 482,506 11.1% 115,797
1976 54.2% 590,481 44.9% 488,995 1.0% 10,654
1972 44.2% 431,257 54.8% 534,235 1.1% 10,825
1968 49.4% 414,345 39.1% 327,662 11.5% 96,701
1964 69.8% 495,490 30.2% 214,293 0.1% 462
1960 52.5% 204,614 47.3% 184,499 0.1% 593

Politics

The relative strength of the major political parties within the region is shown by the presidential election results since 1960, as presented in the table to the right.[citation needed]

Racial composition

The area has been a magnet for international immigration since the late 1960s. It is also a magnet for internal migration (persons moving from one region of the U.S. to another).[8][dubious – discuss] Census estimates show that persons of post-1965 immigrant stock will likely represent 25% of the region's population by 2010, forming a bigger population bloc than native blacks for the first time.[9]

Racial composition of the Washington, D.C. area:[10]

2006
1980
  • White : 67.8%
  • Black : 26.0%
  • Asian : 2.5%
  • Hispanic : 2.8%
  • Mixed and Other : 0.9%

Educational attainment and affluence

The Washington Metropolitan Area has ranked as the highest-educated metropolitan area in the nation for four decades.[11] As of the 2006–2008 American Community Survey, the three most educated places with 200,000 people or more in Washington–Arlington–Alexandria by bachelor's degree attainment (population 25 and over) are Arlington, Virginia (68.0%), Fairfax County, Virginia (58.8%), and Montgomery County, Maryland (56.4%).[12] Forbes magazine stated in its 2008 "America's Best- And Worst-Educated Cities" report: "The D.C. area is less than half the size of L.A., but both cities have around 100,000 Ph.D.'s."[13]

In recent years[when?] the Washington Metropolitan Area has overtaken the San Francisco Bay Area as the highest-income metropolitan area in the nation.[3] The median household income of the region is US$72,800. The two highest median household income counties in the nation – Loudoun and Fairfax County, Virginia – are components of the MSA (and #3 is Howard County, officially in Baltimore's sphere but strongly connected with Washington's); measured in this way, Alexandria ranks 10th among municipalities in the region - 11th if Howard is included - and 23rd in the entire United States. 12.2% of Northern Virginia's 881,136 households, 8.5% of suburban Maryland's 799,300 households, and 8.2% of Washington's 249,805 households have an annual income in excess of $200,000, compared to 3.7% nationally.[14]

Economy

The various agencies of the Federal Government employ over 140,000 professionals in the Washington D.C. area. A sizable number in the Washington D.C. area work for defense and civilian contracting companies that conduct business directly with the Federal Government (many of these firms are referred to as 'Beltway Bandits' under the local vernacular). As a result, the Federal Government provides the underlying basis of the economy in the region. However, the Washington D.C. area is increasingly home to a diverse segment of businesses not directly related to the Federal Government.[citation needed]

The Washington, D.C. area has the largest science and engineering work force of any metropolitan area in the nation in 2006 according to the Greater Washington Initiative at 324,530, ahead of the combined San Francisco Bay Area work force of 214,500, and Chicago metropolitan area at 203,090, citing data from U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Claritas Inc., and other sources.[3]

The Washington, D.C. area was ranked as the second best High-Tech Center in a statistical analysis of the top 100 Metropolitan areas in the United States by American City Business Journals in May 2009, behind the Silicon Valley and ahead of the Boston metropolitan area.[17] Fueling the metropolitan area's ranking was the reported 241,264 tech jobs in the region, a total eclipsed only by New York, Los Angeles, and the combined San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland regions, as well as the highest master's or doctoral degree attainment among the 100 ranked metropolitan areas.[17]

The Washington D.C. Area is home to hundreds of major research universities, think tanks, and non-profit organizations. Additionally, Washington, D.C. is a top tourism destination as flocks of Americans and foreigners from around the world visit the museums and monuments of the Capital city year round with the peak season being during the Spring and Summer months of April through August. Moreover, the Washington D.C. area attracts tens of major conferences and conventions each year which also contribute greatly to the region's economy.[citation needed]

Primary industries

Biotechnology

Not limited to its proximity to the National Institutes of Health, Maryland's Washington suburbs are a major center for biotechnology. Prominent local biotech companies include MedImmune, The Institute for Genomic Research, Human Genome Sciences, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.[citation needed]

Defense contracting

Many defense contractors are based in the region to be close to the Pentagon in Arlington. Local defense contractors include Lockheed Martin, the largest, as well as Raytheon, General Dynamics, BAE Systems, Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), CACI, and Orbital Sciences Corporation. Northrup Grumman is to move its headquarters to the region by the summer of 2011.[18]

Notable company headquarters in the region

See also: List of companies headquartered in Northern Virginia

List of companies headquartered in the Washington Metropolitan Area with revenues in excess of $5 billion,[19][20] including companies that are in the process of relocating to the area and excluding those that are leaving. Seven of the companies are located in Tysons Corner but use McLean addresses. Many large firms are based in Montgomery County, including Discovery Communications, Coventry Health Care, Lockheed Martin, Marriott International, Host Hotels & Resorts, Travel Channel, Ritz-Carlton, Robert Louis Johnson Companies (RLJ Cos), Choice Hotels, MedImmune, TV One, BAE Systems Inc, Hughes Network Systems, and GEICO.

Company Region Revenue (billions)
AES Corporation Northern Virginia (Arlington) $17.1
Booz Allen Hamilton Northern Virginia (McLean) $5.1
Coventry Health Care Suburban Maryland (Bethesda) $11.6
Capital One Northern Virginia (McLean) $19.0
Computer Sciences Corporation Northern Virginia (Falls Church) $16.1
Danaher Corporation District of Columbia $13.2
Fannie Mae District of Columbia $153.8
Freddie Mac Northern Virginia (McLean) $98.4
Gannett Company Northern Virginia (McLean) $5.6
General Dynamics Northern Virginia (Falls Church) $32.5
Geico Suburban Maryland (Chevy Chase) $9.2
Hilton Worldwide Northern Virginia (McLean) $7.5
Lockheed Martin Suburban Maryland (Bethesda) $46.9
Marriott International Suburban Maryland (Bethesda) $11.7
Mars, Incorporated Northern Virginia (McLean) $28.0
Northrop Grumman Northern Virginia (Falls Church) $34.8
NII Holdings Northern Virginia (Reston) $5.6
Pepco Holdings District of Columbia $7.0
SAIC Northern Virginia (McLean) $11.1
(Total) District of Columbia $174.0
(Total) Suburban Maryland $79.4
(Total) Northern Virginia $280.8

Transportation

Dulles International

Washington Metro

Major airports

Rail transit systems

Bus transit systems

Health

The Washington DC metro area has held the top spot in the American College of Sports Medicine's annual American Fitness Index ranking of the United States' 50 most populous metropolitan areas for two years running. The report cites, among other things, the high average fitness level and healthy eating habits of residents, the widespread availability of health care and facilities such as swimming pools, tennis courts, and parks, low rates of obesity and tobacco use relative to the national average, and the high median household income as contributors to the city's community health.[21]

Sister cities

City Country Year
Washington, D.C.[Note 1]
Bangkok Thailand Thailand 1962, renewed 2002
Dakar Senegal Senegal 1980, renewed 2006
Beijing China China 1984, renewed 2004
Brussels Belgium Belgium 1985, renewed 2002
Athens Greece Greece 2000
Paris[Note 2] France France 2000, renewed 2005
Pretoria South Africa South Africa 2002, renewed 2008
Seoul South Korea South Korea 2006
Accra Ghana Ghana 2006
Sunderland United Kingdom United Kingdom 2006
Alexandria, Virginia
Gyumri Armenia Armenia
Helsingborg Sweden Sweden
Dundee[Note 3] United Kingdom United Kingdom
Caen France France
Arlington County, Virginia
Aachen Germany Germany
Reims France France
San Miguel El Salvador El Salvador
Coyoacán Mexico Mexico
Ivano-Frankivsk[Note 4] Ukraine Ukraine
Herndon, Virginia
Runnymede[Note 5] United Kingdom United Kingdom
Fairfax County, Virginia
Harbin[Note 6] China China 2010
Falls Church, Virginia
Kokolopori Democratic Republic of the Congo Congo
District Heights, Maryland
Mbuji-Mayi Democratic Republic of the Congo Congo
Frederick, Maryland
Aquiraz Brazil Brazil
Moerzheim GermanyGermany
Schifferstadt Germany Germany
La Plata, Maryland
Jogeva County Estonia Estonia
Walldorf Germany Germany
Rockville, Maryland
Pinneberg Germany Germany
  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ Paris is a "Partner City" due to the one Sister City policy of that commune.[2]
  3. ^ [3]
  4. ^ Exploration phase
  5. ^ Town twin[4]
  6. ^ Rejected by Washington due to not being a national capital.[5]

See also

Flag of Washington, D.C..svg District of Columbia portal

References

  1. ^ (Table_of_United_States_Metropolitan_Statistical_Areas)
  2. ^ "National Capital Region – Office of National Capital Region Coordination". Department of Homeland Security. December 21, 2005. Archived from the original on 2007-12-12. http://web.archive.org/web/20071212055758/http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/content_multi_image_0019.shtm. Retrieved 2008-01-09.
  3. ^ a b c Washington area richest, most educated in US: report
  4. ^ Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2009
  5. ^ Glossary of Housing Words and Terms
  6. ^ http://www.mwcog.org/about/
  7. ^ MWCOG.org – Transportation – TPB
  8. ^ http://www.psc.isr.umich.edu/pubs/pdf/rr02-496.pdf "Metro Magnets for Minorities and Whites: Melting Pots, the New Sunbelt, and the Heartland", Pages 9 and 10
  9. ^ Population Estimates
  10. ^ http://census.gov/popest/counties/asrh/CC-EST2006-RACE6.html
  11. ^ Washington region ranks as the best-educated in the country
  12. ^ 2006–2008 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates
  13. ^ America's Best- And Worst-Educated Cities
  14. ^ ACS 2005-2007
  15. ^ High-Rises Approved That Would Dwarf D.C.
  16. ^ List of tallest buildings in DC, MD, VA, WV
  17. ^ a b "The top 100 tech centers". Bizjournals. 2009-05-11. http://www.bizjournals.com/specials/pages/251.html. Retrieved 2010-03-03.[dead link]
  18. ^ Censer, Marjorie (July 30, 2010). "Defense firm Northrop Grumman's second-quarter profit rose nearly 81 percent". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/29/AR2010072905681.html.
  19. ^ FORTUNE 500 Our annual ranking of America's largest corporations
  20. ^ America's Largest Private Companies
  21. ^ "Washington, DC (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV MSA) 2010 AFI Report" (PDF). http://www.americanfitnessindex.org/docs/reports/washingtondc.pdf. Retrieved 2010-05-26.

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Coordinates: 38°53′12.33″N 77°2′29.85″W / 38.8867583°N 77.041625°W