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THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Social & Demographic Characteristics

Other facts sheets for the District of Columbia:

The data below describe the state rankings and selected characteristics of the immigrant and native-born populations in the District of Columbia in 2011.

Rankings
The following shows the District of Columbia's rankings in several categories. (All rankings include the 50 states and the District of Columbia and are ranked highest to lowest.)
  Rankings
Size of the foreign-born population, 2011: 40 out of 51
Percent foreign born in the total population, 2011: 11 out of 51
Numeric change in the foreign-born population, 2000 to 2011: 44 out of 51
Percent change in the foreign-born population, 2000 to 2011: 49 out of 51

Data Highlights
For data on these topics click on the link:
Who are the foreign born?
The term foreign born refers to people residing in the United States at the time of the census who were not US citizens at birth. The foreign-born population includes naturalized citizens, lawful permanent immigrants, refugees and asylees, legal nonimmigrants (including those on student, work, or other temporary visas), and persons residing in the country without authorization. By comparison, the term native refers to people residing in the United States who were US citizens in one of three categories: 1) people born in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia; 2) people born in United States Insular Areas such as Puerto Rico or Guam; or 3) people who were born abroad to at least one US citizen parent.

We use the terms immigrants and foreign born interchangeably.

Population

The foreign-born population (or immigrants; we use these terms interchangeably) of the District of Columbia changed by 13.6 percent between 2000 and 2011.
Between 2000 and 2011, the foreign-born population in the District of Columbia changed from 73,561 to 83,599, representing a change of 13.6 percent. In comparison, the foreign-born population changed from 58,887 to 73,561 between 1990 and 2000, a difference of 24.9 percent.

At the national level, the foreign-born population increased from 19,767,316 to 31,107,889 between 1990 and 2000, representing a change of 57.4 percent, and grew from 31,107,889 to 40,377,860 ( 29.8 percent) between 2000 and 2011.

In 2011, the foreign born represented 13.5 percent of the District of Columbia's total population.
In 2011, 13.5 percent of the District of Columbia's total population were immigrants, compared to 12.9 percent in 2000 and 9.7 percent in 1990.

At the national level, the foreign-born population represented 13.0 percent of the total population in 2011, compared to 11.1 percent in 2000 and 7.9 percent in 1990.

Of the total immigrant population in the District of Columbia, 21.7 percent entered during the 1990s, and 46.3 percent entered in 2000 or later.
Of the foreign-born population resident in the District of Columbia in 2011, 14.9 percent entered the country prior to 1980, 17.1 percent between 1980 and 1989, 21.7 percent between 1990 and 1999, and 46.3 percent in 2000 or later.

Nationally, 19.3 percent of the foreign-born population entered the country before 1980, 18.3 percent during the 1980s, 26.7 percent during the 1990s, and 35.7 percent in 2000 or later.

Place of Origin

The largest share of the foreign-born population in the District of Columbia were from Latin America.
Of the total foreign-born population in the District of Columbia in 2011, 14.2 percent were from Africa, 18.8 percent from Asia, 20.3 percent from Europe, 44.9 percent from Latin America (South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean), 1.5 percent from Northern America (Canada, Bermuda, Greenland, and St. Pierre and Miquelon), and 0.4 percent from Oceania.

At the national level, 4.1 percent were from Africa, 28.6 percent from Asia, 12.1 percent from Europe, 52.6 percent from Latin America, 2.0 percent from Northern America, and 0.5 percent from Oceania.

The top three countries of birth of the foreign born in the District of Columbia were el salvador, mexico, and china.*
Of the total immigrant population in the District of Columbia in 2011, 16.3 percent were born in el salvador, 3.3 percent in mexico, and 2.9 percent in china. In contrast, the top three countries of birth in 1990 were El Salvador (16.2 percent), Jamaica (5.2 percent), and the United Kigdom (3.9 percent).

At the national level, the top three countries of birth in 2011 were mexico (28.9 percent), india (4.6 percent), and china (4.6 percent). The top three countries of birth in 1990 were Mexico (21.7 percent), the Philippines (4.6 percent), and Canada (3.8 percent).

*Note: These are the largest countries of birth reported by the Census Bureau. Some countries are only listed as part of a larger geographic region. For example, those born in Somalia are included only among those born in Eastern Africa. Therefore, a few states may have larger populations of foreign-born persons born in countries not listed individually in census data. "China" refers to China and Hong Kong, but not Taiwan. The 1990 data on the countries of birth reflect geographic boundaries as of 1990.

US Citizenship Status

In the District of Columbia, 37.8 percent of the foreign born were US citizens in 2011.
The 2011 American Community Survey reported that 31,573, or 37.8 percent, of the foreign-born population in the District of Columbia were citizens, compared to 22,050, or 30.0 percent, in 2000. This represents a change of 43.2 percent in the size of the foreign-born citizen population between 2000 and 2011.

Nationally, 40.3 percent of the foreign-born population were citizens in 2000, and 44.9 percent were citizens in 2011.

In the District of Columbia, 85.4 percent of the immigrants who entered before 1980 were citizens, compared to 9.7 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.
Among the foreign-born population in the District of Columbia in 2011, 85.4 percent of those who entered the United States before 1980 were citizens, as were 57.8 percent who entered during the 1980s, 49.1 percent who entered during the 1990s, and 9.7 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.

Nationally, 79.8 percent of the foreign-born population who entered the United States before 1980 were citizens, as were 64.2 percent who entered during the 1980s, 45.1 percent who entered during the 1990s, and 16.1 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.

Gender and Age

In the District of Columbia, 51.3 percent of the immigrant population were female in 2011, and 48.7 percent male.
Of the total foreign-born population in the District of Columbia in 2011, 51.3 percent were female and 48.7 percent male, compared to 52.9 percent female and 47.1 percent male among the native born.

At the national level, 51.1 percent of the foreign born were female and 48.9 percent male.

Immigrants made up 3.0 percent of young children in the District of Columbia, 4.4 percent of youths, 16.6 percent of working-age (18-54) adults, and 12.6 percent of adults age 55 and older.
In 2011, 3.0 percent of the District of Columbia's population younger than age 5 were born abroad as were 4.4 percent of those 5 to 17; 11.4 percent of those 18 to 24; 18.1 percent of those 25 to 54; and 12.6 percent of seniors 55 and older.

Nationally, 1.2 percent of those under age 5 were foreign born, as well as 4.5 percent of those 5 to 17; 10.8 percent of those 18 to 24; 18.9 percent of those 25 to 54; and 13.0 percent of those 55 and older.

Of the immigrant population in the District of Columbia, 4.9 percent were minors, 74.5 percent were of working age (18-54), and 20.6 percent were 55 and older.
In 2011, 1.3 percent of the foreign-born population in the District of Columbia were under the age of 5; 3.6 percent were 5 to 17; 11.4 percent were 18 to 24; 63.1 percent were 25 to 54; and 20.6 percent were 55 or older. Among the native-born population in the District of Columbia, 6.6 percent were under the age of 5; 12.4 percent were between 5 and 17; 14.0 percent were 18 to 24; 44.7 percent were 25 to 54; and 22.4 percent were 55 or older.

At the national level, 0.6 percent of the immigrant population were under 5; 5.9 percent were 5 to 17; 8.3 percent were 18 to 24; 59.5 percent were 25 to 54; and 25.6 percent were 55 or older.

Race and Hispanic Origin

In the District of Columbia, 16.4 percent of the foreign-born population were Asian, 22.4 percent were black or African American, and 42.7 percent were white.
Of the foreign born in the District of Columbia in 2011, 42.7 percent reported their race as white alone, 22.4 percent as black or African American alone, 16.4 percent as Asian alone, and 16.1 percent as some other race; 2.2 percent reported having two or more races. Among the native-born population in the District of Columbia, 39.5 percent reported their race as white alone, 54.5 percent as black or African American alone, 1.7 percent as Asian alone, 2.1 percent as some other race, and 2.1 percent as having two or more races.

At the national level, 48.3 percent of the foreign born reported their race as white alone, 8.4 percent as black or African American alone, 24.8 percent as Asian alone, and 15.5 percent as some other race; 2.5 percent reported having two or more races.

Of the foreign born in the District of Columbia, 36.9 percent reported Hispanic or Latino origins.
In the District of Columbia, 36.9 percent of immigrants reported Hispanic or Latino origins, compared to 5.2 percent of the native born.

At the national level, 46.6 percent of the foreign born reported a Hispanic or Latino origin.

Household

The average household size of the immigrant population in the District of Columbia in 2011 was 2.99 persons for those who owned their own homes and 2.15 persons for those who rented.
The average household size of the foreign-born population in the District of Columbia who owned their own homes was 2.99 persons, while the average household size of those renting their homes was 2.15 persons. Among the native-born population in the District of Columbia, the average household size of those who owned their own homes was 2.23 persons, while the average household size of those who rented their homes was 2.01 persons.

The share of households headed by a foreign-born person with more than one occupant per room was 11.1 percent.
Of all households in the District of Columbia headed by a foreign-born person, 11.1 percent were households in which the number of household members exceeded the number of rooms in the house. Among households in the District of Columbia headed by native-born persons, 1.9 percent had more people than rooms in the house.

At the national level, 12.1 percent of households headed by a foreign-born person had more than one occupant per room.

Domestic and International Migration

Between 2010 and 2011, 3,706 immigrants moved to the District of Columbia from abroad, 4,811 immigrants relocated from other states and the District of Columbia (DC), and 6,069 immigrants left the District of Columbia for another state within the United States.*
Of the 8,517 immigrant respondents (ages one and older in 2011) who moved to the District of Columbia between 2010 and 2011, 43.5 percent (or 3,706) arrived from abroad and 56.5 percent (or 4,811) relocated from another state. At the same time, 6,069 immigrants moved out of the District of Columbia to another area within the United States, while 67,753 immigrants continued residing in the same house and 7,214 immigrants moved within the District of Columbia.

Between 2010 and 2011, 3,658 native-born residents (ages one and older) moved to the District of Columbia from abroad, 43,255 native born relocated from another state, 43,663 native born left the District of Columbia for another state, and 59,305 native born moved within the District of Columbia. The majority of native-born residents did not move (421,906).

Between 2010 and 2011, the total population (ages one and older) of the District of Columbia increased from 605,910 to 611,608 (or by 5,698) due to the net domestic out-migration of natives (-408), the net domestic out-migration of immigrants (-1,258), and the arrival from abroad of natives (3,658) and immigrants (3,706).

*Note: These estimates do not include people who lived in the District of Columbia in 2010 and are currently living in Puerto Rico, other US island areas, and foreign countries, or who died between 2010 and 2011. The estimates refer to geographic mobility of persons ages one and older.

For details, see Table 3

What Was the Poverty Threshold in 2011?
Whether any family is considered below the poverty threshold depends on the families' total income before taxes, not including any capital gains or noncash benefits, such as food stamps or housing subsidies.

The Census Bureau's poverty threshold varies depending on the number of adults and children in a family. It is adjusted each month to account for inflation. Because respondents filled out the American Community Survey in different months, the poverty threshold applied to each family depends on the month in which the survey was taken.

To give a general idea of poverty levels, as defined by the US Census Bureau, the average poverty threshold for a family of four 2011 was $23,021; for a family of three, $17,916; for a family of two, $14,657; and for an unrelated individual, $11,484. All members of a family are assigned the same poverty status. Poverty thresholds are the same for the whole United States, despite differences in the cost of living across US communities.
Children in Immigrant Families

In 2011, 6.4 percent of immigrant women in the District of Columbia had given birth in the previous year.
Of the foreign-born women in the District of Columbia in 2011, 6.4 percent had given birth in the previous year. Of those who had given birth, 67.5 percent were married, and 32.5 percent were not married (including those who were divorced or widowed). Among native-born women in the District of Columbia, 3.2 percent had given birth in the previous year. Of those, 42.5 percent were married and 57.5 percent unmarried.

At the national level, 6.8 percent of immigrant women had given birth in the previous year, including 76.4 percent who were married and 23.6 percent who were unmarried.

Children residing with at least one immigrant parent accounted for 22.0 percent of children under age 18 in 2011, 18.0 percent in 2000, and 12.5 percent in 1990.
Of all children under age 18 in the District of Columbia in 2011, 21,821 or 22.0 percent resided in immigrant families (i.e., with at least one foreign-born parent).

Nationally, children with immigrant parents accounted for 24.3 percent of all children under age 18 in 2011, compared to 19.1 percent in 2000 and 13.4 percent in 1990.

For similar information for children under age 6 and children between ages 6 and 17, see Table 4.

Of all children with immigrant parents in the District of Columbia, 87.2 percent were US citizens by birth.
In 2011, there were 19,027 US-born children with at least one immigrant parent in the District of Columbia. They accounted for 87.2 percent of all children with immigrant parents. The share of US-born children among children of immigrants under age 18 was 74.8 percent in 2000 and 69.0 percent in 1990.

At the national level, 87.1 percent of children with immigrant parents were US born, compared to 79.5 percent in 2000 and 77.0 percent in 1990.

For similar information for children under age 6 and children between ages 6 and 17, see Table 4.

Children of immigrants accounted for 18.1 percent of all children in low-income families (i.e., below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold) in 2011, 16.0 percent in 2000, and 12.1 percent in 1990 in the District of Columbia.
In 2011, there were 44,166 children under age 18 who resided in families with income below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold in the District of Columbia. Of them, 18.1 percent were children with immigrant parent(s).

In comparison, children with immigrant parent(s) accounted for 30.5 percent of children in low-income families in the nation in 2011, 25.5 percent in 2000, and 16.7 percent in 1990.



Table 1. Foreign-Born Population and World Region of Birth (1990, 2000, and 2011)
1990
2000
2011
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Total Population of the District of Columbia1 606,900 100.0 572,059 100.0 617,996 100.0
Native born 548,013 90.3 498,498 87.1 534,397 86.5
Foreign born 58,887 9.7 73,561 12.9 83,599 13.5
Not a citizen 41,659 6.9 51,511 9.0 52,026 8.4
Naturalized citizen 17,228 2.8 22,050 3.9 31,573 5.1
Foreign-Born Population of the District of Columbia2 55,287 100.0 73,555 100.0 83,599 100.0
Born in Europe 10,483 19.0 12,909 17.6 16,937 20.3
Born in Asia 9,760 17.7 12,503 17.0 15,696 18.8
Born in Africa 6,571 11.9 9,208 12.5 11,905 14.2
Born in Oceania 328 0.6 585 0.8 302 0.4
Born in Latin America 26,932 48.7 37,079 50.4 37,516 44.9
Born in Northern America 1,213 2.2 1,271 1.7 1,243 1.5
 
 
Change 1990 to 2000
Change 1990 to 2011
Change 2000 to 2011
 
Numeric
Percent
Numeric
Percent
Numeric
Percent
Total Population of the District of Columbia1 -34,841 -5.7 11,096 1.8 45,937 8.0
Native born -49,515 -9.0 -13,616 -2.5 35,899 7.2
Foreign born 14,674 24.9 24,712 42.0 10,038 13.6
Not a citizen 9,852 23.6 10,367 24.9 515 1.0
Naturalized citizen 4,822 28.0 14,345 83.3 9,523 43.2
Foreign-Born Population of the District of Columbia2 18,268 33.0 28,312 51.2 10,044 13.7
Born in Europe 2,426 23.1 6,454 61.6 4,028 31.2
Born in Asia 2,743 28.1 5,936 60.8 3,193 25.5
Born in Africa 2,637 40.1 5,334 81.2 2,697 29.3
Born in Oceania 257 78.4 -26 -7.9 -283 -48.4
Born in Latin America 10,147 37.7 10,584 39.3 437 1.2
Born in Northern America 58 4.8 30 2.5 -28 -2.2
Notes:
1. This table describes the entire population of the District of Columbia.
2. For 1990, 2000, and 2011, the total for the region of birth of the foreign born is different from the total foreign born. This is because the 1990 total excludes those who did not report a country of birth and those born at sea, while the 2000 and 2011 totals exclude those born at sea. In 2000 and 2011, individuals who did not report a country of birth were allocated a country (and region) based on various characteristics. Because of this allocation in 2000 and 2011, but not in 1990, the increase for a specific region between 1990 and 2000 is overstated by a small, but unknown, amount.
Sources: US Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey (ACS); US Census Bureau, 1990 Census of Population and Housing and Census 2000, click here.
For information about ACS methodology, sampling error, and nonsampling error, click here.


Table 2. Characteristics of the Foreign-Born Population in the District of Columbia, 20111
  Number Percent
PERIOD OF ENTRY BY WORLD REGION OF BIRTH    
Total Foreign-Born Population 83,599 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 38,692 46.3
Entered 1990 to 1999 18,179 21.7
Entered 1980 to 1989 14,264 17.1
Entered before 1980 12,464 14.9
Born in Europe 16,937 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 8,388 49.5
Entered 1990 to 1999 4,285 25.3
Entered 1980 to 1989 1,224 7.2
Entered before 1980 3,040 17.9
Born in Asia 15,696 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 7,257 46.2
Entered 1990 to 1999 2,798 17.8
Entered 1980 to 1989 2,688 17.1
Entered before 1980 2,953 18.8
Born in Mexico 2,739 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 1,562 57.0
Entered 1990 to 1999 848 31.0
Entered 1980 to 1989 329 12.0
Entered before 1980 0 0.0
Born in Other Parts of Latin America 34,777 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 14,649 42.1
Entered 1990 to 1999 7,460 21.5
Entered 1980 to 1989 7,532 21.7
Entered before 1980 5,136 14.8
Born in Other Areas2 13,450 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 6,836 50.8
Entered 1990 to 1999 2,788 20.7
Entered 1980 to 1989 2,491 18.5
Entered before 1980 1,335 9.9
CITIZENSHIP STATUS BY PERIOD OF ENTRY    
Total Foreign-Born Population 83,599 100.0
Not a citizen 52,026 62.2
Naturalized citizen 31,573 37.8
Entered in 2000 or after 38,692 100.0
Not a citizen 34,930 90.3
Naturalized citizen 3,762 9.7
Entered 1990 to 1999 18,179 100.0
Not a citizen 9,249 50.9
Naturalized citizen 8,930 49.1
Entered 1980 to 1989 14,264 100.0
Not a citizen 6,023 42.2
Naturalized citizen 8,241 57.8
Entered before 1980 12,464 100.0
Not a citizen 1,824 14.6
Naturalized citizen 10,640 85.4
GENDER    
Total Native-Born Population 534,397 100.0
Male 251,588 47.1
Female 282,809 52.9
Total Foreign-Born Population 83,599 100.0
Male 40,695 48.7
Female 42,904 51.3
MARITAL STATUS    
Total Native-Born Population Age 15 or Older 448,618 100.0
Never married 268,886 59.9
Now married (not separated) 102,082 22.8
Separated 10,473 2.3
Divorced 42,008 9.4
Widowed 25,169 5.6
Total Foreign-Born Population Age 15 or Older 80,450 100.0
Never married 38,156 47.4
Now married (not separated) 29,991 37.3
Separated 2,046 2.5
Divorced 7,513 9.3
Widowed 2,744 3.4
NATIVITY BY AGE    
Total Population 617,996 100.0
Under 5 36,232 100.0
Native born 35,143 97.0
Foreign born 1,089 3.0
5 to 17 69,248 100.0
Native born 66,215 95.6
Foreign born 3,033 4.4
18 to 24 84,255 100.0
Native born 74,689 88.6
Foreign born 9,566 11.4
25 to 54 291,461 100.0
Native born 238,742 81.9
Foreign born 52,719 18.1
55 and Older 136,800 100.0
Native born 119,608 87.4
Foreign born 17,192 12.6
MEDIAN AGE5    
Total Native-Born Population    
Median age 32.4 --
Total Foreign-Born Population    
Median age 37.8 --
RACE    
Total Native-Born Population 534,397 100.0
One race 523,436 97.9
White 210,842 39.5
Black or African American 291,134 54.5
American Indian and Alaska Native 1,661 0.3
Asian 8,827 1.7
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander N N
Some other race 10,972 2.1
Two or more races 10,961 2.1
Total Foreign-Born Population 83,599 100.0
One race 81,800 97.8
White 35,663 42.7
Black or African American 18,711 22.4
American Indian and Alaska Native 295 0.4
Asian 13,683 16.4
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander N
Some other race 13,448 16.1
Two or more races 1,799 2.2
HISPANIC ORIGIN    
Total Native-Born Population 534,397 100.0
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 27,924 5.2
White, not Hispanic or Latino 197,755 37.0
Total Foreign-Born Population 83,599 100.0
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 30,820 36.9
White, not Hispanic or Latino 20,064 24.0
HOUSEHOLD AND FAMILY SIZE5    
Total Native-Born Population 534,397  
Average household size 2.10 --
Average family size 3.09 --
Total Foreign-Born Population 83,599  
Average household size 2.42 --
Average family size 3.51 --
HOUSEHOLD SIZE BY HOUSING TENURE5    
Total Native-Born Population    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 2.23 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 2.01 --
Total Foreign-Born Population    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 2.99 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 2.15 --
Not a Citizen    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 3.18 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 2.31 --
Naturalized Citizen    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 2.89 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 1.88 --
HOUSEHOLD TYPE5    
Total Native-Born Population 534,397 --
In married couple family household -- 26.8
In other household type -- 66.5
Total Foreign-Born Population 83,599 --
In married couple family household -- 36.4
In other household type -- 58.7
FERTILITY    
Total Native-Born Female Population, Ages 15 to 50 159,600 100.0
Women who had a birth in the last 12 months 5,175 3.2
Married (including spouse absent) 2,199 1.4
Unmarried (never married, divorced, and widowed) 2,976 1.9
Total Foreign-Born Female Population, Ages 15 to 50 29,449 100.0
Women who had a birth in the last 12 months 1,895 6.4
Married (including spouse absent) 1,280 4.3
Unmarried (never married, divorced, and widowed) 615 2.1
REGION/COUNTRY OF BIRTH    
Total Foreign-Born Population3 83,599 100.0
Europe 16,937 20.3
Northern Europe 3,231 3.9
United Kingdom 2,315 2.8
United Kingdom, excluding England 1,370 1.6
England 945 1.1
Ireland 447 0.5
Other Northern Europe 469 0.6
Western Europe 5,423 6.5
France 1,751 2.1
Germany 2,250 2.7
Other Western Europe 1,422 1.7
Southern Europe 2,760 3.3
Italy 1,301 1.6
Portugal 0 0.0
Other Southern Europe 1,459 1.7
Eastern Europe 5,523 6.6
Poland 290 0.3
Russia 1,876 2.2
Other Eastern Europe 3,357 4.0
Europe, n.e.c.4 0 0.0
Asia 15,696 18.8
Eastern Asia 5,714 6.8
China 3,105 3.7
China, excluding Taiwan 2,389 2.9
Taiwan 716 0.9
Japan 942 1.1
Korea 1,667 2.0
Other Eastern Asia 0 0.0
South Central Asia 3,521 4.2
India 1,558 1.9
Iran 244 0.3
Other South Central Asia 1,719 2.1
Southeastern Asia 4,052 4.8
Philippines 1,492 1.8
Vietnam 1,122 1.3
Other Southeastern Asia 1,438 1.7
Western Asia 2,409 2.9
Israel 318 0.4
Lebanon 249 0.3
Other Western Asia 1,842 2.2
Asia, n.e.c. 4 0 0.0
Africa 11,905 14.2
Eastern Africa 6,099 7.3
Northern Africa 481 0.6
Western Africa 3,135 3.8
Middle and Southern Africa 1,428 1.7
Africa, n.e.c. 4 762 0.9
Oceania 302 0.4
Australia and New Zealand Subregion 302 0.4
Oceania, n.e.c. 4 0 0.0
Americas 38,759 46.4
Latin America 37,516 44.9
Caribbean 8,502 10.2
Cuba 266 0.3
Jamaica 1,932 2.3
Other Caribbean 6,304 7.5
Central America 22,894 27.4
Mexico 2,739 3.3
El Salvador 13,642 16.3
Other Central America 6,513 7.8
South America 6,120 7.3
Brazil 744 0.9
Colombia 1,804 2.2
Other South America 3,572 4.3
Northern America 1,243 1.5
Canada 1,205 1.4
Other Northern America 38 0.0
Notes:
1. The letter N Indicates that a number could not be provided by the Census Bureau because the number of sample cases was too small for this state.
2. Data on the foreign born from Africa and Oceania by period of entry are not available because the number of sample cases was too small for many states.
3. The total for the region of birth of the foreign born is different from the total foreign born. This is because the totals exclude those born at sea.
4. The abbreviation "n.e.c." stands for not elsewhere classified.
5. For Alaska, Maine, Montana, South Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia the data are from the US Census Bureau's pooled 2009-2011 ACS and for North Dakota and Wyoming the data are from 2007-2011 ACS. For the United States and the rest of the states the data are from 2011 ACS.
Source: US Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey (ACS).
For information about ACS methodology,sampling error, and nonsampling error, click here.
For definitions used in ACS, click here.


Table 3. Domestic and International Mobility of the Native and Foreign-Born Population in the District of Columbia1
  Number Percent
Total Population (one year and older)    
Population residing in the area one year ago (2010) 605,910  
Population residing in the area in 2011 611,608  
Between 2010 and 2011    
Stayed in the same house 489,659  
Moved within the District of Columbia 66,519  
Population change due to in- and out-migration: 5,698  
Moved from the District of Columbia to another state 49,732  
Moved to the District of Columbia 55,430 100.0
Moved to the District of Columbia from abroad 7,364 13.3
Moved to the District of Columbia from another state 48,066 86.7
Native-Born Population (one year and older)    
Population residing in the area one year ago (2010) 524,874  
Population residing in the area in 2011 528,124  
Between 2010 and 2011    
Stayed in the same house 421,906  
Moved within the District of Columbia 59,305  
Population change due to in- and out-migration: 3,250  
Moved from the District of Columbia to another state 43,663  
Moved to the District of Columbia 46,913 100.0
Moved to the District of Columbia from abroad 3,658 7.8
Moved to the District of Columbia from another state 43,255 92.2
Foreign-Born Population (one year and older)    
Population residing in the area one year ago (2010) 81,036  
Population residing in the area in 2011 83,484  
Between 2010 and 2011    
Stayed in the same house 67,753  
Moved within the District of Columbia 7,214  
Population change due to in- and out-migration: 2,448  
Moved from the District of Columbia to another state 6,069  
Moved to the District of Columbia 8,517 100.0
Moved to the District of Columbia from abroad 3,706 43.5
Moved to the District of Columbia from another state 4,811 56.5
Notes:
1. The ACS asks if the person lived in the same house or apartment one year ago. If the respondent indicates that he or she did not live in the same house or apartment one year ago, then the city, town or post office, along with the county, state, and zip code of their residence one year ago, is requested. ACS collects data every month and asks about residence one year earlier without referencing a specific date. These estimates do not include people who lived in the District of Columbia in 2010 and are currently living in Puerto Rico, other US island areas, and foreign countries, or who died between 2010 and 2011. The estimates refer to geographic mobility of persons ages one and older.
2. The letter N Indicates that a number could not be provided by the Census Bureau because the number of sample cases was too small for this state.
Sources: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2011.
For information about ACS methodology, sampling error, and nonsampling error, click here.
For definitions used in ACS, click here.


Table 4. Children in Immigrant Families in the District of Columbia (1990, 2000, and 2011)
1990
2000
2011
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Children under age 18 with 103,840 100.0 100,769 100.0 99,355 100.0
Only native parent(s) 90,815 87.5 82,593 82.0 77,534 78.0
One or more foreign-born parents 13,025 12.5 18,176 18.0 21,821 22.0
Child is native 8,987 8.7 13,595 13.5 19,027 19.2
Child is foreign born 4,038 3.9 4,581 4.5 2,794 2.8
Children under age 6 with 39,353 100.0 36,172 100.0 41,391 100.0
Only native parent(s) 34,202 86.9 28,441 78.6 31,435 75.9
One or more foreign-born parents 5,151 13.1 7,731 21.4 9,956 24.1
Child is native 4,353 11.1 6,751 18.7 9,247 22.3
Child is foreign born 798 2.0 980 2.7 709 1.7
Children between ages 6 and 17 with 64,487 100.0 64,597 100.0 57,964 100.0
Only native parent(s) 56,613 87.8 54,152 83.8 46,099 79.5
One or more foreign-born parents 7,874 12.2 10,445 16.2 11,865 20.5
Child is native 4,634 7.2 6,844 10.6 9,780 16.9
Child is foreign born 3,240 5.0 3,601 5.6 2,085 3.6
Children under age 18 in low-income families with 48,511 100.0 51,874 100.0 44,166 100.0
Only native parents 42,658 87.9 43,596 84.0 36,157 81.9
One or more foreign-born parents 5,853 12.1 8,278 16.0 8,009 18.1
Notes:
1. This table refers only to children under 18 who resided with at least one parent. These figures do not include children under 18 who reside in a home with no parents.
2. Low-income families are defined as families with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold.
Sources: 1990 and 2000 Decennial Census data are from Steven Ruggles, Matthew Sobek, Trent Alexander, Catherine A. Fitch, Ronald Goeken, Patricia Kelly Hall, Miriam King, and Chad Ronnander, "Integrated Public Use Microdata Series: Version 4.0" (Machine-readable database, Minnesota Population Center [producer and distributor], 2011); US Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey (ACS).