Fact check: How many people live in washington dc

1. Summary of the results

There are slightly differing figures regarding Washington DC's current population. According to one source, the population stands at 684,394 in 2025 ^[1], while another source indicates that as of July 2024, the population was 702,250 ^[2]. Both sources confirm an upward population trend, with a growth rate of 0.4% annually ^[1].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual elements were not addressed in the original question:

• The city has experienced a 2.02% population increase since the 2020 census, when the population was 670,839 ^[1]
• Washington DC has a significant population density of 11,515 people per square mile ^[2]
• The consistent growth rate of 0.4% annually suggests a steady but moderate urban expansion ^[1]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

While the original question was straightforward, it's important to note that:

• Population figures can vary depending on when they were measured and which methodology was used, as evidenced by the ~18,000 person difference between the two most recent estimates ^{[1] [2]}
• Population numbers can be politically significant as they affect:
• Congressional representation
• Federal funding allocation
• Urban planning decisions
• Electoral importance

Therefore, different stakeholders (local government, federal agencies, urban planners) might have varying interests in how these numbers are presented and interpreted.