While ComposeMD is billed as a general knowledge site, all knowledge is delivered with a perspective. And my perspective is a decidedly American one, explaining this piece. If I wanted to write about a national capital, I could have gone with Ottawa or Paris or Ulaanbaatar (that’s in Mongolia—I’m just showing off). But instead, I went with the capital of the US, which is actually a rather confusing place. What exactly is Washington, DC? Here’s a numerical answer.
1787
The year the US Constitution was written. Among other things, it called for a federal district under the jurisdiction of the US Congress, i.e. not part of any state nor a state itself. In 1790, the Residence Act was signed, approving the creation of this district along the Potomac River, which forms a natural boundary between the states of Maryland and Virginia. Philadelphia served as the nation’s capital during the 1790s, officially relinquishing the label in 1800 when Congress held its first session in the new capital.
1
The number of delegates in the US House of Representatives that represent Washington, DC. Although the delegate can participate in committees and introduce legislation, voting on legislation being considered by the entire House is not permitted (hence the term non-voting member).
0
The number of senators in the US Senate that represent Washington, DC.
23
The number of the Constitutional Amendment—passed by Congress in 1960 and ratified by the states in 1961—that allowed residents of Washington, DC, to vote in presidential elections. Despite having no voting members in the House or Senate—translating into zero votes in the Electoral College by the standard formula—the city/federal district was granted three electoral votes.
1973
The year Congress enacted the Home Rule Act, paving the way for some degree of self-governance in Washington, DC, in the form of an elected mayor and a 13-member council. Congress still maintains ultimate authority and can overturn local laws (and even dissolve the local government if so desired).
689,545
The population of Washington, DC, as per the 2020 Census. That makes the city/federal district more populated than two US states (Vermont and Wyoming). The entire Washington, DC, metropolitan area—encompassing parts of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia in addition to the city/federal district itself—amounts to a population of nearly 6.3 million, good for sixth largest in the US.
6
The ranking of the Washington, DC, metropolitan area—behind New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, and Dallas—on a list of US metropolitan areas by GDP.
83
The number of hours the typical Washington, DC, commuter lost to traffic in 2022, eighth most in the US.
977
The number of violent crimes per 100,000 residents in Washington, DC, in 2019, landing it at number 27 on a list of the top 50 American cities in this regard. As a frame of reference, the national average was 366.7 violent crimes per 100,000 residents. My second favorite city—Detroit—was number one with 1,965 per 100,000, and my favorite city—Rochester, NY—was number 50 with 748 per 100,000.
0 (Again)
The cost in US dollars of admission to the museums, galleries, and zoo in Washington, DC, that are part of the Smithsonian Institution. Not interested? I’ve been told there are a few government-related attractions as well.
In case you’re wondering, DC is short for District of Columbia. As such, the city of Washington refers to George Washington, and the coextensive federal District of Columbia refers to Christopher Columbus (whose name serves as the root of a word that indicates a female personification of the US). If this nomenclature rubs you the wrong way, I propose a new name—Ulaanbaatar of the US.
(This article was updated on February 21, 2024.)
