2023 Alexandria city, Virginia Demographics | Data & Analysis

Ready-to-use reports, analytics, and visualizations covering Alexandria city, Virginia, including population, race, income, and more. Based on 2023 American Community Survey Estimates.

Alexandria city, Virginia Key Demographic Statistics (2023 Estimates)

Key demographic statistics summarized from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS).

Total Population
156,788
Median Age
37.5 years
Median Household Income
$113,638
Bachelor's Degree+
65.75%
Uninsured Rate
8.7%
Total Households
75,349
Total Workers
95,601
Citizenship Rate
87.3%
Total Veterans
10,550
Top Veteran Era
Post-9/11 Only
Poverty Rate
6.2%
Families in Poverty
2,108
SNAP Recipients
5.18%
Households w/ SNAP
3,902

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates

Alexandria city, Virginia 2023 Demographics: Age & Gender Distribution

Bar chart showing the population distribution of Alexandria city, Virginia by age group and gender, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the total population of Alexandria city, Virginia is 156,788. The median age of the population in Alexandria city, Virginia is 37.5 years. The median age for males is 37.2 years, and for females it is 37.8 years.

The age distribution of the population in Alexandria city, Virginia by age group is as follows:

Population Percentage by Age Group in Alexandria city, Virginia, 2023
Age Group Percentage
Under 5 years 6.72%
5–17 years (children) 11.59%
18–24 years (young adults) 5.82%
25–34 years 20.03%
35–54 years 32.11%
55–64 years 11.14%
65 years and over (seniors) 12.58%

Understanding the Demographic Dependency Ratio in Alexandria city, Virginia

The total dependency ratio in Alexandria city, Virginia is 44.70. The youth dependency ratio is 26.50, and the old-age dependency ratio is 18.20. In demographic terms, the dependency ratio measures the size of the population typically not in the labor force (children under 18 and older adults 65+) relative to the working age (18-64) population. A higher ratio indicates a greater financial and social burden on the working population to support the non-working age groups.

For more detailed reports, explore the demographics for each of the most populated ZIP Codes in Alexandria city, Virginia, including Alexandria (22304) (48,577), Alexandria (22314) (35,696), and Alexandria (22312) (26,366).


What is the Racial and Ethnic Breakdown of Alexandria city, Virginia?

Race and Ethnicity Distribution Chart for Alexandria city, Virginia
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

The racial makeup and ethnic composition (racial demographics) of Alexandria city, Virginia is detailed below, based on the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates.

The Diversity Index for Alexandria city, Virginia is calculated at 67.22, suggesting a high level of racial and ethnic diversity. This index measures the probability that two people chosen at random will be from different racial or ethnic groups.

The following table provides the breakdown of the population of Alexandria city, Virginia by race and ethnicity:

Population Percentage by Racial and Ethnic Group in Alexandria city, Virginia, 2023
Racial/Ethnic Group Percentage
White Alone (Non-Hispanic) 49.59%
Black/African American Alone 20.66%
Hispanic or Latino (Any Race) 18.20%
Asian Alone 6.24%
Two or More Races 4.66%
Some Other Race Alone 0.46%
American Indian and Alaska Native Alone 0.15%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander Alone 0.03%

Alexandria city, Virginia 2023 Demographics: Household Income Distribution

Horizontal bar chart showing household income distribution in Alexandria city, Virginia.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the median household income in Alexandria city, Virginia over the past 12 months, adjusted for 2023 inflation, was $113,638. This figure is based on a total of 75,349 households.

The distribution of household income in Alexandria city, Virginia across various income brackets is as follows:

Household Income Distribution in Alexandria city, Virginia, 2023
Income Range Percentage of Households
Less than $20,000 6.58%
$20,000 to $34,999 5.61%
$35,000 to $49,999 6.29%
$50,000 to $74,999 12.31%
$75,000 to $149,999 31.81%
$150,000 or more 37.40%

For detailed household income distribution reports on the ZIP Codes with the highest median household income in Alexandria city, Virginia, explore the data for: Alexandria (22301) ($188,211), Alexandria (22314) ($144,359), and Arlington (22206) ($136,472).


Alexandria city, Virginia 2023 Demographics: Property Value Distribution

Line chart showing the distribution of property values for owner-occupied housing units in Alexandria city, Virginia.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the distribution of property values for owner-occupied housing units in Alexandria city, Virginia is based on a total of 31,674 properties.

The property value distribution in Alexandria city, Virginia across various value brackets is as follows:

Property Value Distribution in Alexandria city, Virginia, 2023
Property Value Range Percentage of Properties
Less than $25,000 0.82%
$25,000 to $49,999 0.24%
$50,000 to $99,999 0.45%
$100,000 to $199,999 2.08%
$200,000 to $499,999 30.17%
$500,000 to $999,999 58.06%
$1,000,000 or more 8.17%

Educational Attainment in Alexandria city, Virginia (2023 Data)

Treemap chart illustrating the educational attainment breakdown for population 25 years and over in Alexandria city, Virginia.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the educational attainment data covers the population 25 years and older in Alexandria city, Virginia, totaling 118,944 individuals.

92.86% of Alexandria city, Virginia population has a high school diploma or higher. Furthermore, the percentage of individuals who hold a Bachelor's Degree or a higher professional/graduate degree is 65.75%.

The detailed breakdown by educational level is presented below:

Educational Attainment Distribution in Alexandria city, Virginia, 2023
Educational Attainment Level Percentage of Population 25+
Less than high school graduate 7.14%
High school graduate (incl. equivalency) 10.64%
Some college or associate's degree 16.47%
Bachelor's Degree 31.38%
Graduate or professional degree 34.38%

What is the Health Insurance Coverage Rate in Alexandria city, Virginia?

Pyramid chart showing health insurance coverage by age and sex in Alexandria city, Virginia.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the health insurance coverage data for Alexandria city, Virginia shows that 8.7% of the population lacks health insurance coverage. This represents 13,339 individuals out of a total population of 152,501 people.

The uninsured rates vary significantly by age group. Young adults (18-34 years) have uninsured rates of 15.0% for males and 12.3% for females. In the 35-64 age bracket, 10.8% of males and 9.2% of females are uninsured.

Children under 18 and seniors aged 65+ generally have higher coverage rates due to public programs like Medicaid/CHIP and Medicare. In Alexandria city, Virginia, uninsured rates for children are 3.4% for males and 4.4% for females, while seniors have rates of 3.3% for males and 2.3% for females.

Uninsured Rates by Age Group and Sex in Alexandria city, Virginia, 2023
Age Group Male Uninsured % Female Uninsured %
Under 18 3.4% 4.4%
18-34 years 15.0% 12.3%
35-64 years 10.8% 9.2%
65+ years 3.3% 2.3%

Alexandria city, Virginia 2023 Population by Nativity and Citizenship Status

Treemap showing the population distribution by nativity and citizenship status in Alexandria city, Virginia based on U.S. Census data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the nativity and citizenship data for Alexandria city, Virginia shows that 87.3% of the population are U.S. citizens. This includes both native-born and naturalized citizens, representing 136,838 individuals out of a total population of 156,788 people.

The nativity breakdown reveals diverse origins: 72.1% were born in the United States, 1.0% were born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas, and 2.3% were born abroad of American parent(s).

Among the foreign-born population, 11.9% of the total population have become naturalized U.S. citizens (18,652 individuals), while 12.7% are non-citizens (19,950 individuals).

Nativity and Citizenship Distribution in Alexandria city, Virginia, 2023
Nativity/Citizenship Status Percentage
Born in the United States 72.1%
Born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas 1.0%
Born abroad of American parent(s) 2.3%
U.S. citizen by naturalization 11.9%
Not a U.S. citizen 12.7%
Total U.S. Citizens 87.3%

Alexandria city, Virginia 2023 Demographics: Means of Transportation to Work

Treemap showing means of transportation to work distribution in Alexandria city, Virginia.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the commuting patterns for Alexandria city, Virginia show that 56.8% of workers commute by car, truck, or van. This represents 55,391 workers out of a total workforce of 97,528 people.

Public transportation usage stands at 12.7% (12,370 workers), which includes buses, subways, light rail, commuter trains, and ferries, but excludes taxicabs. Active transportation methods include walking (2.5%) and bicycling (0.8%).

25.2% of workers in Alexandria city, Virginia report working from home. An additional 2.1% use other means such as taxicabs, motorcycles, or other forms of transportation. These alternative commuting patterns reflect changing work arrangements and transportation preferences in the modern workforce.

Commuting Methods Distribution in Alexandria city, Virginia, 2023
Transportation Method Percentage Number of Workers
Car, truck, or van 56.8% 55,391
Public transportation 12.7% 12,370
Bicycle 0.8% 740
Walked 2.5% 2,435
Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means 2.1% 2,004
Worked from home 25.2% 24,588
Total Workers - 97,528

Alexandria city, Virginia 2023 Demographics: Employment by Class of Worker

Horizontal bar chart showing employment distribution by class of worker and gender in Alexandria city, Virginia, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the civilian employed population aged 16 and over in Alexandria city, Virginia totals 95,601 workers. Of these, 48,117 (50.3%) are male and 47,484 (49.7%) are female.

The employment distribution by class of worker in Alexandria city, Virginia is as follows:

Employment Distribution by Class of Worker and Sex in Alexandria city, Virginia, 2023
Employment Class Male Workers Female Workers
Private For-Profit 29,390 (30.7%) 25,198 (26.4%)
Private Non-Profit 4,568 (4.8%) 7,535 (7.9%)
Government (All Levels) 11,354 (11.9%) 12,961 (13.6%)
  • Local Government 1,677 2,872
  • State Government 778 1,104
  • Federal Government 8,899 8,985
Self-Employed 2,731 (2.9%) 1,769 (1.9%)

Class of worker categorizes employed civilians by their employment arrangement. Private sector workers are employed by for-profit or non-profit companies. Government workers include those employed at local, state, or federal levels. Self-employed workers operate their own unincorporated businesses. Understanding the class of worker distribution provides insights into the economic structure and employment diversity of Alexandria city, Virginia.


Alexandria city, Virginia 2023 Demographics: Veterans by Period of Service

Horizontal bar chart showing veteran distribution by period of military service in Alexandria city, Virginia, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, there are 10,550 civilian veterans aged 18 and over in Alexandria city, Virginia.

The largest group of veterans served during Post-9/11 Only, accounting for 3,277 veterans (31.1% of all veterans). The second-largest group served during Gulf War Only, with 1,770 veterans (16.8%).

The complete distribution of veterans by period of military service in Alexandria city, Virginia is as follows:

Veteran Distribution by Period of Military Service in Alexandria city, Virginia, 2023
Period of Service Number of Veterans Percentage
Post-9/11 Only (September 2001 or later) 3,277 31.1%
Gulf War Only (August 1990 to August 2001) 1,770 16.8%
Post-9/11 and Gulf War (August 1990 to August 2001) 1,769 16.8%
Vietnam Era Only (August 1964 to April 1975) 1,636 15.5%
Between Gulf War and Vietnam Era 1,139 10.8%
Gulf War and Vietnam Era 379 3.6%
Between Vietnam Era and Korean War 194 1.8%
Korean War Only (July 1950 to January 1955) 149 1.4%
Post-9/11, Gulf War, and Vietnam Era 124 1.2%
World War II Only (December 1941 to December 1946) 63 0.6%
Vietnam Era and Korean War 43 0.4%
Vietnam Era, Korean War, and World War II 7 0.1%
Total Veterans 10,550 100.0%

Period of military service categorizes veterans based on when they served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. Veterans may have served during multiple periods, including World War II (December 1941–December 1946), the Korean War (July 1950–January 1955), the Vietnam Era (August 1964–April 1975), the Gulf War (August 1990–August 2001), and Post-9/11 (September 2001 or later). Understanding veteran demographics helps communities provide appropriate services, benefits, and support to those who have served.


Alexandria city, Virginia 2023 Demographics: Families by Income-to-Poverty Ratio

Horizontal bar chart showing family distribution by income-to-poverty ratio in Alexandria city, Virginia, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, there are 34,192 families in Alexandria city, Virginia.

Of these families, 2,108 (6.2%) live below the poverty line (income less than 100% of the federal poverty level). An additional 6,674 families (19.5%) are at or near poverty (100-199% of poverty). Meanwhile, 25,410 families (74.3%) have incomes at least twice the poverty level.

The complete distribution of families by income-to-poverty ratio in Alexandria city, Virginia is as follows:

Family Distribution by Income-to-Poverty Ratio in Alexandria city, Virginia, 2023
Income-to-Poverty Ratio Number of Families Percentage
Below 50% of Poverty 919 2.7%
50-74% of Poverty 511 1.5%
75-99% of Poverty 678 2.0%
100-124% of Poverty 671 2.0%
125-149% of Poverty 738 2.2%
150-174% of Poverty 912 2.7%
175-184% of Poverty 463 1.4%
185-199% of Poverty 584 1.7%
200-299% of Poverty 3,306 9.7%
300-399% of Poverty 2,262 6.6%
400-499% of Poverty 2,815 8.2%
500%+ of Poverty 20,333 59.5%
Total Families 34,192 100.0%

Income-to-poverty ratio measures how a family's income compares to the federal poverty threshold, which varies by family size and composition. A ratio below 1.00 (100%) indicates the family lives in poverty. Ratios between 1.00 and 1.99 represent families with low incomes who may still struggle financially despite being technically above the poverty line. Families with ratios of 2.00 (200%) or higher generally have more economic security. Understanding poverty distribution helps communities allocate resources and develop programs to support families in need.


Alexandria city, Virginia 2023 Demographics: SNAP/Food Stamps Recipients

Stacked bar chart showing SNAP/Food Stamps recipient household composition by presence of children under 18 in Alexandria city, Virginia, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, there are 75,349 total households in Alexandria city, Virginia. Of these, 3,902 households (5.18%) received SNAP/Food Stamps benefits in the past 12 months.

Among SNAP-recipient households, 2,111 (54.10%) have children under 18 years, while 1,791 (45.90%) do not have children under 18 years.

Household Composition of SNAP Recipients

SNAP Recipient Household Composition in Alexandria city, Virginia, 2023
Household Type With Children Under 18 No Children Under 18
Married-Couple Family 1,200 (30.75%) 139 (3.56%)
Male Householder, No Spouse 110 (2.82%) 107 (2.74%)
Female Householder, No Spouse 770 (19.73%) 338 (8.66%)
Nonfamily Households 31 (0.79%) 1,207 (30.93%)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, provides nutrition assistance to low-income individuals and families. The program aims to help eligible households purchase nutritious food. SNAP participation rates and household composition patterns provide important insights into economic hardship and food security challenges in Alexandria city, Virginia. Households with children under 18 often face greater nutritional needs, while households without children may include seniors, disabled individuals, or working adults facing economic challenges.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The age breakdown for the population of Alexandria city, Virginia is detailed below, showing the percentage of the total population for each group:

Age Group Percentage
Under 5 years6.72%
5–17 years (children)11.59%
18–24 years (young adults)5.82%
25–34 years20.03%
35–54 years32.11%
55–64 years11.14%
65 years and over (seniors)12.58%

The racial and ethnic composition of Alexandria city, Virginia is dominated by: White Alone (Non-Hispanic): 49.59%, Black/African American Alone: 20.66%, Hispanic or Latino (Any Race): 18.20%. The complete breakdown includes 8 distinct racial and ethnic categories.

The median household income in Alexandria city, Virginia is $113,638. This represents the midpoint of all household incomes in the area, meaning half of households earn more than this amount and half earn less.

The household income distribution in Alexandria city, Virginia is: Very Low Income (under $20,000): 6.58%, Low Income ($20,000-$34,999): 5.61%, Lower Middle Income ($35,000-$49,999): 6.29%, Middle Income ($50,000-$74,999): 12.31%, Upper Middle Income ($75,000-$149,999): 31.81%, High Income ($150,000+): 37.40%.

Approximately 56.50% of households in Alexandria city, Virginia earn over $100,000 annually. This includes households earning between $100,000 and $124,999, $125,000 and $149,999, $150,000 and $199,999, and $200,000 or more.

The property value distribution for owner-occupied housing units in Alexandria city, Virginia is: Less than $25,000: 0.82%, $25,000-$49,999: 0.24%, $50,000-$99,999: 0.45%, $100,000-$199,999: 2.08%, $200,000-$499,999: 30.17%, $500,000-$999,999: 58.06%, $1,000,000 or more: 8.17%.

There are 31,674 owner-occupied housing units in Alexandria city, Virginia. This represents homes that are owned by the people living in them, as opposed to rental properties or vacant units.

Approximately 66.23% of owner-occupied housing units in Alexandria city, Virginia are valued over $500,000. This includes properties valued between $500,000 and $749,999, $750,000 and $999,999, $1,000,000 and $1,499,999, $1,500,000 and $1,999,999, and $2,000,000 or more.

In Alexandria city, Virginia, 65.75% of the population aged 25 and older holds a bachelor's degree or higher. This includes those with bachelor's degrees as well as those with graduate or professional degrees.

The educational attainment breakdown for Alexandria city, Virginia (population 25+) is: Less than high school graduate: 7.14%, High school graduate (including equivalency): 10.64%, Some college or associate's degree: 16.47%, Bachelor's degree: 31.38%, Graduate or professional degree: 34.38%.

In Alexandria city, Virginia, 92.86% of the population aged 25 and older has completed at least a high school education. This includes high school graduates, those with some college, associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees, and graduate degrees.

In Alexandria city, Virginia, 8.7% of the population lacks health insurance coverage. This represents 13,339 individuals out of a total population of 152,501 people.

The uninsured rates vary by age group in Alexandria city, Virginia. For young adults (18-34 years), 15.0% of males and 12.3% of females lack coverage. In the 35-64 age group, 10.8% of males and 9.2% of females are uninsured. These working-age populations typically face different coverage challenges than children or seniors.

Children under 18 in Alexandria city, Virginia have uninsured rates of 3.4% for males and 4.4% for females. Seniors aged 65 and older, who are typically covered by Medicare, have uninsured rates of 3.3% for males and 2.3% for females. These age groups generally have higher coverage rates due to public programs.

In Alexandria city, Virginia, 87.3% of the population are U.S. citizens. This includes native-born citizens and naturalized citizens. Out of a total population of 156,788 people, 136,838 are U.S. citizens.

Alexandria city, Virginia has 18,652 naturalized U.S. citizens, representing 11.9% of the total population. These are foreign-born individuals who have gone through the naturalization process to become U.S. citizens.

The nativity and citizenship breakdown for Alexandria city, Virginia is: 72.1% were born in the United States, 1.0% were born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas, 2.3% were born abroad of American parent(s), 11.9% are foreign-born naturalized U.S. citizens, and 12.7% are foreign-born non-citizens.

In Alexandria city, Virginia, 56.8% of workers commute by car, truck, or van, making it the most common means of transportation to work. Out of 97,528 total workers, 55,391 use personal vehicles for their commute.

12,370 workers in Alexandria city, Virginia use public transportation (excluding taxicabs) to commute to work, representing 12.7% of all workers. This includes buses, subways, light rail, commuter trains, and ferries.

Alternative commute methods in Alexandria city, Virginia include: 25.2% work from home, 2.5% walk to work, 0.8% bicycle, and 2.1% use other means such as taxicabs or motorcycles. These alternatives to driving alone help reduce traffic congestion and environmental impact.

"Class of worker" refers to the type of employer or work arrangement for employed civilians aged 16 and over in Alexandria city, Virginia. It categorizes workers into private sector (for-profit and non-profit), government (local, state, and federal), self-employed, and unpaid family workers. This classification helps understand the employment structure and economic composition of the workforce.

According to the American Community Survey, Alexandria city, Virginia has 95,601 employed civilians aged 16 and over. The private for-profit sector employs the largest share of workers, with 30.7% of male workers and 26.4% of female workers in this category.

In Alexandria city, Virginia, there are 11,354 male government workers and 12,961 female government workers. Government employment includes local, state, and federal positions. This represents 11.9% of male workers and 13.6% of female workers.

Self-employment in Alexandria city, Virginia includes 2,731 males (2.9%) and 1,769 females (1.9%). Self-employed workers operate their own businesses that are not legally incorporated.

In Alexandria city, Virginia, 3,902 households (5.18% of all households) received SNAP/Food Stamps benefits in the past 12 months. Out of 75,349 total households, these families rely on this federal nutrition assistance program to help purchase food.

Of the SNAP-receiving households in Alexandria city, Virginia, 2,111 (54.10%) have children under 18 years. These families face additional nutritional needs and food security challenges as they work to provide adequate nutrition for growing children.

SNAP recipients in Alexandria city, Virginia include diverse household types. Among households with children, 770 (19.73%) are headed by a female householder with no spouse present, while 1,200 (30.75%) are married-couple families. The program also serves households without children, including seniors, disabled individuals, and working adults facing economic challenges.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, is a federal program that provides nutrition assistance to low-income individuals and families. Eligibility is based on household income, resources, and size. In Alexandria city, Virginia, SNAP helps eligible households purchase nutritious food at authorized retailers. The program aims to alleviate hunger and improve nutrition and health outcomes for vulnerable populations.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, there are 10,550 civilian veterans aged 18 and over living in Alexandria city, Virginia. These individuals have served on active duty in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. This number does not include those with only National Guard or Reserves training without active duty service.

The most common period of military service for veterans in Alexandria city, Virginia is Post-9/11 Only, with 3,277 veterans (31.1% of all veterans) who served during this period. The second most common period is Gulf War Only, with 1,770 veterans (16.8%).

"Period of service" categorizes veterans based on when they served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. Major periods include World War II (December 1941-December 1946), the Korean War (July 1950-January 1955), the Vietnam Era (August 1964-April 1975), the Gulf War (August 1990-August 2001), and Post-9/11 (September 2001 or later). Veterans may have served during multiple periods. Understanding the distribution of service periods helps communities in Alexandria city, Virginia provide appropriate services and support to their veteran population.

Veterans who served during the Gulf War era (1990-2001) and Post-9/11 era (2001-present) represent approximately 80.2% of all veterans in Alexandria city, Virginia. These more recent-era veterans, totaling around 8,458 individuals, often have different service experiences and support needs compared to veterans of earlier conflicts. They may benefit from targeted programs addressing issues such as transition to civilian life, employment assistance, and access to VA healthcare services.

In Alexandria city, Virginia, 2,108 families (6.2% of all families) live below the federal poverty line. This means their household income is less than 100% of the poverty threshold established by the U.S. Census Bureau, which varies by family size and composition. Out of 34,192 total families, these households face significant economic challenges meeting basic needs.

"Income-to-poverty ratio" measures how a family's income compares to the federal poverty threshold. A ratio of 1.00 (100%) means the family's income equals the poverty line. Below 1.00 indicates poverty, while ratios above 1.00 show income levels relative to poverty. For example, a ratio of 2.00 (200%) means the family earns twice the poverty threshold. In Alexandria city, Virginia, this data helps identify not just families in poverty, but also those who are economically vulnerable despite being above the official poverty line.

Beyond families living in poverty, Alexandria city, Virginia has 6,674 families (19.5%) with incomes between 100% and 199% of the poverty level. These families are often called 'near poverty' or low-income households. Specifically, 2,321 families (6.8%) have incomes between 100% and 149% of poverty. While technically above the poverty line, these families often struggle with housing costs, healthcare, childcare, and other expenses, making them economically vulnerable.

In Alexandria city, Virginia, 919 families (2.7%) live in extreme poverty, with incomes below 50% of the federal poverty threshold. These families face severe economic hardship and often require comprehensive assistance programs. On the other end of the spectrum, 25,410 families (74.3%) have incomes at least 200% above the poverty level, indicating greater financial stability and economic security.