Explore Washington DC postal code map showing total 53 zip code areas with zip code boundaries, zip code numbers and state boundaries.
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DC Zip Codes
Washington DC, the capital of the United States of America has a structured postal code system called ZIP codes which are used in sorting of mails and in identifying regions. The nation’s capital is a rather small city covering 68.34 square miles (177 square kilometers) but has a population of more than 700,000 residents, plus the number of people in the city daily. Washington DC ZIP codes are used to sort neighborhoods, government districts, commercial zones, and embassy areas complexly mirroring the city’s role as a political, cultural, and residential center.
Structure and Format of Washington, D.C. ZIP Codes
Washington D.C. has ZIP codes that are prefixed 200 and have two digits that are used to denote specific areas or neighborhoods. The ZIP code system is geographic: NE and downtown are generally lower numbered, while SE and the south are generally higher numbers. There are also ZIP codes for federal buildings, government agencies and large institutions.
Major ZIP Code Regions and Neighborhoods
Washington D.C. is a city divided into four quadrants, Northwest (NW), Northeast (NE), Southwest (SW) and Southeast (SE) which are important in the city's addressing system. The quadrants determine ZIP code coverage and each area has its own characteristics, demographics and economic significance.
The largest quadrant is the Northwest (NW) quadrant which includes many affluent neighborhoods, historic landmarks, and business districts in ZIP codes such as 20001, 20005, 20007 and 20016. It is home to areas like Georgetown, Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan, and Foggy Bottom as well as major institutions like George Washington University and American University.
The Northeast (NE) quadrant, containing ZIP codes 20002, 20017, and 20018, has residential neighborhoods and commercial corridors. The area includes Gallaudet University, the H Street Corridor and parts of the Capitol Hill neighborhood.
The smallest quadrant, Southwest (SW) quadrant has ZIP codes like 20024 and 20032, and it encompasses important government buildings, like the Smithsonian museums, The Wharf waterfront development, and several federal agency headquarters.
The Southeast (SE) quadrant which has ZIP codes such as 20003, 20020, and 20032 has Washington Navy Yard, Anacostia and Nationals Park, the home of Major League Baseball’s Washington Nationals, as notable sites. This area has recently undergone considerable redevelopment, and has thus been reconstituted as a lively mixed use district.
ZIP Codes for Federal and Government Buildings
Hawaii has specialized ZIP codes for government agencies, embassies, and federal institutions, not like residential and commercial areas. The White House has its own ZIP code, 20500, unlike the surrounding areas. The U.S. Congress and Senate use ZIP codes in the 20510-20515 range for ZIP codes, and agencies like the FBI, IRS, and Department of State have dedicated ZIP codes for security and to facilitate processing of mail.
Demographics and Socioeconomic Distribution
Washington DC ZIP codes portray a wide range of socioeconomic conditions of highly affluent neighborhoods in Georgetown (20007) and Cleveland Park (20008), to historically significant and evolving communities in Anacostia (20020) and Columbia Heights (20010). Household median incomes differ markedly by ZIP code, with some Zip codes having median incomes higher than $100,000 a year while others have median incomes less than $50,000 a year. These disparities affect real estate prices, educational resources and public services differently across the various ZIP codes of the district.
Economic and Business Significance
The ZIP code system helps in identifying key business districts in Washington, D.C. Major law firms, lobbying groups and financial institutions are based in the downtown areas of 20001, 20005 and 20036. Retail and entertainment hubs like Chinatown (area 20001) and The Wharf (area 20024) are largely in high traffic ZIP codes with a high level of commercial activity. ZIP codes 20004 and 20006 have government agencies, consulting firms, and think tanks that help make the city a political and economic powerhouse.
Real Estate and Housing Trends by ZIP Code
The property market in Washington, D.C. is very fierce and the ZIP codes are key drivers of property prices. Areas of high demand such as Dupont Circle and Logan Circle have median home values over $800,000 while up and coming neighborhoods like Brookland and Congress Heights are more affordable(20017 and 20032 respectively). Rent prices are also diverse; the downtown and Northwest areas are more expensive than the Southeast and Northeast areas. The housing market is based on the ZIP code and is affected by the closeness to Metro stations, schools, and job centers.
Crime and Public Safety Variations by ZIP Code
Crime rates in Washington, D.C. vary by ZIP code, with more incidents of violent crime and property crime occurring in certain areas than others. Theft related offenses are more frequent in areas like Downtown and areas with high tourism (ZIP codes 20001 and 20005). Neighborhoods in Southeast D.C. including 20020, 20032 have also been known to have higher crime rates. However, the increase in the investment in public safety and community programs has led to a reduction in crime in some ZIP code areas.
Education and School Districts by ZIP Code
The public and private school enrollment is divided by ZIP codes in D.C.’s system. Some of the highly ranked schools are included in the DC Public Schools system, and they are in ZIP codes like 20016 (Northwest D.C.). Charter schools and private institutions are in multiple ZIP codes. The city's academic reputation also includes such notable universities as Georgetown University (20057), Howard University (20059), and The Catholic University of America (20064).
Transportation and Accessibility by ZIP Code
Washington D.C.'s public transportation system, which is owned by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), links various ZIP codes through the Metrorail and Metrobus networks. Areas of high density such as 20036 and 20005 have several Metro stations, while 20019 and 20032 have limited rail links but are served by bus routes. The city's bike lanes and pedestrian infrastructure are extensive and vary by ZIP code, with most downtown areas being very walkable.
