What to know about Washington, DC:
- We are 700,000 residents strong; in fact, last year we were the fastest growing state in the country.
- We welcome millions of visitors every year. Last year, we broke a tourism record, welcoming more than 27 million visitors to our city.
- We have the number one park system in the nation, with beautiful local and federal parks in all eight wards.
- We have the fastest improving urban school district in the nation, and the most robust free pre-K program.
- We just passed our 30th consecutive balanced budget.
- Violent crime is the lowest it’s been in three decades. You can check updated daily crime trends here: mpdc.dc.gov/dailycrime
- We are a beautiful city. Last year, clean corridor teams removed 413 tons of waste from highly trafficked areas of the city.
Our governance structure is unlike anywhere else in the United States. DC residents pay federal taxes (more per capita than any state), go to war, and fulfill all the responsibilities of citizenship, yet we have no voting representation in Congress.
Through the District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973, DC has an elected mayor and 13-member council. Washington, DC’s Mayor functions as a county executive, mayor and governor.