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Steeped in American history, and a magnet for tourists by the millions each year, the U.S. capital city is named after George Washington, first President of the United States.

"District of Columbia" pays homage to early explorer Christopher Columbus, with D.C. being the official jurisdiction that offsets the city from nearby Virginia and Maryland.

Today, the stark contract between the pricey neighborhood of Georgetown and the city's squalid urban slums give DC its reputation as a community of the very rich and very poor. Although there is a thriving middle class, many government workers or company employees usually opt to for more affordable bedroom communities in surrounding states.

• Demographics : (Washington DC Census Data)
  Major communities: Georgetown; Baltimore, Bethesda and Rockville, MD; Alexandria, Crystal City, Reston and Tysons Corner, VA
  Population : 581.530
  White : 38%
  Black, African American : 57%
  Hispanic : 8.6%
  High school graduates : 77.0%
  Bachelor's degree or higher : 39.1%
  Average household income: $46,211
  
  
• Crime : see Washington DC Crime & Activity Statistics
  
  
• Cost of Living: Owing to DC Metro's position as the center of high-powered diplomatic, world government & banking activity, count on finding major expenses about 40% above the national average.
  
  
• Property Taxes : District of Columbia's Tax Climate - Average cost is $1,856 per capita in taxes, which is less than only three states (New Jersey, Connecticut, and New Hampshire).
  
  
• Housing & Real Estate Overview Zillow - Washington DC Real Estate
  Home ownership rate : 40.8%
  Average home price: $430,800
  Average travel time to work : 30 minutes
  
  
• Schools : see Washington DC Education Center
  
  
• Weather : Lying midway between the warmer south and colder north, Washington DC experiences extremes of heat and humidity in summer, and possible heavy snowstorms in winter. The most agreeable weather is found in spring (for visitors, especially during cherry blossom time) and fall, when temperatures and humidity levels are generally mild and comfortable.

More about relocating to Washington DC around the Web:

Move to DC - The official Washington DC city government site with a directory of links & information on neighborhoods, home buying and apartment hunting, schools, working or setting up a business in DC.

DC Registry - Comprehensive portal to finding schools, churches, synogogues, restaurants, local real estate, apartments & housing, transportation and more.

Living in Metropolitan Washington DC - One-stop browsing for links to information on local transit, major media sites, publications & magazines, corporate apartment and hotel reviews, tips for parents, shopping & thrift stores, emergency resources.

Washington DC City-Data Forum - Helpful suggestions on relocating to DC with cost of living comparisons, advice for families, suburban real estate and metro apartment guides.

Tales from a Small Planet - Washington DC - Community posts for and by workers from abroad offering been-there advice on housing and schools, neighborhoods, commute times, suburban DC living, and related tips.

Berkley Parents Network - Moving to Washington DC - Archived message board posts with advice on best nearby neighorhoods, public transportation, schools and kid-friendly communties.

Washington DC Schools - Compare top-rated metro area schools by address or district.

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority - The official site with fares, schedules, online ticket purchase, bus and rail maps, interactive trip planner.

Washington DC Real Estate, Apartments & Job Classifieds:

• Washington Post | Washington Times
  

also see -> Washington DC Taxes | Washington DC Tourist Attractions

Christmas in Washington DC | in Travel -> Expat Resources

Maryland Fall Folage | Virginia Fall Foliage

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