County releases Arlington Profile 2025 and 30‑year forecast: population 243,760; housing and jobs trends highlighted

County planning staff presented the Arlington Profile 2025 and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG)‑coordinated 30‑year forecast (round 10.1) at the April 9 County Board meeting. The report and interactive data portal (arlingtonva.us/profile) summarize recent demographic and housing trends, corridor‑level data and the county’s 30‑year forecast used for functional planning.

Key figures and findings from the presentation by Elizabeth Hardy and Nicole Bowling: - Population and composition: County staff estimated Arlington’s population at about 243,760 and reported that 41% of residents identify as persons of color. - Housing stock: Arlington has approximately 26,540 housing units; roughly 73% of units are in multifamily buildings (including apartments and condominiums). The county’s average household size is estimated at about 2.08 persons per household. - Employment: Staff estimated roughly 221,000 jobs in Arlington. The forecast notes that federal employment and regional dynamics affect office demand; staff reported approximately 25,000 federal jobs located in Arlington. - Forecast (round 10.1): Compared with the previous forecast round, staff said the county now expects roughly a 38.6% increase in forecasted housing units by 2050 (an increase of about 2,050 housing units over the previous forecast), a roughly 29.3% increase in population by 2050 (an additional nearly 70,000 people by 2050 in the forecast), and slower employment growth than previously projected (a 20.1% jobs increase over 30 years versus an earlier 28% projection in round 10).

Context and board discussion: Board members praised the data release and asked how staff will get the information into the hands of residents who do not use online data portals. Staff said they will work with communications and distribution lists and explore additional outreach channels, including printed materials. Board members also discussed how the forecast informs planning for schools, utilities, transportation and affordable housing and asked for continued collaboration with other departments.

Why it matters: The profile and forecast provide the data underpinning capital and functional plans (transportation, schools, water, housing) and are used regionally in travel demand models. Board members said the figures will inform budget deliberations and strategic planning, and they asked staff to continue to expand outreach and to examine supplemental metrics requested by the board (climate and hunger indicators were suggested).