District of Columbia Fast Facts:
Location, Location, Location...: The District of Columbia is located in the northeast region of the country and was founded as the capital of the U.S. on July 16, 1790.
Cities: Washington D.C. is the only city in the District of Columbia, of which Congress has the final authority over.
Behind the Name: Article 1 of the United States Constitution provides for a federal district, distinct from the states, to serve as the permanent national capital.
A Closer Look: The centers of all three branches of the federal government are located in the District, as are many of the nation’s historic monuments and museums. The District of Columbia hosts 174 foreign embassies as well as the headquarters of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Inter-American Development Bank and the Pan American Health Organization. The headquarters of other institutions such as trade unions, lobbying groups and professional associations are also located in the District.
Did You Know? The City of Washington was originally a separate municipality within the Territory of Columbia until an act of Congress in 1871 effectively merged the City and the Territory into a single entity called the District of Columbia.
District of Columbia Careers and Employment:
Population: 591,833 (3.5% increase since 2000) – 52.7% Female, 47.3% Male (2008 U.S. Census Bureau).
Business Environment: Ranked 28th in Forbes Magazine’s “Best States for Business,” 2008.
Top Industries: In terms of paid employees, according to a 2008 U.S. Census Bureau study: (1) professional, scientific and technical services; (2) health care and social assistance; (3) accommodation and food services; (4) information; and (5) retail trade.
Taxes: Income Tax, 4.0% to 8.5% and Sales Tax, 5.75% (Federation of Tax Administrators).
Cost of Living: 92.0 in relation to the “National Average” of 100 (Federal Cost of Living Index).
Quality of Life: Ranked 47th of 50 states by CNBC, 2009.
Weather: Average Temperature (In °F) – Jan: 35; Apr: 56; July: 79; Oct: 59 (Weather.com).
K-12: Ranked 47th of 50 states in “Academic Achievement” by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2009.
District of Columbia Economics:
In General: The service industry surely leads the District’s economy, but Government and military-related occupations are also plentiful and comprise almost the entire remaining workforce. The District’s 16 medical centers and hospitals make it a national center for patient care and medical research.
Service Industry: Not surprising as millions of people converge on the area each year to visit landmarks, monuments, and other tourist attractions, the service industry employs a third of all of the workers in the area.
A Closer Look: In light of the first two points, we might suggest the pursuit of career opportunities in tourism, government or the military if you’re looking for employment in Washington, D.C. The District, however, has started to diversify especially in the areas of education, finance, public policy and scientific research.
Did You Know? Washington D.C. leads the nation in foreign real estate investment in 2009, ahead of both London and New York City, according to a survey of the top 200 global development companies.
District of Columbia Education:
Find Colleges and Universities in Washington D.C., here.
Sources: In addition to specific citations noted in this “Career Information” section, supplementary source materials include: the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service; Netstate.com; Education-Portal.com; USCollegeSearch.org; and Wikipedia.com.
