Washington DC is an exceptionally international city, with nearly 25% of its population foreign-born and over 168 languages spoken. The city’s diversity and connectivity make it an ideal hub for foreign investment and business looking to maximize opportunities in the US. DC’s international spirit contributes to its dynamism and global influence.
From WDCEP’s International Business Overview. Most of the underlying data is 2022–2023.
At its core, Washington, DC is an international city. With nearly a quarter of DC’s population born outside of the US — far exceeding the national average of 13% — over 100,000 immigrant entrepreneurs, and 168 languages spoken, the international community is woven into the fabric of what makes Washington, DC one of the most dynamic cities in the world. A strong international business community, including more than 177 embassies and proximity to the federal government, makes Washington, DC an ideal location to maximize return on investment for foreign companies investing in the United States.
Washington, DC at a glance
- Population: 672,000
- Median age: 34
- Median household income: $90,842
- Time zone: Eastern
Source: US Census 2020.
International business presence
There are over 500 international companies with a presence in the Washington, DC metro area, representing 45 countries. From January 2013 to December 2022, 140 greenfield FDI projects were announced in Washington, DC, with an estimated capital expenditure of $1.9 billion and an estimated 6,811 jobs created. The top source markets for FDI in Washington, DC from 2013–2022 were the United Kingdom ($358 million in capex across 30 projects), China ($271 million across five projects), and Japan ($244 million across six projects). The top three industries for FDI were real estate, software and IT services, and hotels and tourism.
Washington, DC is a Top 10 metro for corporate headquarters (Business Facilities, 2023).
International companies by presence
| DC | DMV | |
|---|---|---|
| Total international companies | 223 | 577 |
| Unique countries | 45 | 62 |
Countries with the largest presence in the DC metro area
| Country | DC | DMV |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 61 | 123 |
| Canada | 27 | 60 |
| India | 6 | 40 |
| Israel | 5 | 37 |
| Germany | 9 | 24 |
| Netherlands | 7 | 24 |
| South Korea | 3 | 24 |
Sources: PitchBook, September 2023; fDi Markets, 2023; SelectUSA.
A connected city
The District of Columbia sits in the heart of the Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast Corridor. Within a short flight or train ride of other major markets such as New York City, Boston, Chicago, and Atlanta, a Washington, DC office puts you at the center of a vast customer base with swift access to key markets in the global economy.
The DC metro area provides direct access to major domestic and international destinations via three airports: Reagan National (DCA), Dulles International (IAD), and Baltimore/Washington International (BWI). Dulles services 61 direct international destinations, including routes to London, Zurich, Tel Aviv, Cape Town, Dubai, Delhi, Beijing, Tokyo, and Seoul. Reagan National and BWI together service 105 destinations.
Rail and transit
- Amtrak. Washington, DC is a major hub for Amtrak, with convenient rail travel to cities along the Northeast Corridor: New York City 2h 46m, Philadelphia 1h 30m, Boston 6h 45m.
- Metro. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) operates an extensive Metro system connecting the city and its suburbs via 6 rail lines and 96 stations, as well as 269 bus routes serving 11,129 stops.
- MARC & VRE. The Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) and Virginia Railway Express (VRE) commuter rail services provide additional options to and from the DC suburbs in Maryland and Virginia.
Population and skilled workforce
The DC metro area, with 6.4 million residents, is well positioned for sustainable population growth. The metro area has grown by 12% since 2010, against a national growth rate of 8% over the same period. Since 2011, the District of Columbia has increased its population by 11% to a total of 672,000 residents. One in five people in the DC metro area (22.8%) are foreign-born.
If it were a state, the District would be the country’s fifth most diverse. DC was ranked #1 city in the U.S. for LGBTQ+ equality (Human Rights Campaign Foundation, 2020). More than 168 languages are spoken in the metro area, with 26% of the population aged 5+ speaking a language other than English at home. More than 53% of adults in the DC metro area hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 35% nationally, and 39% hold advanced degrees compared to 14.4% nationally. The region leads the nation in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, Public Administration, and Information industries.
- #1 most educated city in the United States — US Census Bureau
- Most Innovative State — WalletHub, March 2023
- 23 Michelin-starred restaurants
- 20+ million visitors to Washington, DC in 2022 — Destination DC
Culture and quality of life
- Smithsonian museums. The National Mall is home to 10 Smithsonian museums, including the National Gallery of Art.
- Monuments and memorials. The Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.
- Dining and cuisine. From international cuisine to Michelin-starred restaurants.
- The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. World-class theater, ballet, and musical performances.
- Sports and entertainment. The Washington Nationals (baseball), Washington Wizards and Mystics (basketball), DC United and Washington Spirit (soccer), Washington Capitals (hockey), and Washington Commanders (football).
Government connection
As the seat of the federal government, Washington, DC provides a unique advantage. Proximity to the nearly 110 federal agencies creates a simple path for networking and customer service with the US government. In fiscal year 2022, over 50,000 contracts were awarded to businesses based in Washington, DC, totaling $31 billion.
Contracts awarded in Washington, DC by industry
| Industry | Awarded amount | % of total $ awarded in DC |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Systems Design Services | $4.96B | 8.97% |
| Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services | $3.99B | 7.21% |
| Other Computer Related Services | $3.60B | 6.51% |
| Engineering Services | $3.16B | 5.71% |
| Custom Computer Programming Services | $1.37B | 2.48% |
Sources: GSA; USAspending.gov, FY2022.
Embassy presence
Washington, DC has more than 177 embassies that call it home. For a company with global ambition, access to decision makers from all over the globe creates a unique opportunity to run a worldwide enterprise without having to leave the 110 square kilometers of Washington, DC.
Company spotlight: PwC
PwC, an international auditing, tax, and consulting firm, consolidated its regional offices into a new 182,000 SF Washington, DC office. The 1,700-person regional headquarters opened in 2021, and the office was awarded LEED Gold certification by the US Green Building Council.
Economic incentives and support
Companies relocating to or expanding within Washington, DC can take advantage of financial incentives and business support services. The District’s Vitality Fund supports companies expanding headquarters to the District, and the Qualified High Tech Company (QHTC) incentives specifically target tech companies based in DC.
- Vitality Fund: a multi-year, performance-based incentive program designed to support companies in target industries actively planning to relocate, expand, or retain their physical location in Washington, DC, and to encourage the creation of new jobs.
- Creative Open Space and Modernization (COSM): an incentive program designed to support the growth of large companies that make a long-term commitment to locate in the District. Eligible companies can receive an annual tax rebate for up to five years to offset property taxes and tenant improvements.
- DC Department of Employment Services: recruitment and hiring support, plus workforce development and training programs for District employers, including On-the-Job Training and Apprenticeship Programs.
- The District of Columbia Film, Television, and Entertainment Rebate Fund: can rebate a percentage of the costs of producing movies, television shows, and video productions, and/or infrastructure improvements to studio space in Washington, DC.
Talk to us
- Derek Ford, President & CEO — dford@wdcep.com, (202) 661-8670
- Kathrine VanLiew, Senior Director of International Business Attraction — kvanliew@wdcep.com, (315) 730-0033
- Suzanne White, Executive Vice President of Corporate Attraction — swhite@wdcep.com, (202) 661-4271
Related: the Washington, DC Global Soft Landing Program and our Guide to Incorporation in Washington, DC.