Death in Washington, D.C.
In 2025, 6,423 people died in Washington, D.C., about 18 a day. Life expectancy at birth is 78.2 years, 0.8 years below the U.S. average of 79.0. The leading cause of death is heart disease.
Quick facts
- Washington, D.C. recorded 6,423 deaths in 2025, about 18 a day (CDC/NCHS provisional counts).
- The death rate in Washington, D.C. was 926 per 100,000 residents in 2025, the 20th lowest of the 50 states and D.C., against 909 for the U.S. (CDC/NCHS provisional counts and Census Bureau estimates).
- Life expectancy at birth in Washington, D.C. is 78.2 years, against 79.0 for the U.S. (NCHS state life tables for 2022, adjusted to 2024 death rates).
- Women in Washington, D.C. can expect to live 81.0 years at birth and men 75.2 (NCHS state life tables for 2022, adjusted to 2024 death rates).
- The leading cause of death in Washington, D.C. was heart disease, with 1,085 deaths in 2024 (CDC/NCHS final data).
Estimated deaths in Washington, D.C. so far today
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Estimate based on 6,423 deaths counted in Washington, D.C. in 2025. Those are CDC provisional counts, newer than the final data for the year before, and they may change slightly. The total is spread over the year by each month's usual share. Days start at midnight Eastern Time.
How long people live in Washington, D.C.
| Washington, D.C. | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|
| Everyone, at birth | 78.2 | 79.0 |
| Women, at birth | 81.0 | 81.5 |
| Men, at birth | 75.2 | 76.5 |
| Years left at 65 | 19.5 | 19.7 |
Life expectancy in years. NCHS state life tables (2022), adjusted to 2024 U.S. death rates; U.S. life tables 2024. Death rates are not adjusted for age, so states with older residents rank higher.
Washington, D.C. had the 48th most deaths of the 50 states and D.C. in 2025, and the 20th lowest death rate, 926 per 100,000 residents, against 909 for the whole country.
Work out the numbers for your own age with the life expectancy calculator, or see every state ranked in life expectancy by state.
Age at death in Washington, D.C.
Out of everyone born today, the share who would die at each age if today's death rates held. The most common age is 87.
NCHS state life tables (2022), adjusted to 2024 U.S. death rates.
After a death in Washington, D.C.
- ProbateUSProbate in Washington, D.C.When an estate needs probate in Washington, D.C., the small-estate options, and which court handles it.
- Cheap FuneralFuneral prices in Washington, D.C.Published prices for direct cremation and burial at funeral homes in the state.
- FuneralUSFind a funeral homeSearch funeral homes by city or ZIP code, with contact details.
- VeteranFuneralsVeteran cemeteries in Washington, D.C.National and state veterans cemeteries, and the burial benefits veterans and spouses can use.
- FunerariaCercaFunerarias en Washington, D.C.Funeral homes for Spanish-speaking families, in Spanish.
Leading causes of death in Washington, D.C.
Deaths in 2024, by cause.
- Heart disease1,085
- Cancer934
- Accidents (unintentional injuries)460
- Stroke253
- Homicide172
Source: Stats of the States: death data maps by cause (heart disease, cancer, accidents, stroke, ...), CDC / National Center for Health Statistics, 2024 final data.
The leading causes change a lot with age. See the leading causes of death by age for the U.S.