Washington, D.C.: elevation
The District of Columbia is the federal capital of the United States: a single city, Washington, with 693,645 people in 2025. Its highest point is Point Reno, at 410 ft, and its lowest, the Potomac River, at 1 ft. Here you’ll find the elevation of the city and of its high point.
By the Mapsfera Team
- Population (2025)
- 693,645
- Census estimate for July 1
- Land area
- 61.1 sq mi
- 11,353 people/sq mi
- Lowest point
- 1 ft
- Potomac River
Map
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Elevation
Between its highest point (410 ft) and its lowest (1 ft) there’s 409 ft of relief, according to the USGS table.
Washington, D.C.’s reference point in the USGS gazetteer, by the White House, sits at 24 ft (7 m). Point Reno, in the northwest of the city, is 386 ft higher, and the Potomac River is at 1 ft: 409 ft of relief within the District’s 61.1 sq mi. Of the 91 US cities with more than 250,000 people, Washington is the 10th lowest.
Washington borders 2 states. Their highest points are Hoye-Crest, in Maryland (3,360 ft) and Mount Rogers, in Virginia (5,729 ft). Their capitals: Annapolis (44 ft) and Richmond (213 ft).
- Point Reno 410 ft
- Washington, D.C. 24 ft
Population
The District of Columbia had 693,645 residents on July 1, 2025, according to Census Bureau estimates, 0.6% more than in April 2020 (689,544). Across 61.1 sq mi of land, that’s 11,353 people/sq mi.
Its most populous place is Washington, D.C., with 693,645 people.
Neighboring states
Tools
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest point in the District of Columbia?
Point Reno, at 410 ft, according to the USGS table.
What is the lowest point in the District of Columbia?
The Potomac River, at 1 ft, according to the same USGS table.
Sources
- Population, land area and counties: U.S. Census Bureau (Vintage 2025 estimates and 2025 Gazetteer), public domain.
- Highest and lowest points: USGS, “Elevations and Distances in the United States” (and, for Denali, the 2015 survey), public domain.
- City elevations: USGS 3DEP at each city’s GNIS point, public domain.
- County map: U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 Cartographic Boundary Files (1:500,000).
Methodology and sources · Spotted a mistake? Let us know