Washington D.C.

Smart city ranking
39 Out of 141
26 out of 118 in 2021
BB A in 2021
Factor ratings
BB Structures
BB Technologies
Group
2
All ratings range from AAA to D
City
Population
689,545
(UN Data)
HDI
0.94
Country 2018 2019 2020 2021 1 yr change
HDI 0.920 0.926 0.920 0.921 +0.001
Life expectancy at birth 78.9 78.9 77.4 77.2 -0.2
Expected years of schooling 16.3 16.3 16.3 16.3 0.0
Mean years of schooling 13.4 13.4 7.4 7.4 0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 56,140 63,826 10,046 10,258 +211

From a list of 15 indicators, survey respondents were asked to select 5 that they perceived as the most urgent for their city. This is the total bar. The higher the percentage of responses per area, the greater the priority for the city.

The left-hand, dark blue section of each bar shows the Alignment, i.e. the proportion of those respondents who also answered the survey on the corresponding area by giving it low priority. A strong Alignment (i.e. consistency across both areas explained) means that these areas may benefit from close observation.

% of respondents who chose the Priority Area
0%
20%
40%
60%
80% 100%
affordable housing
69.0%
security
47.6%
health services
47.4%
road congestion
47.4%
unemployment
37.9%
school education
33.6%
fulfilling employment
28.8%
public transport
28.5%
air pollution
26.1%
corruption
22.6%
basic amenities
19.6%
recycling
14.4%
social mobility
13.1%
green spaces
12.8%
citizen engagement
12.1%
% of respondents who agree or strongly agree with the statement
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%100%
You are willing to concede personal data in order to improve traffic congestion
57.8%
You are comfortable with face recognition technologies to lower crime
66.0%
You feel the availability of online information has increased your trust in authorities
53.2%
The proportion of your day-to-day payment transactions that are non-cash (% of transactions)
79.0%
Legend
City
Group Mean
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
57.3
Recycling services are satisfactory
64.0
Public safety is not a problem
39.5
Air pollution is not a problem
46.6
Medical services provision is satisfactory
59.0
Finding housing with rent equal to 30% or less of a monthly salary is not a problem
32.9
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Traffic congestion is not a problem
29.3
Public transport is satisfactory
56.7
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
63.1
Most children have access to a good school
53.2
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
61.5
Businesses are creating new jobs
64.6
Minorities feel welcome
62.9
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
64.8
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
81.7
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
66.2
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
38.8
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
54.3
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
60.5
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
46.5
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
63.4
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
56.8
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
50.3
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
43.3
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
68.1
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Car-sharing Apps have reduced congestion
50.2
Apps that direct you to an available parking space have reduced journey time
53.3
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
48.6
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
56.7
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
61.4
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
69.7
IT skills are taught well in schools
49.4
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
50.7
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
66.0
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
74.7
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
43.3
Online voting has increased participation
59.4
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
50.6
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
59.2
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Background Information

City
Population
689,545
(UN Data)
HDI
0.94
Country 2018 2019 2020 2021 1 yr change
HDI 0.920 0.926 0.920 0.921 +0.001
Life expectancy at birth 78.9 78.9 77.4 77.2 -0.2
Expected years of schooling 16.3 16.3 16.3 16.3 0.0
Mean years of schooling 13.4 13.4 7.4 7.4 0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 56,140 63,826 10,046 10,258 +211

Priority Areas

From a list of 15 indicators, survey respondents were asked to select 5 that they perceived as the most urgent for their city. This is the total bar. The higher the percentage of responses per area, the greater the priority for the city.

The left-hand, dark blue section of each bar shows the Alignment, i.e. the proportion of those respondents who also answered the survey on the corresponding area by giving it low priority. A strong Alignment (i.e. consistency across both areas explained) means that these areas may benefit from close observation.

% of respondents who chose the Priority Area
0%
20%
40%
60%
80% 100%
affordable housing
69.0%
security
47.6%
health services
47.4%
road congestion
47.4%
unemployment
37.9%
school education
33.6%
fulfilling employment
28.8%
public transport
28.5%
air pollution
26.1%
corruption
22.6%
basic amenities
19.6%
recycling
14.4%
social mobility
13.1%
green spaces
12.8%
citizen engagement
12.1%

Attitudes

% of respondents who agree or strongly agree with the statement
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%100%
You are willing to concede personal data in order to improve traffic congestion
57.8%
You are comfortable with face recognition technologies to lower crime
66.0%
You feel the availability of online information has increased your trust in authorities
53.2%
The proportion of your day-to-day payment transactions that are non-cash (% of transactions)
79.0%
Legend
City
Group Mean

Structures

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
57.3
Recycling services are satisfactory
64.0
Public safety is not a problem
39.5
Air pollution is not a problem
46.6
Medical services provision is satisfactory
59.0
Finding housing with rent equal to 30% or less of a monthly salary is not a problem
32.9
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Traffic congestion is not a problem
29.3
Public transport is satisfactory
56.7
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
63.1
Most children have access to a good school
53.2
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
61.5
Businesses are creating new jobs
64.6
Minorities feel welcome
62.9
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
64.8
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
81.7
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
66.2
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
38.8
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
54.3
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
60.5
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Technologies

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
46.5
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
63.4
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
56.8
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
50.3
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
43.3
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
68.1
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Car-sharing Apps have reduced congestion
50.2
Apps that direct you to an available parking space have reduced journey time
53.3
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
48.6
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
56.7
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
61.4
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
69.7
IT skills are taught well in schools
49.4
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
50.7
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
66.0
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
74.7
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
43.3
Online voting has increased participation
59.4
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
50.6
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
59.2
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max