District of Columbia

The District of Columbia was created to serve as the nation’s federal seat and has developed a civic identity that blends local self-government with the constitutional limits placed on the capital by Congress. Today local government is centered in Washington and operates through a mayor and the Council of the District of Columbia rather than a state legislature, even as residents continue to debate representation and autonomy.

Median household income$108,210
Poverty rate14.0%
Median age34.9
Governor()
Next statewide electionNovember 3, 2026

Government & Representation

Use this section to understand how the state organizes executive authority, legislative power, and federal representation.

The District of Columbia is governed through a mayor-council system rather than a state-style legislature. Local lawmaking is handled by the Council of the District of Columbia under the Home Rule framework, while Congress retains constitutional authority over the federal district.

Governor()mayor.dc.gov

LegislatureCouncil of the District of Columbia

Legislature structureCouncil Mayor

Legislative chamberssingle elected council

State legislature websitedccouncil.gov

Legislative searchdccouncil.gov

State constitutioncode.dccouncil.gov

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U.S. House delegation

House seats are apportioned by population and organized by congressional district, except for at-large delegations where applicable.

Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton

District of Columbia

Democratic Party

Eleanor has served in Congress since 1991.