Where Washington, D.C.’s new apartments are being built

Over the last decade, developers have completed nearly 56,000 new apartments across Washington, D.C., offering renters modern living options with efficient access to Metro lines, federal employment, and urban amenities. Understanding where construction has been concentrated can help apartment hunters find the best combination of location, value, and lifestyle fit.

Which Washington, D.C. neighborhoods added the most apartments?

Living in Washington, D.C., offers a balance between the energy of the nation’s capital and the walkability of its historic neighborhoods, with the cost of living here being about the same as the state average and roughly 39 percent higher than the national average.

To help renters navigate this expanding market, we’ve identified the areas where new apartment development is most concentrated.

14,878 new apartments put zip code 20002 at the top of Washington, D.C.’s construction list

Zip code 20002 added 14,878 new apartments, making it Washington, D.C.’s most active area for new residential development. The zip code covers the H Street Corridor and NoMa, including areas near Union Station and Gallaudet University. Transit options include the Red Line Metro, Amtrak, MARC commuter rail, and the DC Streetcar.

Major employers include the U.S. Capitol and congressional offices, federal agencies, Gallaudet University, and Georgetown University Hospital, with downtown reachable in about 10–20 minutes. Residents enjoy a mix of historic rowhouses and contemporary glass towers near Union Market.

Zip code 20003 added 11,327 new apartments

Zip code 20003 gained 11,327 new apartments, reflecting continued residential growth in the historic Capitol Hill neighborhood. The zip code sits east of the U.S. Capitol and includes the Eastern Market and Barracks Row commercial districts. The area is served by the Eastern Market and Stadium–Armory Metro stations (Orange, Blue, and Silver Lines), along with several bus routes.

Center City employment hubs are typically 10–20 minutes away by subway, while nearby job centers include the Library of Congress, Folger Shakespeare Library, Supreme Court, and the Washington Navy Yard.

7,301 new apartments expand housing options in zip code 20024

Zip code 20024 added 7,301 new apartments, increasing rental options in the revitalized Southwest Waterfront. The zip code stretches along the Washington Channel, offering access to The Wharf mixed-use destination and its mile-long promenade. Transit access includes the Waterfront Metro station (Green Line), L’Enfant Plaza station, and water taxi service to Georgetown and Alexandria.

Center City jobs are about 10–15 minutes away, while federal employers — including the Department of Transportation, FAA, EPA, and Department of Agriculture — are reachable in roughly 10–15 minutes.

Zip code 20001 delivers 6,679 new apartments

Zip code 20001 added 6,679 new apartments across 33 developments, placing renters in the heart of the Shaw and U Street corridors. The zip code includes portions of Mount Vernon Square and sits within walking distance of many of the city’s historic cultural and entertainment destinations.

The area benefits from access to the Green, Yellow, and Red Metro lines at multiple stations, including Gallery Place–Chinatown. Center City’s employment base includes the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Howard University, federal agencies, and numerous hospitality businesses, allowing many residents to walk to work.

2,869 new apartments grow zip code 20009’s inventory

Zip code 20009 added 2,869 new apartments, reinforcing its position as one of D.C.’s most diverse residential zip codes. The area surrounds Adams Morgan and Columbia Heights, sitting between the 16th Street corridor and the National Zoo. Residents rely on the Columbia Heights, Woodley Park–Zoo, and U Street Metro stations, as well as extensive bus service along 14th and 16th Streets.

Employment opportunities surround the zip code, with concentrations of nonprofit organizations, Howard University, and healthcare systems, while downtown federal employers remain accessible within 15–20 minutes.

Top 5 zip codes for new apartments in Washington, DC

* Total new apartments completed between 2015 and 2025.

Source:
RentCafe.com analysis of Yardi data as of July 2025

Washington, D.C., is seeing apartment construction expand into new and emerging neighborhoods. Development is concentrating around Buzzard Point near Audi Field and along the revitalizing Anacostia waterfront, where the city continues to invest east of the river. Infill projects are also appearing in established areas where zoning allows higher residential density.

Downtown is drawing renewed interest as office buildings convert to housing, reflecting shifts in work patterns and space use. The long-anticipated Purple Line will eventually encourage new projects along its Maryland route, though construction delays have slowed progress. Overall, new housing growth is gradually reshaping both central and outer parts of the metro area.

Methodology

RentCafe.com is a nationwide apartment search website that enables renters to easily find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.

This study uses data from 2015–2025, with the ‘past decade’ referring to this period.