Local business data · Washington, D.C.

Where Washington, D.C.'s local businesses are most crowded

We counted 16 kinds of storefront and office businesses per 1,000 households in 208 residential ZIP codes across the Washington, D.C. metro (2,355,279 households). Here's where competition is densest, how the metro compares with Washington, D.C. and the U.S., and the big ZIPs where fewer than 3 of a business type are recorded.

Key findings

Chantilly (20151) ranks among the 10 most crowded ZIPs in the metro for 11 of 16 business types, including dentists, chiropractors, gyms & fitness centers.
Washington, D.C. has 1.4 times the U.S. rate of dental offices per household: 1.38 per 1,000 households, against 1.00 nationally.
Washington, D.C. has about 31% fewer chiropractic offices per household than the U.S. as a whole (0.17 per 1,000 households, against 0.25).
Sterling (20166) has 52 general auto repair shops for 5,214 households, about 20 times the metro rate.
Washington (20002), with 34,558 households, has fewer than 3 insurance agencies recorded. Counts under 3 aren't published, so it could be one or two.

The metro at a glance

Businesses per 1,000 households across the metro, next to Washington, D.C. and the U.S.

Business type	Recorded	Metro	DC	U.S.
Dentists	3,251	1.38	0.96	1.00
Chiropractors	406	0.17	0.02	0.25
Veterinarians	460	0.20	0.05	0.18
Gyms & fitness centers	828	0.35	0.30	0.26
Beauty salons	1,683	0.71	0.46	0.61
Nail salons	630	0.27	0.16	0.23
Full-service restaurants	4,772	2.03	3.01	1.93
Fast-food & counter-service restaurants	5,508	2.34	2.57	2.04
General auto repair shops	1,207	0.51	0.06	0.57
Dry cleaners & laundry services	417	0.18	0.20	0.07
Child care centers	1,783	0.76	0.87	0.56
Pet care (grooming, boarding, training)	333	0.14	0.11	0.13
Law offices	3,441	1.46	3.71	1.22
Insurance agencies	1,446	0.61	0.23	0.97
CPA offices	964	0.41	0.28	0.37
Investment advisers	312	0.13	0.13	0.14

Dentists

3,251 recorded across the metro, 1.38 per 1,000 households (1.4 times the U.S. rate). The most crowded ZIPs:

ZIP	Place	Households	Recorded	Per 1,000
20036	Washington	3,789	43	11.3
22182	Vienna	9,950	57	5.73
20151	Chantilly	6,920	34	4.91
20814	Bethesda	14,171	69	4.87
20852	Rockville	21,640	105	4.85
22044	Falls Church	5,365	26	4.85
22180	Vienna	9,639	40	4.15
20815	Chevy Chase	13,207	54	4.09
22046	Falls Church	7,108	28	3.94
22031	Fairfax	14,777	51	3.45

Chiropractors

406 recorded across the metro, 0.17 per 1,000 households (below the U.S. rate of 0.25). The most crowded ZIPs:

ZIP	Place	Households	Recorded	Per 1,000
20166	Sterling	5,214	6	1.15
22030	Fairfax	21,247	23	1.08
20121	Centreville	9,703	9	0.93
22182	Vienna	9,950	9	0.90
20170	Herndon	13,613	12	0.88
22401	Fredericksburg	11,405	10	0.88
22031	Fairfax	14,777	12	0.81
22003	Annandale	18,917	15	0.79
20877	Gaithersburg	12,880	10	0.78
20151	Chantilly	6,920	5	0.72

Large ZIPs with fewer than 3 recorded: Washington (20002) – 34,558 households, Washington (20009) – 29,175 households, Washington (20011) – 27,402 households, Washington (20019) – 26,523 households, Silver Spring (20906) – 26,242 households, Gaithersburg (20878) – 24,337 households. Counts under 3 aren't published, so each could have one or two.

Veterinarians

460 recorded across the metro, 0.20 per 1,000 households. The most crowded ZIPs:

ZIP	Place	Households	Recorded	Per 1,000
20115	Marshall	2,860	6	2.10
20132	Purcellville	6,058	12	1.98
22611	Berryville	3,422	6	1.75
25438	Ranson	2,765	4	1.45
20722	Brentwood	2,191	3	1.37
20837	Poolesville	2,333	3	1.29
21754	Ijamsville	2,489	3	1.21
20180	Lovettsville	2,546	3	1.18
21704	Frederick	6,136	7	1.14
20872	Damascus	4,625	5	1.08

Large ZIPs with fewer than 3 recorded: Washington (20002) – 34,558 households, Washington (20011) – 27,402 households, Washington (20019) – 26,523 households, Silver Spring (20906) – 26,242 households, Woodbridge (22191) – 24,791 households, Washington (20001) – 23,831 households. Counts under 3 aren't published, so each could have one or two.

Gyms & fitness centers

828 recorded across the metro, 0.35 per 1,000 households (1.4 times the U.S. rate). The most crowded ZIPs:

ZIP	Place	Households	Recorded	Per 1,000
20166	Sterling	5,214	10	1.92
20151	Chantilly	6,920	13	1.88
20036	Washington	3,789	7	1.85
22209	Arlington	8,185	15	1.83
20180	Lovettsville	2,546	4	1.57
22182	Vienna	9,950	14	1.41
20814	Bethesda	14,171	19	1.34
22101	Mc Lean	10,896	14	1.28
20037	Washington	7,302	9	1.23
22314	Alexandria	19,705	24	1.22

Large ZIPs with fewer than 3 recorded: Washington (20011) – 27,402 households, Washington (20019) – 26,523 households, Washington (20020) – 23,509 households, Fort Washington (20744) – 19,726 households, Silver Spring (20902) – 17,982 households, Washington (20032) – 17,802 households. Counts under 3 aren't published, so each could have one or two.

Note: Independent personal trainers without employees aren't counted.

Beauty salons

1,683 recorded across the metro, 0.71 per 1,000 households (1.2 times the U.S. rate). The most crowded ZIPs:

ZIP	Place	Households	Recorded	Per 1,000
20036	Washington	3,789	13	3.43
20186	Warrenton	5,824	18	3.09
22401	Fredericksburg	11,405	32	2.81
22044	Falls Church	5,365	15	2.80
20007	Washington	11,849	33	2.79
20166	Sterling	5,214	13	2.49
20164	Sterling	12,716	30	2.36
22101	Mc Lean	10,896	25	2.29
20814	Bethesda	14,171	32	2.26
20151	Chantilly	6,920	14	2.02

Large ZIPs with fewer than 3 recorded: Washington (20019) – 26,523 households, Washington (20020) – 23,509 households, Washington (20032) – 17,802 households, Suitland (20746) – 13,164 households, Oxon Hill (20745) – 12,196 households, Reston (20191) – 12,007 households. Counts under 3 aren't published, so each could have one or two.

Note: Booth renters and self-employed stylists aren't counted, so the real number of stylists is much higher than the number of salons.

Nail salons

630 recorded across the metro, 0.27 per 1,000 households (1.2 times the U.S. rate). The most crowded ZIPs:

ZIP	Place	Households	Recorded	Per 1,000
20166	Sterling	5,214	6	1.15
22180	Vienna	9,639	11	1.14
22044	Falls Church	5,365	6	1.12
22151	Springfield	5,478	5	0.91
20601	Waldorf	10,011	9	0.90
22407	Fredericksburg	22,388	20	0.89
22401	Fredericksburg	11,405	10	0.88
20707	Laurel	14,321	12	0.84
20132	Purcellville	6,058	5	0.83
22026	Dumfries	6,284	5	0.80

Large ZIPs with fewer than 3 recorded: Washington (20019) – 26,523 households, Silver Spring (20906) – 26,242 households, Arlington (22204) – 22,940 households, Fort Washington (20744) – 19,726 households, Washington (20032) – 17,802 households, Washington (20008) – 16,701 households. Counts under 3 aren't published, so each could have one or two.

Note: Self-employed nail technicians aren't counted.

Full-service restaurants

4,772 recorded across the metro, 2.03 per 1,000 households. The most crowded ZIPs:

ZIP	Place	Households	Recorded	Per 1,000
20036	Washington	3,789	63	16.6
22401	Fredericksburg	11,405	86	7.54
20151	Chantilly	6,920	52	7.51
20007	Washington	11,849	76	6.41
22044	Falls Church	5,365	34	6.34
21704	Frederick	6,136	38	6.19
20166	Sterling	5,214	32	6.14
20001	Washington	23,831	146	6.13
22046	Falls Church	7,108	41	5.77
20005	Washington	8,691	50	5.75

Large ZIPs with fewer than 3 recorded: Bowie (20721) – 11,019 households, Laurel (20708) – 10,527 households. Counts under 3 aren't published, so each could have one or two.

Fast-food & counter-service restaurants

5,508 recorded across the metro, 2.34 per 1,000 households (1.1 times the U.S. rate). The most crowded ZIPs:

ZIP	Place	Households	Recorded	Per 1,000
20036	Washington	3,789	59	15.6
20166	Sterling	5,214	57	10.9
20151	Chantilly	6,920	64	9.25
22150	Springfield	9,381	58	6.18
22180	Vienna	9,639	57	5.91
20005	Washington	8,691	50	5.75
21704	Frederick	6,136	35	5.70
22401	Fredericksburg	11,405	58	5.09
20722	Brentwood	2,191	11	5.02
20740	College Park	11,671	54	4.63

General auto repair shops

1,207 recorded across the metro, 0.51 per 1,000 households (below the U.S. rate of 0.57). The most crowded ZIPs:

ZIP	Place	Households	Recorded	Per 1,000
20166	Sterling	5,214	52	9.97
20151	Chantilly	6,920	33	4.77
20781	Hyattsville	4,458	19	4.26
20879	Gaithersburg	8,850	37	4.18
21704	Frederick	6,136	18	2.93
20705	Beltsville	8,723	23	2.64
20850	Rockville	21,131	50	2.37
22712	Bealeton	3,077	7	2.27
20895	Kensington	6,944	14	2.02
20852	Rockville	21,640	43	1.99

Large ZIPs with fewer than 3 recorded: Washington (20009) – 29,175 households, Washington (20019) – 26,523 households, Silver Spring (20906) – 26,242 households, Woodbridge (22193) – 24,581 households, Gaithersburg (20878) – 24,337 households, Washington (20001) – 23,831 households. Counts under 3 aren't published, so each could have one or two.

Note: Specialty shops (body, transmission, oil change) and car washes are counted separately and aren't included; solo mechanics without employees aren't counted.

Dry cleaners & laundry services

417 recorded across the metro, 0.18 per 1,000 households (2.5 times the U.S. rate). The most crowded ZIPs:

ZIP	Place	Households	Recorded	Per 1,000
22101	Mc Lean	10,896	10	0.92
22180	Vienna	9,639	7	0.73
20186	Warrenton	5,824	4	0.69
20007	Washington	11,849	7	0.59
20003	Washington	18,835	11	0.58
20151	Chantilly	6,920	4	0.58
20005	Washington	8,691	5	0.58
20016	Washington	13,916	8	0.57
22207	Arlington	12,202	7	0.57
20705	Beltsville	8,723	5	0.57

Large ZIPs with fewer than 3 recorded: Washington (20019) – 26,523 households, Silver Spring (20906) – 26,242 households, Washington (20020) – 23,509 households, Arlington (22204) – 22,940 households, Ashburn (20148) – 20,259 households, Washington (20032) – 17,802 households. Counts under 3 aren't published, so each could have one or two.

Note: Coin-operated laundromats are a separate category and aren't included.

Child care centers

1,783 recorded across the metro, 0.76 per 1,000 households (1.4 times the U.S. rate). The most crowded ZIPs:

ZIP	Place	Households	Recorded	Per 1,000
20151	Chantilly	6,920	20	2.89
21754	Ijamsville	2,489	6	2.41
25430	Kearneysville	2,973	7	2.35
20152	Chantilly	11,104	24	2.16
20837	Poolesville	2,333	5	2.14
20855	Derwood	6,042	12	1.99
20817	Bethesda	13,584	25	1.84
22151	Springfield	5,478	10	1.83
22180	Vienna	9,639	17	1.76
20012	Washington	7,150	12	1.68

Note: Home-based child care run without employees isn't counted.

Pet care (grooming, boarding, training)

333 recorded across the metro, 0.14 per 1,000 households. The most crowded ZIPs:

ZIP	Place	Households	Recorded	Per 1,000
22301	Alexandria	6,091	8	1.31
20151	Chantilly	6,920	8	1.16
20166	Sterling	5,214	6	1.15
20132	Purcellville	6,058	6	0.99
20181	Nokesville	3,175	3	0.94
20895	Kensington	6,944	6	0.86
20613	Brandywine	5,563	4	0.72
22101	Mc Lean	10,896	7	0.64
22180	Vienna	9,639	6	0.62
22046	Falls Church	7,108	4	0.56

Large ZIPs with fewer than 3 recorded: Washington (20019) – 26,523 households, Silver Spring (20906) – 26,242 households, Woodbridge (22193) – 24,581 households, Gaithersburg (20878) – 24,337 households, Washington (20001) – 23,831 households, Washington (20020) – 23,509 households. Counts under 3 aren't published, so each could have one or two.

Note: Veterinarians are a separate category; mobile and solo groomers without employees aren't counted.

Law offices

3,441 recorded across the metro, 1.46 per 1,000 households (1.2 times the U.S. rate). The most crowded ZIPs:

ZIP	Place	Households	Recorded	Per 1,000
20036	Washington	3,789	280	73.9
20005	Washington	8,691	173	19.9
22030	Fairfax	21,247	197	9.27
20850	Rockville	21,131	170	8.05
22314	Alexandria	19,705	138	7.00
20814	Bethesda	14,171	98	6.92
22102	Mc Lean	13,230	89	6.73
20037	Washington	7,302	44	6.03
20007	Washington	11,849	62	5.23
22182	Vienna	9,950	52	5.23

Large ZIPs with fewer than 3 recorded: Woodbridge (22193) – 24,581 households, Washington (20032) – 17,802 households, Temple Hills (20748) – 16,374 households, District Heights (20747) – 15,984 households, Capitol Heights (20743) – 15,577 households, Hyattsville (20782) – 12,644 households. Counts under 3 aren't published, so each could have one or two.

Insurance agencies

1,446 recorded across the metro, 0.61 per 1,000 households (below the U.S. rate of 0.97). The most crowded ZIPs:

ZIP	Place	Households	Recorded	Per 1,000
20151	Chantilly	6,920	21	3.03
22182	Vienna	9,950	30	3.02
20036	Washington	3,789	11	2.90
20855	Derwood	6,042	16	2.65
20186	Warrenton	5,824	14	2.40
25443	Shepherdstown	2,497	6	2.40
20814	Bethesda	14,171	34	2.40
22030	Fairfax	21,247	45	2.12
20850	Rockville	21,131	42	1.99
22003	Annandale	18,917	30	1.59

Large ZIPs with fewer than 3 recorded: Washington (20002) – 34,558 households, Washington (20019) – 26,523 households, Washington (20020) – 23,509 households, Arlington (22204) – 22,940 households, Washington (20032) – 17,802 households, Washington (20008) – 16,701 households. Counts under 3 aren't published, so each could have one or two.

CPA offices

964 recorded across the metro, 0.41 per 1,000 households (1.1 times the U.S. rate). The most crowded ZIPs:

ZIP	Place	Households	Recorded	Per 1,000
20814	Bethesda	14,171	53	3.74
20036	Washington	3,789	11	2.90
22182	Vienna	9,950	26	2.61
21755	Jefferson	2,106	5	2.37
20005	Washington	8,691	20	2.30
20850	Rockville	21,131	47	2.22
20852	Rockville	21,640	40	1.85
22003	Annandale	18,917	30	1.59
22101	Mc Lean	10,896	17	1.56
20186	Warrenton	5,824	9	1.55

Large ZIPs with fewer than 3 recorded: Washington (20009) – 29,175 households, Washington (20011) – 27,402 households, Washington (20019) – 26,523 households, Woodbridge (22191) – 24,791 households, Washington (20020) – 23,509 households, Fort Washington (20744) – 19,726 households. Counts under 3 aren't published, so each could have one or two.

Note: Tax-prep-only offices are a separate category and aren't included.

Investment advisers

312 recorded across the metro, 0.13 per 1,000 households. The most crowded ZIPs:

ZIP	Place	Households	Recorded	Per 1,000
20036	Washington	3,789	10	2.64
22102	Mc Lean	13,230	22	1.66
20814	Bethesda	14,171	22	1.55
22182	Vienna	9,950	12	1.21
20832	Olney	8,424	10	1.19
22101	Mc Lean	10,896	11	1.01
22180	Vienna	9,639	9	0.93
20817	Bethesda	13,584	11	0.81
22030	Fairfax	21,247	15	0.71
20815	Chevy Chase	13,207	9	0.68

Large ZIPs with fewer than 3 recorded: Washington (20002) – 34,558 households, Washington (20011) – 27,402 households, Washington (20019) – 26,523 households, Silver Spring (20906) – 26,242 households, Woodbridge (22191) – 24,791 households, Woodbridge (22193) – 24,581 households. Counts under 3 aren't published, so each could have one or two.

How to read the numbers

Counts cover business locations with paid employees, in 2023. Self-employed owners aren't included, so every count is a minimum.
Counts under 3 aren't published for a ZIP and business type, so "fewer than 3 recorded" can mean one, two, or none.
"Most crowded" ranks ZIPs with at least 2,000 households by businesses per 1,000 households. Downtowns and shopping districts rank high because they serve workers and visitors as well as residents.
The metro is the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area. A ZIP counts toward it when most of its land is in one of the metro's counties.
Free to quote or chart with credit to Good Mail Co and a link to this page.

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