How green is Washington, D.C.?

Washington, D.C. has 2048 square metres of green space per inhabitant in 2025 satellite data. Vegetation covers 83% of the city area. In summer, the hottest land surface zones sit 7.1 °C above the city-wide average (land surface temperature, not air temperature). The PM2.5 model estimate for 2025 is 7.6 µg/m³. Overall, Washington, D.C. ranks #142 of 828 reviewed cities in the Green City Index (green space, land surface heat and air quality combined), and #1 of 3 in United States.

2048
m² green per inhabitant
83%
vegetation cover
+7.1 °C
hottest zones vs city mean
7.6
PM2.5 estimate µg/m³
16.9
PM10 estimate µg/m³
15.7
NO2 estimate µg/m³
283.5
Index · #142/828
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City maps

Satellite — Washington, D.C. Satellite Green cover — Washington, D.C. Green cover Detected green vegetation Heat — Washington, D.C. Heat cooler hotter NO2 — Washington, D.C. NO2 lower higher µg/m³ PM2.5 — Washington, D.C. PM2.5 lower higher µg/m³ PM10 — Washington, D.C. PM10 lower higher µg/m³

Nearby in the rankings

This city is at position #142 of 828 worldwide.

#rank City Country Index
139 Cork Ireland 280.8
140 Panevėžys Lithuania 281.7
141 La Louvière Belgium 283.0
142 Washington, D.C. United States 283.5
143 Potsdam Germany 285.8
144 Kladno Czechia 286.0
145 Almere Stad Netherlands 287.8

Method and caveats

Heat is land surface temperature, not air temperature. Air quality values are model estimates. Green area is vegetation extent detected by satellite, not tree height.