Survey: Federal Cuts Hit 55% of DMV Households

A Gallup and Greater Washington Community Foundation survey released Sept. 24, 2026, found 55% of DMV residents said federal job cuts negatively affected their household, including 66% in D.C. and 62% in Arlington and Alexandria. The poll of 2,801 adults ran Feb. 9 to April 6 with a 2.6-point margin of error. Four percent said the cuts benefited them. Impact was reported by 58% of households earning $90,000 or more, versus 48% of lower-income households. The metro region lost 62,100 federal jobs, a 16.5% cut that put the local federal workforce at its lowest since 1990. Losses exceeded 63,000 by May. Civilian federal employment excluding USPS fell 13.6% since January 2025, per BLS. The national federal workforce dropped from 2.3 million in 2024 to just over 2 million in 2026, per OPM. DOGE claimed $215 billion in savings. The Washington Times put D.C. residents positively affected at under 3%; other coverage cited 4% overall. Foundation president Tonia Wellons said the region has real strength and real strain at the same time. Some residents took mortgage forbearance, applied for public assistance, sought rent cuts, or considered leaving.