District of Columbia

The atlas separates official achievement and skills measures from Pesta's published 2022 research-derived estimate.

Direct answer100.2

A proof-of-concept estimate applying Pesta’s NAEP-plus-PIAAC approach to the District of Columbia, which is outside Table 2. It is an estimate, not an administered IQ test.

See 100 on the IQ scale

DC · FIPS 11

Evidence ledger

Available measures

Every card keeps the measure, year, method, and limitations attached to the number—or explains why no number is shown.

Estimate2022

100.2published estimate points (M=100, SD=15)

Informal DC IQ estimate (Pesta-style from NAEP and PIAAC)

A proof-of-concept estimate applying Pesta’s NAEP-plus-PIAAC approach to the District of Columbia, which is outside Table 2. It is an estimate, not an administered IQ test.

Method and limits

Ordinary least squares of Pesta 2022 IQ on NAEP grade 8 mathematics and PIAAC literacy for the 50 states, then predicted for DC.

This is an ecological proxy built from achievement and adult-skills assessments, not a representative IQ test of every resident.
The source populations, years, constructs, and sampling frames differ.
Do not infer an individual's ability from a state aggregate or treat small state differences as precise.

Uncertainty: Fit on the 50 published Pesta values (MAE ≈ 0.4 IQ points) and applied to DC’s NAEP 2024 grade 8 math and PIAAC literacy. Not a Table 2 value.

Official measure2024

262NAEP scale score

NAEP 2024 grade 8 mathematics average score

Official public-school grade 8 mathematics average on the NAEP 0–500 scale. Reading and grade 4 series remain separate in the source and are not averaged here.

Method and limits

NCES reports results from nationally representative samples using common NAEP assessment frameworks.

NAEP measures educational achievement and is not an IQ test.
Grade, subject, accommodations, exclusions, and sampling error must remain visible.

Uncertainty: Pinned as the rounded NCES average for one grade/subject series. Sampling error and other NAEP series are not shown in this single number.

Official model2017

277PIAAC literacy scale score (0–500)

PIAAC adult literacy average score

NCES small-area literacy estimate for adults ages 16–74. Numeracy for District of Columbia is 260 (credible interval 251–269). Literacy and numeracy are not IQ.

Method and limits

NCES combines 2012/2014/2017 PIAAC survey data with ACS auxiliary data to produce state small-area estimates.

Small-area estimates are modeled, not direct tests of all state residents.
Literacy and numeracy are distinct skills and should not be collapsed into IQ.

Uncertainty: 95% credible interval 269–286 from the NCES Skills Map comparison charts.

Official model2024

65.5percent

ACS 2024 bachelor's degree or higher, age 25+

Official survey estimate of the share of adults age 25 and over with a bachelor's degree or higher; included only as educational context, not cognitive ability.

Method and limits

The Census Bureau weights ACS survey responses to estimate population characteristics.

Educational attainment is not cognitive ability.
ACS estimates require margins of error and exact table universes for valid comparisons.

Uncertainty: ACS estimates have margins of error. This snapshot pins the FRED GCT1502 percent for the 2024 ACS 1-year release.