Friendship Village is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of, all land.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,512 people, 2,995 households, and 1,003 families residing in the area. The population density was 81,992/sq mi : this is the highest population density of any incorporated or census-designated place in the United States. There were 3,189 housing units at an average density of 57,950/sq mi. The racial makeup of the area was 83.91% White, 4.52% African American, 0.11% Native American, 8.09% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.95% from other races, and 2.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.96% of the population. There were 2,995 households, out of which 6.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 28.4% were married couplesliving together, 3.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 66.5% were non-families. 61.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 25.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.51 and the average family size was 2.31. In the area, the population was spread out, with 5.9% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 32.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51 years. For every 100 females, there were 66.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 65.2 males. The median income for a household in the area was $61,532, and the median income for a family was $80,497. Males had a median income of $70,500 versus $57,500 for females. The per capita income for the area was $53,689. About 4.6% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.
Village of Friendship Heights
Although not an incorporated municipality, the Village of Friendship Heights was established as a Special Tax District in 1914. Its boundaries—Wisconsin Avenue, Willard Avenue, and Somerset Terrace—enclose 34 acres and is almost entirely occupied by high-rise residential buildings. It has the highest population density of any census-designated place or city in the United States. In fact, its density exceeds that of the New York City borough of Manhattan, which itself is coextensive with the United States' most dense county. The 2010 population of Friendship Village Heights was 4,698, giving it a population density of 88,432 per square mile, versus Manhattan's approximate 70,000. Large Residential Buildings:
The village is governed by a seven-member village council; each member is elected to a two-year term. In 2000, the village gained national attention when it sought to ban smoking in all public spaces maintained by the local government. The ban, considered one of the strictest in the nation, went into effect December 12, 2000, but it was voided by a judge on March 2, 2001, who said the village did not have the authority to enact such a ban, as it is a special tax district and not an incorporated municipality. The Village government operates a shuttle bus which circles the neighborhood, making stops at the major residential buildings, the Friendship Heights Village Center, nearby shopping centers, and the Friendship Heights stop of the Washington Metro. From 1971 to 1974, Erlebacher's ladies specialty store was located in the Holiday Inn Plaza shopping mall at 5512 Wisconsin Avenue.
