Washington, D.C. Is Not in Any State—It's a Federal District

Washington, D.C. (District of Columbia) is not part of any U.S. state. Created in 1790 by the Residence Act, it was carved from land donated by Maryland and Virginia (Virginia's portion retroceded in 1847). It is a federal district under exclusive jurisdiction of Congress (Article I, Section 8). Residents lack full voting representation in Congress; the 23rd Amendment (1961) granted presidential electors.