DC ranks no. 3 for innovation: report

This latest study is another example as to how the nation’s capital is climbing the ranks in tech and innovation.

In a new study from WalletHub, the District ranks number 3 for innovation. Even though Washington, D.C. was ranked the most innovative state in this study in 2017, the District still tops rankings in other areas, like being the best place for women in  tech.

WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District across two dimensions including human capital and innovation environment, as well as 24 different metrics within each including share of STEM professionals, AP exam participation, entrepreneurial activity, venture capital funding and more. Each dimension accounts for 50 points each. Nearby states didn’t fall too far behind, as Maryland came in at number 4 and Virginia at number 7.

D.C.’s overall state innovation index is 67.47, but the District ranked number 1 in the human capital section and number 17 for innovation environment. Maryland ranked number 5 in the human capital section, and number 7 for innovation environment, while Virginia ranked number 3 for human capital and number 15 for innovation environment.

Even though D.C. didn’t rank number 1 overall, the nation’s capital still came in first in certain categories of the 24 accessed including the following:

• Highest share of STEM professionals
• Highest projected STEM job demand by 2020
• Highest share science and engineering graduates age 25 and older
• Highest share of tech companies
• Highest share of research and development spending per capita

Massachusetts topped the list as the most innovative state taking number 2 in human capital and number 1 for innovation environment while Washington State took second overall and number 4 for human capital and number 3 for innovation environment.