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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Washington, DC. Written by Anna Spiegel and Cuneyt Dil.

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D.C.'s birth rate fell dramatically between 2007 and 2022, dropping from 15.4 births per 1,000 people to 12, according to new CDC data.

Why it matters: The birth rate is closely watched because it affects population figures and can give clues about the economy.

The big picture: The nationwide birth rate declined 23% between 2007 and 2022, dropping from 14.3 births per 1,000 people to 11.1.

Maryland's birth rate declined 19.2%, while Virginia's dropped 21.6%.

Between the lines: Birth rates tend to fall as income rises, meaning lower birth rates can be a reflection of greater prosperity at both the national and individual levels. (Many factors drive this, including a sense among wealthier people that they need fewer children to support them financially as they age.)

Yes, but: The opposite can also be true, as people who feel they can't afford children choose not to have them.

Some fear that if the birth rate dips too low, it will bring about a crisis where there are too few young people to care for an aging populace. (This is a particularly salient issue in Japan, which has among the world's oldest populations and where the birth rate fell to a record low last year.)

The intrigue: Census data shows the median household income dropped almost 4% in the D.C. region during the pandemic, but the share of residents earning more than $100,000 grew.

Of note: Lower birth rates can also be an indication of better access to contraception, family planning, and abortion care.

D.C.'s birth rate sees sharp decline over last 15 years

Nationwide, the birth rate declined 23% between 2007 and 2022. The District mostly mirrored that trend.

Hub Data - All

D.C.&#x27;s birth rate fell dramatically between 2007 and 2022, dropping from 15.4 births per 1,000 people to 12, according to new CDC data.Why it matters: The birth rate is closely watched because it affects population figures and can give clues about the economy.

News

Data: Climate Central. Chart: Axios Visuals

D.C.'s mosquito season — already in full force — is getting a little longer.

Driving the news: The number of "mosquito days" — that is, those with the hot and humid weather the flying insects crave — has trended slightly upward in D.C. over the past several decades, per a new analysis.

The report from nonprofit climate science research organization Climate Central defines a "mosquito day" as one with an average relative humidity of 42% or higher, plus daily temperatures of 50°– 95° F.

Why it matters: Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance — they're a public health threat, carrying diseases such as malaria, West Nile, Zika, and more.

By the numbers: D.C. had 174 mosquito days in 2022, compared to 172 in 1979 — an increase of just two days.

Yes, but: Sure, our increase is small but nearly half of the days in a year being hospitable to mosquitoes is inhospitable to us.

The big picture: 71% of the 242 locations Climate Central analyzed saw an increase in mosquito days between 1979 and 2022 of about 16 days on average.

Zoom in: Some locations — particularly in the South — are actually getting too hot for mosquitoes, the analysis notes.

They don't thrive in temperatures above 95° F, an increasingly common reading in southern summers.

Be smart: Everything from body odor to what you drink can affect how miserable mosquito season will be for you. Axios' Carly Mallenbaum debunked common misconceptions about mosquito bites — and shared what you can do to avoid them.

D.C.'s long mosquito season stings

Everything from body odor to what you drink can affect how miserable mosquito season will be for you.

Insects

D.C.&#x27;s mosquito season — already in full force — is getting a little longer.Driving the news: The number of &quot;mosquito days&quot; — that is, those with the hot and humid weather the flying insects crave — has trended slightly upward in D.C. over the past several decades, per a new analysis.

Climate

Data: GasBuddy. Note: Price as of the 1st of each month. Chart: Axios Visuals

A gallon of regular gas across the D.C. area costs on average $3.89 as of Aug. 1, per GasBuddy.

That's up 5.4% from last August, and a little higher than today's nationwide average of $3.76, Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick and Kavya Beheraj report.

The big picture: Average gas prices nationwide are up a bit from winter months — as expected based on historical patterns — but lower than last year's highs of nearly $5.

Yes, but: Gas prices ticked up in recent weeks due to excessive heat in Gulf states like Texas and Louisiana, where many of the country's oil refineries are located.

"Refineries, which turn crude oil into products like gasoline, don't function as efficiently in 100+ degree weather," Axios' Emily Peck reports.

What's next: All eyes are on hurricane season, as severe storms can further disrupt refineries — thus reducing supply and raising prices.

Saudi Arabia's continued oil production cut also stands to increase energy prices.

D.C. metro gas prices are ticking up this summer

Gas prices rose nationally in recent weeks due to excessive heat in Gulf states where many oil refineries are located.

Gas prices

A gallon of regular gas across the D.C. area costs on average $3.89 as of Aug. 1, per GasBuddy.<ul><li>That&#x27;s up 5.4% from last August, and a little higher than today&#x27;s nationwide average of $3.76, Axios&#x27; Alex Fitzpatrick and Kavya Beheraj report.</li></ul>

Drivers in the DMV paid an average of $3.56 per gallon of regular gasoline in May, compared to $4.81 a year ago.

The big picture: Gas prices set record all-time highs last year amid a broader inflation crisis, and driven in part by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which destabilized global energy markets.

Zoom out: Gas prices nationally are rising slightly compared to previous months — but they're still well below last year's levels as we head into Memorial Day weekend and the travel-heavy summer season.

The nationwide average price per gallon of regular gasoline has been $3.53 throughout May 2023, compared to $4.60 a year ago.

Prices are still well above pre- and mid-pandemic levels.

While gas prices fluctuate from state to state, they tend to follow the same up-and-down trends nationwide.

What they're saying: "Despite mild weather and a less volatile economic forecast, drivers are not hitting the road and raising gasoline demand to traditional seasonal levels," said AAA spokesperson Andrew Gross in a statement.

Yes, but: AAA and others are predicting near-record travel this summer, which could spike demand — and thus lead to higher prices — in the warmer months.

"It's possible this is merely the lull before Memorial Day, but it could be a trend that lingers into summer," Gross added.

Between the lines: The Environmental Protection Agency issued an emergency waiver last month allowing the summertime sale of gasoline blended with 15% ethanol in a bid to suppress prices.

So-called E15 gas is typically avoided in summer due to smog concerns.

The bottom line: People love cheap(er) gas — but higher prices can have the long-term benefit of driving consumers to more efficient and cleaner hybrid and electric cars.

Gas prices drop in D.C. region

Gas prices set record all-time highs last year.

Washington, D.C.

Drivers in the DMV paid an average of $3.56 per gallon of regular gasoline in May, compared to $4.81 a year ago.The big picture: Gas prices set <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="record all-time highs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/10/gas-prices-hit-new-all-time-high" data-vars-content-id="b7bbbbc4-9a0d-4033-b6e0-9049c1ac7157" data-vars-headline="Gas prices drop in D.C. region" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/10/gas-prices-hit-new-all-time-high" target="_self">record all-time highs</a> last year amid a broader inflation crisis, and driven in part by Russia&#x27;s invasion of Ukraine, which destabilized global energy markets.

Washington, D.C., ranks no. 1 among the 100 largest U.S. cities for its public parks, per the latest report from the pro-parks nonprofit Trust for Public Land.

Why it matters: Parks confer a wealth of benefits — including, as TPL points out in its annual report, significant health boosts.

They offer spaces for physical activity and social gatherings, improve visitors' moods, and provide city dwellers a reprieve from noise and air pollution and the effects of climate change.

It takes into account the percentage of residents who live near a park, the share of city land reserved for parks, parks investment, and more.

Zoom in: D.C. took top honors largely thanks to its parks investment and access scores:

Data: ParkScore. Chart: Kavya Beheraj/Axios

D.C. is spending $259 per capita on parks — more than double the $108 average among the 100 most populous cities.

Almost every D.C. resident lives within a 10-minute walk of a park, TPL says, with generally equal access across socioeconomic lines.

Yes, but: The capital is a bit of an unusual case study because of our status and history.

We also have a ton of national park land!

🌳 But we’ll take it. Washingtonians are lucky to have the National Mall — aka America’s front yard — as part of our town.

D.C. ranks top in the country for public parks

D.C. took top honors largely thanks to its parks investment and access scores.

An over-the-top view of Franklin Square park in downtown D.C.

Franklin Park in downtown reopened in 2021 after a big renovation. Photo: Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images

Washington, D.C., ranks no. 1 among the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="100 largest U.S. cities for its public parks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/01/public-parks-cities" data-vars-content-id="c9e39a01-0e75-49a8-9047-c9a0ff519e98" data-vars-headline="D.C. ranks top in the country for public parks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/01/public-parks-cities" target="_self">100 largest U.S. cities for its public parks</a>, per the latest report from the pro-parks nonprofit Trust for Public Land.Why it matters: Parks confer a wealth of benefits — including, as TPL points out in its<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" annual report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/The-Power-of-Parks-to-Promote-Health-A-Trust-for-Public-Land-Special-Report.pdf" data-vars-content-id="c9e39a01-0e75-49a8-9047-c9a0ff519e98" data-vars-headline="D.C. ranks top in the country for public parks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/The-Power-of-Parks-to-Promote-Health-A-Trust-for-Public-Land-Special-Report.pdf" target="_blank"> annual report</a>, significant health boosts.

Kavya Beheraj

Featured stories

D.C.'s birth rate sees sharp decline over last 15 years

D.C. metro gas prices are ticking up this summer

D.C.'s long mosquito season stings

D.C. ranks top in the country for public parks

Gas prices drop in D.C. region