The Census Bureau population count in 2000 for the WASHINGTON Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) exceeded 3.5 million persons. Nearly 50% of these residents are African Americans living predominantly in the District of Columbia (585,000), Prince George’s County (686,400) and Northern Virginia (739,300). The average after-tax income in this region reached a new high of $55,232 per household in 2000, giving the Washington region the nation’s highest average family income. This high household income boosts consumer demand for products and services