Few addresses in Washington carry as much history as Number One Observatory Circle, but the family that moved in this year is already making it their own. The Victorian-era house, built in 1893 and transformed into the official vice-presidential residence in 1974, now belongs to Vice President JD Vance, his wife Usha, and their three children.

4 related posts

Official Residence: Number One Observatory Circle ·
Location: Washington, D.C. ·
Current Tenant: JD Vance (since January 2025) ·
Previous Home: Cincinnati, Ohio ·
Family: Wife Usha and three children

Quick snapshot

1Official Residence
2Cincinnati Home
  • Previously lived in Cincinnati, Ohio (Wikipedia)
  • Birthplace: Middletown, Ohio (Wikipedia)
3Family
  • Wife: Usha Vance (CBS News)
  • Three children, moved to D.C. in January 2025 (CBS News)
4Schedule & Activities
  • Based in Washington, D.C. for work (Wikipedia)
  • Frequent travel for events (Wikipedia)
  • Added a chicken coop to the residence (The Hill)

Seven key facts about JD Vance’s living arrangements, from his full name to the date he moved into the official residence.

Field Value
Full Name James David Vance
Position Vice President of the United States
Official Residence Number One Observatory Circle, Washington, D.C.
Previous Residence Cincinnati, Ohio
Wife Usha Vance
Children 3
Moved into residence January 2025

Where does the U.S. vice president live?

The official residence of the vice president is Number One Observatory Circle, a white 19th-century house on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Observatory in northwest Washington, D.C. (White House Archives). The address is 1 Observatory Circle NW, over two miles from the White House (CBS News).

Address of Number One Observatory Circle

  • Located at 1 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, D.C. (Wikipedia)
  • Built in 1893 for the superintendent of the Naval Observatory (White House Historical Association)
  • Designated the official VP residence in 1974; Walter Mondale moved in 1977 (The Hill)

History of the Vice President’s residence

Before 1974, vice presidents lived in private homes or hotels. Congress designated Number One Observatory Circle as the official residence to provide security and a dedicated space for the role (Business Insider). The house underwent renovations before each new family moved in.

Why this matters

The vice president’s residence is a working home with tight security, yet it remains a family space. The Vance family’s additions — including a custom chicken coop — reflect a personal touch that past residents also brought.

The implication: Number One Observatory Circle is more than a historic building — it is the backdrop for modern vice-presidential family life in the 21st century.

Where is JD Vance located right now?

As Vice President, JD Vance is based in Washington, D.C., primarily at Number One Observatory Circle. His daily schedule is not publicly detailed for security reasons, but official duties often take him to the White House, the Capitol, and events around the country.

Official schedule and public appearances

  • Vance attends meetings at the White House and on Capitol Hill (Wikipedia)
  • He travels for political events and official ceremonies
  • The family moved to D.C. in January 2025 and has been settling in (CBS News)

Security and location privacy

Due to security protocols, the exact whereabouts of the vice president at any given moment are not disclosed. The U.S. Secret Service protects the residence and the family around the clock (Wikipedia).

The catch

While the address is public, the interior layout and real-time location are guarded. This creates a tension between public curiosity and necessary privacy — especially for families with young children.

What this means: JD Vance’s location on any given day is a blend of public schedule and confidential security movement, typical for any high-ranking official.

Does the Vice President’s family live in the White House?

No. The vice president and his family do not live in the White House. The White House is the residence of the president and the first family. The vice president’s official home is Number One Observatory Circle, approximately 2.5 miles away (CBS News).

White House living arrangements

  • The White House has living quarters on the second and third floors, reserved for the president’s family.
  • Vice presidents do not have private quarters there, though they may use the West Wing offices.

Vice President’s family residence

The Vance family — JD, Usha, and their three children — resides full-time at Number One Observatory Circle. The house offers four floors, a wrap-around porch, and several sitting rooms, with enough space for a family of five (White House Archives).

The pattern: The VP residence is deliberately separate from the White House to give the vice president autonomy and a domestic setting distinct from the presidency.

Where does JD Vance live in Cincinnati?

Before becoming Vice President, JD Vance and his family lived in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a native of the state, born and raised in Middletown, about an hour north of Cincinnati (Wikipedia).

Previous home in Cincinnati

  • Vance owned a home in the Cincinnati area before moving to D.C. (Wikipedia)
  • It is unclear whether the family still owns that property (Cincinnati.com (regional news))

Ohio roots and connection

JD Vance’s memoir “Hillbilly Elegy” centers on his upbringing in Middletown and the Appalachian culture of the region. He has frequently emphasized his Ohio roots during his political career (Wikipedia).

The trade-off

For the Vances, maintaining ties to Ohio while living in Washington means balancing two worlds — the national stage and the Midwest identity that shaped JD’s political narrative.

Why this matters: Vance’s Ohio background is not just biographical — it’s a political asset he actively draws on, making the question of whether he still keeps a home there more than a real estate curiosity.

Where does JD Vance’s wife live?

Usha Vance lives with her husband JD Vance at the Vice President’s residence in Washington, D.C. She and their three children moved into Number One Observatory Circle in January 2025 (CBS News).

Usha Vance’s residence

  • Usha Vance is the Second Lady of the United States.
  • She has her own schedule but the family’s primary residence is the VP residence.
  • She maintains connections to Ohio, where she attended law school (Yale Law is in Connecticut, but she worked in Ohio before the campaign).

Second lady’s living arrangements

As Second Lady, Usha has an office and staff at the residence. The house is large enough to accommodate a family, and the Vances have adjusted the space for three young children, including childproofing measures (Wikipedia).

The implication: Usha Vance’s role as Second Lady includes full-time residence in D.C., but her Ohio ties remain part of the family’s identity.

Timeline signal

Key dates in JD Vance’s housing journey — from election to settling into the historic residence.

  • August 2024: JD Vance nominated as Vice Presidential candidate
  • November 2024: Elected Vice President
  • January 2025: Moved into Number One Observatory Circle (CBS News)
  • 2025–2026: Added a custom chicken coop to the residence (The Hill; WRAL/AP)

The pattern: Each update to the residence — from childproofing to the chicken coop — shows how each vice-presidential family stamps its own character onto a historic building.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Official residence is Number One Observatory Circle (White House Archives)
  • Previously lived in Cincinnati, Ohio (Wikipedia)
  • Family resides with him at the residence (CBS News)

What’s unclear

  • Exact room or suite used by the Vance family
  • Whether they still own their Cincinnati home

Quotes from the record

“The vice president’s residence is at Number One Observatory Circle on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Observatory in northwest Washington, D.C.”

– CBS News

“JD Vance and his wife Usha moved into the official residence in January 2025, along with their three children.”

– Business Insider

“The chicken coop was custom-built with a round turret and faux slate roof, donated by Carolina Coops, and completed without taxpayer money.”

– WRAL/AP

Summary

JD Vance’s living situation reflects the dual nature of his role: an official vice president stationed in a historic D.C. residence, but with deep Ohio roots that remain part of his identity. The Vance family embraces the formal duties at Number One Observatory Circle while keeping their personal Midwestern story alive, an approach that preserves the authenticity that brought them to Washington.

Related reading: Trump’s Approval Rating: Latest Polls & Trends (2026) · Ursula von der Leyen: Biography, Facts, Religion

Additional sources

wfmd.com, facebook.com, oneobservatorycircle.com, trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov, sheilabridges.com, fox.com

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Vice President’s residence open to public tours?

No, Number One Observatory Circle is not open to the public. It is a secure residence used solely by the vice president and family.

How does JD Vance commute to the White House?

The residence is about 2.5 miles from the White House. The vice president typically travels by motorcade or is driven by Secret Service.

What security measures are in place at Number One Observatory Circle?

The U.S. Secret Service provides 24/7 security, including perimeter patrol, access control, and electronic surveillance.

Did JD Vance grow up in Cincinnati?

He grew up in Middletown, Ohio, about 40 miles north of Cincinnati. He later lived in Cincinnati as an adult.

How many rooms does the Vice President’s residence have?

The residence has four floors, including living quarters, a kitchen, dining rooms, a library, and several guest bedrooms. Exact room counts vary by source.

What is the history of Number One Observatory Circle?

Built in 1893 for the superintendent of the Naval Observatory, it became the official vice presidential residence in 1974. Walter Mondale was the first vice president to live there.