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Next to DC

Arlington

Walkable urban villages across the river from Washington.

Arlington County3 miles from the White House
HistoryHomesCommuteEconomyGovernmentResearch
Potomac RiverDC✈DullesArlingtonAlexandriaFalls ChurchAnnandaleTysonsMcLeanViennaSpringfieldMount VernonFairfax CityBurkeRestonHerndonChantillyCentrevilleGreat FallsLorton

Schematic map · not to scale

Population238,6432020 Census
Land area25.8 sq mi
People per sq mi9,2502020
To the White House3 mistraight-line
Real estate tax$1.053per $100 · calendar year 2026 base rate

Overview

What Arlington is like

Arlington sits directly across the Potomac from DC. Most of daily life happens in a string of walkable neighborhoods built around Metro stations, with quieter tree-lined streets of single-family homes in between.

History

How Arlington came to be

  1. 1801

    Became part of the new District of Columbia, as “Alexandria County.”

  2. 1847

    Returned (retroceded) to Virginia.

  3. 1864

    Arlington National Cemetery established.

  4. 1920

    Officially renamed Arlington County.

  5. 1930

    Adopted its County Board and county-manager form of government.

  6. 1959

    Became the first Virginia county to desegregate its schools.

  7. 1970s

    Metro's Orange and Blue lines opened, shaping today's urban corridors.

Homes you'll find

  • High-rise and mid-rise condominiums near Metro
  • Townhomes and rowhouses
  • Early-20th-century bungalows, Cape Cods and brick colonials
  • New custom homes on infill lots

Today's market in Arlington

Prices, days on market and inventory change every month, so I don't print numbers that go stale. Ask me for a free, up-to-date market report for Arlington — recent sales, price trends and what's for sale now, straight from the MLS.

Get a free market report

Getting around

  • Metro: Orange, Silver, Blue and Yellow lines
  • Reagan National Airport is inside the county
  • I-66, I-395, Route 50 and the George Washington Memorial Parkway
  • Custis and Mount Vernon trails for biking into DC

About 3 miles in a straight line to the White House. Real drive times vary a lot with traffic — test your commute at rush hour before you buy.

Weather

January45° / 30°avg high / low
July90° / 72°avg high / low
Rain & snow43 inper year · 12 in of snow
Hot days37days of 90°F+ per year

Four real seasons: humid summers, colorful falls, mostly mild winters with a few snowstorms. Frost-free roughly March 27 to November 18. NOAA 1991–2020 averages at Reagan National Airport.

Economy

Where people work

  • The Pentagon (U.S. Department of Defense)
  • Amazon (second headquarters, National Landing)
  • Boeing (headquarters)
  • RTX (headquarters)

Local favorites

Places people love

  • Arlington National Cemetery
  • Long Bridge Park
  • Clarendon's restaurants and nightlife
  • Theodore Roosevelt Island, reached by footbridge from Arlington

Local government

Arlington is governed by a five-member County Board elected at large; the chair rotates each year.

  • Chair, Arlington County Board (2026)Matt de Ferranti
  • Governor of VirginiaAbigail Spanberger (since January 2026)

As of September 2026. Officials change with elections — confirm on the official websites.

Taxes

Real estate tax: $1.053 per $100 of assessed value (calendar year 2026 base rate), set by Arlington County. Official rates ↗

Example: a home assessed at $700,000 would owe about $7,371 a year at the Arlington County rate.

Virginia also taxes cars and other vehicles yearly (personal property tax), and some areas add small special-district taxes. Older adults and people with disabilities may qualify for tax relief programs.

Before you buy

Points to consider

  • Smaller lots and higher prices per square foot than farther-out areas
  • Condo and HOA fees are common — review the budget and rules
  • Parking can be limited in the busiest corridors

Schools

Public schools

Served by Arlington Public Schools. Test scores and school details are in the official links below. Boundaries change — always confirm the assigned schools for a specific address.

Research this area

Official data on Arlington

Crime, school test results and population details come straight from official sources. Each link opens in a new tab, so this page stays open.

Census QuickFactsPopulation, age, income, housing and more — official U.S. Census data↗Arlington County Police crime data hubOfficial crime data from the local police department↗Virginia School Quality Profiles (search Arlington)Test results, graduation rates and more from the Virginia Department of Education↗Arlington Public SchoolsConfirm which schools serve a specific address↗FEMA flood mapsCheck whether an address is in a flood zone↗Metro trip plannerPlan a commute by Metro and bus↗Arlington property search & assessmentsAssessed values, sales history and property details↗Find your elected officialsLook up your state and federal representatives by address↗

Nearby

Also worth a look

Falls Church (City)

A small city with its own schools, a famous farmers market and easy Metro access.

City of Falls Church (independent city)

Alexandria (City)

A historic port city on the Potomac, with brick sidewalks and Metro.

City of Alexandria (independent city)

McLean

Leafy, established neighborhoods minutes from DC and Tysons.

Fairfax County (unincorporated)

See all 17 areas →

Sources: 2020 U.S. Census; Fairfax County, Arlington County and city/town government websites; NOAA climate normals; Virginia Department of Education. Updated September 2026. General information only — verify details that matter to your decision.

Contact

Thinking about Arlington?

Tell me a little about what you're looking for. I'll reply personally, usually within one business day.

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