Country & South County
Newer neighborhoods, waterfront parks and the arts in South County.
Schematic map · not to scale
Overview
Lorton sits in the southern part of Fairfax County along I-95, near the Occoquan River and the Potomac shoreline. Newer planned communities sit next to large parks and a historic arts center.
History
Gunston Hall (George Mason) and Pohick Church, where Washington and Mason served, were built nearby.
The Lorton Valley post office opened.
A District of Columbia prison complex operated here; suffragists were jailed at its workhouse in 1917.
A Nike missile site guarded the capital region.
The former prison land became the Laurel Hill community and the Workhouse Arts Center.
Looking at homes for sale in Lorton? Browse them on Zillow, Redfin or Realtor.com — they all show the same listings. Then send me the link: I'll call the listing agent and tell you what the listing leaves out. I also watch for coming-soon homes that aren't online yet.
Found a home in Lorton? Send me the linkHome sales from July–September 2026, compared with the same months a year earlier.
For comparison, all of Fairfax County: median $750K (up 0.7% from a year earlier), 28 days on market on average.
2,456 homes for sale (+26% vs. a year ago), 41% with a price cut, 36 median days on market.
Realtor.com listing data via FRED · updated monthlySource: Bright MLS Industry Watch, Q3 2026 (data as of October 10, 2026). Report by ShowingTime Plus, LLC.
About 17 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.
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
Local favorites
Lorton is unincorporated and governed by Fairfax County.
As of September 2026. Officials change with elections — confirm on the official websites.
Real estate tax: $1.12 per $100 of assessed value (FY2027, effective July 1, 2026), set by Fairfax County. Official rates ↗ · Work out a home's real tax bill →
Example: a home assessed at $700,000 would owe about $7,840 a year at the Fairfax 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 fall in love
Local rules and recent changes that photos and Zestimates can't show. I check these for every home we look at.
Fairfax County approved its first full school-boundary redraw in about 40 years on Jan. 22, 2026. About 1,700 students were reassigned starting this school year, phased in by grade. School information on a listing may be out of date — check the exact address.
Check the address in FCPS Boundary Explorer ↗Land within 100 feet of many streams is a Resource Protection Area. Adding a deck, an addition or clearing trees there needs a county exception with a public hearing — often 3+ months. Fairfax County's new FEMA flood maps are still being finalized.
Fairfax County RPA questions ↗Every home also pays a stormwater tax ($0.0325) and pest levy ($0.001) per $100. Some neighborhoods add a leaf-collection tax ($0.019) or a $630 yearly trash fee.
Work out your real tax bill →Under Virginia's disclosure law the seller makes no promises about the home's condition, flood zones, airport noise, septic or radon. Inspections and your own checks protect you.
Virginia Code § 55.1-703 ↗You can cancel within 3 days of receiving the association's resale certificate. Read it for fees, special assessments and rental limits.
Virginia Code § 55.1-2312 ↗Before you buy
Schools
Served by Fairfax County 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
Crime, school test results and population details come straight from official sources. Each link opens in a new tab, so this page stays open.
Nearby
The crossroads of Northern Virginia, with Metro and VRE.
Fairfax County (unincorporated)Riverside parkway, George Washington's estate and big green spaces.
Fairfax County (unincorporated)Waterfront parks, big shopping and a straight shot up I-95.
Prince William County (unincorporated)Sources: 2020 U.S. Census; county, city and town government websites; NOAA climate normals; Virginia Department of Education. Updated September 2026. General information only — verify details that matter to your decision.
Contact
Tell me a little about what you're looking for. I'll reply personally, usually within one business day.
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