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Country & South County

Lorton

Newer neighborhoods, waterfront parks and the arts in South County.

Fairfax County (unincorporated)17 miles from the White House
HistoryHomesCommuteEconomyGovernmentResearch
Potomac RiverDC✈DullesArlingtonAlexandriaFalls ChurchAnnandaleTysonsMcLeanViennaSpringfieldMount VernonFairfax CityBurkeRestonHerndonChantillyCentrevilleGreat FallsLorton

Schematic map · not to scale

Population20,0722020 Census
Land area5.3 sq mi
People per sq mi3,7872020
To the White House17 mistraight-line
Real estate tax$1.12per $100 · FY2027, effective July 1, 2026

Overview

What Lorton is like

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

How Lorton came to be

  1. 1700s

    Gunston Hall (George Mason) and Pohick Church, where Washington and Mason served, were built nearby.

  2. 1875

    The Lorton Valley post office opened.

  3. 1910–2001

    A District of Columbia prison complex operated here; suffragists were jailed at its workhouse in 1917.

  4. 1955–1973

    A Nike missile site guarded the capital region.

  5. 2000s

    The former prison land became the Laurel Hill community and the Workhouse Arts Center.

Homes you'll find

  • Single-family homes, many built since the 1990s
  • Townhomes
  • Some larger lots in the Mason Neck area

Today's market in Lorton

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 Lorton — recent sales, price trends and what's for sale now, straight from the MLS.

Get a free market report

Getting around

  • I-95, including the Express Lanes, and Route 1
  • VRE Lorton station, and Amtrak's Auto Train to Florida
  • Fairfax County Parkway; Fort Belvoir is next door

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.

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

  • Fort Belvoir
  • I-95 corridor businesses
  • VRE commuter rail to DC

Local favorites

Places people love

  • Workhouse Arts Center
  • Occoquan Regional Park
  • Mason Neck State Park
  • Pohick Bay Regional Park

Local government

Lorton is unincorporated and governed by Fairfax County.

  • Chairman, Fairfax County Board of SupervisorsJeffrey C. McKay
  • Supervisor, Mount Vernon DistrictDaniel G. Storck
  • Governor of VirginiaAbigail Spanberger (since January 2026)

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

Taxes

Real estate tax: $1.12 per $100 of assessed value (FY2027, effective July 1, 2026), set by Fairfax County. Official rates ↗

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 buy

Points to consider

  • I-95 traffic at rush hour
  • Farther from DC than inside-the-Beltway areas

Schools

Public 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

Official data on Lorton

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↗Fairfax County Police crime mapOfficial crime data from the local police department↗Virginia School Quality Profile: Fairfax County Public SchoolsTest results, graduation rates and more from the Virginia Department of Education↗FCPS school boundary locator (check any address)Confirm 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↗Fairfax County property records & assessmentsAssessed values, sales history and property details↗Find your elected officialsLook up your state and federal representatives by address↗

Nearby

Also worth a look

Springfield

The crossroads of Northern Virginia, with Metro and VRE.

Fairfax County (unincorporated)

Mount Vernon

Riverside parkway, George Washington's estate and big green spaces.

Fairfax County (unincorporated)

Burke

Lakes, trails and commuter rail in a classic suburb.

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 Lorton?

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

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