Arlington’s neighborhoods — from Clarendon to Rosslyn to Ballston — draw government contractors, tech leaders, and attorneys who want Metro access, urban density, and proximity to both DC and the airport corridor. For professionals who need to move fast in a competitive market, Arlington rewards preparation.

Quick Facts at a Glance

• Jurisdiction Type: Arlington is an independent county with no incorporated municipalities, meaning it functions as both a city and a county under Virginia law.

• ZIP Codes: 22201, 22202, 22203, 22204, 22205, 22206, 22207, 22209, 22213

• Population: Approximately 238,000 residents (2023 estimate)

• Land Area: 26 square miles, making Arlington the smallest self-governing county in the United States

• Distance to Washington, D.C.: Arlington shares the Potomac River border with Washington, D.C., and some of its closest neighborhoods are less than one mile from the U.S. Capitol

• Metro & Transit Access: Served by WMATA’s Orange, Blue, Silver, and Yellow Lines, with 11 Metro stations, including Rosslyn, Ballston-MU, Pentagon, Crystal City, and Reagan National Airport (DCA)

• School System: Arlington Public Schools (APS) is a single unified K–12 district serving approximately 28,000 students across 38 schools

• Key High Schools: Washington-Liberty High School, Yorktown High School, Wakefield High School, H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program, Arlington Career Center.

• Median Household Income: Approximately $120,000 (U.S. Census ACS 2022)

• Historical Note: Arlington was originally part of the 10-mile-square District of Columbia, was retroceded to Virginia in 1846, and officially became Arlington County in 1920

Overview & Geography

Arlington County covers 26 square miles on the west bank of the Potomac River, directly adjacent to Washington, D.C. It is the smallest self-governing county by area in the United States. The county borders Alexandria (City) to the south, Fairfax County to the west and north, and the District of Columbia and the Potomac River to the east.

Key geographic corridors include Wilson and Clarendon Boulevards (the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor), Columbia Pike (connecting Fairfax County to the Pentagon area), Route 50/Arlington Boulevard, and Jefferson Davis Highway (Route 1) running along the eastern edge near Amazon HQ2 and Reagan National Airport.

The county's density is notable: with roughly 238,000 residents packed into 26 square miles, Arlington's population density (~9,200 per sq mi) rivals many major American cities, yet large portions remain characterized by single-family neighborhoods with tree-lined streets.

• Bluemont — Bluemont is one of Arlington's largest neighborhoods. It stretches from Washington Boulevard to the north, Carlin Springs Road to the south, Four Mile Run to the west, and Glebe Road to the east.

• Cherrydale — Cherrydale sits in the heart of North Arlington, centered on the Five Points intersection where Old Dominion Drive, Lee Highway, Military Road, and Quincy Street all come together.

• Lyon Village — Lyon Village sits in the heart of North Arlington, tucked just north of the Clarendon-Courthouse corridor. The neighborhood is framed by Lee Highway to the north, Wilson Boulevard to the south, Veitch Street to the east, and Kirkwood Road to the west.

• Williamsburg Village — Williamsburg sits in the far northwest corner of Arlington County, straddling the border with Fairfax County. It is built on and around Minor's Hill — at 459 feet above sea level, the literal highest point in Arlington.

• Westover — Westhampton is one of Falls Church's most exclusive residential pockets. It dates back to 1949 — but the story today is just as much about what's being built as what was built before.

Transit, Commute & Walkability

Arlington is one of the most transit-accessible jurisdictions in the Washington metro region. The Washington Metro (WMATA) serves the county with four lines and eleven stations:

• Orange & Silver Lines: Rosslyn, Court House, Clarendon, Virginia Square-GMU, Ballston-MU

• Blue Line: Rosslyn, Pentagon, Pentagon City, Crystal City, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

• Yellow Line: Pentagon, Pentagon City, Crystal City, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Rail commute times from key Arlington stations to downtown D.C. (Metro Center): Rosslyn (~6 min), Ballston (~18 min), Pentagon (~10 min). Commuting by car to central D.C. via I-66, Route 50, or the George Washington Parkway typically takes 20–40 minutes depending on traffic; HOV restrictions apply on I-66 inside the Beltway during peak hours.

Reagan National Airport (DCA) is located within Arlington County (ZIP 22202) and is served by Metro's Blue and Yellow Lines. The county also maintains an extensive network of Capital Bikeshare stations and W&OD Trail and Mount Vernon Trail for cycling and running.

Parks, Landmarks & Community Life

Landmark Sites

Arlington National Cemetery spans 639 acres with more than 400,000 interments. The Pentagon is both a working federal facility and a recognized historic landmark. The Netherlands Carillon and Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Memorial) stand near Rosslyn.

Parks & Trails

Long Bridge Park on the Potomac waterfront features athletic fields, an aquatics center, and D.C. skyline views. Bluemont Park provides access to the W&OD Trail. Lubber Run Community Center and Park anchors the Lyon Park neighborhood. Potomac Overlook Regional Park in north Arlington offers wooded hiking above the river.

Arts & Culture

Signature Theatre in Shirlington won the Tony Award for Regional Theatre in 2009 and regularly stages world-premiere productions. The Arlington Arts Center serves the visual arts community.

Farmers Markets

The Arlington Farmers Market at Courthouse Plaza (Saturdays, year-round) is one of the oldest continuously operating farmers markets in the region. The Columbia Pike Farmers Market (Sundays, seasonal) and Ballston Farmers Market (Thursdays, seasonal) serve other parts of the county. Cherrydale Farmers Market open Saturdays, 8 am – 12 pm, April – November.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arlington, Virginia its own city or part of a larger county?
Arlington is an independent county under Virginia law — not a city, and not part of any larger county. It has no incorporated municipalities within it. The county government functions as both the city and county government, handling all local services including schools, police, zoning, and property taxes. This is an important distinction from neighboring Fairfax County, which contains numerous incorporated cities and towns. There is no "City of Arlington" in Virginia.

What are the public schools like in Arlington, and how does the assignment process work?
Arlington Public Schools (APS) is a single unified district serving all of the county. It consistently ranks among the top school districts in Virginia and the Washington metro region. There are three comprehensive high schools — Washington-Liberty, Yorktown, and Wakefield — plus H-B Woodlawn, an application-based 6–12 alternative program.

Elementary school assignments are based on home address, and boundaries are periodically adjusted. Buyers should verify current school assignments with APS before purchasing, as boundary lines can change.

How easy is it to commute from Arlington to Washington, D.C.?
Commuting from Arlington to D.C. is among the most convenient in the metro region. The Washington Metro (WMATA) serves 11 stations in Arlington across four lines. Train travel from Rosslyn to Metro Center takes roughly 6 minutes; from Ballston, approximately 18 minutes. Reagan National Airport (DCA), accessible by Metro's Blue and Yellow Lines, is located within the county. Car commutes vary significantly; I-66 has HOV/express lane restrictions during peak hours.

What is National Landing, and how does it differ from Crystal City?
National Landing is a rebranded planning district encompassing Crystal City, Pentagon City, and the Potomac Yard area in south Arlington (plus a small portion of Alexandria). The name was created in 2018 in connection with Amazon's HQ2 selection and is used primarily for planning and economic development purposes.

Crystal City and Pentagon City remain the common colloquial names for their respective neighborhoods. Both are served by Metro's Blue and Yellow Lines and adjacent to Reagan National Airport (DCA).

Authoritative Resources for Arlington Research

• Arlington County Government — Official county website; contains property tax records, zoning maps, development permit filings, and all county department contact information.

• Arlington Public Schools (APS) — Official K–12 district site; includes the school locator tool to verify address-based school assignments, enrollment data, and boundary maps.

• WMATA (Washington Metro) — Metro system trip planner and station information, including all Arlington stations across the Orange, Blue, Silver, and Yellow Lines.

• Arlington County Parks Directory — Searchable directory of all county parks, trails, recreational facilities, and community centers.

• Arlington Chamber of Commerce — Business directory, economic development initiatives, and employer data for the Arlington County business community.

• Arlington Magazine — Local lifestyle publication covering dining, real estate trends, community news, and cultural events specific to Arlington County.