Herndon — Silver Line Group

Herndon

Quick Facts at a Glance

  • Jurisdiction Type: Incorporated town within Fairfax County, Virginia. The Town of Herndon operates its own municipal government while sharing county services, including Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).

  • Population: ~25,000 residents

  • Land Area: ~4.6 square miles

  • ZIP Codes: 20170, 20171

  • County: Fairfax County, Virginia

  • Adjacent Communities: Reston, Sterling, Oak Hill, and Chantilly

  • Distance to Washington, D.C.: ~25 miles west of downtown Washington, D.C.; approximately 35–55 minutes by car depending on traffic

  • Metro & Transit Access: WMATA Silver Line service at Herndon Station and nearby Washington Dulles International Airport Station; Fairfax Connector bus service provides regional transit connections

  • Avg. Metro Commute to D.C.: ~45–60 minutes to downtown Washington, depending on destination and transfer requirements

  • Key Roads & Highways: Dulles Toll Road (VA-267), Fairfax County Parkway (Route 286), Elden Street (Route 228), and Route 28

  • School System: Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS)

  • Incorporated: 1879

  • Community Features: Historic downtown district, W&OD Trail access, community events, local parks, and proximity to Dulles Airport and major technology employment centers

  • Walk Score®: Downtown Herndon ~60–75 (Moderately Walkable); most residential areas ~35–55 (Somewhat Walkable to Car-Dependent)

Overview & Geography


Herndon is an incorporated town of approximately 4.6 square miles located in western Fairfax County, Virginia, roughly 25 miles west of Washington, DC. The town sits along the Dulles Technology Corridor — the stretch of northern Virginia anchored by Dulles International Airport (IAD) to the west and Tysons Corner to the east. Major road borders and access points include Elden Street (Route 606) as the town's primary commercial spine, Herndon Parkway forming much of the northern and western boundary, Centreville Road (Route 657) to the east, and the Dulles Toll Road (Route 267 / Dulles Greenway) running along the town's southern edge.

Herndon was founded in the late 19th century and incorporated in 1879, making it one of the older municipalities in Fairfax County. The town is named after Commander William Lewis Herndon, a U.S. Navy officer celebrated for going down with his ship in 1857. The Historic Downtown Herndon district, centered near Lynn Street and Elden Street, retains 19th-century commercial architecture and functions as the civic heart of the community. Neighboring jurisdictions include Reston to the east, Sterling (Loudoun County) to the west, and unincorporated Fairfax County communities to the north and south.

Named Neighborhoods & Communities

Herndon contains a mix of in-town neighborhoods and adjacent residential communities. Named enclaves and subdivisions include:

  • Great Falls Chase — Great Falls Chase is a polished, well-kept community close to Herndon. The community includes 106 single-family homes and 336 townhomes, centered around a recreation area.

  • Monroe Manor — Monroe Manor is a quiet, well-kept neighborhood in Herndon, Virginia. The neighborhood is known for large single-family homes, many built in the 1990s.

  • Herndon Chase — Herndon Chase is a quiet, well-kept neighborhood in Herndon, Virginia, near Herndon High School, wooded common areas, and paved walking paths. Many homes here are larger single-family homes with garages, mature trees, and roomy yards. It feels calm and tucked away, but it is still close to daily needs.

  • Kingstream — Kingstream is a quiet, well-kept neighborhood in Herndon, Virginia, near Dranesville Road. The community includes Kingstream Drive, Streamvale Circle, and nearby streets close to Herndon High School. Homes are mainly detached single-family houses with mature trees, sidewalks, green yards, and a friendly suburban feel.

  • McNair Farms — McNair Farms is one of Herndon's most popular planned communities, offering a blend of single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums, and apartments in a highly convenient location near the technology and business centers of Northern Virginia.

Transit, Commute & Walkability


Metro Rail

The Herndon Station on the Silver Line (WMATA) is located at the intersection of Herndon Parkway and the Dulles Toll Road, approximately one mile south of Historic Downtown Herndon. A second nearby station, Innovation Center Station, serves the eastern edge of the 20170 corridor. The Silver Line provides direct service to Tysons Corner, McLean, Rosslyn, Farragut West, and Metro Center, with typical travel time to Metro Center of approximately 40–50 minutes depending on time of day.


Road Commuting

  • Dulles Toll Road (Route 267) — Primary east-west corridor; connects Herndon to Tysons (20–25 min), Downtown DC (40–55 min off-peak, 60–80+ min peak).

  • Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) — Northern alternative connecting Herndon to Falls Church and Arlington.

  • Route 28 (Sully Road) — North-south connector serving Chantilly, Dulles Airport, and Sterling.

  • I-66 — Accessible via Route 28 or Dulles Toll Road; provides alternative routing toward DC and Fairfax.


Walkability & Bike Infrastructure

Walk Score varies significantly by location: the Historic Downtown Herndon area scores in the 60–70 range ("Somewhat Walkable"), while outer residential neighborhoods typically score 20–40. The Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail passes through Herndon, providing a paved multi-use path extending 45 miles from Shirlington to Purcellville. Additional local trails connect neighborhoods to the W&OD and to Reston's trail system to the east. Herndon maintains dedicated bike lanes on portions of major town roads.

Parks, Landmarks & Community Life

Named Parks

Herndon Centennial Golf Course — A par-71 municipal golf course on Ferndale Avenue; open to the public and one of Fairfax County's affordable golf options.

Bready Park — Central Herndon park adjacent to the downtown district; hosts festivals and community events.

Runnymede Park — A natural area park along Sugarland Run creek, offering trails, wildlife observation, and unprogrammed green space.

Herndon Community Center & Pool — A 60,000+ sq. ft. facility on Herndon Parkway offering fitness, aquatics, classes, and meeting rooms.

Worldgate Sport and Health — A private fitness facility in the Worldgate corridor.

Sugarland Run Stream Valley Park — A linear greenway park following Sugarland Run through residential areas, connecting to the W&OD Trail.


Historic Landmarks

Historic Downtown Herndon — The town's original commercial district, incorporated 1879; anchor streets include Elden Street and Lynn Street.

Herndon Depot (Former Train Station) — A restored historic railroad depot from the late 19th century; serves as a community landmark near the downtown area.

Grace Episcopal Church — One of Herndon's oldest congregations, dating to the 19th century, located in the historic town core.


Recurring Community Events

Friday Night Live — A summer outdoor concert series held on the Herndon Town Green; free admission, runs June through August.

Herndon Festival — An annual multi-day community festival held in June featuring live music, food vendors, arts, and carnival rides.

Herndon Farmers Market — Weekly market offering local produce, artisan goods, and prepared foods; held in downtown Herndon.

Holiday events — Town-sponsored seasonal events including tree lighting ceremonies and winter markets in the downtown district.

Frequently Asked Questions


What Metro stations serve Herndon, Virginia?
Herndon is served by the Silver Line (WMATA) via Herndon Station. The station is located at the intersection of Herndon Parkway and the Dulles Toll Road, approximately one mile from Historic Downtown Herndon. The adjacent Innovation Center Station also serves eastern portions of the Herndon ZIP code area. The Silver Line connects Herndon to Tysons Corner, Rosslyn, and downtown Washington, DC, with travel times to Metro Center typically ranging from 40 to 50 minutes.

What school district is Herndon, Virginia in?
Herndon is served by Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), one of the largest public school districts in the United States. School assignment is based on residential address within Fairfax County. Specific elementary assignments vary by neighborhood; families should verify using the FCPS school finder tool at fcps.edu.

Is Herndon, Virginia a city or a town?
Herndon is an incorporated town, not an independent city. This is a legally significant distinction in Virginia: unlike independent cities (such as Alexandria or Falls Church), Herndon remains part of Fairfax County and shares county-level services including public schools, courts, and county tax assessments. The Town of Herndon levies its own local tax rate in addition to Fairfax County taxes. Some surrounding addresses share the 20170 or 20171 ZIP codes but fall outside Herndon town limits in unincorporated Fairfax County.

How far is Herndon from Washington, DC?
Herndon is located approximately 25 miles west of Downtown Washington, DC. By car via the Dulles Toll Road (Route 267) or I-66, typical off-peak commute times range from 35 to 50 minutes; peak-hour commutes can extend to 60–80+ minutes depending on traffic. By Metro via the Silver Line from Herndon Station, travel time to Metro Center in downtown DC is approximately 40 to 50 minutes. Dulles International Airport (IAD) is approximately 4 miles west of central Herndon.

Our Herndon Market Expertise


Our services for Herndon clients include:

  • Buyer representation — Comprehensive search, neighborhood analysis, and negotiation services for buyers relocating to or moving within the Herndon area.

  • Seller representation — Strategic pricing, professional marketing, and expert negotiation to maximize value for Herndon homeowners.

  • Relocation services — Specialized support for professionals relocating to the Dulles Technology Corridor, including corporate relocation coordination.

  • Investment analysis — Market data and rental yield analysis for investors evaluating Herndon properties near Silver Line stations.

Ready to explore Herndon? Contact our team today for a complimentary consultation, a current market analysis, or a guided tour of Herndon's neighborhoods. We are here to help you find the right home — or the right buyer — in one of Northern Virginia's most dynamic communities.

Authoritative Resources for Herndon Research


The following resources provide official, verifiable information for buyers, sellers, and researchers:

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