Alexandria, Virginia

Alexandria is an independent city in the U.S. state of Virginia. It sits on the western side of the Potomac River and is very close to Washington, D.C.. With a population of 159,467 as of the 2020 census, Alexandria is the sixth-most populous city in Virginia and 169th-most populous city in the U.S..

The city was established in 1749 and became an important port in its early years. Over time, Alexandria grew and changed, becoming part of the District of Columbia before returning to Virginia in 1847. Today, it is a key part of the Washington metropolitan area.

Alexandria is known for its strong connection to the U.S. federal government. Many federal workers live there because of jobs with agencies like the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The city also has a rich history, with many old buildings in its Old Town area, which is part of the Alexandria Historic District. Tourism plays an important role in the city's economy.

History

Main article: History of Alexandria, Virginia

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Alexandria, Virginia.

Early history

People have lived in the area that is now Alexandria for thousands of years. Indigenous groups were present in the region around 3,000 to 10,000 years ago. By the 14th century, Algonquian-speaking peoples lived in the area near the Potomac River.

In 1608, English explorer John Smith traveled up the Potomac River. He met with the Patawomeck and Doeg tribes on the Virginia side and the Piscataway tribe on the Maryland side. Smith noted a settlement called Assaomeck near what is now Hunting Creek.

Colonial era

In 1669, land was granted to Robert Howsing for transporting people to Virginia. This land would eventually become Alexandria. In 1730, a law required all tobacco in Virginia to be inspected in public warehouses before being sold. One of these warehouses was built at the mouth of Hunting Creek. The town of Alexandria was officially established in 1749 after a public auction to determine town lots and streets.

The name "Alexandria" may have been chosen to honor the Alexander family or to reflect the famous city of Alexandria in Egypt. An alternative name, "Belhaven," was also considered to honor a Scottish leader but did not catch on.

American Revolution

When British forces closed Boston Harbor in 1774, Alexandrians supported Boston by forming a committee of correspondence. In 1774, George Washington, George Mason, and others met in Alexandria to issue the Fairfax Resolves, calling for a congress of colonial representatives and a boycott of British goods. After the American Revolutionary War began, Alexandria supported the revolution, supplying troops and serving as a hub for military activity. The town was formally incorporated as a city in 1779 and became an international port of entry.

As part of the District of Columbia

In 1789, Virginia agreed to give up land for a new federal capital. Alexandria was included in this area. However, residents felt neglected and economically struggling. In 1846, a vote allowed Alexandria to return to Virginia, which officially happened in 1847.

Late 19th century

After returning to Virginia, Alexandria focused on building railroads and industries. Despite challenges, new transportation systems like streetcars began to appear. The city faced economic difficulties and population stagnation but saw the introduction of modern conveniences like telephones and electricity by the end of the century.

20th century

The early 1900s brought growth to Alexandria's manufacturing sector, especially in glass production. The city annexed new areas in 1915 and again in 1930, expanding its size. In 1939, a local resident organized one of the first sit-in protests against segregation at the city's library. The city underwent urban renewal projects that changed its landscape.

After World War II, Alexandria shifted from manufacturing to tourism and residential living. The city expanded through annexation in 1952 and developed new transportation systems, including Metro stations in the 1980s. Schools were integrated in 1965, and the city saw the election of its first women to city council and mayor roles in the 1970s and 1990s.

21st century

In recent years, Alexandria has focused on renaming streets and schools that honored figures tied to slavery and segregation. New developments, such as the Potomac Yard area, continue to grow. Plans for new arenas and educational campuses have been discussed, though some projects have faced challenges.

Geography

Alexandria, Virginia, covers an area of 15.5 square miles (40.1 km²). Most of this area is land, with only a small part being water from the Potomac River. The city is next to Washington, D.C. and is bordered by Arlington County and Fairfax County. Some parts of these counties were added to Alexandria starting in the 1930s.

Addresses in Alexandria can be confusing because they come from different areas that joined together. For example, in Old Town, addresses start from King Street and the river. In other parts, they start from different streets. The ZIP Codes that begin with 223 are for Alexandria, but some nearby areas also use these ZIP Codes.

Alexandria has many neighborhoods and planning areas. Some places with Alexandria mailing addresses are actually in Fairfax County, such as Hollin Hills, Franconia, and Mount Vernon.

The weather in Alexandria usually has hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters. It has a humid subtropical climate.

Demographics

Alexandria, Virginia had a population of 159,467 people according to the 2020 census. The median age was 36.5 years, with about 18.5% of residents under 18 and 11.8% aged 65 or older.

According to 2024 American Community Survey data, the median household income was $124,593. About 5.9% of the population lived below the poverty line, including 5.6% of those under 18 and 8.6% of those 65 and older. Education levels were high, with 69.4% of residents aged 25 and older having a bachelor's degree or higher.

Racial and ethnic composition

Economy

Alexandria is home to many important companies and organizations. Some well-known companies based there include Five Guys, The Motley Fool, and ThinkFun. The city also has offices for several government agencies, such as the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the National Science Foundation.

Many people work in jobs related to management, consulting, and finance in Alexandria. Tourism is also very important to the city's economy, bringing in lots of visitors each year. Most people who work in Alexandria live somewhere else and travel to the city for their jobs.

Culture

Alexandria, Virginia, has many fun events and places to visit. Every year, the Scottish Christmas Walk happens in Old Town during Christmas time. This parade celebrates the city's Scottish history and helps raise money for important community services. There are also parades for Saint Patrick's Day and George Washington's birthday. Other yearly events include the Red Cross Waterfront Festival in June, a birthday celebration with fireworks in July, heritage days at Tavern Square, and "First Night Alexandria" on New Year's Eve.

Many interesting places can be found in Alexandria. You can visit the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, Christ Church, Gadsby's Tavern, and the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Shop. Other notable spots include the Lee-Fendall House, Robert E. Lee's boyhood home, and Alexandria City Hall. The Torpedo Factory Art Center, once a factory, is now full of art studios and exhibits. The Athenaeum is another place for art lovers, and the Little Theatre of Alexandria offers community theater performances.

Media

Alexandria has two local weekly newspapers: the Alexandria Gazette Packet and the Alexandria Times. The Alexandria Gazette was published in the city from 1834 to 1974.

Sports

Alexandria is home to the Alexandria Aces, a team in the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League. They play their games at Frank Mann Field. Before this, Alexandria had a minor league baseball team called the Alexandria Dukes. In 1984, this team moved to Woodbridge and became The Prince William Pirates, which is now known as the Fredericksburg Nationals.

Parks and recreation

Alexandria has more than 900 acres of open space, including 566 acres of city-owned parks and 11 recreation centers. One of the largest is Chinquapin Park, which has swimming, tennis, racquetball, and other sports. On March 19, 2024, a new recreation center opened at Alexandria City High School, featuring a large swimming pool and a therapeutic pool. The city also runs many sports leagues like volleyball, softball, and basketball.

The city is home to Cameron Run Regional Park, which has a water park, miniature golf, and batting cages. There is also a beautiful trail called the Mount Vernon Trail that runs through Old Town near the Potomac River, connecting to Washington, D.C. Along the waterfront, there is a wonderful line of parks to explore.

Government

See also: List of mayors of Alexandria, Virginia

Alexandria, Virginia, is a special kind of city in the state of Virginia. It has its own government instead of being part of a larger county. The city’s leaders get their powers from a group of state leaders called the Virginia General Assembly.

The city uses a system where elected leaders called the City Council make rules and hire a City Manager to run daily tasks. The Mayor leads meetings and is mostly a symbolic leader, while the Council chooses a Vice Mayor to help when needed.

There are many groups and committees with about 55 members that help the Council make decisions about important issues. The city also has its own schools with a school board of nine members.

Alexandria has its own courts, including a special court for young people and families. The city is part of certain groups in the state and federal government, like the Virginia General Assembly and Virginia's 8th congressional district.

History

Since its beginning, Alexandria’s government has changed many times. Before 1921, there were different groups of leaders, but in 1921, the city switched to a system where the whole city votes for the same group of leaders. This system was changed a few times over the years, with some people wanting leaders chosen from different parts of the city and others wanting everyone to vote for the same leaders.

Ecocity

In 2008, the city decided to focus on being a friendly place for everyone, now and in the future. This means taking care of the environment and keeping the city’s history safe. In 2022, Alexandria started charging a small fee for certain bags to help reduce waste.

Public safety

See also: Alexandria Police Department and Alexandria Fire Department

The main group keeping the city safe is the Alexandria Police Department, led by a Chief of Police. The police help keep the city safe and work with training centers.

People in Alexandria also elect a leader called a sheriff every four years. The sheriff helps oversee a place where people wait for their court cases.

The Alexandria Fire Department helps with fires and emergencies. They have many stations and workers all over the city.

Education

See also: Alexandria Library (Virginia)

Colleges and universities

Virginia Tech's Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center, called WAAC, is in Old Town on Prince Street. It offers advanced studies in city planning, public affairs, architecture, and landscape design. In 2018, Virginia Tech planned a new "Innovation Campus" in Potomac Yard for advanced computer science and engineering programs. Virginia Commonwealth University has a branch in Northern Virginia for its School of Social Work, and The George Washington University has a campus near the King Street–Old Town station. This campus focuses on professional training, such as business management, city planning, and safety studies. The city is also home to a campus of the Northern Virginia Community College. The largest school for leaders in the Episcopal Church, Virginia Theological Seminary, is located on Seminary Road.

Primary and secondary schools

Further information: Alexandria City Public Schools

The city is served by the Alexandria City Public Schools system. Alexandria’s public schools include twelve elementary schools for children in Kindergarten through 5th grade, three of which also have Pre-K classes. Two schools, Patrick Henry and Jefferson-Houston, cover Pre-K through 8th grade. Middle schools, George Washington and Francis C. Hammond, serve students in 6th through 8th grades. Alexandria City High School is the only high school (9th through 12th grade) for the whole city, with two campuses called "Minnie Howard" and "King Street."

The makeup of the public school system is different from the city overall. In 2008, only 14% of students at Francis C. Hammond Middle School were non-Hispanic white, compared to about 60% of the city’s population. 27% were Hispanic, and 48% were Black. About 9% were Asian. In 2004, 62% of students qualified for free lunches; by 2008, this dropped to 56%. At George Washington Middle School, 41% of students were non-Hispanic white, 34% Hispanic, 21% Black, and 2% Asian; 52% got free lunch. Alexandria City High School follows a similar pattern; 23% of students were non-Hispanic white, 25% Hispanic, 44% Black, and 7% Asian; 47% of all students received free lunch.

Alexandria also has private schools such as St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School, Bishop Ireton High School, and Episcopal High School. Other private schools in the city include Alexandria Country Day School, Commonwealth Academy, the Basilica School of Saint Mary, St. Rita's Catholic School, Blessed Sacrament School, and Global Health College.

Infrastructure

Healthcare

Alexandria has a hospital called Inova Alexandria Hospital. There is also a health clinic at Mark Center in the city's West End and a teen wellness center at Alexandria City High School.

Transportation

Important highways like I-95 and I-495 (the Capital Beltway), including the Woodrow Wilson Bridge over the Potomac River, run near the city. Other highways such as I-395, SR 7 (King Street), and US 1 (Richmond Highway) also pass through Alexandria.

The city runs its own bus system called the DASH, which has been free since 2021. DASH also has a special bus service on King Street. Metrobus and Metrorail stop at several places in the city. There are also water taxis operated by Hornblower Cruises to Georgetown and The Wharf in D.C., and to the National Harbor in Prince George's County.

The historic Union Station offers train services with Amtrak and the Virginia Railway Express. There is also a bike-sharing program called Capital Bikeshare with many places to rent bikes.

Notable people

Alexandria, Virginia has been home to many famous people over the years. Some well-known names include actors like Diedrich Bader and Dermot Mulroney, musicians such as Stewart Copeland from The Police and Dave Grohl from Foo Fighters.

Other notable figures include George Washington, who owned a house in the city, and Robert E. Lee, the famous Civil War general who grew up there. Many politicians, athletes, and artists have also lived in Alexandria, making it a place with rich history and diverse connections.

Sister cities

Alexandria has four sister cities around the world. They are Gyumri in Armenia, Helsingborg in Sweden, Dundee in Scotland, and Caen in France. The link with Gyumri began as a sign of friendship after a big earthquake there in 1988.