Arlington County, Virginia

Arlington County, or simply Arlington, is a county in the U.S. state of Virginia. It is located in the Washington metropolitan area and the broader Northern Virginia region, right across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.. Arlington is the smallest self-governing county in the United States by area, featuring both suburban and urban areas. Many of its urban spaces are close to Washington Metro stations and lines, making it easy to travel around.

Originally home to the Nacotchtank people, Arlington was later settled by English colonists in the 1670s and became part of Fairfax County. During the Civil War, Arlington was part of the Union's defenses of Washington, which changed its landscape and economy. Over time, Arlington has grown into a major economic center, with many federal government offices, including the Pentagon, located there. The county is also home to important educational institutions like George Mason University and Marymount University.

Arlington is perhaps best known for Arlington National Cemetery, a military cemetery established in 1864. More than 400,000 members of the U.S. Armed Forces are buried there, and sites like the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier draw many visitors each year. Other notable memorials in Arlington include the Marine Corps War Memorial and Air Force Memorial.

History

Native American settlement

Arlington County was home to Native American cultures for about 10,000 years before Europeans arrived. Evidence like pottery, tools, and arrowheads shows they lived in the area during different time periods. Some items found suggest trade routes reached as far as southern Ontario.

When John Smith visited in 1608, the Nacotchtank people lived there. They farmed, hunted, and fished along the Anacostia River. In the 1600s, they joined the beaver trade but faced challenges from diseases, warfare, and conflicts with other tribes. By 1679, they had left the area.

Colonial era

Colonists from Jamestown began moving toward the Potomac River between 1646 and 1676. Early land grants were given to important figures. The first settled grant was the Howson Patent, given to John Alexander in 1669. After Bacon’s Rebellion in 1676, more people moved to the area. Large plantations along waterways became common, with wharfs for trade. Log cabins were also built by farmers.

Indentured servants and enslaved people worked the land. Tobacco was a main crop until the soil wore out, and farmers then grew crops like corn. Colonists built mills along creeks and fished in the Potomac. Roads and ferries connected residents to towns like Alexandria and Georgetown.

Revolutionary war and formation of federal district

Protests against British taxes like the Stamp Act and Townshend Acts led local leaders to refuse British goods. After the Revolutionary War began, Fairfax County formed a Committee of Safety and raised troops for the Continental Army. The area didn’t see much fighting, but Alexandria was a port for some Virginia navy ships.

After the United States became independent, the federal government chose a location on the Potomac for the capital. President Washington surveyed the area, and the new District of Columbia was created in 1791. Virginia gave up ten square miles for the capital but no public buildings were built there. The area became known as Alexandria County.

Antebellum period

In the early 1800s, the land outside Alexandria stayed rural with large plantations and farms. New settlers from northern states brought new farming methods. Small communities grew along roads. The free black population lived in small groups among white neighbors. Agriculture, especially corn and grain, was the main economy, along with trades and factories in Alexandria.

Enslaved African Americans made up about 26% of the population in 1810, working on plantations like George Washington Parke Custis’s Arlington Plantation. The Syphax family, descended from an enslaved woman, was granted land by Custis in 1845. The share of enslaved people dropped to around 20% by 1840 as farming changed and the slave trade grew, especially to the Deep South.

Bridges and roads were built to connect the area. The Alexandria Canal opened in 1846, linking Alexandria to Georgetown. The first railway, the Alexandria and Harper’s Ferry Railroad, began in 1847. A planned city called Jackson City was never successful.

Retrocession

Alexandria County rejoined Virginia in 1847 after a vote by residents. Some wanted better economic support and political rights. The area had been part of the District of Columbia since 1801. Free black residents opposed the change, fearing loss of rights. Virginia took over, and changes were made to schools and laws affecting African Americans.

Civil War

The area around Alexandria leaned toward the Union before the Civil War, but Virginia joined the Confederacy. Union troops moved into Alexandria County in May 1861 to protect Washington. They built forts and trenches for defense. The most significant battle nearby was the Battle of Bull Run in July 1861.

The Union took over Arlington Plantation in 1864 to use as a burial site for soldiers. A settlement for freed enslaved people called Freedman’s Village was started in 1863, offering education and jobs.

Reconstruction through 1900

After the Civil War, the economy suffered. Some land was sold to formerly enslaved people. Changes in government allowed black voters and officials. However, by the 1880s, white conservatives worked to limit black influence. New trolley lines began in the 1880s, leading to suburban growth. The courthouse was moved in 1898.

20th century suburbanization and Jim Crow segregation

In the early 1900s, Alexandria County, renamed Arlington County in 1920, grew quickly as a suburb of Washington. New communities and organizations formed. Parts of the southern area were annexed by Alexandria City. Leaders pushed for improvements and changes to support growth while maintaining segregation.

Despite no lynchings, there were instances of racial violence. Segregation laws and housing rules limited black neighborhoods. By 1930, the black population had dropped significantly.

New Deal through Civil Rights

The New Deal brought federal workers to Arlington, increasing the population. Public housing was built but often restricted to white residents. Infrastructure improved with new sewers and school renovations. Trolley lines closed, and buses started.

World War II brought more growth with military buildings like the Pentagon. Some black communities were demolished. Public housing for black residents was built, though limited compared to white housing.

Arlington’s NAACP and others fought segregation through lawsuits. Schools began to integrate in 1959, and businesses desegregated in 1960. The Civil Rights Act of 1968 ended legal housing discrimination.

Arrival of Metro

Starting in 1960, Arlington’s population grew more slowly as people moved to newer suburbs. To help struggling areas, the county planned for the Washington Metro system. The Orange and Blue Lines opened in 1979, leading to new development around stations. Clarendon became a center for Vietnamese businesses but later saw displacement due to rising rents.

2000 through present

On September 11, 2001, the Pentagon was attacked, killing many people. In recent years, companies like Amazon have opened offices in Arlington. The county has become more racially diverse. Efforts to increase housing options have faced legal challenges.

Geography

Arlington County is found in the Washington metropolitan area and the Northern Virginia region. It is surrounded by Fairfax County and Falls Church to the west, the city of Alexandria to the southeast, and Washington, D.C. to the northeast across the Potomac River. It covers 26 square miles, making it the smallest self-governing county in the United States.

The county has a mix of rolling hills and flat areas, with some deep valleys created by small streams that flow into the Potomac River. Arlington experiences hot, humid summers and mild to cold winters, with occasional extreme weather such as hurricanes and heavy snowstorms. The county has worked to improve its environment by restoring natural areas and managing water quality in its waterways.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 238,643. The median age was 34.0 years. About 17.6% of residents were children under the age of 18, and 10.6% were adults aged 65 or older.

The racial makeup of the county was 60.9% White, 8.7% Black or African American, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 11.5% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 7.3% from some other race, and 10.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race made up 15.7% of the population.

According to American Community Survey's 2023 estimates, Arlington's median age was 35.7 years. About 77.7% of the population has a bachelor's degree or higher, and 42% of residents have a Master's or professional degree.

Economy

In 2023, Arlington County's economy was very strong, with a total value of $47.3 billion. Many jobs in Arlington are linked to the federal government because the county is close to Washington, D.C. Companies in Arlington often work as consultants, engineers, or technology experts for government agencies. Important places like the Pentagon and military bases also help create jobs.

Most people in Arlington work in services, technology, or for the government. Many workers are employed by companies that help government agencies, such as Deloitte, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Accenture. Big defense and airplane companies like Boeing, RTX Corporation, and Lockheed Martin also have offices in Arlington. Other well-known companies like Amazon, Costar, and Nestlé have set up offices there as well. Many jobs are located in areas such as Rosslyn-Ballston, which also have large shopping centers. Some people work from home, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected office space in the county.

Culture

Arlington County is part of Northern Virginia, close to Washington, D.C. Because of this, many educated and successful people from different places have moved there, making the culture more international and different from other parts of Virginia. Arlington has many communities from various backgrounds. The Columbia Pike area, for example, has people from over 150 countries and is famous for its many international foods and restaurants.

Arlington is home to important sites like Arlington National Cemetery and several memorials, including the Air Force Memorial, Marine Corps War Memorial, and the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. Arlington National Cemetery is visited by millions each year. It includes the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the John F. Kennedy Gravesite with an eternal flame, and the Military Women’s Memorial. The cemetery also offers tours and has a museum about its history.

The county also has local museums such as the Arlington Historical Museum, the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington. Arlington hosts many yearly events, including the Arlington County Fair, music festivals like the Columbia Pike Blues Festival and Rosslyn Jazz Festival, summer concerts, the Marine Corps Marathon, and the Armed Forces Association Cycling Classic.

Government and politics

Local government

Arlington County has been run by a board of supervisors since 1930. This board picks a county manager to handle daily work and services. The board has five members who are elected by everyone in the county and serve four-year terms. Since 2023, these elections use a voting system where people can rank their choices. Each year in January, the board picks a chair and a vice-chair to lead meetings.

The board makes decisions about many things, like rules, land use, taxes, and who gets to be on advisory groups. It also speaks for Arlington at meetings with other local, state, and national groups. Besides the board, there are other elected leaders, like the school board and several officials who handle different jobs such as courts, money, and public safety.

State and federal representation

Arlington County is part of Virginia’s General Assembly. Three people from the House of Delegates and two from the Senate represent the county. They serve two and four years, respectively.

In the U.S. Congress, Arlington is in Virginia’s 8th congressional district and is represented by one person in the House of Representatives, who is elected every two years. Two senators represent Virginia in the U.S. Senate, serving six-year terms.

Politics

Arlington County used to support conservative Democratic leaders but has been a strong support for liberal Democratic ideas since the 1980s. Recent elections have focused on managing rising living costs and housing shortages. There have also been discussions about how to use space for homes and offices after many offices were empty following changes in work habits after a worldwide health event.

Education

Arlington Public Schools runs the county's public schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. There are 22 elementary schools, six middle schools, and three high schools. Two special programs are offered at H-B Woodlawn and Arlington Tech, focusing on different learning styles and science, technology, engineering, and math subjects. There are about 3,000 teachers for around 28,000 students. The schools are led by a board of five elected members.

Many universities have smaller campuses in Arlington County, including George Mason University, George Washington University, Georgetown University, Virginia Tech, the University of Virginia, and Northeastern University. Marymount University, a private Catholic university, is the only university with its main campus in Arlington County.

Transportation

Roadways

Arlington County has many important roads. Two big highways, Interstate 66 and Interstate 395, cross the county. There are also state highways and U.S. Routes that help connect different places. These roads are taken care of by the Virginia Department of Transportation. The George Washington Memorial Parkway, which runs along the Potomac River, is managed by the National Park Service.

Arlington has a special way of naming its streets. U.S. Route 50 divides the northern and southern streets. Named streets run north to south and are listed in alphabetical order starting from the Potomac River. Numbered streets run east to west parallel to U.S. Route 50.

Public transit

Further information: Arlington Transit, Virginia Railway Express, and Washington Metro

Arlington County has many ways to get around without a car. The WMATA Metrorail and Metrobus systems serve the area, along with the local Arlington Transit bus service. The Orange and Silver Metrorail lines go through Rosslyn-Ballston and Falls Church, while the Blue and Yellow lines run along the Potomac River and Richmond Highway. There is also a commuter rail service called Virginia Railway Express with a station in Crystal City.

Arlington County also has a bike-sharing system called Capital Bikeshare, operated by Lyft. It has over 100 stations with both regular bikes and e-bikes.

Airport

Main article: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is the only airport in Arlington County. It is located near Gravelly Point on reclaimed land. The airport offers flights to many places in the United States and some international destinations in Canada, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. You can get to the airport using the Blue and Yellow Lines at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport station.

Bicycle and pedestrian routes

Arlington County has many paths for walking and biking. The county has about 49 miles of paved trails. Some of the main paths include the W&OD, Custis, Four Mile Run, and Mount Vernon Trails. Arlington has been working to improve its bike paths and was recognized in 2024 for being friendly to cyclists.

Parks and recreation

Further information: NOVA Parks

Arlington County has 164 parks, 13 community centers, and more than 100 sports places to play. Glencarlyn Park is one of the biggest parks in Arlington. It is 100 acres big and has nature paths, playgrounds, and a nature center. The Long Bridge Aquatic and Fitness Center, finished in 2021, is a big indoor place with a swimming pool, a gym, and spaces for community meetings. The National Park Service takes care of the Mount Vernon Trail, which is part of the bigger Potomac Heritage Trail. NOVA Parks runs the W&OD trail.

Sister cities

Arlington Sister City Association (ASCA) is a nonprofit group that works with Arlington County, Virginia. ASCA helps make the area known around the world and creates fun exchanges in learning, business, culture, and art. Started in 1993, ASCA helps with activities for Arlington County’s five sister cities:

• Aachen, Germany
• Coyoacán (Mexico City), Mexico
• Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
• Reims, France
• San Miguel, El Salvador

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Arlington, Virginia

Arlington County has been home to many famous people throughout its history. Some well-known individuals grew up there or lived there for a time, contributing to various fields such as politics, entertainment, and sports.