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A world class urban community

Arlington is an urban county of approximately 25.8 square miles located directly across the Potomac River from Washington DC. No incorporated towns or cities lie within Arlington’s boundaries. Originally part of the area surveyed for the nation’s capital, the portion on the west bank of the Potomac River was returned to the Commonwealth of Virginia by the U.S. Congress in 1846. This area was known as Alexandria City and Alexandria County until 1920 when the county portion was renamed Arlington County

Arlington had an estimated population of 209,300 on January 1, 2009, reflecting a 10% increase since 2000. It is among the most densely populated jurisdictions in the country with a population density of 8,112 persons per square mile. Arlington’s population is racially, ethnically and culturally diverse. As of 2007, about 35% of Arlington’s residents were Hispanic/Latino, African-American, Asian or multi-racial. Almost 26% of residents were born outside the United States. Arlington County public school children speak 95 languages and hail from 128 countries. According to the 2000 Census, almost 90% of Arlington County residents age 25 and older were high school graduates and over 60% had a bachelor's degree. Furthermore, over 30% of the County's residents held a graduate or professional degree.

Although perhaps best known to visitors as the home of the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington boasts high quality residential neighborhoods. Residents are actively involved in the community. Arlington has 63 registered civic and citizen associations, dozens of commissions, and over 100 community service organizations. There are almost 200 public parks and playgrounds, 86 miles of biking/jogging trails, 14 community centers, nine live stage theaters and eight libraries in Arlington for residents and visitors to enjoy. Arlington also boasts over 500 restaurants.

Arlington’s central location in the Washington DC metropolitan area, its ease of access by car and public transportation, and its highly skilled labor force have attracted an increasingly varied residential and commercial mix. Arlington has focused high-density commercial and residential development around Metrorail stations in the Rosslyn-Ballston and Jefferson-Davis Metro Corridors, while maintaining lower density residential neighborhoods in the rest of the County.

Arlington had an estimated 206,800 jobs as of January 1, 2009. The federal government is the largest single employer in the County. Arlington’s top 5 private employers are Virginia Hospital Center, Corporate Executive Board, US Airways, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and Marriott International. As of April 2009, Arlington’s unemployment rate was 4.1%, well below the national average of 8.6%.

Arlington has more private office space than downtown Boston, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Denver. As of April 2009, 195,000 square feet of office space was completed this year, and approximately 790,000 square feet of office space was still under construction. The office vacancy rate for 2008 was 9.0%, but the vacancy rates in some office markets, including Ballston, Rosslyn, and Virginia Square were lower.

Arlington’s tax base is divided between approximately 48% commercial and 52% residential properties, enabling the County to maintain a competitive property tax rate in the Washington DC region. In 2009, the tax rate is $0.875 per $100 of assessed value.