FAIRFAX COUNTY

County Administration
12000 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 703-324-3185
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/

Chamber of Commerce
8230 Old Court House Road
Vienna, VA 703-749-0400
https://www.fairfaxchamber.org/

Fairfax County is the most populated jurisdiction in the commonwealth of Virginia and the third largest jurisdiction in the Washington metropolitan area. Rich in colonial history, yet firmly anchored in the 21st century, the county is located in the northeastern corner of the state and was established in 1742 as an agricultural community. Well known for its Civil War historic sites and George Washington’s home at Mt. Vernon, Fairfax County now offers everything from amenity-rich urban living to gently rolling hills with rural towns dotting the countryside.

The enormous influx of technology and industry, however, has resulted in considerable commercial construction and a vibrant economy. More than 1,000 companies have relocated to the area, including a growing number of corporate headquarters seeking both national visibility and a superior quality of life. Modern office complexes such as those found at Tysons Corner, research and development companies, corporate headquarters and computer engineering firms predominate. The area along Dulles Airport Corridor is known as Virginia’s Silicon Valley.

Services
Transportation is excellent throughout the county, with Metrorail subway stations, commuter rail stations, more than 100 bus routes, and a sophisticated system of roads and highways. Carpools, vanpools and numerous park and ride lots add to commuting options. Healthcare services and facilities are extensive, from state-of-the-art hospitals to health clinics, family practice centers, child and elderly day-care facilities, rehabilitation and long-term care or nursing homes.

Fairfax County residents have the highest median income and one of the highest average incomes in the United States. Nearly half of the adult population holds a college degree, so support for libraries, community civic services and health facilities is strong and progressive. With curricula ranging from traditional to the innovative, the county’s public school system has been acclaimed one of the best in the nation. Adult education courses are offered in a wide range of subjects. Also located in this area is George Mason University and Northern Virginia Community College, joining extensions of several other institutions of higher learning.

Quality of Life
Those who appreciate the performing arts arrive at Fairfax County come from cross the region to attend performances at Wolf Trap Farm Park for the Performing Arts. This spectacular venue presents outdoor dramas, musicals, opera, ballets and variety artists in a breathtakingly beautiful setting. Community theater, art centers, galleries, and annual festivals and celebrations add to the quality of life and the closeness of the county’s residential communities.

The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority oversees seven regional parks. Bull Run-Occoquan Regional Park offers 25 miles of shoreline recreation, while the 44-mile long Washington and Old Dominion Regional Trail invites outdoor enthusiasts to hike and bike. Community facilities include public tennis courts, golf courses and swimming pools, summer programs for art, dancing, chorale and theater, nature centers and a model farm. Fairfax County is also a retail paradise. More than 60 shopping areas throughout the county include four large malls; Fair Oaks, Tysons Corner, Tysons II Galleria and Springfield Mall.

Fairfax County is considered a “choice” location. A diverse variety of lifestyles as well as housing styles are possible, and new residents will have no problem finding their own special niche. The areas located in the northeastern section of the county, closest to Washington, DC and inside the Capital Beltway (I‑495) are decidedly urban, while the western portion of the region retains more of a rural character. Many new subdivisions are being constructed, giving the area a suburban atmosphere. New planned communities like those Burke Center and Reston provide yet another attractive option. Wherever new residents settle in Fairfax County, they discover a convenient and desirable place for enjoying the good life in true Virginia tradition.


Annandale
Originally settled in the 1760s, Annandale was once the site of a tollhouse for Virginia’s first toll road. Today, Little River Turnpike is Route 236 and remains the major east-west artery through Annandale. Also serving this diverse community is Interstate 495. These major commuter routes, coupled with Annandale’s centralized location within Fairfax County, provide an easy commute to DC, Tysons Corner, and other urban centers. Dulles International and Washington National Airports are both within a 25-minute drive. The main campus of Northern Virginia Community College, one of the largest community colleges in the nation, is located on Route 236 just west of Interstate 495.

This active suburban community offers a full range of housing values and styles and rental apartments. Fairfax Hospital is nearby and other healthcare facilities are available to meet every need within a reasonable commute. Local shopping is plentiful and diverse and major regional malls are nearby. Annandale is noted for its many parks, including an award winning Conservation Center, and Wakefield Park, a large county operated recreation center.

Burke
Once a quiet farming community, Burke has grown rapidly since the 1970s when Fairfax County approved a 1,400-acre planned community called Burke Center. In the Burke area a diversity of housing styles and prices can be found. Among the choices are single-family homes in one of Burke Center’s planned neighborhoods, large estate homes on five-acre parcels in the Burke Lake Park area, and townhouses or rental apartments surrounded by the natural beauty of park-like settings.

Because of its easy access to major commuter roads as well as Virginia Railway Express, which maintains a station at Burke Center, this area is a favorite location for commuters to the District of Columbia. Excellent local shopping is available at Burke Center and two regional malls that are close to home. Suburban life here is rich with opportunities for recreation and leisure activity. The area offers more than 20 parks, dozens of playgrounds and community pools. One park, Burke Lake Park, provides almost 900 acres for camping, fishing, boating, and golf, as well as the attractions of a miniature train, carousel, an ice-cream parlor, and nature trails.

Centreville
Located just four miles from Dulles International Airport at the crossroads of Routes 28 and 29, Centreville is characterized as a quiet, residential community that boasts several historic landmarks. One of the most famous from the Civil War period is St. John’s Episcopal Church. Centrevilles’ Sully Station features luxury single-family residences and townhomes. Housing and apartments rentals are available throughout the area in all sizes and price ranges. In addition to a good road network for commuters, rush hour public transportation is available to the Vienna Metrorail station.

The town’s colonial past is evident even in its parks. Eleanor C. Lawrence Park claims three historic buildings as well as an old mill that can be rented for events and parties, in addition to the recreational facilities of ballfields and playgrounds. Other sites for outdoor adventure nearby Bull Run Regional Park and Marina, Sandy Run for regattas, and the Hemlock Overlook Environmental Studies Center.

Chantilly
The community of Chantilly is ideally situated in the very heart of the Dulles Hi-Tech Crescent in the gently rolling woods of Western Fairfax. Adjacent to Dulles International Airport, Westfields International Conference Center, and the Fairfax County Governmental Center, Chantilly lies within an easy commute to the District of Columbia via the Vienna Metro, Interstate 66, and Route 50. Fair Oaks Mall, one of the region’s largest upscale malls, complements the award-winning Fair Lakes business campus and the Elizabeth Lawrence Parks. Sully Plantation and the Smithsonian Air and Space facility link Chantilly’s past with its future.

Chantilly provides a selection of many new developments that feature traditional style homes such as colonials, split levels and ranches. A limited supply of contemporary homes and manor homes are available as well. In addition to new construction, a selection of older homes in established neighborhood settings can be found throughout this desirable area.

Clifton
The charming community of Clifton is an historic village filled with white picket fences and Victorian homes for a true “Courier and Ives” picturesque quality. This small, charming town displays strong community spirit as evidenced by its annual Clifton Day celebration when the streets are closed for an all-day festival. Properties in Clifton are typically in the higher price ranges, especially the spacious colonials on larger parcels of land — sometimes as large as five acres. Little Rocky Run, a large planned community is located in the Clifton area.

As an equestrian-oriented community, Clifton also offers many homes that feature paddocks for horses. Newcomers will also find quality facilities for boarding and numerous riding trails meander along the outskirts of town. The commute to Washington, DC is approximately one hour via Interstate 66.

Fairfax Station
Located just north of Clifton, St. Mary’s Church in Fairfax Station was the site where Clara Barton cared for wounded soldiers during the Civil War. Today, this area is completely residential with very little commercial development. The privacy and seclusion of this picturesque area attracts those who are willing to commute a little longer for the peaceful country life offered in Fairfax Station.

Fairfax offers some older houses along tree-shaded streets, but most of the housing is new or constructed within the last decade. Among the choices are elegant and luxurious estates and manors set on large wooded lots. Much of this property lies in five-acre zoning to retain the openness and natural beauty that make it so appealing. Both traditional styles and contemporary designs are available.

Great Falls
This exclusive horse-oriented community takes its name from the fall line of the Potomac River. Great Falls is characterized as a fast growing, upscale residential area limited to single-family homes on lots of at least one-half acre. Although it has experienced considerable growth in recent years, Great Falls continues to remain primarily rural in nature.

Newcomers will appreciate the charm of the Early American style village center with its quaint shops and fine restaurants. Great Falls Park offers a visitors center and nature trails as well as breathtaking views of the Potomac River. As you might expect, the town features an equestrian center and several country clubs and parks. Tysons Corner shopping mall and the Galleria at Tysons II are both nearby for shopping convenience.

Herndon
New England farmers migrated to the Herndon area in the 1800s to escape the northern winters. This quaint town is once again experiencing growth brought on by the influx of new high-tech companies and Dulles International Airport, located just three miles away. The historic, restored town center features Victorian homes and buildings as well as clusters of townhouses. Most of the homes in Herndon, however, were built in the 1970s and are either contemporary or traditional styles. New construction is available on the outskirts of town.

Located around the intersection of Routes 7 and 28, Herndon residents benefit from the ever improving access to the District of Columbia and the surrounding communities. Commuters can take the Dulles Toll Road to the Capital Beltway. Express rush hour bus service is also available. Neighborhood shopping is augmented by nearby Tysons Corner and Fair Oaks Mall. The recently expanded Herndon community center provides residents with a fitness room, indoor gym, and programs and classes for all ages.

McLean
One of Fairfax County’s most exclusive and sought after communities, McLean claims a heritage rich in American history. McLean lies in the northernmost part of Fairfax County bordered by the natural beauty of the Potomac River, Great Falls, Arlington County, Leesburg Pike and the city of Falls Church. McLean’s proximity to Washington DC as well as Dulles International and National airports attracts a great blend of citizens offering a wonderful cultural diversity. Cars with congressional and diplomatic license plates are commonplace in McLean. Most of the homes are detached single-family residences with a wide range of values that include some multi-million-dollar estates. The Tysons Corner area of McLean is a business district about equal to that of downtown Seattle. More than one half of Tysons businesses are high technology firms, however Tysons is also home of one of the most booming retail centers in the United States.

Mount Vernon
Home to the nation’s most historic landmark, Mount Vernon plays host to almost two million people who annually visit the plantation home of George Washington. The community is also an attractive suburb comprised primarily of older neighborhoods with well-kept homes on mature lots. Some townhouses, condominiums and garden apartments dot the cityscape, adding to the housing variety. Waterfront properties offering private boat docks that look out on the Potomac River are also available.

Mount Vernon offers good local shopping and Springfield Mall is only 20 minutes from home. Residents enjoy the 17-mile hike/bike trail along the Potomac. Three large county parks offer the traditional athletic facilities as well as golfing, ice-skating and a sports complex. A wildlife observatory, picnic area and visitors center are all part of Huntley Meadows Nature Center.

Oakton
Oakton was named for a large oak tree that once served as a landmark but was removed during road construction. Rentals are scarce in this quiet, residential community that features many homes on large lots to accommodate horses. Located just off Route 66, Oakton is only 13 miles from the District of Columbia. This advantageous location has made it a popular town with commuters. At the same time, a few substantial local businesses have enhanced the possibilities of employment close to home.

With its stable family-oriented atmosphere and slower pace, Oakton presents an attractive environment for newcomers. The Oakmarr Recreation Center and Park that adjoin Oakton feature a play area, swimming pool, racquetball courts and athletic fields. Tysons Corner and Fair Oaks Mall are both nearby for convenient shopping.

Reston
This highly successful planned community began in 1962 when Robert E. Simon sold Carnegie Hall in order to purchase the land where Reston is now located. This beautiful area is home to four man-made lakes and five village centers that offer local shopping and services. Built on the concept of open spaces intermixed with clusters of townhomes, apartments, and single family homes, Reston is able to offer housing for all income levels.

The community has attracted more than 1,000 corporations that serve as the foundation for the area’s very healthy employment base. The Reston Town Center is a modern plaza filled with fountains, office buildings, a hotel, restaurants offering outdoor dining, a cinema complex and an ice-skating rink. The Dulles Toll Road cuts driving time to D. C. to 30 minutes, and less than 15 minutes to Tysons Corner. Because of the careful planning, most local residents can walk to lakes, parks, playgrounds and community centers.

Springfield
Primarily a residential community, Springfield is one of the most convenient areas in the county for those who work in the District of Columbia, the Pentagon, or Fort Belvoir. Easy access to Interstate 95, the Capital Beltway, the new parkway, and the commuter rail, makes Springfield very popular with those seeking convenience as well as affordability.

In addition to offering residents excellent recreational amenities, including golf courses and Accotink Park, the Springfield area is near premier shopping centers. Three regional malls are available close to home. A wide variety of housing styles and options include single-family homes that range from established neighborhood residences to new construction. Other possibilities are condominiums and townhouses for a maintenance-free lifestyle.

Vienna
Vienna is an attractive suburban community featuring a pleasant blend of older and newer homes. A community rich in history and distinguished as one of the original trolley towns, Vienna’s first house was built as long ago as 1767. As early as 1903, a trolley provided hourly transportation into Washington, DC. Today, modern commuters use Metrorail for a quick 30-minute trip.

Vienna has managed to retain its small-town atmosphere, home to friendly local grocers and charming specialty shops that are nestled in the town center. Tysons Corner is nearby for expanded shopping. In close proximity to Vienna is Wolf Trap Farm Park, the highly acclaimed performing arts showcase that hosts a variety of events and shows. The town’s active community center sponsors sports leagues as well as enrichment classes in a variety of subjects.