Alexandria, Virginia

Alexandria, Virginia
George Washington Masonic National Memorial in 2015 with Washington, D.C., and Arlington in the distance
Flag of Alexandria, Virginia
Official seal of Alexandria, Virginia
Location of Alexandria in Virginia
Location of Alexandria in Virginia
Alexandria is located in Northern Virginia
Alexandria
Alexandria
Alexandria is located in Virginia
Alexandria
Alexandria
Alexandria is located in the United States
Alexandria
Alexandria
Coordinates: 38°49′13″N 77°03′01″W / 38.82028°N 77.05028°W / 38.82028; -77.05028
CountryUnited States
StateVirginia
CountyNone (Independent city)
Founded1749
Incorporated (town)1779
Incorporated (city)1852
Incorporated (Independent city)1870
Government
 • TypeCouncil-manager
 • MayorJustin Wilson (D)
 • Virginia Senate39: Adam Ebbin (D)
 • Delegate3: Alfonso Lopez (D)
4: Charniele Herring (D)
5: Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D)
 • U.S. SenateMark Warner (D)
Tim Kaine (D)
 • U.S. House8: Don Beyer (D)
Area
 • Total15.35 sq mi (39.75 km2)
 • Land14.93 sq mi (38.68 km2)
 • Water0.41 sq mi (1.07 km2)
Highest elevation
287 ft (87 m)
Lowest elevation
0 ft (0 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total159,467
 • Rank169th in United States
6th in Virginia
 • Density10,680.97/sq mi (4,122.72/km2)
DemonymAlexandrian
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes
22301 to 22315, 22320 to 22336
Area codes703, 571
FIPS code51-01000[2]
GNIS feature ID1492456[3]
Primary AirportsRonald Reagan Washington National Airport
Dulles International Airport
Commuter railVirginia Railway Express
Websitewww.alexandriava.gov

Alexandria is an independent city in the northern region of the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States. It lies on the western bank of the Potomac River approximately 7 miles (11 km) south of downtown Washington, D.C. Alexandria is the third largest "principal city" of the Washington metropolitan area which is part of the larger Washington-Baltimore combined statistical area.

In 2020, the population was 159,467, making it the 6th most populous city in Virginia and the 169th most populous city in the nation.[4] The city's estimated population has grown by 1% annually since 2010 on average.[5]

Like the rest of Northern Virginia and Central Maryland, modern Alexandria has been influenced by its proximity to the U.S. capital. It is largely populated by professionals working in the federal civil service, in the U.S. military, or for one of the many private companies which contract to provide services to the federal government. One of Alexandria's largest employers is the U.S. Department of Defense. Another is the Institute for Defense Analyses. In 2005, the United States Patent and Trademark Office moved to Alexandria, and in 2017, so did the headquarters of the National Science Foundation.

The historic center of Alexandria is known as Old Town Alexandria (or simply "Old Town"). With its concentration of boutiques, restaurants, antique shops and theaters, it is a major draw for all who live in Alexandria as well as for visitors. Like Old Town, many Alexandria neighborhoods are compact and walkable. It is the 6th largest and highest-income independent city in Virginia. A large portion of adjacent Fairfax County, mostly south but also west of the city, has Alexandria mailing addresses. However, this area is under the jurisdiction of Fairfax County's government and separate from the independent city.[6] The city is therefore sometimes referred to as the "City of Alexandria" to avoid confusion (see the "Neighborhoods" paragraph below). Additionally, neighboring Arlington County was formerly named "Alexandria County" before it was renamed by the Virginia General Assembly in 1920 to reduce confusion with the city.

  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 27, 1996. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ^ "Alexandria city, Alexandria city, Virginia". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 6, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  5. ^ "Statistics & Demographics". www.alexandriava.gov. Archived from the original on March 30, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  6. ^ "Tax Guide for New City Residents". www.alexandriava.gov. Archived from the original on October 26, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2019. Please note that some Alexandria postal addresses are located in Fairfax County, while some Arlington postal addresses are located in the City.

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