Why Arlington?

Arlington County is an urban community of about 26 square miles located directly across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. No incorporated towns or cities lie within Arlington’s boundaries. Originally part of the 10-mile square surveyed in 1791 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.

While perhaps best known to visitors for its wealth of tourist destinations, Arlington is an outstanding place to live and work. The County’s central location to the metropolitan area, its ease of access by transit, car, and airplane, its high quality residential neighborhoods, and its top-notch labor force have attracted a wide range of businesses and residents, helping our community grow and thrive. Arlington was recognized recently by Niche. Com as the “Best City to Live in America”.

Along with being the home of the Pentagon, the Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima), Arlington National Cemetery, and the United States Air Force Memorial, Arlington County is home to approximately 216,700 people. The County’s population is among the most highly educated in the nation and is increasingly diverse. It is estimated that one in four residents is foreign-born, with one in three speaking a language other than English at home.

Arlington shines as a key center for business, with the population swelling to about 279,100 people during the daytime. The government and services sectors account for roughly 75 percent of the 221,700 jobs in the county. High technology companies have continually located in Arlington County, as have many major associations and groups, including the Association of the U.S. Army, Navy League of the United States, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, and American Chemistry Association. Fortune 500 companies also maintain a large presence here, with one plus being Arlington’s closeness to Washington, D.C., which makes it easier for the companies’ representatives to travel a short distance across the bridge to carry out their national lobbying efforts and sales to the U.S. Federal Government.

With all that Arlington has to offer, it is certainly an excellent fit for anyone. Still unsure? Arlington has received wide recognition by various publications, sealing top rankings on the following lists:

• 2020 Safest Cities Award (by Insurify)

• Arlington Named Top Digital County for 2020 (by the Center for Digital Government and National Association of Counties)

• 2020 Most Educated Cities Award (by Insurify)

• Arlington Tops in Virginia in Tourism Spending (by U.S. Travel Association)

• 2019 Most Educated Cities Award (by Insurify)

• 2019 Award for Top Ranked Digital Counties in the Nation (by The Center for Digital Government and National Association of Counties)

• 2017 Top Large-Sized Community for Economic Success (by Fourth Economy Index)

• 2017 Best City for Millennials (by Niche.com)

• 2016 Best City to Live in America (by Niche.com)

• 2016 Best Place to Retire (by BankRate.com)

• 2016 Hardest-Working City in America (by SmartAsset)

• #2 Best Place for Hispanic Entrepreneurs (by GoodCall)

For more information on Arlington, including demographics, development, employment and more, visit www.arlingtonva.us