Arlington is an urban county of about 26 square miles located directly across the Potomac River from Washington DC.  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.

No incorporated towns or cities lie within Arlington’s boundaries. Originally part of the area surveyed for the nation’s capital, the portion of the District 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 residents are among the most highly educated in the nation. In 2010, 70.2% of adults age 25 and older had a bachelor’s degree or higher and 36.7% had 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 61 registered civic and citizen associations, 45 active County Board Commissions, and 178 community service organizations. There are almost 149 public parks, 86 miles of biking/jogging trails, 13 community centers, seven live stage theaters, and eight libraries in Arlington for residents and visitors to enjoy. Arlington also boasts 652 restaurants.