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Alexandria, VA

Frequently asked questions

Alexandria, VA

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.

As of the 2020 U.S. census, its population of 159,467 made it the sixth-most populous city in Virginia and the 169th-most populous city in the nation. The city's estimated population has grown by 1% annually since 2010 on average.

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 that 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 on 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 is separate from the independent city. The city is therefore sometimes referred to as the "City of Alexandria" to avoid confusion. 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.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.5 square miles (40.1 km²), of which 15.0 square miles (38.9 km²) is land and 0.42 square miles (1.1 km²), or 2.85%, is water. Alexandria is bounded on the east by the Potomac River, on the north and northwest by Arlington County, and the south by Fairfax County. The western portions of the city were annexed from those two entities beginning in the 1930s.

The addressing system in Alexandria is not uniform and reflects the consolidation of several originally separate communities into a single city. In Old Town Alexandria, building numbers are assigned north and south from King Street and west (only) from the Potomac River. In the areas formerly in the town of Potomac, such as Del Ray and St. Elmo, building numbers are assigned east and west from Commonwealth Avenue and north (only) from King Street. In the western parts of the city, building numbers are assigned north and south from Duke Street.

The ZIP Code prefix 223 uniquely identifies the Alexandria postal area. However, the Alexandria postal area extends into Fairfax County and includes addresses outside of the city. Delivery areas have ZIP Codes 22301, 22302, 22303, 22304, 22305, 22306, 22307, 22308, 22309, 22310, 22311, 22312, 22314, and 22315, with other ZIP Codes in use for post office boxes and large mailers (22313, 22331, 22332, 22333).

Part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway is the one national protected area within the borders of Alexandria.

Health and wellness are integral to Alexandria's lifestyle, with residents having access to various facilities and programs. The Alexandria Health Department provides essential health services, and the city promotes an active lifestyle through its numerous centers. Discover the benefits of therapeutic massage at LaVida Massage of Fredericksburg. Experience customized treatments to improve mobility, reduce pain, and promote overall well-being. Advanced Family Chiropractic offers personalized chiropractic care for individuals of all ages. Their services include spinal adjustments, corrective exercises, nutritional counseling, and lifestyle advice to promote overall wellness and pain relief. Virginia Family Chiropractic focuses on providing non-invasive and drug-free solutions for musculoskeletal issues. Their services include chiropractic adjustments, spinal decompression, massage therapy, and rehabilitation exercises to improve mobility and reduce pain. Chiropractic Health and Wellness Center is dedicated to restoring and maintaining optimal health through chiropractic care. Their treatments include spinal adjustments, massage therapy, nutritional counseling, and lifestyle coaching for holistic well-being. Northern Virginia Chiropractic Center offers comprehensive chiropractic care to address a wide range of conditions, including back pain, neck pain, headaches, and sports injuries. Their services include chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, physical therapy, and ergonomic evaluations. Chiropractic Family Health Centre provides personalized care to promote healing and wellness. Their chiropractors use a variety of techniques such as spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, nutritional counseling, and corrective exercises to help patients achieve optimal health.

Top sites in Alexandria, VA are Torpedo Factory Art Center, The George Washington Masonic National Memorial, and Gadsby's Tavern Museum.

Population: 159,102 (2024). ZIP codes: 20598, 22301-22315, 22320, 22331-22334, 22350. Area codes: 703, 571. Highest elevation: 287 ft (87 m). Area: 15.35 sq mi (39.75 km²).

FAQs

Is Alexandria, VA a good place to live?

Alexandria is a city in Virginia with a population of 157,594. Alexandria is in Alexandria City County and is one of the best places to live in Virginia. Living in Alexandria offers residents an urban feel and most residents rent their homes. In Alexandria, there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.

What is Alexandria, VA best known for?

As a Top ArtPlace 2013, cultural activities abound at galleries like the popular Torpedo Factory Art Center and the Athenaeum, or live entertainment staples MetroStage and the legendary Birchmere Music Hall. Alexandria is primarily known for its rich colonial history as George Washington's hometown and includes attractions frequented by America's founding fathers, such as Christ Church and Gadsby's Tavern Museum. Take to Alexandria’s scenic waterfront for dockside dining, cruises along the Potomac River, or bike rides to George Washington’s Mount Vernon for a day of historic exploring. Just minutes from Washington, DC, Alexandria brims with buzzworthy eateries, stylish shops, and family-friendly activities perfect for an extraordinary getaway.

Is Alexandria, VA considered DC?

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. 

Sources

City of Alexandria

Wikipedia

Virginia

Niche

Alexandria Health Department

LaVida Massage of Fredericksburg

Advanced Family Chiropractic

Virginia Family Chiropractic

Chiropractic Health and Wellness Center

Northern Virginia Chiropractic Center

Chiropractic Family Health Centre

Torpedo Factory Art Center

The George Washington Masonic National Memorial

Gadsby's Tavern Museum 

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.