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City profile

Spanning more than 350 years of American history, the City of Alexandria is the 12th largest political unit in Virginia. The city offers a unique blend of urban life and vibrant neighborhoods, including historic Old Town, distinctive Del Ray, and high-rises in the West End. Alexandria is an independent city, not part of any county.

Location: Alexandria is bordered by Arlington County to the north, Fairfax County to the south and west, and the District of Columbia (Potomac River) to the east.

History: Alexandria was first settled around 1700, and incorporated in 1749 as a town within Fairfax County. The areas now known as Arlington and Alexandria were ceded by Virginia to the federal government in the late 18th century as part of the District of Columbia; they were returned to Virginia in 1846 as "Alexandria County". Alexandria became a city in 1852, and an independent city in 1870. (The rest of the county later changed its name to "Arlington".) In the early and mid-20th century, Alexandria City annexed portions of Arlington and Fairfax counties, which considerably increased the city's size and population.

City neighborhoods: Arlandria, Beverly Hills, Braddock Heights, Brad Lee, Cameron Station, Clover, College Park, Dalecrest, Del Ray, Eisenhower Valley, Fort Ward Heights, Foxchase, Hume, Landmark, Lynhaven, North Ridge, Old Town, Parkfairfax, Potomac Yard, Rosemont, Seminary Hill, Shirley Duke, Upper Potomac West, Varsity Park, Warwick Village, West End.

NOTE: Many areas with "Alexandria" mailing addresses are actually in Fairfax County, not in the City of Alexandria.

City population: 128,000 (2000 census)
Registered voters: 90,000 (as of June 2008); 85,000 "active"
Precincts: 26 (see list)
Maps: Official (from the City) and interactive street (from Google)