RANK #955 / 996 NAT · #37 / 37 VA · POP 235,845
1YR FORECAST: -0.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +8%
Arlington County, Virginia, stands out for its unique governmental structure, operating as a single, unified jurisdiction without incorporated cities or towns within its borders. Located directly across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., it offers a commute to the capital that can be as short as 10 to 20 minutes via its extensive Metrorail system, which includes 11 stations. The community blends urban density with accessible green spaces, boasting over 1,100 acres of parks and 50 miles of paved trails, many with views of the D.C. skyline. This focus on walkability and public transit contributes to a community feel that prioritizes convenience and outdoor activity.
Life in Arlington County is often characterized by its high quality and diverse population, attracting families, young professionals, and retirees. The public school system is highly rated, and the county is recognized for its safety. The economy, historically influenced by the federal government, is diversifying with growth in sectors like cybersecurity, defense contracting, and artificial intelligence. Commercial and residential development continues, with an emphasis on sustainable urban planning and creating mixed-use neighborhoods around transit corridors.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Speculative pricing
Housing is fairly valued at 4.8x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
One Rosslyn Redevelopment
Penzance
|
$600M | Planned |
|
Rosslyn Office Building Redevelopment (1401 Wilson Blvd & 1400 Key Blvd)
Monday Properties
|
$250M | Proposed |
|
Arlington-Amazon Solar Farm (Pittsylvania County, VA)
Dominion Energy / Amazon / Arlington County
|
$120M | Completed |
|
Ballston One
Penzance
|
$100M | Planned |
|
Highlands Row Townhouses (Crystal City)
EYA LLC
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Arlington County scores just 3/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #955 of 996 counties. median household income of $137,387 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Arlington County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $833,300 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.16 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $2,227/month on average.
Population and employment in Arlington County are both close to flat — population +0.0% YoY and jobs 0.0%. Home values shifted +0.0% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.02% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Arlington County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.