Alexandria | |
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 Flag  Seal | |
 Interactive map of Alexandria | |
  Alexandria  Alexandria | |
| Coordinates: 38°49′13″N 77°03′01″W / 38.82028°N 77.05028°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | None (Independent city) |
| Founded | 1749 |
| Incorporated (town) | 1779 |
| Incorporated (city) | 1852 |
| Incorporated (Independent city) | 1870 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-manager |
| • Mayor | Justin Wilson (D) |
| • Virginia Senate | 39: Adam Ebbin (D) |
| • Delegate | 3: Alfonso Lopez (D) 4: Charniele Herring (D) 5: Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D) |
| • U.S. Senate | Mark Warner (D) Tim Kaine (D) |
| • U.S. House | 8: Don Beyer (D) |
| Area | |
• Total | 15.35 sq mi (39.75 km2) |
| • Land | 14.93 sq mi (38.68 km2) |
| • Water | 0.41 sq mi (1.07 km2) |
| Highest elevation | 287 ft (87 m) |
| Lowest elevation | 0 ft (0 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 159,467  |
| • Rank | 169th in United States 6th in Virginia |
| • Density | 10,680.97/sq mi (4,122.72/km2) |
| Demonym | Alexandrian |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 22301 to 22315, 22320 to 22336 |
| Area codes | 703 and 571 |
| FIPS code | 51-01000[2] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1492456[3] |
| Primary Airports | Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Dulles International Airport |
| Commuter rail | Virginia Railway Express |
| Website | www |
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 2022, the city's population of 159,467 made it the sixth-most populous city in Virginia and the 173rd-most populous city in the nation.[4]
Like the rest of Northern Virginia and Central Maryland, present-day 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 which contract to provide services to the U.S. federal government. The city's largest employers include the U.S. Department of Defense and the Institute for Defense Analyses. Alexandria is the highest-income independent city in Virginia.
The historic center of Alexandria is known as Old Town Alexandria, or simply "Old Town". With its concentration of boutiques, restaurants, antique shops and theaters, it is a major draw for city residents and visitors. Like Old Town, many Alexandria neighborhoods are compact and walkable. 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 separate from the independent city.[5] The city is therefore sometimes referred to as the "City of Alexandria" to avoid confusion.
- ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 27, 1996. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Alexandria city, Alexandria city, Virginia". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 6, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
- ^ "Tax Guide for New City Residents". www.alexandriava.gov. Archived from the original on October 26, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
Please note that some Alexandria postal addresses are located in Fairfax County, while some Arlington postal addresses are located in the City.