Alexandria

Alexandria is an independent city, meaning it's not part of any county, and it sits directly across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. Homes within the city itself are in 22301, 22302, 22304, 22305, 22311, and 22314. Heads up: many "Alexandria" mailing addresses are actually in Fairfax County — 22303, 22306, 22307, 22308, 22309, 22310, 22312, and 22315 — and 22304 and 22311 straddle the line, so taxes, services, and schools can differ from one address to the next. (22313 and 22320 are PO Box–only zips, and 22333 and 22334 are non-residential.) We always confirm the exact jurisdiction for any property.

Old Town and Centuries of History Alexandria was established in 1749, when town lots were auctioned off along the Potomac. Its Old Town is the city's traditional core and one of its biggest draws, and the Alexandria Historic District was designated in 1946, the third historic district in the country. Landmarks in Old Town include Christ Church, Gadsby's Tavern, and the John Carlyle House. The Old Town Farmers Market has operated at Market Square since 1753 and runs every Saturday morning, year-round, from 7 a.m. to noon. (The market is temporarily located a block away during the City Hall and Market Square renovation.)

The Waterfront The Old Town waterfront has a nearly continuous line of parks along the Potomac, and the Mount Vernon Trail runs through it. The Torpedo Factory Art Center, a former munitions factory that opened as an arts center in 1974, now houses working artist studios and galleries right on the water.

Metro Access Alexandria is served by the Metro's Blue and Yellow Lines. King Street–Old Town opened in 1983 and sits beside Alexandria Union Station, where Amtrak and VRE connect. Braddock Road and Eisenhower Avenue opened the same day, and Van Dorn Street followed in 1991. The newest, Potomac Yard, opened in May 2023.

Holidays in Old Town Each December, Old Town hosts the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade, where Scottish clans in tartan march through the streets with pipe and drum bands.

Schools Alexandria City Public Schools serves the city, including Alexandria City High School (formerly T.C. Williams, renamed in 2021), which has the King Street and Minnie Howard campuses. For Alexandria addresses in Fairfax County, schools are Fairfax County Public Schools. Assignments vary by address, so we recommend verifying school zones for any specific home.

Ready to Explore Alexandria?
Whether you're drawn to Old Town's historic streets, the waterfront, or the convenience of Metro, we're happy to help you find the right fit.

 
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