Mount Vernon, Virginia

Mount Vernon, Virginia
Name	Mount Vernon, Virginia
Settlement type	CDP

Contents

Mount Vernon, Virginia is a census-designated place located in Fairfax County, Virginia, along the Potomac River and near Washington, D.C., Arlington, Virginia, and Alexandria, Virginia. The area is home to the famous Mount Vernon Estate, the former residence of George Washington, the first President of the United States, who also played a key role in the American Revolutionary War and the Whiskey Rebellion. The estate is now a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world, including National Park Service officials and Historic Preservation Society members. Nearby attractions include the George Washington Memorial Parkway, the Woodlawn Plantation, and the Pope-Leighey House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Geography

Mount Vernon, Virginia is situated in the eastern part of Fairfax County, Virginia, near the Potomac River and the Capital Beltway. The area is bordered by Fort Belvoir to the south, Lorton, Virginia to the west, and Hybla Valley, Virginia to the north. The Occoquan River flows into the Potomac River near Woodbridge, Virginia, which is located just south of Mount Vernon, Virginia. The region's geography is also influenced by the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, which runs along the Potomac River and passes through nearby Great Falls, Virginia and Seneca, Maryland. The area is home to several parks and nature reserves, including the Mount Vernon Trail, the Potomac Heritage Trail, and the George Washington Memorial Parkway, which offer scenic views of the Potomac River and the surrounding countryside, including the Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The history of Mount Vernon, Virginia dates back to the 18th century, when George Washington acquired the estate and began to develop it into a thriving plantation. The estate was originally known as Little Hunting Creek Plantation and was later renamed Mount Vernon in honor of Edward Vernon, a British Royal Navy admiral who was a hero of the War of Jenkins' Ear. During the American Revolutionary War, George Washington played a key role in the Battle of Trenton and the Battle of Princeton, and later became the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. After the war, George Washington returned to Mount Vernon and began to experiment with new farming techniques, including the use of crop rotation and fertilizers, which were influenced by the work of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. The estate is now a museum and a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world, including National Geographic Society members and Smithsonian Institution officials.

As of the 2010 United States Census, the population of Mount Vernon, Virginia was approximately 12,416 people, with a diverse range of ages, incomes, and ethnic backgrounds. The area is home to a mix of single-family homes, apartments, and condominiums, with prices ranging from affordable to luxury, attracting residents from nearby Washington, D.C., Arlington, Virginia, and Alexandria, Virginia. The population is also influenced by the nearby presence of Fort Belvoir, which is a major United States Army base, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation's FBI Academy, which is located in nearby Quantico, Virginia. The area is served by the Fairfax County Public Schools system, which includes Mount Vernon High School and several elementary and middle schools, including Woodley Hills Elementary School and Washington Mill Elementary School.

The economy of Mount Vernon, Virginia is diverse and includes a range of industries, including technology, healthcare, and tourism. The area is home to several major employers, including Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and Booz Allen Hamilton, which are all major defense contractors that work with the United States Department of Defense and the National Security Agency. The area is also home to several small businesses and startups, including technology companies and restaurants, which are supported by the Small Business Administration and the National Federation of Independent Business. The nearby presence of Washington, D.C. and the Pentagon also makes the area an attractive location for consulting firms and lobbying groups, including K Street firms and think tanks like the Brookings Institution and the Heritage Foundation.

The education system in Mount Vernon, Virginia is served by the Fairfax County Public Schools system, which includes several elementary, middle, and high schools, including Mount Vernon High School and Woodley Hills Elementary School. The area is also home to several private schools, including Bishop Ireton High School and St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School, which are both Catholic schools that are affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Arlington. The nearby presence of George Mason University and Northern Virginia Community College also makes the area an attractive location for higher education, with programs in business, engineering, and computer science that are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

The transportation system in Mount Vernon, Virginia is well-developed and includes several major roads and highways, including the Capital Beltway and the George Washington Memorial Parkway. The area is also served by several public transportation options, including the Washington Metro and the Fairfax Connector bus system, which provide connections to Washington, D.C., Arlington, Virginia, and Alexandria, Virginia. The nearby presence of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport also makes the area an attractive location for air travel, with flights to destinations around the world, including New York City, Los Angeles, and London. The area is also home to several bike trails and pedestrian paths, including the Mount Vernon Trail and the Potomac Heritage Trail, which offer scenic views of the Potomac River and the surrounding countryside.