Alexandria Virginia Geography Demographics History

Like the rest of Northern Virginia, as well as southern Maryland, Alexandria is shaped by its proximity to the nation's capital. It is largely populated by professionals working for the federal civil service, the U.S. military or for one of the many private companies that contract out services to the government. The latter are known locally as beltway bandits, after the Capital Beltway, a ring road that circles Washington. Alexandria's largest employer by far is the U.S. Department of Defense -- since The Pentagon is in neighboring Arlington County -- and two of its four largest private employers are the Institute for Defense Analysis and the Center for Naval Analysis, according to city statistics.

Alexandria is home to numerous associations, charities, and non-profit organizations including the national headquarters of groups such as the United Way and American Red Cross.

The historic center of Alexandria, known as Old Town, is a major draw for tourists and those seeking nightlife without crossing the Potomac River. Like Old Town, most Alexandria neighborhoods are wealthy, high-status suburbs. In 2002, an assessed-value study of homes and condominiums found that about 40 percent were in the highest bracket, worth $250,000 or more.

Alexandria is served by Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, which abuts the city and is located to the north in Arlington County, Virginia; by Washington Dulles International AirportWashington Dulles International Airport ( IATA airport code IAD ICAO airport code KIAD serves the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area. It is named after John Foster Dulles, United States Secretary of State under Dwight D. Eisenhower. It serves as a h in Chantilly, VirginiaChantilly is an unincorporated area located in Fairfax County, Virginia. Recognized by the U. Census Bureau as a census designated place (CDP), the community had a total population of 41,041 as of the 2000 census. Chantilly is home to Washington Dulles In; and by Baltimore-Washington International AirportBaltimore/Washington International Airport serves the Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, DC metro-region. Its IATA Airport Code is BWI. Located near Friendship Church in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, 10 miles south of Baltimore, Maryland and 30 miles no in BaltimoreThis article is about the city in the US state of Maryland. For other meanings of the word "Baltimore", please see: Baltimore (disambiguation Baltimore is an independent city located in the U. State of Maryland. As of July 1, 2002, the population is 638,6, MarylandAlternate uses: Maryland (disambiguation Maryland ( In Detail) State nickname: Old Line State; Free State Governor: Robert L. Ehrlich Other U. States Capital Annapolis Largest City Baltimore Area Total Land Water % water Ranked 42nd 32,160 km² 25,338 km². Its railroad station is served by AmtrakAmtrak is the name of an intercity passenger train system created on May 1, 1971 in the United States. Amtrak is an independent for-profit corporation, however its board is entirely controlled by the United States government through presidential appointme and Virginia Railway Express, with the King Street station of the Washington MetroThe Washington Metro is the public transportation system of Washington DC and adjoining regions of Maryland and Virginia. It is owned and operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), a multijurisdictional agency funded by the Di rail transit system adjacent.

Alexandria landmarks include the George Washington National Masonic Memorial , also known as the Masonic Temple; Gadsby's Tavern; Old Town; Christ Church; the Lyceum; Market Square; and the Virginia Theological Seminary .

1 Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 39.9 km² (15.4 mi²). 39.3 km² (15.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.49% water.

2 Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there are 128,283 people, 61,889 households, and 27,726 families residing in the city. The population density is 3,262.9/km² (8,452.0/mi²). There are 64,251 housing units at an average density of 1,634.2/km² (4,233.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 59.79% European American, 22.54% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 5.65% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 7.38% from other races, and 4.27% from two or more races. 14.72% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 61,889 households out of which 18.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.2% are married couples living together, 9.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 55.2% are non-families. 43.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.04 and the average family size is 2.87.

In the city the population is spread out with 16.8% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 43.5% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $56,054, and the median income for a family is $67,023. Males have a median income of $47,514 versus $41,254 for females. The per capita income for the city is $37,645. 8.9% of the population and 6.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.9% of those under the age of 18 and 9.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

3 History

NOTE: Obviously, the following material is extemely dated. This article incorporates text from the public domain 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica. 1911 Britannica

Alexandria, first known as Belhaven, was named in honour of John Alexander, who in the last quarter of the 17th century had bought the land on which the city now stands from Robert Howison; the first settlement here was made in 1695. Alexandria was laid out in 1749 and was incorporated in 1779. From 1790 until 1846 Alexandria county was a part of the District of Columbia; the city was re-chartered in 1852.

At Alexandria in 1755 General Edward Braddock organized his fatal expedition against Fort Duquesne, and here, in April of the same year, the governors of Virginia, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland met to determine upon concerted action against the French in America. In March 1785 commissioners from Virginia and Maryland met here to discuss the commercial relations of the two states, finishing their business at Mount Vernon on the 28th with an agreement for freedom of trade and freedom of navigation of the Potomac. The Maryland legislature in ratifying this agreement on November 22 proposed a conference between representatives from all the states to consider the adoption of definite commercial regulations. This led to the calling of the Annapolis convention of 1786, which in turn led to the calling of the Federal convention of 1787. In 1814 Alexandria was threatened by a British fleet, but bought immunity from attack by paying about $100,000. At the opening of the American Civil War the city was occupied by Federal troops, and great excitement throughout the North was caused by the killing ( May 24, 1861) of Colonel E. E. Ellsworth (1837-1861) by Captain James W. Jackson, a hotel proprietor, from whose building Ellsworth had removed a Confederate flag. After the erection of the state of West Virginia in 1863, and until the close of the war, Alexandria was the seat of what was known as the "Alexandria Government."

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Home > Alexandria, Virginia

1 Geography

2 Demographics

3 History

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