Most people think of George Washington’s sprawling estate when they hear "Mount Vernon." It's true that the historic home from which the area was named is a famous landmark and a point of pride for the roughly 13,000 residents who live in this unincorporated space in Fairfax County between Old Town Alexandria and Fort Belvoir. But Mount Vernon, the community, is so much more than a history buff’s vacation destination; it is a solidly suburban pocket of Northern Virginia that offers easy access to Old Town Alexandria, the nation’s capital and Fort Belvoir. "It has a community feel but still offers all the amenities of the big city, just a short drive away," says Greer Uptegraft, a Realtor with Pearson Smith Realty and Mount Vernon resident. "But what I like best are the neighbors. We've met so many great neighbors who have become friends, a great mix of people from all over with interesting jobs and backgrounds."
Acres of green space and picturesque river views
One of the biggest draws to Mount Vernon is its many parks and green spaces. Among them is the Mount Vernon Trail, an 18-mile multi-use paved path that stretches from the Mount Vernon estate to Theodore Roosevelt Island and runs along the Potomac River, offering uninterrupted views of the DC skyline where locals walk and bike for exercise. Grist Mill Park is another popular destination, both for its amenities for people, like more walking trails, a playground and basketball courts, and for dogs; there is a large, shaded, fenced area for dogs of all sizes to play off-leash and is a popular go-to on weekends. Smaller parks like Mt. Zephyr Park, Washington Mill Park and Vernon Heights Park are easy spots to take the kids on a sunny afternoon, as all three boast playgrounds and open fields, and golf enthusiasts can consider joining the Mount Vernon Country Club, which offers an 18-hole course located on one of George Washington’s original farms.
Colonials, Cape Cods and ranch-style homes with big front yards
Throughout the area, stately midcentury-era Colonials, Cape Cods, and traditional split-level and ranch-style homes sit in various neighborhoods and subdivisions, tucked back on roomy lots along quiet, wide streets. Front yards are sprawling and manicured with green grass, shrubs and flowers. Tall trees line back and side yards. Most homes feature red brick facades with white clapboard details; however, in the Wessynton neighborhood, the homes are brown and tan to help them blend in with the natural scenery. Wessynton is popular with boaters, thanks to the neighborhood’s location near Little Hunting Creek and the private docks available behind many of the homes. Prices range from $570,000 for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom cottage to $3.2 million for a five-bedroom, five-bathroom estate on one of George Washington’s original five farms. These prices are competitive to farther north in Alexandria where, just eight miles away, prices in Old Town start in the $800s and can climb as high as $4.3 million.
Entertainment and essentials are never far away
Old Town Alexandria is just 10 miles north of Mount Vernon, and residents routinely take advantage of its proximity for shopping and dining. Closer to home, shopping centers along Route 1 offer retailers like Safeway for groceries, CVS for essentials, and services like banks and salons. For dining, local favorites include Chalkboard Wings & BBQ, a sports bar off Cooper Road, and nearby Cedar Knoll, a date night spot off Lucia Lane that boasts views of the Potomac. History buffs join tourists from across the globe in visiting George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate, which became a museum in the 1800s and is open to the public daily for tours. “It’s a cool place to take out-of-town guests,” says Uptegraft. DC is less than 20 miles north and offers a variety of things to do and see, from the many Smithsonian Museums to sporting events and concerts at Capital One Arena to performances by the National Symphony Orchestra at The Kennedy Center.
Neighborhood schools encompassed by FCPS
The public schools in Mount Vernon are encompassed by the highly rated Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) district and include multiple elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. FCPS scores an overall A rating on Niche and, according to US News & World Report, boasts a 90% high school graduation rate. It is the largest school district in Virginia and one of the largest in the country, with an annual revenue of about $3.2 million, spending just over $17,000 per student each year. Families considering private education for their kids have a few schools to choose from, including Aquinas Montessori, which has been serving the area since 1965 and includes a children's garden and a heated swimming pool open from mid-April to mid-October.
Highways are close, but not in the area
Residents enjoy the solitude of being removed from big highways. The area’s major roadways include Route 1 and the GW Parkway, both of which connect to Old Town Alexandria and Interstate 495. Locals take I-495 to I-395, which travels into DC, or they stay on to head to Maryland. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is just 11 miles north of Mount Vernon, and Dulles International Airport is about 36 miles northwest.
Crime
Mount Vernon's police department includes 84 officers and covers the entire area: the Richmond Highway corridor from the City of Alexandria on the north to Fort Belvoir in the south. The region enjoys a relatively low crime rate compared to cities closer to DC. According to "On the MoVe," a local news blog covering Mount Vernon, there were two homicides, 103 counts of aggravated assault and 85 counts of robbery in 2023, all of which were down slightly from 2022. Compared to similar data from Fairfax County as a whole, Mount Vernon's incidents accounted for less than one-seventh of the county's homicides and about 21% of aggravated assaults.
Christine grew up in a military family and moved every year until her dad got stationed at the Pentagon when she was 13 years old. She has been in Northern Virginia ever since and loves it. She went to high school in Alexandria at St. Mary's Academy and has a degree in Math/Computer Science from the College of William and Mary. She is married with two wonderful grown children and has a delightful ball of fluff dog named Mistletoe. When Christine is not selling real estate, she enjoys bike riding, hiking, sewing, and scrapbooking.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
