Prince William County

County Offices
One County Complex Court
Prince William 703-792-4660
https://www.pwcva.gov/

Chamber of Commerce
4320 Ridgewood Center Drive
Prince William 703-590-5000
https://pwchamber.org/

Located 25 miles southwest of Washington, DC, Prince William County stretches from the Potomac River to the Bull Run Mountains. Named for the youngest son of King George II, the county was formed in 1731 and was the site of the first and second Battles of Manassas. Today, the Manassas Battlefield has the distinction of being a national park and popular tourist attraction. An agricultural area since its founding, the county has managed to preserve many of the vintage plantations and rich farmland.

After World War II, the region’s population increased significantly — doubling between 1950 and 1960 — then doubling again during the 1960s. At that time, Prince William County was actually ranked among the nation’s fastest growing counties. In recent decades, the growth has slowed and remains stable. Because of the region’s remarkable natural beauty, the county is a magnet for tourists who arrive to visit historic sites and landmarks. This area is also home to Quantico Marine Base and the FBI Academy as well as other government installations along the Interstate 66 and Interstate 95 corridors. Many large corporations and leading technology companies have discovered the benefits of Prince William County. Successes in balancing business, tourism and recreation have earned Prince William County several awards for sound financial management and good government.

Services
Newcomers to the county can look forward to a complete network of healthcare services and facilities that are anchored by two major hospitals: Prince William Hospital in Manassas and Potomac Hospital in Woodbridge. Public health clinics serve the county, and Prince William Health System has developed a number of specialized centers to meet every need close to home, including Caton Merchant House, Annaburg Manor, and the Prince William Child Care Center.

The schools throughout Prince William County enjoy an excellent reputation, and approximately 89 percent of the graduating seniors go on to pursue a higher education. The gifted education program is integrated into each school’s curriculum, while special education programs are available to students from the ages of two through 21 who are identified as having special needs. Vocational training in a variety of trades is offered in each high school and adult education courses are available throughout the county system. Campuses of Northern Virginia Community College are conveniently located in Manassas and Woodbridge. The renowned George Mason University Institute for Advanced Technological Study is also located in the county.

Quality of Life
Steeped in historic significance, Prince William County chronicles its rich history in the Weems-Botts Museum in historic Dumfries, the first Virginia town to be incorporated. Two significant Civil War battles were fought in this area in the mid 19th-century, and Manassas Museum System provides a detailed look at the region’s history. Greater Manassas — made up of the independent cities of Manassas and Manassas Park — adds a wealth of urban amenities and cosmopolitan resources to the more rural corners of the county.

Aficionados of the arts will discover a variety of venues, organizations, and performing companies throughout the county. Supported by an active arts council, regional performances and events include productions by theatre companies, the Prince William Symphony Orchestra, dance and musical groups, dinner theater, and art centers. Not far from home in Prince William County is the world-class lineup of Broadway hits, opera, ballet, and symphony available in Washington, DC.

Recreational opportunities are abundant in the county, where public and private golf courses combine with facilities for boating, fishing, hunting, and birding along the marina-rich Potomac and Occoquan rivers. Boaters can also enjoy the marinas and water sports at Lake Ridge Community Park and Locust Shade District Park. Prince William Forest Park boasts more than 18,000 acres of woods, hiking trails, picnic areas and camping sites. County parks are scattered across the landscape, taking advantage of breathtaking terrain and adding traditional athletic facilities as well as miniature golf, boating, picnicking and county sponsored programs. Car racing enthusiasts thrill to the car races at Old Dominion Speedway.

Those who consider shopping to be an art form will delight in the “world’s largest discount mall.” Potomac Mills is conveniently located at Interstate 95 and the Dale City Interchange, offering more than 200 stores with deep discounts on name-brand merchandise. Many other shopping centers and districts dot the county, including some charming historic districts and exceptional antique shops. The housing selection in Prince William County is diverse and attractive, ranging from lovely older homes and country farms to handsome townhouses and lovely suburban neighborhoods in planned communities. The variety and quality of homes in every price range is one of the many reasons that Prince William County has become so popular. From the expansive shores of the Potomac and Occoquan Rivers to the peaks of the Bull Run Mountains, Prince William is a region of unrivaled beauty, diversity and prosperity.

Dale City
Well-planned and unincorporated, the community of Dale City lies west of Interstate 95 and was originally established in 1964. Located 25 miles south of Washington, DC, Dale City is surrounded by vast wooded areas and parkland, a fact of natural beauty that attracts those who are seeking a panoramic and totally residential environment within close proximity to vibrant metropolitan areas. Many residents of Dale City are employed at the U.S. Marine Base in Quantico. Numerous parks provide residents with picnic areas, playgrounds, sports fields and swimming pools. Open to membership is Dale City’s 55-acre community center with expanded exercise and recreational facilities. Just minutes from the town is a full-service hospital and one of the East Coast’s most popular shopping centers, Potomac Mills. Dale City features reasonably priced single-family homes as well as duplexes and townhomes.

Dumfries
https://www.dumfriesva.gov
Established in 1749, the small town of Dumfries actually serves as a thriving port for many years. Today, the community is enjoying an economic boom that reflects the rapid growth taking place throughout Prince William County. Dumfries downtown district, lined with quaint and historic buildings, presents a charming and delightful atmosphere for those who enjoy browsing and socializing. Many affordable single-family homes combine with opportunities for a maintenance-free lifestyle in the local townhouse developments and rentals. The driving time to the District of Columbia is approximately 45 minutes, although a mass transit passenger rail service is available from nearby Quantico. Lush parks with added attractions like a museum and relaxing picnic areas are available for recreation and outdoor activity. More extensive facilities can be found in nearby Locust Shade Park, which offers fishing areas, a golf range, tennis courts and fitness trails.

Haymarket
Town Hall
703-753-2600
https://www.townofhaymarket.org

Chamber of Commerce
703-590-5000
https://pwchamber.org/

The charming community of Haymarket covers only a single square mile but manages to create a charming hometown atmosphere. The recently opened Haymarket Museum showcases the rich heritage of the town, which was founded in 1798 and boasts a women’s club that has been active for more than 50 years. Aligned closely with Gainesville, this small but attractive town offers a number of lovely residential subdivisions like Longhill Street Commons and Greenhill Crossing. Wonderful historic churches, vintage homes, and landmarks like the Red House Inn or the Old Post Office are all surrounded by mature greenery and shaded by leafy, ancient trees. Shopping in Historic Old Towne, nearby Prince William Forest, a local country club, a golf course, and local parks are among the list of attractions.

Lake Ridge, Westridge
Among the unincorporated communities that dot Prince William County are the developments of Lake Ridge and Westridge in the eastern portion of the region. Lake Ridge is a relative new and impressively large planned community that features attractive and relatively affordable opportunities for suburban living. Lake Ridge is comprised of subdivision developments by a variety of builders, providing a wide spectrum of housing styles that include  single-family residences, townhouses and condominiums. The community enjoys an enviable location along the rolling Occoquan River, encouraging local residents to take advantage of boating and other water sports as popular pastimes. Good access via Interstate 95 serves commuters who are employed in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The driving time to downtown Washington is from these suburban communities is over one hour.

Montclair
Situated adjacent to the historic town of Dumfries, the community of Montclair is another popular planned community in Prince William County that features a private country club and golf course. The prices for single-family homes and townhouses in Montclair and are typically more affordable than similar properties located in closer proximity to the District of Columbia. Residents of Montclair enjoy a convenient location in respect to Interstate 95, and the commute to Washington, DC is eased with the availability of major thoroughfares. While Montclair offers residents local recreational facilities, Locust Shade Park with its golf range, fishing areas, tennis courts, playgrounds and fitness trails is close to home.

Woodbridge
Distinguished as the largest of the unincorporated communities that have sprung up across Prince William County, Woodbridge orders the Potomac River is located only 20 miles from Washington, DC. A variety of interesting attractions are located within the Woodbridge area that include Fort Belvoir just to the north in Fairfax County, the U.S. Marine Corps Base at Quantico, and the expansive discount shopping center of Potomac Mills. Woodbridge is popular with first-time homebuyers because of its lovely rural setting and reasonable housing prices. Single-family homes, townhouses and condominiums are all available in architectural styles that range from colonial to contemporary. Potomac Hospital provides state-of-the-art healthcare services. Recreational facilities are extensive and include an impressive 6,000-seat baseball stadium.