Loudoun County, Virginia
Geography and Finance
Loudoun County is located in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. In 2018, the population was estimated at 406,850, making it Virginia’s third-most populous county.
As of the most recent census estimate, Loudoun County has a population of 406,850. The population of Loudoun County is growing, having risen by 30.30% between April, 2010 and July, 2018. There is an active real estate market in Loudoun County — in the last 12 months, there have been 9,834 results homes listed or sold in Loudoun County .
The median family income in Loudoun County is $128,588, as recorded by the U.S. Census between 2013 and 2017. The median home value, as recorded in those same years, is $475,500. The median listing price in Loudoun County between 2013 and 2017 was $579,900, while the median sale price was $486,500.
Popular Loudoun County Neighborhoods
Ashburn
Ashburn sits between Dulles International Airport and the Potomac River. It is considered to be a suburb of Washington, D.C. Ashburn offers residents a suburban feel, with plenty of options for dining, shopping, and leisure.
Leesburg
Located at the eastern edge of Loudoun County, Leesburg is one of the most populous towns in the county. Much like Ashburn, Leesburg offers a suburban feel without sacrificing the conveniences of urban life. Leesburg is considered a suburb of Washington, D.C.
Stone Ridge
Located near John Mosby Highway and Dulles International Airport, Stone Ridge is a popular neighborhood in Loudoun County. Stone Ridge offers a suburban environment, without being too far from the commercial centers of Arlington, VA and Washington, D.C.
Cascades
Cascades is a neighborhood of Loudoun County that is located near Dulles International Airport. The neighborhood’s northern edge is bordered by the Potomac River. Like many other areas in Loudoun County, Cascades is characterized by a suburban feeling, though residents are not far from the D.C. Metropolitan area.
Lansdowne
Centered between Ashburn and Leesburg, Lansdowne is a neighborhood of Loudoun County which is bordered by the John Mosby Highway and the Potomac River. Lansdowne is full of beautiful green spaces and parks, which makes it a popular residential area for families and nature lovers.
Broadlands
Broadlands is a Loudoun County neighborhood which lies to the south of Ashburn, near Dulles International Airport. Broadlands is considered a suburb of Arlington, and the abundance of single-family homes, along with plenty of parks and small businesses, make this area very popular for families.
Education
Loudoun County contains 90 primary and secondary schools, located in various neighborhoods. One popular, highly-rated school is Belmont Station Elementary School. Belmont Station Elementary School was assigned a rating of 10 by GreatSchools, a non-profit which specializes in providing comparative grades of primary and secondary schools. This score was assigned based on a comprehensive assessment of the school’s average test scores, as well as metrics which grade academic improvement among students. At the most recent count, 746 students attended Belmont Station Elementary School.
Fun & Leisure
Visitors and residents of Loudoun County have enjoyed and recommended the following experiences and attractions in the area:
Stone Tower Winery
Stone Tower Winery is a family-owned winery located in Leesburg, on top of Hogback Mountain. Stone Tower Winery has a large tasting room, situated inside of a large, beautifully renovated barn. Guests over the age of 21 can also get a bird’s eye view of the gorgeous vineyard from the Tower View Tasting Room.
Historic Downtown Leesburg
Unlike the historic districts of many other towns, downtown Leesburg effectively blends everyday life with quaint historical architecture. The Town of Leesburg encourages new construction in the Historic Downtown, but works diligently to ensure that these additions do not damage the historical character of the town center.
Ashburn Park
Spanning a full 16 acres, Ashburn Park is a gorgeous public park. Ashburn Park features nature trails, a public playground, and picnic area with a covered pavilion. Visitors can also rent this pavilion for private events. The park is open to the public from dawn until dusk.
Inside Ski Training Center
This training center offers the chance to ski and snowboard throughout the entire year. As the name indicates, they also hold training sessions, in both private and classroom-style settings.
Ball’s Bluff Regional ParkVisitors and residents of Loudoun County have enjoyed and recommended the following experiences and attractions in the area:
Stone Tower Winery
Stone Tower Winery is a family-owned winery located in Leesburg, on top of Hogback Mountain. Stone Tower Winery has a large tasting room, situated inside of a large, beautifully renovated barn. Guests over the age of 21 can also get a bird’s eye view of the gorgeous vineyard from the Tower View Tasting Room.
Historic Downtown Leesburg
Unlike the historic districts of many other towns, downtown Leesburg effectively blends everyday life with quaint historical architecture. The Town of Leesburg encourages new construction in the Historic Downtown, but works diligently to ensure that these additions do not damage the historical character of the town center.
Ashburn Park
Spanning a full 16 acres, Ashburn Park is a gorgeous public park. Ashburn Park features nature trails, a public playground, and picnic area with a covered pavilion. Visitors can also rent this pavilion for private events. The park is open to the public from dawn until dusk.
Inside Ski Training Center
This training center offers the chance to ski and snowboard throughout the entire year. As the name indicates, they also hold training sessions, in both private and classroom-style settings.
Ball’s Bluff Regional Park
This park and national cemetery marks the site of the Battle of Ball’s Bluff, a large and strategically important battle of the Civil War. Guided tours are offered between April and November. Visitors can also take self-guided tours year-round, with the help of informational brochures.
This park and national cemetery marks the site of the Battle of Ball’s Bluff, a large and strategically important battle of the Civil War. Guided tours are offered between April and November. Visitors can also take self-guided tours year-round, with the help of informational brochures.
Suggested Restaurants and Nightlife Spots
Coton & Rye
For a taste of Virginia’s culinary legacy, it’s hard to find a better option than Coton & Rye. The restaurant, which focuses on creating classic Virginia food using locally-sourced ingredients, is best known for its Fried Chicken and Pot Pie.
1947 Indian Restaurant
Located in Sterling, this local favorite was voted “Best of the Best” by Northern Virginia Magazine in 2017. 1947 Indian Restaurant offers a host of traditional Indian fare, including a number of signature curry dishes. This beloved spot also hosts live Indian music on the weekends!
Döner Bistro
This counter-service restaurant has introduced the residents of Leesburg to the Döner Kebab, a Turkish-style flatbread that is outrageously popular in Germany. Döner Bistro also offers German candy and beers, in addition to falafel and other mediterranean fare.
Lowry’s Crab Shack
Offering fresh Chesapeake seafood, Lowry’s has become a local staple in Loudoun County. In addition to fresh crabs, Lowry’s serves fried seafood and po’ boy sandwiches.
Highlighted Attraction: One Loudoun
One Loudoun is a quickly-growing center for shopping and dining in Loudoun County, home to nearly 100 different restaurants and stores. One Loudoun currently covers 40 acres, but the shopping center is continuing to grow. The first business opened their doors in 2013, but additional store fronts and living areas are set to be completed in 2021.
With both local stores and national chains, One Loudoun is rapidly become a premier center of commerce for Loudoun County — and it shows no signs of slowing down!
History of Loudoun County
Loudoun County was first founded in 1757, and had become Virginia’s most populous county by 1776, at the time of the American Revolution. Loudoun County was well-suited to agricultural production, and the county contributed considerable amounts of grain to George Washington’s Continental Army. Because of this, some historians have nicknamed Loudoun County the “Breadbasket of the Revolution.”
During the American Civil War, Loudoun County was the site of several important battles. The most famous of these is the Battle of Ball’s Bluff, which took place on October 21, 1861. This battle, which took place early in the conflict, was a massive victory for the Confederate troops and strategists.
Loudoun played a critical agricultural role once more during the United States’ involvement in the First World War. Loudoun County farmers used modern animal vaccination techniques and advance fertilizers to improve their output, and then used their improved yields to supply American Expeditionary Force soldiers in Europe.
Although Loudoun was traditionally a rural area that was known primarily for agricultural production, it rapidly became a suburban community in the mid- and late twentieth century. This process began with the construction of Washington Dulles International Airport in 1962. Since the airport’s founding, Loudoun has experienced a high-tech boom and rapid suburban growth.
Currently, Loudoun has a full service economy, and is the site of several high-tech businesses including Verizon, Telos Corporation, and Paxfire. The legacy of Loudoun County’s agricultural roots is still apparent, however, through several industries. Horse-related businesses generate an estimated revenue of $78 million, and there are 40 active wineries in Loudoun County.
