Alexandria has incorporated and non-incorporated areas. The City of Alexandria has approximately 158,000 residents and includes the famous and historically significant Old Town. The unincorporated area is within Fairfax County's government. The city is sometimes referred to as the "City of Alexandria."

Alexandria, Virginia, is unique in that it offers two public school systems operated by two different governing bodies: Fairfax County Public Schools and Alexandria City Public Schools. Together, they provide education to more than 200,000 children.

The metro is in the heart of Alexandria as are many bus routes.

Alexandria, Virginia, is a city on the Potomac River, just south of Washington, DC. It’s known for its Old Town, with brick sidewalks and well-preserved 18th- and 19th-century buildings. King Street is lined with boutiques and specialty shops. Founding fathers dined at Gadsby’s Tavern, now a museum with period objects and photographs. Carlyle House Historic Park is a restored Georgian mansion with a garden.

Old Town is Alexandria’s beloved downtown and nationally designated historic district on the Potomac River waterfront. The King Street Mile and surrounding brick-lined sidewalks are studded with centuries-old architecture, historic attractions and independent businesses.

Old Town is the heart of Alexandria, located just minutes from Washington, D.C., and named a Top 3 Best Small City in the U.S. 2021 by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards and one of the South’s Best Cities 2020 by Southern Living.

One of Alexandria's largest employers is the U.S. Department of Defense. Another is the Institute for Defense Analyses. In 2005, the United States Patent and Trademark Office moved to Alexandria, and in 2017, so did the headquarters of the National Science Foundation.

Alexandria is an active community that offers a chance to escape to the great outdoors without leaving town, with more than 900 acres of parks and dedicated public space.