Reston
cityReston is a planned community located in Fairfax County, Virginia, a principal city within Northern Virginia and the Washington metropolitan area. Founded in 1964 by Robert E. Simon, Jr., its population was approximately 63,226 as of the 2020 Census. The community was designed with an emphasis on integrating residential areas, commercial development, and green spaces, reflecting the Garden City movement. Reston aims to provide a balanced environment where residents can live, work, and play. Reston's economy is diverse, with major employment sectors including technology, professional services, and government. Several large companies have a presence in Reston, contributing to its strong economic base. The community also features Reston Town Center, a significant commercial and retail hub. Reston is distinctive for its commitment to green spaces, interconnected pathways, and recreational facilities. The community boasts numerous parks, lakes, and trails, promoting an active and outdoor-oriented lifestyle. Its planned design and emphasis on community integration have made it a notable example of urban planning.
Reston, Virginia
- Classification
- Census-designated place
- FIPS Code
- 51-66672
- Country
- United States
- County
- Fairfax County
- Region
- Northern Virginia
- Elevation
- 360 ft
- Total Area
- 15.7 sq mi
- Land Area
- 15.3 sq mi
- Water Area
- 0.35 sq mi
- Latitude
- 38.95444
- Longitude
- -77.34639
- Climate
- Temperate climate with high humidity levels. Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year. Winters are damp, and summers have brief periods of high temperatures and humidity.
- Notable Features
- Lake Anne · Lake Thoreau · Lake Audubon · Lake Newport
- Neighboring Areas
- Great Falls · Wolf Trap · Franklin Farm · Floris · McNair · Herndon · Dranesville
- Population (2020)
- 63,226
- Est. Population (2026)
- 64,728
- Median Age
- 40.1
- Median Income
- $148,710
- Poverty Rate
- 5.69%
- Family Households
- 55%
- Owner-Occupied
- 60.6%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- The racial composition of Reston includes 59.39% White, 11.01% Asian, 8.05% Black or African American, 5.68% Other Race, and 15.44% Two or more races. A significant portion of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino.
- Government Type
- Unincorporated community
- Governing Body
- Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
- School District
- Fairfax County Public Schools
- Municipal Services
- Police (Fairfax County Police Department) · Fire (Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department) · Public Works (Fairfax County) · Reston Community Center













- Unemployment Rate
- 4.6%
- Economic Profile
- Residential · Commercial · Technology hub
- Employment Sectors
- Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services · Public Administration · Educational Services
- Major Employers
- Microsoft · Oracle · Fannie Mae · ComScore · AOL · Accenture · Titan · Northrop Grumman · Sprint Nextel · Blue Sky Innovators
- School Districts
- Fairfax County Public Schools
- Colleges & Universities
- Dermal Science International Aesthetics and Nail Academy · Stride Career Prep · DECA Inc.
- Transportation
- Dulles Toll Road · Washington Metro (Silver Line) · Fairfax Connector bus service · Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail
- Utilities
- Fairfax Water · Dominion Energy · Comcast · Verizon FiOS
- Major Facilities
- Reston Hospital Center · North County Government Center
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Reston Association Parks · Lake Anne · Lake Thoreau · Lake Audubon · Lake Newport · Walker Nature Center · 55 miles of paved pathways and natural surface trails
- Parks & Trails
- Reston Association trails · Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail
- Founded
- 1964
- Named After
- Robert E. Simon, Jr. (R.E.S.)
- Historical Significance
- Reston was one of the first post–World War II "new towns" in the United States, designed to integrate residential, commercial, and recreational spaces. It aimed to revolutionize land use and community development in suburban America.
- Key Events
- Land part of Northern Neck Proprietary in Colonial era · Robert E. Simon Jr. purchased land in 1961 to develop Reston · Reston officially launched on April 10, 1964 · Lake Anne Village opened in 1965 · Development of Reston Town Center
