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Reston

city

Reston 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

Overview
Classification
Census-designated place
FIPS Code
51-66672
Country
United States
County
Fairfax County
Geography
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
Demographics
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.
Governance
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
Economy
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
Education
School Districts
Fairfax County Public Schools
Colleges & Universities
Dermal Science International Aesthetics and Nail Academy · Stride Career Prep · DECA Inc.
Infrastructure
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
Recreation
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
History
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