City of Alexandria, Virginia
Quick answer: The City of Alexandria is an independent city in Virginia. Its estimated population in 2025 was 160,662, up 0.7% since 2020. It covers about 15 square miles of land.
| Type | independent city |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1749 |
| Population, 2025 estimate | 160,662 |
| Population, 2020 estimate | 159,147 |
| Change 2020–2025 | 1.0% |
| Rank by population in Virginia | 13 of 133 |
Overview
The City of Alexandria is one of Virginia's 38 independent cities. In Virginia, an independent city is not part of any county; it runs its own local government, courts and schools.[1] Its founding date is recorded as 1749.[2] The name comes from Philip Alexander Jr.[2]
Population of Alexandria
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of the City of Alexandria at 160,662 in July 2025, up 0.7% from the April 2020 base of 159,470.[1] That made it 13th of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 78th for growth since 2020.[1]
From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 11,904 births and 4,529 deaths, a natural increase of 7,375.[1] More people moved away to other parts of the United States than moved in. Net domestic migration was -16,048. Moves from abroad added 10,353.[1]
Geography
The City of Alexandria covers 14.9 square miles of land and 0.4 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 112th of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 10,757 people per square mile in 2025, so it is one of the more densely settled places in the state. Its geographic center lies near 38.82° N, 77.08° W.[3]
The city borders Arlington County and Fairfax County in Virginia, as well as land in the District of Columbia and land in Maryland.[4]
The U.S. Geological Survey place-name database lists 6 named streams, 1 named summit and 1 island in the city.[5]
Frequently asked questions
Is Alexandria in a county?
No. Alexandria is an independent city, so it is not part of any county.
What is the population of the City of Alexandria?
About 160,662 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
How big is the City of Alexandria?
About 15 square miles of land, plus 0.4 square miles of water.
References
- [1] U.S. Census Bureau, County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025 (Vintage 2025) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [2] Wikidata, Alexandria city, Virginia (open data, CC0) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [3] U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer Files: Counties – last checked 11/08/2026
- [4] U.S. Census Bureau, County Adjacency File (2024) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [5] U.S. Geological Survey, Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), Domestic Names – last checked 11/08/2026
Official website: www.alexandriava.gov
Boundary on the map: Census TIGERweb. See all counties and cities on the map.