About Alexandria, Virginia

Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia with population of approximately 128,000 people. Much of modern Alexandria’s economy has been shaped by its proximity to the nation’s capital. Located along the Western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is six miles south of downtown, Washington, D.C. It is largely populated by professionals working in the federal civil service, the U.S. military, or for one of the many private companies which contract to provide services to the federal government. The city is also home to numerous trade associations, charities and nonprofit organizations. One of Alexandria’s largest employers is the U.S. Department of Defense. Others include the Institute for Defense Analyses and the Center for Naval Analyses. In 2005, the United States Patent and Trademark Office and its 7,100 employees relocated its headquarters to Alexandria.