Lorton, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lorton, Virginia
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Shops along Lorton Station Blvd, 2016
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Location of Lorton in Fairfax County, Virginia
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 Lorton, Virginia
Location in Northern Virginia
Lorton, Virginia
Location in Virginia
Lorton, Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Fairfax County, Virginia |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.4 sq mi (13.9 km2) |
| • Land | 5.3 sq mi (13.7 km2) |
| • Water | 0.08 sq mi (0.2 km2) |
| Elevation | 144 ft (44 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 20,072 |
| • Density | 3,508/sq mi (1,354.6/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes |
22079, 22199
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| Area code(s) | 703, 571 |
| FIPS code | 51-47064 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1495046 |
Lorton is a community in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. It is called a census-designated place (CDP). This means it's an area that looks like a town but isn't officially a city or town with its own local government. In 2020, about 20,072 people lived there.
Contents
History of Lorton
Lorton got its name from a small village in England. A man named Joseph Plaskett, who was from that English village, moved to this part of Virginia. He opened a general store and a post office in 1875, naming it Lorton Valley Post Office.
Before Lorton became known, the main gathering spot was a place called Colchester. Important people like George Washington and George Mason were part of the Pohick Church community nearby.
The Lorton Reformatory
For many years, Lorton was home to a large District of Columbia correctional facility called the Lorton Reformatory. This prison was open from the early 1900s until 2001.
An interesting fact about the reformatory is that it held about 168 women from the women's suffrage movement in 1917. These women were fighting for women's right to vote.
Other Historical Facts
From 1955 to 1973, there was a Nike missile site in Lorton. These missiles were part of the country's defense system.
Lorton is also one of the two places where Amtrak's Auto Train starts or ends. This special train carries people and their cars all the way to Sanford, Florida. Long ago, a train called the Lorton and Occoquan Railroad also ran through the area.
Some important historical homes nearby include Gunston Hall, which was George Mason's home, and Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington.
Geography and Location
Lorton is located in the southern part of Fairfax County, Virginia. It is next to other communities like Laurel Hill and Fort Belvoir. To the southwest, it borders Woodbridge in Prince William County.
The total area of Lorton is about 13.9 square kilometers (about 5.4 square miles). Most of this is land, with a small amount of water. The land here goes from sea level near the Occoquan River to about 60 meters (200 feet) high.
Two major roads, U.S. Route 1 and Interstate 95, go through Lorton. These roads connect Lorton to Alexandria and Washington, D.C. to the northeast. They also lead south to Fredericksburg.
People of Lorton
In 2010, about 18,610 people lived in Lorton. The community is very diverse, with people from many different backgrounds. Many families live in Lorton, and about 45% of households have children under 18.
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2000 | 17,786 | — | |
| 2010 | 18,610 | 4.6% | |
| 2020 | 20,072 | 7.9% | |
| sources 2010-2020 | |||
Education
Lorton is part of the Fairfax Public School System. There are several elementary schools for younger students, including Gunston Elementary and Lorton Station. Older students in Lorton usually attend South County High School.
The Fairfax County Public Library also has a branch in Lorton, which is a great place to find books and learn.
Economy
Did you know that the main office for Five Guys, a popular hamburger chain, is in Lorton?
There are also plans for a very exciting project in Lorton. The local government has approved a plan to build one of the biggest indoor ski resorts in the world! It will be built on a former landfill site. This project is called Alpine-X.
Community Services
Lorton has a modern library building that is about 10,000 square feet. The Lorton Heritage Society has created a special garden next to the library to celebrate the area's history.
Lorton is also home to the Noman M. Cole, Jr., Pollution Control Plant. This is the largest advanced wastewater treatment plant in Virginia. It helps keep the water clean.
Transportation
Train Services
- The Lorton VRE station is a train stop for the VRE. This train line connects Lorton to Fredericksburg in the south and Washington Union Station in the north.
- The Amtrak Lorton station is the northern starting point for the Auto Train. This unique train carries passengers and their cars all the way to Sanford, Florida.
Bus Services
- The Fairfax Connector offers local bus routes (171 & 307) in the Lorton area.
- A private company called Vamoose Bus provides daily bus trips from the Lorton VRE Station to Penn Station in New York City.
Emergency Services
The Lorton Volunteer Fire Department Company 19 works with Fairfax County Fire and Rescue. They help provide emergency services to the community.
Notable People from Lorton
Many interesting people have connections to Lorton:
- George Ayittey – An economist and author.
- Oren Burks – An American football player.
- Ben Cook – An actor who has been on Broadway and TV.
- Carly Fiorina – A former CEO of the company Hewlett-Packard.
- George Mason – One of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He helped write important documents like the Bill of Rights.
- Jonahan Romero – A professional soccer player.
- Trevor Stewart – An Olympic medalist in track and field.
- Andi Sullivan – A professional soccer player for the Washington Spirit and the USWNT.
See also
In Spanish: Lorton (Virginia) para niños
