Rose Hill, Fairfax County, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rose Hill, Fairfax County, Virginia
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Rose Hill Shopping Center, August 2015
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Location within Fairfax county
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 Rose Hill, Fairfax County, Virginia
Location in Northern Virginia
Rose Hill, Fairfax County, Virginia
Location in Virginia
Rose Hill, Fairfax County, Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Virginia |
| County |  Fairfax |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.57 sq mi (14.43 km2) |
| • Land | 5.56 sq mi (14.39 km2) |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.04 km2) |
| Elevation | 203 ft (62 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 21,045 |
| • Density | 3,640/sq mi (1,405.6/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| FIPS code | 51-68880 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2389774 |
Rose Hill 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 21,045 people lived in Rose Hill. The community was built in the mid-1950s. Rose Hill is the biggest part of this CDP, which is located just southwest of Alexandria. Other smaller areas within the CDP include Wilton Woods, Burgundy Village, and Winslow Heights.
Contents
Where is Rose Hill Located?
Rose Hill is in the southeastern part of Fairfax County. It is next to the city of Alexandria to the north. To the east, you'll find Huntington. To the south are Groveton and Hayfield. Kingstowne is to the southwest, and Franconia is to the west.
The community's edges follow important roads and landmarks. These include the Capital Beltway (a big highway around Washington D.C.) and the CSX train tracks on the north side. On the west, it follows South Van Dorn Street. South Kings Highway is on the south, and Shaffer Drive and Telegraph Road are on the east.
The total area of Rose Hill is about 14.43 square kilometers (about 5.57 square miles). Only a tiny part of this, about 0.04 square kilometers (0.015 square miles), is water.
The Story of Rose Hill
How Rose Hill Got Its Name
The name Rose Hill comes from a large farm, called a plantation, that was here in the 1700s. Daniel French, who helped build the Pohick Church, started this plantation. It was built on high ground and had a great view of the nearby valley and the Potomac River.
The land was first bought in 1723. Over many years, it was owned by different families. The original house on the plantation burned down in 1895.
Rose Hill During the Civil War
During the American Civil War, in 1863, something exciting happened at the Rose Hill plantation. A group of soldiers led by John S. Mosby came to the house. They were looking for a person named Colonel Daniel F. Dulaney. Interestingly, the Colonel's own son, French, was with Mosby's group!
The soldiers took Colonel Dulaney to Richmond. He survived the war, but his son, French, sadly passed away in 1864.
Modern Rose Hill Develops
The community we know today as Rose Hill started to grow in 1954. In that same year, the remains of Daniel French Jr., who died in 1771, were moved to Pohick Church.
Just four years later, in 1958, a Safeway grocery store was built. Two swimming pools were also built for the people living there. An elementary school opened in 1957, and the Rose Hill Civic Association was formed in 1956.
In 1970, the Fairfax County Park Authority bought land to build a golf course. This course, called Greendale Golf Course, opened in 1976. It is now one of eight golf courses managed by the Park Authority.
Remembering History in Rose Hill
Today, you can find special markers that tell the story of Rose Hill. The Fairfax County History Commission put up a marker in 2000 in front of the John Marshall Library. Another marker, part of the Civil War Trails Program, shares the story of the 1863 raid.
Near Rose Hill, there was also a plantation called Clermont. This was the birthplace of Fitzhugh Lee, a famous person from history. A marker for Clermont is in front of Mark Twain Middle School.
You might also see two tall structures called silos in Rose Hill. These were once part of a dairy farm. Later, they were used as showers for the Rose Hill Swimming and Tennis Club! People even tried to get them listed as historic sites in Fairfax County.
Population Changes Over Time
Rose Hill has grown quite a bit over the years. Here's how the population has changed:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1970 | 14,692 | — | |
| 1980 | 11,962 | −18.6% | |
| 1990 | 12,675 | 6.0% | |
| 2000 | 15,058 | 18.8% | |
| 2010 | 20,226 | 34.3% | |
| 2020 | 21,045 | 4.0% | |
| source: | |||
Schools and Libraries
Education in Rose Hill
The Fairfax County Public Schools system runs the public schools in Rose Hill. This means students in the area go to schools managed by the county.
Libraries for Learning
The Fairfax County Public Library system has a library in Rose Hill called the John Marshall Library. It's a great place for kids and adults to find books, learn, and do research.
See also
In Spanish: Rose Hill (condado de Fairfax) para niños
