Vienna, Virginia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Vienna, Virginia
Town
Street scene in Vienna
Seal
Location of Vienna in Fairfax County, Virginia
Vienna, Virginia Location in Northern Virginia Show map of Northern Virginia Vienna, Virginia Location in Virginia Show map of Virginia Vienna, Virginia Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Virginia
County	Fairfax
Incorporated	1890
Settled	1754
Government
• Type	Council–manager
Area
• Total	4.41 sq mi (11.42 km2)
• Land	4.40 sq mi (11.40 km2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2)
Elevation	358 ft (109 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	16,473
• Density	3,741.3/sq mi (1,451.69/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes	22180-22183, 22185
Area code(s)	571 and 703
FIPS code	51-81072
GNIS feature ID	1500258

Vienna (/viˈɛnə/) is a town in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. In 2020, about 16,473 people lived there. Many more people live in areas with Vienna postal addresses, which are larger than the town itself. These areas are near major roads like Interstate 66 and Interstate 495.

History of Vienna

European settlers first came to this area in the mid-1700s. In 1754, a soldier and landowner named Colonel Charles Broadwater settled here. His son-in-law, John Hunter, built the first known house in 1767. He named it Ayr Hill, remembering his hometown in Ayr, Scotland. This name was used for the small community.

The town's name changed in the 1850s. A doctor named William Hendrick moved there, and the town was renamed after his hometown, Phelps, New York, which was then called Vienna.

Vienna During the Civil War

A memorial in Vienna for the American Civil War

On June 17, 1861, the Battle of Vienna happened here. This was one of the first fights of the American Civil War. A Union Army group was ambushed by Confederate soldiers and had to retreat. You can find several historical markers in Vienna that tell about its Civil War history.

The Freeman House, located in the town center, is still standing. In 1861, people voted there on whether to leave the Union. During the war, both sides used the house as a hospital. Today, it is a museum and gift shop.

The First Baptist Church of Vienna was started in 1867. Its first building was made from wood from Union Army barracks. This church building also served as the town's first public school for Black children. The first public school for white children was built in 1872.

Vienna in the 20th Century

A permanent elementary school for Black students was built and later named after its principal, Louise Archer. By the fall of 1965, all schools in Fairfax County Public Schools were fully integrated, meaning students of all races could attend together.

Geography and Location

The Vienna postal area (in pink) compared to the town limits (in red)

Vienna is located in the Piedmont region of Virginia. It is about 5.5 miles (8.9 km) southwest of the Potomac River. Two creeks, Wolftrap Creek and Bear Branch, flow through the town.

Vienna is in Northern Virginia along Interstate 66. It is about 12 miles (19 km) west of Washington, D.C. The town is also about 2 miles (3.2 km) northeast of Fairfax, which is the main city of the county.

The U.S. Census Bureau says that Vienna covers about 4.4 square miles (11.4 km2) of land. As a suburb of Washington, D.C., Vienna is part of the larger Washington metropolitan area. It is surrounded by other communities like Wolf Trap, Tysons Corner, and Oakton. Some of these areas use Vienna postal addresses even though they are outside the town's official borders.

Population and People

In 2020, Vienna had 16,473 people living in 5,424 households. Most of the people were White (74.4%), followed by Asian (13.7%) and Hispanic or Latino (9.8%). About 7.8% of people were from two or more races.

About 39.6% of households had children under 18. The average household had 2.84 people. The median age in Vienna was 40.7 years.

Town Government

The Vienna Town Council runs the town. It includes a mayor and six council members. The Council makes important decisions for the town. They create rules, approve the town's budget, set tax rates, and plan how land is used. They also appoint people to various town committees and boards.

Elections for the Council members and mayor are managed by the Fairfax County Office of Elections.

Schools and Libraries

Local Schools

Fairfax County Public Schools serves Vienna. Students in Vienna attend three high schools, two middle schools, and seven elementary schools. However, only a few of these schools are actually inside the town limits. These include Cunningham Park Elementary, Marshall Road Elementary, Louise Archer Elementary School, Vienna Elementary, and Green Hedges School.

Green Hedges is an independent school in Vienna. It teaches students from age 3 up to 8th grade. Oakcrest School, an independent Catholic school, also moved to Vienna in 2017. There are also two Catholic elementary schools: St. Mark Catholic School and Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic School.

Public Libraries

The Fairfax County Public Library system has a branch in Vienna called the Patrick Henry Library.

Getting Around Vienna

I-66 heading west in Vienna

Interstate 66 is the main highway that goes through Vienna. You can get on or off it using Exit 62. Virginia State Route 123 also runs through the center of Vienna.

Economy and Jobs

Vienna is home to MAE-East, which was once a major hub for Internet traffic. This made Vienna a popular place for technology companies. In 1995, America Online (AOL) had its headquarters nearby.

The main office for Navy Federal Credit Union is also located in Vienna.

Top Employers in Vienna

Here are some of the biggest employers in Vienna:

Fun Things to Do

The W&OD Trail is a popular path that goes right through downtown Vienna, great for biking or walking. There are also several parks nearby, like Meadowlark Botanical Gardens and Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. The town green and the Jammin' Java music club are places where you can enjoy theater and music shows.

Famous People from Vienna

Many well-known people have lived in or near Vienna.

Places to Visit

• Freeman Store and Museum (Vienna, Virginia)
• Jammin' Java coffeehouse and music club
• Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
• Terrorist Screening Center
• Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts (located in the nearby area of Wolf Trap, Virginia)

See also

In Spanish: Vienna (Virginia) para niños