Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-12
REALTORS SURVEY
/. VIRGINIA GROWTH
Action Due to Progress. of
: Alexandria, Arlington and
Fairfax Counties Explained.

A policy Of fact-finding surveys at
Intervals to keep abreast OF the many
changes in the economic development
of Greater Washington's Virginia area
has been formulated by the AleXan'
dria, Arlington and Fairfax Real Es
tate Board. which has made plans for
an economic survey of conditions in
Alexandria. Arlington County and
Fairfax County.
According to Ashton c. Jones, pres
ident of the board. the rapid growth
of northern Virginia in the vicinity of
Washington in population and indus
trial importance makes an organized
and systematic survey of progress
highly desirable. in order that the real.
tor may be in the hest position &"
serve his clients properly. In a sec.
ton progressing SO rapidly, facts and
statistics that were accurate last year
or the year before become hopelessly
out Of date and useless as current in
formation, II is stated.
Increase Is Explained.
All of Arlington County and parts
of Alexandria and Fairfax County. it
Is stated. have outstripped most other
sections of the Capital district in pop
nlation growth in recent years. For
90 years Arlington County'S increase
in population has never been less than
30 per cent in any 10 years, accord
ing to United States Census Bureau
figures. In the last Ave years the es-
timated growth has averaged approx
inlately IS per cent. For the same
period. the Districts estimated in
crease has averaged about per cent.
The reason for this surprising in
crease in population can be found in
tine fact that Arlington County is only
% square miles in total area. with
this area lying more or less along the
river and with downtown Washington
only a short space Of travelling time
dis sant.
The city of Alexandria has spread
out over an area more than twice as
large as it's former area in the last
several years. and Alexandrians have
been moving out into the suburbs sur
rounding the city In two counties.
AleXandria's population gain in the
last six years is estimated at approx
mately per cent each year.
Fairfax County Growth.
While Fairfax County. as whole.
has shown no more than q normal
population increase, certain suburban
areas near Alexandria and the District
b
struction in many square miles Of ter
rftory having increased from 100 to
500 per cent.
In view Of these facts, members of
the real estate board feel that no
tinae should be lost in planning for
the facilities and utilities which will
be- required to take care Of future
growth, which 1t is assumed will con.
time at the same approximate rate
for many years to come. 1t is signifi.
cant that the public utility companies
In: the area are making plans that
Will enable them to serve large and
populous communities within a CON-
psratively few years. Water mains.
Telephone and power lines, gas mains
and sewers are being planned for the
future on a scale commensurate with
TAG present rate Of growth.
IT is pointed out that the present
rates of growth, if continued, will give
Aiexandria a population Of nearly
$4,000 In 1885. and in the same year
Arlington County will approach the
$4,000 mark.