Head 9 miles east of the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area and you will find the quaint independent city of Falls Church. With a population increase of 3.4 percent from 2010 to 2011 according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, many residents in the D.C. are finding Falls Church apartments for rent so that they can have a warm and welcoming small town atmosphere with all of the perks a large nearby city has to offer. With an estimated 2011 population of approximately 12,750, singles and families living here can expect a quiet small town feel while living here.
The roots of this thriving community can be traced back to the early British colonial settlements in the late 1600s. In 1734, the Episcopalian Falls Church was founded and the city's name was officially established after the house of worship. The actual name of Falls Church was taken after the Great Falls of the nearby Potomac River. George Mason and George Washington were both churchwardens of the original Falls Church.
Since Virginia's geographical location falls near the Mason-Dixon line, the American Civil War made Falls Church a site of heavy military activity during the time period. The city was occupied by both Union and Confederate forces and was the site of the country's first aerial attack by hot air balloon. Julia Ward Howe was inspired to write the famous "Battle Hymn of the Republic" after visiting the Falls Church area during the war.
After the war, Falls Church reinvented itself into the thriving community it is now, even though the city preserves its dramatic historic past through its many historic and cultural organizations.
There are several career opportunities in a variety of fields in the Falls Church area, and one of the largest private employers in the city is Kaiser Permanente, according to the city's 2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. There is also a strong military presence in the area with Fort Myer, National Maritime Center, National Pollution Center, Navigation Center, Telecom Systems Command and Henderson Hall all located within a 10 mile radius of Falls Church. If you decided to commute to the D.C. area, there are several apartments in Falls Church near the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's many stops here.
One of the most popular institutions of higher learning in the area is Stratford University, a private college that offers associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees in high demand fields like information technology, business, healthcare and nursing. The University of Virginia's Northern Campus is also located in Falls Church and offers certificates in everything from accounting to public relations.
According to information from city-data.com, the median gross rent in 2009 for Falls Church was around $1,300 per month, a very affordable price for the D.C. area. Compared to the rest of Virginia, the median household income here is nearly double the state average, so residents here find a variety of rentals in a wide price range within the community.
Since the community has past and present ties to the military, the city's annual Memorial Day Parade and Festival is popular with many Falls Church residents. A community event since 1982, this festival offers something for everyone, including amusement rides, craft booths, local food vendors and live entertainment. There is also a stirring veterans ceremony and broadcasted parade featuring civic officials, bands, dance troupes and clowns.
If you are looking for an apartment for rent or a house rental in Falls Church, search for rental properties at Rent.com®.