As the employment base and population of Arlington County continues to increase, so does the demand for decent, affordable housing. This affects the ability of area employers to attract and retain qualified employees, including critical county employees such as teachers, police, fire and rescue personnel. Locating housing close to employment and public transportation also reduces traffic congestion and pollution.

At a glance…

• Only 25% of Arlington's police officers and 911 Operators live in the County.
• Only 9% of Arlington's firefighters live in the County.
• Arlington County Public Schools employs 1997 teachers, yet only 814 live in the County1



• $424,700 - Median sales price of a single family home in the Washington, DC area, compared to $207,300 nationally.
• $296,000 - Median sales price of a condo in the Washington, DC area, compared to $218,200 nationally.2



• $1,375 - 2005 Average rent for an apartment in Arlington. 3
 
• $55,000 - Minimum salary required to afford the average rent. 4
 
• Arlington average rents approximate those in Orange County, CA - the 4th most expensive U.S. city for renters.5



• $45,000 - Annual starting salary for an Arlington County Public School teacher with a Master's degree.3
• $1,125 - Monthly rent affordable to this starting Arlington County Public School teacher.4



• $49,397 - Annual starting salary for GS-10 level Federal employee.7
• $1,235 - Monthly rent affordable to a GS-10 level Federal employee.4



• 6,100 of the projected 29,500 new jobs in Arlington from 2000 to 2010 will be in low wage positions.
• 3,800 new, affordable apartments will need to be added to house these new workers.8