Suburban charm and commuter convenience meet in County Center
County Center is a suburban area that attracts residents seeking a quiet community with access to Washington . Its tree-lined streets and manicured lawns are roughly 30 miles from the capital, which commuters can reach via Prince William Parkway and Interstate 95. In addition to urban convenience, County Center offers traditional homes in a leafy community zoned for highly rated schools in the Prince William County Public Schools system. The area is also just south of the Occoquan Reservoir, a scenic spot for outdoor recreation. “It’s actually awe inspiring. It really, really is,” says Kim McClary, a Realtor with Long & Foster Real Estate who has decades of experience in the industry. “So calming and relaxing.” County Center's overall CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Tree-lined streets with a mix of single-family homes and townhouses
The community features both single-family homes and townhouses. Residential subdivisions showcase a mix of architectural styles, including Colonial Revival, New Traditional and French Country-inspired builds. Some properties sit side-by-side on quiet streets, while others are set farther back on wooded lots that offer more privacy. Single-family home prices typically range from $650,000 to $920,000, though properties in the River Falls subdivision near Old Hickory Golf Club tend to be more expensive and fetch between $970,000 and $1.2 million. Townhouses south of Prince William Parkway sell from $350,000 for older units to $700,000 for newer builds. Some subdivisions have HOAs, and residents may be required to pay monthly association fees that generally range from $75 to $130.
Students can attend highly-rated Prince William County Public Schools
The Prince William County Public Schools district earns an overall grade of A-minus from Niche and has an average student-to-teacher ratio of 15-to-1. Specific school assignment depends on where students live in the community. One possible pathway includes the A-rated Westridge Elementary School, B-plus-rated Louise A. Benton Middle School and A-rated Charles J. Colgan Senior High School. The high school features a public magnet program known as The Center for Fine and Performing Arts, which consistently wins Cappies for its excellence in high school theater.
Neighborhood parks and attractions near the Occoquan Reservoir
Certain subdivisions have their own green spaces and recreational amenities. River Falls has walking trails, playgrounds, a community pool, and tennis and basketball courts. Trails connect to Old Hickory Golf Club, which has an 18-hole golf course open to members and the public. In Ridgefield Village, Earl M. Cunard Park features basketball courts, a paved walking path and a picnic gazebo. The Prince William County Liberty Memorial honors those who lost their lives on 9/11. For indoor recreation, the nearby Prince William Ice Center has youth figure skating and hockey programs.
Green spaces on the Occoquan Reservoir include Lake Ridge Park & Marina, a popular spot for fishing and boating. Just across the water is Fountainhead Regional Park, known for its multi-use nature trails and public boat launch. County Center is home to Pfitzner Stadium, the former home of the Potomac Nationals. Though it no longer hosts minor league baseball games, the stadium is now a destination for community events like the county’s Juneteenth & Me Festival. It’s next to Northern Virginia BMX, a competitive racetrack that hosts riders of all ages.
Transit includes I-95, a nearby VRE station and commuter lots
Prince William Parkway connects to Interstate 95, a major commuter route running north to south through Northern Virginia and toward employment hubs like Tysons Corner . “Non-rush hour, it’s about 25 minutes to Tysons. Rush hour, 40 to 45,” McClary says. County Center is home to the James J. McCoart Government Center, which houses various county offices. Residents are also within reach of Fort Belvoir , Quantico and commuter lots.
For public transportation, residents can access OmniRide bus stops along the parkway. The bus travels to Woodbridge Station, where Virginia Railway Express offers train service to Washington’s Union Station in under an hour. The closest hospital is Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, which is less than a 10-mile drive away and a Level III Trauma Center. It’s roughly 25 miles to Washington Dulles International Airport.
Retail options stretch from Prince William Parkway to Potomac Mills
Shopping and dining revolve around Prince William Parkway. Shopping centers off the highway include the Shops at County Center, which features a Harris Teeter and several fast-casual restaurants. “It’s a local shopping area with every kind of amenity, but there’s nothing other than strip shopping centers. Quite a few right there as you turn back toward Lake Ridge,” McClary says. Merchant Plaza is another retail destination in the area with Safeway, fast-food chains and favorites such as Khan Korean Grill & Bar. More shops and restaurants are in Potomac Mills, Virginia's largest outlet mall, just over 5 miles from County Center. The suburb is also centrally located between the historic downtowns of Manassas and Occoquan , known for their local businesses and art galleries.
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Written By
Sally Stimpson
