Historic town with modern developments and subdivisions
First chartered in 1799, Haymarket is a time-honored pastoral spot in Virginia's Piedmont Region. Originally known as Crossroads, the area served as a regional hub for generations before it burned to the ground during the Civil War. Since then, Haymarket has rebuilt itself into a community that maintains its history and embraces modernity. "The growth has really accelerated in the last couple of years. It's a little Main Street community, but they've gotten quite a few new businesses," says Julia Foard-Lynch, Realtor at Century 21 New Millennium. Residents driving along Washington Street find longstanding, locally owned businesses in historic buildings that transition to chain restaurants like Chick-fil-A and McDonald's as they continue along the main thoroughfare. "It's a combination of then and now," Lynch says.
Haymarket Day and the Haymarket Farmers Market
Haymarket Day, held each year on the third Saturday in October, attracts over 20,000 people who gather to watch the parade and check out local vendors. High school bands march down the street touting their instruments, followed by young performers dancing in unison and firetrucks and local vehicles turned into makeshift parade floats. On Sundays from April through November, the Haymarket Farmers Market has vendors selling local produce, baked goods, plants and more. Along Washington and Fayette streets, some historic houses and sites remain, including the Haymarket Museum, originally the town hall. St. Paul's Episcopal Church — the original site of the district courthouse for Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, and Prince William counties and one of the few buildings that survived the town's burning in the Civil War — maintains an active parish in its circa-1800s building.
Shopping and dining along Market Street
"They're starting to get chain businesses, but that's more of a recent thing. They just got a Popeyes and Crumbl Cookies, and they're getting a Taco Bell," Lynch says. Walmart and Home Depot are also just around the corner. Although Haymarket's shopping and dining scene now has more chains, there are still many small, family-run businesses to frequent. One of Lynch's favorites is Cupcake Heaven, a cute local shop where visitors can kick back, sip their lattes and dig into a gourmet cupcake. Market Street has more locally owned spots, such as Giuseppe's Ristorante Italiano for pizza and pasta and Hidden Julles for brunch and sandwiches.
Townhouses, contemporary and Colonial homes in subdivisions
Housing in Haymarket is a mix of single-family homes in planned communities, condos and townhouses, many of which have been built within the last 10 years as the area quickly develops. Three-bedroom townhouses go for between $550,000 and $700,000, while brick contemporary and Colonial-style homes go for between $700,000 and $1 million. Clusters of homes line residential streets with cul-de-sacs. Front-facing attached garages are the norm in this car-dependent area, but sidewalks make individual streets pedestrian-friendly. New construction continues to flood Haymarket, but there are some more established neighborhoods. "The area is growing rapidly, but developments like Dominion Valley and Villages of Piedmont are large communities that have been there for 25 or 30 years at least," Lynch says.
Highly rated Prince William County Public Schools
Students may attend Haymarket Elementary School and Ronald Wilson Reagan Middle School, both of which earned A-minus grades from Niche. Older students advance to Battlefield High School, which earned an A grade from Niche. Battlefield High School is the Center for Applied Sciences, Interactive and Information Technology (CASIIT), where students can take specialized courses and earn industry certifications in subjects such as robotics, engineering, sustainability and computer science.
Town of Haymarket Park and Leopold's Preserve
The Town of Haymarket Park has a playground and open space for events. Just west of Haymarket, Leopold's Preserve has 380 acres of forest and grassland overlooking rolling hills, streams and ponds. Now centered by the Villages of Piedmont housing development, the land has served as the site of a plantation, a railroad, an African American school, and more throughout its history. Residents can play competitive hockey, learn to figure skate or enjoy a casual skating session at Haymarket Iceplex.
Commuting around NOVA and DC
Lynch explains that the area is popular among commuters, with many government workers working in Northern Virginia and DC and living in Haymarket. Washington Street, which turns into Route 55, is also a popular thoroughfare for drivers heading to Gainesville, just southeast. "It's very accessible to Route 29, I-66 and Route 15, all major commuter routes," Lynch says. Haymarket has its own hospital, UVA Health Haymarket Medical Center, and Dulles International Airport is about 25 miles northeast of the community. Haymarket has a CAP Index score of 2, indicating a lower-than-average crime risk in the area.
Photography Contributed By
David MacNeill
