A growing town with generational ties in Northern Virginia
With a population of just under 25,000, Herndon is a relatively small town in the Northern Virginia area just 25 miles from Washington, D.C. The former railroad town is known for its walkable downtown area that prioritizes locally-owned shops and restaurants, and its streets are dotted with homes and other buildings as old as the mid-1800s. Realtor Brett Selestay of The Selestay Group describes Herndon as a cozy small town that has been consistently growing over the years. “It’s interesting — I grew up here. I was born and raised here. In fact, I do not live far from where I grew up,” he says. “As a kid, it was much quieter. Over the last 35 years, it has kind of exploded. We’ve seen a tremendous amount of growth in terms of appreciation, social activities and new businesses.”
Selestay says that compared to other areas around, Herndon is the place where he most commonly hears of people who grew up in town returning in adulthood. “I had a great childhood here — it’s a safe place with great schools, and there’s a lot of diversity in the area in terms of food and culture,” he says. “I think a lot of people had a great experience being raised here, too, and want to give their kids a similar experience.” It certainly helps, he adds, that Herndon is also a little more affordable than neighboring areas, which makes homeownership possible for many who have been priced out elsewhere in Northern Virginia.
Herndon residents love the community and historical feel.
Herndon is welcoming and an ideal place to settle down.
Learn all about Herndon's history and what the town has to offer.
Enjoy a nice walk on the W&OD Trail in Herndon.
1/4
New builds and historic homes with character
According to Selestay, there are many types of houses for buyers in Herndon. “There’s definitely some character-driven houses downtown with a lot of really cute old school charm, as well as new construction custom-built homes that are on the more expensive end of things,” Selestay says. However, the area also has subdivisions of Colonial Revivals on quiet, tree-lined streets. Herndon's median listing price as of 2024 was $690,000, which is higher than the state median of $410,000 and the national median of $430,000.
Gorgeous homes stand tall in Herndon.
Many varieties of homes styles are present in Herndon.
Grand two-story homes are common finds for locals to reside in Herndon.
Inviting homes with lush green yards are among the sites that you will see in Herndon.
1/4
Shopping and dining in and around Herndon
Most people head to Herndon’s downtown for shopping and dining. Bars and breweries make up the bulk of Herndon’s nightlife, and residents gather here on the weekends for the weekly farmers market. In 2019, the town announced a redevelopment project for the downtown area, with plans to add a mixed-use space containing apartments, more retail, an arts center and a parking garage. The project has been in limbo in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is currently paused by the builder.
Many shoppers drive to nearby towns for more retail options. “A lot of people from Herndon go meet up at the Reston Town Center and have lunch and get coffee, shop and bar hop at night. There’s an ice skating rink and a movie theater, too,” Selestay says. Reston is 2 miles from Herndon. “In the other direction, there’s something called One Loudoun, which is a similar type of town center with restaurants, movie theaters and all sorts of things happening." Loudon is about 9 miles away and also home to several rolling green hills of wine country.
Jimmy's Tavern, where all the locals hang out in Herndon.
Check out the latest movie at the local AMC Theater in the Worldgate Plaza in Herndon, VA.
Zeffirelli Ristorante Italiano, where they treat you like family in Herndon.
Aslin Beer Company is great place for the beer enthusiasts in Herndon.
1/4
An arts district and plentiful railroad history
Herndon has roots as a railroad town, and residents get glimpses of that heritage all over the area, from public murals to the iconic caboose located at the entrance to the Washington and Old Dominion Trail. The historic train depot still stands in the downtown area, although it now serves as the Herndon Depot Museum and home of the Herndon Historical Society. Also located downtown is a special arts district with nonprofits like Arts Herndon, which features a gallery, studio and performance space.
Murals show off the artistic talents and designs of the local artists in the Herndon, VA area.
Murals along the sides of buildings depict a glimpse of the history of Herndon, VA
Music at Arrowbrook Centre Park
HometownCelebration
1/4
The Washington and Old Dominion Trail and other outdoor activities
Herndon’s Department of Parks and Recreation maintains 11 neighborhood parks, as well as a golf course and community center. Frying Pan Farm Park highlights what farm life was like in the early-to-mid 1900s, offering kids the chance to meet farm animals or take horseback riding lessons. One of Northern Virginia’s most significant outdoor features runs through Herndon. The historic Washington and Old Dominion Trail, which was built on former railroad tracks, is 45 miles long and connects Herndon residents to the neighboring towns of Reston and Sterling.
Enjoy a nice ride with your buddies on the W&OD Trail in Herndon.
Bring a skateboard and try out the skatepark within Trailside Park.
Take a trip to Herndon's historic town hall.
Work on your swing with fellow members at the Herndon Centennial Municipal Golf Course.
1/4
A convenient D.C. commuter location
Herndon is located along the Dulles Toll Road and just a few miles from Route 7, both major commuter roads to locations like Tysons Corner or Washington, D.C. Residents and commuters can hop on the Silver Line of the Metro at Herndon Station to be in D.C. within about 45 minutes. The Fairfax County Department of Transportation provides bus service around the area; new, more efficient routes were rolled out with commuters in mind following Herndon Station’s opening in November 2022. When it’s time to get out of town, Dulles International Airport is just 3 miles from the center of Herndon and offers nonstop flights to 74 domestic and 60 international destinations.
Herndon students attend the large Fairfax County School district
Students in Herndon are served by Fairfax County Public Schools. Niche awards the district an overall A grade and names it as their No. 6 pick for Best School Districts in Virginia. Serving more than 182,000 students and operating nearly 200 schools and centers, it’s one of the largest districts in the county. As one of the largest employers in Virginia, the district has 25,175 full-time employees. According to Selestay, many folks carefully consider the zip code of the house they’re looking at in Herndon — either 20170 or 20171 — because they are zoned for specific schools in the district.
The Hutchinson Elementary School is named after the late E. Barbour Hutchinson.
Herndon High School provides a nuturing enviroment for students to thrive near Herndon.
The Herndon Middle School serves grades 6-8 to students in and near the Herndon, VA region.
Herndon Elementary School is a public, accredited, primary school in Herndon, VA.
1/4
Crime and weather trends in Herndon
According to FBI statistics, violent crime rates in Herndon are similar to state and national averages, but property crime rates are lower than state and national averages. The town experiences all four seasons, including hot and humid summers and chilly winters, though snowfall isn't very common.
Written By
Amanda Boivin
Photography Contributed By
Joseph Furio
Video By
Matthew Bloch
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Melanie Clark,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Herndon, VA sell after 21 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Herndon, VA over the last 12 months is $725,000, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Open houses: Saturday, 11/01 - 12:00 - 2:00 pm and Sunday, 11/02 - 1:00 - 3:00 pm Beautifully updated and move-in ready! This spacious 4-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom, 3-level townhouse offers stylish living and peace of mind with extensive recent upgrades throughout. The main level features stunning solid hardwood flooring installed in 2019, flowing through an open and inviting layout. Spacious formal
Open House this Sunday, November 2nd, 1-3 p.m. New on the market! The Appraisal just came in at $764,000-instant equity! Welcome to 1534 Youngs Point Pl — a beautifully renovated 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath Colonial in the highly sought-after Hiddenbrook community, located on a quiet street with no-through traffic.Spanning nearly 2,500 square feet of finished space, this two-level home impresses from
Experience the epitome of luxury living in this exquisite estate where sophistication and comfort harmonize. Nestled on a tranquil cul-de-sac in sought after Chantilly Highlands, this exceptionally rare gem surpasses expectations with meticulous craftsmanship and unrivaled entertainment options, redefining the concept of a refined lifestyle. A work of art in itself, this extraordinary residence
Open houses: Saturday, 11/01 - 12:00 - 2:00 pm and Sunday, 11/02 - 1:00 - 3:00 pm Beautifully updated and move-in ready! This spacious 4-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom, 3-level townhouse offers stylish living and peace of mind with extensive recent upgrades throughout. The main level features stunning solid hardwood flooring installed in 2019, flowing through an open and inviting layout. Spacious formal
Open House this Sunday, November 2nd, 1-3 p.m. New on the market! The Appraisal just came in at $764,000-instant equity! Welcome to 1534 Youngs Point Pl — a beautifully renovated 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath Colonial in the highly sought-after Hiddenbrook community, located on a quiet street with no-through traffic.Spanning nearly 2,500 square feet of finished space, this two-level home impresses from
Welcome to 2204 Westcourt Lane #109 in the highly desirable Worldgate Crescent community!This ground-floor condo in a secure building perfectly blends comfort, convenience, and location. Just minutes from Amazon Web Services, the Silver Line Metro, Dulles Airport, and Reston Town Center, this home makes both commuting and leisure effortless.Inside, you’ll find a bright and open
Welcome home to this fabulous 3 bed 2 bath home in the desirable Fox Mill Estates! The home is bright and airy with many large windows and open floor plan. Hardwood floors throughout the main floor. The kitchen features stainless steel appliances, island with breakfast bar and granite counters. The large dining area opens to an expansive back yard that backs to trees and is fully fenced. There is
2 bedroom plus large loft/flex room that can be used as you wish. LOCATION, townhome style, 2 level, 1 garage home. 2 bedrooms, plus loft room that can be used as 3rd sleeping room. work from home office area off primary bedroom Walk to Herndon Metro Station, t drive), Shopping, Walking Trails and more. CAN BE USED AS 3 BEDROOMS - Has 2 bedrooms plus extra room size loft space (TV room in
Immerse yourself in the warmth and elegance of this stunning two-bedroom, two-bath condo at 2320 Field Point Road, Apt. 103, in Herndon, VA. Boasting a generous 1,275 square feet, this beautiful abode invites you to experience the perfect blend of comfort and style. Gleaming hardwood floors lead you through an open living space for intimate gatherings or tranquil evenings. The thoughtfully
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
