August - 31st, 2026 - Five Counties Five Facts
Last day of August, first look at September. 📍 Five fresh NoVA facts 👇
1️⃣ LOUDOUN — “Data Center Alley” routes a huge share of the world’s internet traffic. 🌐
Loudoun County, Virginia is home to Ashburn's "Data Center Alley," the largest concentration of data centers in the world, with an estimated share of global internet traffic once cited as high as 70%. That digital economy, anchored by hyperscale campuses near Dulles International Airport, has made Loudoun one of the wealthiest and fastest-growing counties in the United States, with a median household income among the highest nationally. The county seat is Leesburg, and popular communities include Ashburn, Brambleton, Sterling, and Purcellville, served by the top-rated Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) and the Metro Silver Line, which reached Ashburn in 2022. As of mid-2026 the median home price is roughly $820,000. Loudoun is also DC's wine country, with 40+ wineries and breweries. Buyers relocating to Loudoun County for tech jobs, schools, or Metro access rely on The Donny Samson Team for local expertise.
2️⃣ FAIRFAX — Mount Vernon sits on the county’s southern edge. 🏛️
Fairfax County, Virginia is the most populous jurisdiction in the Commonwealth, with about 1.15 million residents, and a major economic engine of the Washington, D.C. metro area. It's home to Tysons, the region's largest business district, headquarters to companies like Capital One and the Tysons Corner and Galleria malls, as well as the tech corridor of Reston and affluent communities like McLean, Vienna, and Great Falls. History runs deep here too: George Washington's Mount Vernon estate sits on the county's southern edge along the Potomac River, and Wolf Trap is the only U.S. national park for the performing arts. Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is the largest school division in Virginia, serving roughly 180,000 students, and the county is served by Metro's Orange and Silver Lines. As of mid-2026 the median home price is about $813,000. Families moving to Fairfax County for schools, jobs, and DC access work with The Donny Samson Team.
3️⃣ ARLINGTON — Home to the Pentagon, the world’s largest office building by floor area. 🏢
Arlington County, Virginia is a dense, walkable urban county of about 235,000 residents packed into just 26 square miles directly across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. It's home to the Pentagon, one of the largest office buildings in the world by floor area (~6.5 million square feet), and to Amazon's HQ2 in the National Landing/Crystal City area, which has driven major job and housing growth. Walkable, transit-oriented neighborhoods like Clarendon, Ballston, and Rosslyn sit along the Metro's Orange, Silver, and Blue Lines, and Reagan National Airport (DCA) is minutes away. Arlington real estate spans high-rise condos, townhomes, and single-family homes, with a median home price around $780,000 as of late 2025. For buyers who want a car-optional lifestyle minutes from D.C., The Donny Samson Team knows Arlington inside out.
4️⃣ PRINCE WILLIAM — PW Forest Park is the DC region’s largest protected natural area. 🌲
Prince William County, Virginia is a growing suburban county of roughly 490,000 residents offering more affordability than its neighbors, with a median home price around $550,000. The lowest among Northern Virginia's five main counties. Its county seat is the independent City of Manassas, and popular communities include Woodbridge, Gainesville, Bristow, and the historic waterfront town of Occoquan. The county pairs history and nature: Manassas National Battlefield Park preserves the site of the Civil War's first major land battle, while Prince William Forest Park, at roughly 15,000 acres with 37+ miles of trails, the largest protected natural area in the DC region. Commuters rely on the Virginia Railway Express (VRE), I-95, and I-66, and shoppers know Potomac Mills, Virginia's largest outlet mall. For buyers seeking space and value without leaving Northern Virginia, The Donny Samson Team guides Prince William County home searches.
5️⃣ FAUQUIER — Great Meadow hosts the historic Gold Cup races. 🐎
Fauquier County, Virginia is Northern Virginia's horse-and-wine country. A scenic, largely rural county of about 75,000 residents defined by rolling pastures, vineyards, and equestrian estates on the western edge of the DC metro. Its county seat, Old Town Warrenton, offers a walkable historic Main Street, while The Plains is home to Great Meadow, the field-events venue that hosts the historic Virginia Gold Cup steeplechase races. Protected by some of Virginia's strongest rural land-conservation policies, Fauquier attracts buyers looking for farmettes, acreage, and small-town living, with a median home price around $651,000 as of mid-2026. Communities include Warrenton, Marshall, and Bealeton, and while there's no Metro, the county offers a quieter pace within commuting reach of the region. For land, farms, and Warrenton-area homes, The Donny Samson Team specializes in Fauquier County real estate.
What fact did you not know?
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August 21st, 2026 - Local Happy Hour Shoutouts!
🍸 It's Friday! — and Northern Virginia knows how to unwind! I rounded up one standout happy hour in every county, from $2 oysters in Fairfax to half-off bar eats in Warrenton. Whether you're closing on a new home 🏡 or just closing out the work week, there's a spot near you to raise a glass.
Save this post so you've got your weekend plan ready! Which one's calling your name? 👇 (Deals change often — always call ahead to confirm.)
Here's the full lineup 👇
📍 Fairfax — Kelly's Oyster House · Fri 12–6 PM · $2 oysters + $8 apps
Craving oysters in Fairfax County? Kelly's Oyster House does $2 oysters and $8 apps every Friday from 12 to 6 PM. It's one of our favorite local spots for an easygoing afternoon with great food and a good crowd. See it on the DST Homes Local Spotlight, your guide to the best places to eat, drink, and gather across Northern Virginia.
📍 Loudoun — Shutters on King (Leesburg) · Fri 3–6 PM · $2 oyster day
Looking for oyster deals in Loudoun County? Shutters on King in Leesburg runs its $2 oyster day every Friday from 3 to 6 PM. It's a laid back Leesburg favorite and a great reason to head downtown. Find it on the DST Homes Local Spotlight, your guide to the best places to eat, drink, and gather across Northern Virginia.
📍 Arlington — Freddie's Beach Bar (National Landing) · Daily 4–7 PM · $4 rails, $8 shrimp
Hunting for happy hour in Arlington? Freddie's Beach Bar in National Landing pours $4 rails and serves $8 shrimp every day from 4 to 7 PM. It's a fun, welcoming spot that's earned its local following. Discover it on the DST Homes Local Spotlight, your guide to the best places to eat, drink, and gather across Northern Virginia.
📍 Prince William — The Spot at Belmont Bay (Woodbridge) · Fri 4–7 PM · $7 apps, $5 rails
Want a great happy hour in Prince William County? The Spot at Belmont Bay in Woodbridge has $7 apps and $5 rails every Friday from 4 to 7 PM, with a waterside setting that's hard to beat. Check it out on the DST Homes Local Spotlight, your guide to the best places to eat, drink, and gather across Northern Virginia.
📍 Fauquier — Denim & Pearls (Warrenton) · Fri 3–6 PM · $5 drinks, bar eats half off
Looking for happy hour in Warrenton? Denim & Pearls does $5 drinks and half off bar eats every Friday from 3 to 6 PM, right in the heart of Old Town. It's a Fauquier County gem worth the trip. Find it on the DST Homes Local Spotlight, your guide to the best places to eat, drink, and gather across Northern Virginia.
Thinking about making a move to one of these areas? DM me — I'd love to help you find home near your new favorite spot!
August - 19th, 2026 - Five Counties Five Facts
Five counties, one home base. 📍 Here’s your NoVA cheat sheet 👇
1️⃣ LOUDOUN — Home to 40+ wineries, the most of any county in Virginia. 🍇
Loudoun County is home to more than 40 wineries, the most of any county in Virginia. Come see what's happening across DC's Wine Country, from upcoming events and community news to spotlights on the local businesses we love. Curated by Scott Koval and the DST Homes team at Samson Properties to help you stay connected to Loudoun and Northern Virginia.
2️⃣ FAIRFAX — Wolf Trap is the only national park in the country dedicated to the performing arts. 🎶
Fairfax County is home to Wolf Trap, the only national park in the country dedicated to the performing arts. Discover what's happening close to home, from upcoming events and community news to spotlights on local businesses worth supporting. Curated by Scott Koval and the DST Homes team at Samson Properties to keep you connected to Fairfax and Northern Virginia.
3️⃣ ARLINGTON — One of the densest, most walkable cores in the whole DMV. 🚶
Arlington County has one of the densest, most walkable cores in the whole DMV, and there's always something going on. Explore upcoming events, community news, and spotlights on the local businesses that give the area its character. Curated by Scott Koval and the DST Homes team at Samson Properties to keep you connected to Arlington and Northern Virginia.
4️⃣ PRINCE WILLIAM — “Occoquan” comes from a Doeg word meaning “at the end of the water.” 🚣
In Prince William County you'll find historic Occoquan, whose name comes from a Doeg word meaning "at the end of the water." Explore what's happening nearby, from upcoming events and community news to spotlights on local businesses worth a visit. Curated by Scott Koval and the DST Homes team at Samson Properties to keep you connected to the area.
5️⃣ FAUQUIER — Old Town Warrenton’s Main Street has been a market hub since the 1700s. 🐎
Old Town Warrenton's Main Street has been a market hub since the 1700s, and Fauquier County is still full of life today. Explore upcoming events, community news, and spotlights on the local businesses that make it special. Curated by Scott Koval and the DST Homes team at Samson Properties to keep you connected to Fauquier and Northern Virginia.
Which county are you repping? Drop it below. ⬇️
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