Crystal City

Crystal City is an organically-grown neighborhood in southeastern Arlington, VA, in close proximity to the Potomac River and the Pentagon. Crystal City is also very close to Ronald Reagan National Airport, which sits between the neighborhood and the Potomac River. Crystal City is one of many “urban villages” in Arlington, along with prominent neighborhoods such as Rosslyn and Ballston. Crystal City has a large, busy Metro stop, and is in close proximity to high-traffic areas such as the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, and Ronald Reagan National Airport. Due to these factors, the neighborhood sees a lot of commercial activity.

In November, 2018, online retail giant Amazon announced that one of their new east coast headquarters would be built in Crystal City. Arlington County confirmed this decision in December, 2018, and Amazon officially revealed their construction plans in September of 2019. Amazon’s expansion into Crystal City led to a notable increase in Arlington’s home values.

Crystal City’s housing market consists primarily of renters. There are few single-family homes in Crystal City — most residents live in multi-unit buildings, often highrises. Crystal City is known more as a commercial neighborhood than a residential neighborhood.

Residents of Crystal City tend to be well-educated, with a 2017 survey showing that nearly 85% of the neighborhood’s adult inhabitants have a Bachelor’s degree or some type of graduate degree.

The median home value in Crystal City is $644,700, according to the same 2017 survey.