Overview

Arlington County is a county in the U.S. state of Virginia. Arlington is a world-class community and tourist destination located just five miles from the heart of the nation’s capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the U.S. The County Vision will be a diverse and inclusive world-class urban community with secure, attractive residential and commercial neighborhoods where people unite to form a caring, learning, participating, sustainable community in which each person is important. The System was established as a defined benefit plan, under the authority of an act of the General Assembly of Virginia, in Chapter 21 of the County Code (for Uniform and General Employees) as of December 21, 1953, and in Chapter 35 (for School Board Employees) as of January 1, 1969. System provisions were modified such that all County employees hired on or after February 8, 1981, are covered by the provisions of Chapter 46 of the County Code. Arlington has 62 registered civic and citizen associations, dozens of commissions, and more than 178 community service organizations. Arlington is home to the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery.