According to Bridgat, Dumfries, Virginia is a small town located in Prince William County, about 25 miles southwest of Washington DC. It has a population of about 4,500 people and covers an area of 3.2 square miles. The town is situated on the banks of the Occoquan River and is bordered by the Quantico Marine Base to the north and Interstate 95 to the south.
The land around Dumfries is mostly flat and heavily wooded with many streams running through it. The town itself is situated on a plateau at an elevation of around 250 feet above sea level. There are several parks in the area such as Leesylvania State Park, Mason Neck State Park and more which provide plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for visitors and residents alike.
The climate in Dumfries is typical of much of Virginia with hot, humid summers and cold winters with occasional snowfall. Average summer temperatures range from 70-90°F while winter temperatures range from 30-50°F. Average annual precipitation is around 40 inches which includes both rain and snowfall throughout the year.
Dumfries has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1749 by Scottish settlers who named it after their ancestral home in Scotland’s Dumfriesshire region. Today, it remains one of the oldest towns in Northern Virginia and has been designated as an official historic district by both Prince William County and the Commonwealth of Virginia due to its many historic buildings that remain standing today such as Town Hall, Old Jail Museum, Trinity Episcopal Church, St Paul’s Episcopal Church, etc.
Dumfries is a small but vibrant town nestled away in Northern Virginia just outside Washington DC that offers plenty for visitors to explore including its rich history, beautiful parks and outdoor recreation opportunities as well as plenty of shopping and dining options along its quaint Main Street area.
History of Dumfries, Virginia
Dumfries, Virginia is a small town located in Prince William County, about 25 miles southwest of Washington DC. It has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1749 by Scottish settlers who named it after their ancestral home in Scotland’s Dumfriesshire region. The town was established as a trading post and quickly grew into a thriving port on the Occoquan River, which was used by ships carrying tobacco and other goods from the Chesapeake Bay to Alexandria and other ports.
In the late 1700s Dumfries became an important stop along the stagecoach route between Alexandria and Fredericksburg, making it an important hub for travelers. During the Civil War, Confederate troops camped near Dumfries and used it as a staging area before their march on Washington DC. The town saw several skirmishes during this time and afterward many of its buildings were damaged or destroyed.
After the war, Dumfries slowly recovered and began to rebuild itself. In 1885, the town was officially incorporated by an Act of Assembly of Virginia which is still celebrated today during its annual Founders Day celebration each June. By this time the Occoquan River had become too shallow for navigation so trade shifted to railroads instead which helped spur further growth in the area.
In recent decades, Dumfries has seen significant growth due to its close proximity to Washington DC as well as its position along Interstate 95 making it an ideal location for commuters looking for affordable housing options outside of the city. Today, it remains one of the oldest towns in Northern Virginia and has been designated as an official historic district by both Prince William County and the Commonwealth of Virginia due to its many historic buildings that remain standing today such as Town Hall, Old Jail Museum, Trinity Episcopal Church, St Paul’s Episcopal Church etc.
Economy of Dumfries, Virginia
Dumfries, Virginia is a small town located in Prince William County, about 25 miles southwest of Washington DC. It has a diverse and vibrant economy that has evolved over the years to meet the needs of its citizens.
The town was originally founded as a trading post and quickly grew into a thriving port on the Occoquan River. This made it an important hub for travelers and ships carrying goods from the Chesapeake Bay to Alexandria and other ports. However, when the river became too shallow for navigation in the late 1800s, trade shifted to railroads instead which helped spur further growth in the area.
Today, Dumfries is home to a number of large employers including defense contractors, government agencies, and corporate offices. These companies provide thousands of jobs to local residents as well as those commuting from nearby cities such as Alexandria or Manassas Park. Additionally, there are many small businesses located throughout the town which offer goods and services such as retail stores, restaurants, professional services, and more.
In recent years, the local economy has also seen an influx of technology-based startups due to its close proximity to Washington DC and its position along Interstate 95 making it an ideal location for entrepreneurs looking to capitalize on potential new markets or take advantage of existing ones within Northern Virginia. This has resulted in an increase in high-paying jobs within these fields which have helped boost overall wages within Dumfries over time.
The town also benefits from tourism due to its rich history and many historic buildings still standing today such as Town Hall, Old Jail Museum, Trinity Episcopal Church, St Paul’s Episcopal Church etc., making it a popular destination for visitors who want to experience life in a small southern town while still having easy access to all that Washington DC has to offer.
Dumfries is an economically diverse community with something for everyone – whether you’re looking for employment opportunities or just looking for somewhere interesting to visit – there’s something here for you.
Politics in Dumfries, Virginia
Dumfries, Virginia is a small town located in Prince William County. Its population of 4,961 makes it one of the smaller towns in the county, but it has a long and storied history that dates back to its founding in 1749. The town was an important port on the Occoquan River during the early 1800s and has since become known as a great place to live and work due to its proximity to Washington DC and other major cities. Politically, Dumfries is located within Virginia’s 10th congressional district which is currently represented by Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton.
In terms of local politics, Dumfries falls within the Dumfries Magisterial District which is represented by Supervisor Ruth Anderson. Anderson was first elected in 2015 and has been re-elected twice since then. Her focus as supervisor has been on improving infrastructure, creating jobs, and increasing access to services for all residents of Prince William County. She also serves on several regional boards including the Northern Virginia Regional Commission and the Potomac & Rappahannock Transportation Commission.
At the state level, Dumfries is represented by Senator Scott Surovell who was first elected in 2011. He serves on several committees including Courts of Justice; Finance; Privileges & Elections; Rules; Transportation; Commerce & Labor; Education & Health; Militia, Police & Public Safety; Local Government; Agriculture Conservation & Natural Resources; etc., and focuses on issues such as education reform, economic development/job creation, transportation/infrastructure investments/improvements etc.,
The town also falls within Virginia’s 50th House district which is currently represented by Delegate Hala Ayala who was first elected in 2018. She serves on numerous committees including Commerce & Labor Subcommittee #2 (Jobs); Education Subcommittee #2 (Early Childhood); General Laws Subcommittee #1 (Civil Law); Militia Police & Public Safety Subcommittee #2 (Firearms); Privileges & Elections Subcommittee #3 (Voting Rights). Her primary focus is on economic development/job creation through investments in infrastructure improvements such as broadband access and public transportation etc., as well as increasing access to quality healthcare for all Virginians.
Dumfries is a politically active community with a wide variety of representatives at both local and state levels working hard to ensure that all residents have access to quality services and resources they need for a prosperous future.