Leesburg, Virginia
Leesburg is the county seat of Loudoun County, about 33 miles west-northwest of Washington, D.C. It combines a historic downtown, established neighborhoods, newer planned communities, and the open countryside of Loudoun just beyond. With more than 48,000 residents, it is a real town with its own character, not just a stop on the way to somewhere else.
- Founded
- 1758, as the Loudoun County seat
- Incorporated
- 1813
- Population
- 48,250 (2020 Census)
- Area
- 12.47 square miles
- Distance
- About 33 miles from D.C.
- Main routes
- US 15, Route 7, Route 267
A short history
From George Town to county seat.
Leesburg has been Loudoun’s center for more than 250 years.
George Town, then Leesburg
Surveyor John Hough laid out the town in 1757 as George Town. The following year it became Leesburg, in honor of the Lee family, and the seat of Loudoun County. It was formally incorporated in 1813.
A crossroads
The town grew where the Carolina Road (now US 15) crossed the Potomac Ridge Road (now Route 7).
The Civil War
Leesburg, about two miles south of the Potomac River, was near the front lines and changed hands many times. Ball’s Bluff, nearby, is a Civil War battlefield with a small national cemetery.
A railroad stop
Its proximity to Washington sped recovery after the war, and the railroad made it a major stop heading west through Loudoun County.
Why people choose it
Why Leesburg.
- A real downtown.King Street and Market Street form a historic center of shops, restaurants, and homes.
- History around every corner.The Leesburg area has 21 entries on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Parks and open space.Ida Lee Park covers 141 acres, and Morven Park is a 1,000-acre historic estate.
- A long trail.The W&OD Trail is a 45-mile rail trail.
- Range of homes.From historic townhouses to newer neighborhoods and country properties nearby.
- Room to breathe.The Loudoun countryside, including horse farms and wine country, begins at the edge of town.
Homes and neighborhoods
Downtown, neighborhoods, and countryside.
Historic downtown
Older homes within walking distance of King Street and Market Street. Character is the draw, and so are the details: age of systems, historic district rules, and parking.
Established and newer neighborhoods in town
Planned communities such as Exeter, Potomac Station, Tuscarora Crossing, and Greenway Farms are among the neighborhoods in and around Leesburg. Each has its own feel, age of homes, and association rules. We compare them with you.
Lansdowne
A planned community southeast of the town center, near the Lansdowne Resort and its golf. Homes here are often marketed with a Leesburg address; we confirm the details of each.
The countryside around Leesburg
Horse farms, wineries, and acreage lie around town. Wells and septic are common outside the town’s utility service, so those inspections matter.
Getting around
Highways, buses, and the Silver Line.
Roads
US Route 15 and Route 7 cross at Leesburg. The Dulles Greenway (Route 267) ends here at its northwest end. The Greenway is a toll road.
Commuter buses
Loudoun County Transit runs commuter routes to D.C.
The airport
Leesburg Executive Airport at Godfrey Field serves general aviation.
Silver Line
The Silver Line’s Loudoun stations are a drive from Leesburg. We can help you map the actual trip from any home you’re considering.
Everyday life
What a normal week looks like.
Outdoors
- Walk and play at Ida Lee Park
- Tour Morven Park’s grounds and historic estate
- Bike or walk the W&OD Trail
- Visit the Ball’s Bluff battlefield and its small national cemetery
Downtown and beyond
- Dine and shop on King Street and Market Street
- Follow the Town Branch of Tuscarora Creek through town
- Visit Loudoun’s wineries and farms nearby
Town and county
Costs and rules to understand.
Where a home sits changes the taxes, services, and rules.
Town taxes
Homes inside the Town of Leesburg are subject to town taxes in addition to county taxes.
Historic district
Exterior changes to properties in the town’s historic district may need review before work begins.
Tolls and commuting costs
If you commute on the Dulles Greenway, tolls are part of the cost of living in Leesburg.
HOA and association fees
Many newer neighborhoods have associations. Fees and what they cover vary.
Work and community
Who lives and works here.
Leesburg is a working town as well as a bedroom community.
Major employers
Loudoun County Government and Loudoun County Public Schools are among the largest employers in town.
Local government
Leesburg has a mayor and a council-manager form of government.
Neighbors
Ashburn and One Loudoun are within easy driving distance. See our guides.
Schools
Schools serving Leesburg.
Leesburg’s public high schools include Loudoun County, Heritage, Tuscarora, and Riverside High Schools, all part of Loudoun County Public Schools. Which one serves a home depends on the address.
School assignments depend on the address and can change. Confirm with the school district before you decide.
Buying and selling
Buying or selling in Leesburg.
If you’re buying
- Confirm whether the home is inside town limits or in the county
- Check the age of the roof, HVAC, and other systems in older homes
- In the historic district, ask what exterior changes may need review
- Test your commute at the hours you’ll actually travel
If you’re selling
- Lead with the setting: downtown, parks, trails, or acreage
- Share records for the roof, systems, and renovations
- Have HOA documents ready if applicable
- Price against recent sales in your own neighborhood or type of property
From our team
We can help you see the differences.
Leesburg is really several places in one: a historic downtown, in-town neighborhoods, planned communities, and open country. We’ll help you figure out which fits how you want to live and what each home will cost to own.
Questions
Leesburg questions.
Is Leesburg the county seat?
Yes. It has been the seat of Loudoun County since 1758.
Do I pay town taxes?
Homes inside the Town of Leesburg are subject to town taxes in addition to Loudoun County taxes. A Leesburg mailing address isn’t always inside town limits, so we confirm each address.
How far is Leesburg from D.C.?
About 33 miles west-northwest. Commute times depend heavily on route and time of day.
What is the Dulles Greenway?
A toll road (Route 267) with its northwestern end at Leesburg. It connects to Dulles Airport and the Dulles Toll Road.
Thinking about Leesburg?
Tell us what you’re looking for or what you’d like to sell, and we’ll talk through it.
Available homes
Homes for sale in Leesburg.
Statistics and dates come from public sources such as the U.S. Census and local governments. Taxes, fees, school boundaries, and rules change, so we confirm details for any home you’re considering.