Population502,966 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
Potomac Connections Across A Changing Northern Landscape
Prince William County, VirginiaPrince William County brings together Potomac-related communities, forest recreation and landscapes with national historical significance. Dumfries, Occoquan and the areas around the county’s parks offer different starting points, making a focused itinerary more useful than a sweeping regional tour. A visitor might choose woodland trails, a battlefield walk or a town visit centered on art and local history. Each experience reveals a different scale of place. Begin with one part of the county and allow room to understand its setting before adding a second destination farther away.
Prince William County at a Glance
Population502,966 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatManassas
Largest municipalityDumfries (2020 Census)
Established1731 (organized; NACo County Explorer)
ZIP coverage count24 (whole or partial coverage; Oct. 2026)
Total Area, Including Water347.162 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major routesI-66; I-95; US 1; US 15; US 29; SR 234
Main area codes703 / 571
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Discover Prince William County
Prince William County
The county emerged in the early 1730s and was named for a son of George II. Its original territory later narrowed as Fairfax and Fauquier counties were created. Indigenous communities occupied the region before those colonial institutions, and the Dumfries area became connected with the Potomac tobacco trade. Later landscapes tell different stories: Manassas preserves the setting of two Civil War battles, while Prince William Forest Park developed from a Depression-era recreation area. Those histories show changing uses of land and public space across periods that should remain distinct in any county account.
Choose the kind of pace your group wants. A forest outing calls for a suitable trail and enough time outdoors; a battlefield visit benefits from interpretation that distinguishes the two campaigns. Occoquan provides a more compact setting for browsing, river views and a museum stop. Check the location of each destination carefully, since familiar regional names can cross jurisdictional lines. Pairing a substantial park visit with a modest community stop often leaves more room for discovery than trying to fit all the county’s major attractions into a single hurried day.
What Shapes Us
Two Battles, One Landscape
At Manassas, similar place names recur across separate campaigns. Use maps and interpretation to establish which event you are following, then consider how the terrain affected people facing very different decisions on different dates.
A Forest With History
Prince William Forest Park combines natural observation with evidence of earlier communities and public recreation. Its cabin-camp story adds a social dimension to an outing that might otherwise focus only on trees and trails.
Town-Scale Exploration
Occoquan’s shops, arts and river setting invite a slower visit. A short route can still offer depth when you pause to connect a museum, public space or building with the community around it.
Discover the community connections behind a changing regional map.
A Closer Look
Prince William County
Places and perspectives from Prince William County
Potomac Local News
Police Blotter: Manassas man arrested after strong-armed robbery at Dumfries Walmart
Prince William County police arrested a 58-year-old Manassas man after a strong-armed robbery at a Dumfries Walmart in…
Read the Story Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min readAround Prince William County
Stories from every corner of Prince William County.
Police Blotter: Manassas man arrested after strong-armed robbery at Dumfries Walmart
Prince William County police arrested a 58-year-old Manassas man after a strong-armed robbery at a Dumfries Walmart in…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Dumfries councilman flips out at Flock meeting: ‘Let Dumfries handle Dumfries business’
Councilman Brian K. Fields called for a show of hands from town residents at a Flock license-plate camera…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Dumfries accepts $7 million for Route 1 corridor work and switches to twice-weekly trash pickup
Dumfries Town Council on Oct. 5, 2026, accepted $7 million from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
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Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Local
Finance — Find the county’s financial administration information and department contacts.
Planning — Find the county’s land-use planning or zoning information and contacts.
Public Works — Find the public works department and information about its county services.
Building Inspection — Start with the county’s building-permit or inspection guidance.
Public Records — Find the county’s instructions for requesting public records.
Prince William County government — Find county notices, public meetings and official service information.
Virginia statewide
Virginia voter services — Find official voter registration, election and polling information.
Virginia General Assembly — Find state legislators, legislative sessions and public information.
Virginia tax services — Find Commonwealth tax forms, filing and payment information.
Virginia vital records — Review requests for eligible Virginia birth, death and marriage records.
Schools
Local
Public Schools — Find official schools information and service contacts.
Local contacts
Bristow Run Elementary — Elementary; grades PK-05. 8990 Worthington Dr, Bristow, VA 20136. 703-753-7741 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
The Governor's School @ Innovation Park — Not Applicable; grades N-N. 10900 University Boulevard, 226A Occoquan Building MS6D10, Manassas, VA 20110. 703-993-7027 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
E.H. Marsteller Middle — Middle; grades 06-08. 14000 Sudley Manor Dr, Bristow, VA 20136. 703-393-7608 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
A. Henderson Elementary — Elementary; grades PK-05. 3799 Waterway Dr, Dumfries, VA 22025. 703-670-2885 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
Potomac High — High; grades 09-12. 3401 Panther Pride Drive, Dumfries, VA 22026. 703-441-4200 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
Buckland Mills Elementary — Elementary; grades PK-05. 10511 Wharfdale Place, Gainesville, VA 20155. 703-530-1560 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
Haymarket Elementary — Elementary; grades PK-05. 15500 Learning Lane, Haymarket, VA 20169. 703-468-2800 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
Virginia statewide
School Quality Profiles — Find state reporting on schools and school divisions.
Home instruction — Review state home-instruction guidance and local reporting requirements.
Hospitals
For an emergency, call 911.
Local and regional hospitals
Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center — Woodbridge, Prince William County. View hospital services and visitor information. This is a regional option, not a nearest-hospital ranking.
Virginia statewide
Virginia local health districts — Find the public health district and offices serving your locality.
VDH health facility oversight — Find licensing information and facility oversight contacts.
Virginia Medicaid — Find official coverage and member-service information.
Virginia health insurance marketplace — Review coverage options through the state marketplace.
Virginia 211 — Find local assistance with health access, transportation and basic needs.
Virginia immunization services — Find public vaccination information and service resources.
Virginia maternal health — Find state maternal-health resources and support.
National locator
HRSA health center locator — Search nearby federally supported health centers.
Medicare Care Compare — Compare participating hospitals and other providers by location.
Public Safety
For an emergency, call 911.
Local
Sheriff — Find the local law-enforcement office and its public services.
Police — Find the local law-enforcement office and its public services.
Sheriff’s Office Volunteers — Find the local law-enforcement office and its public services.
Virginia statewide
Active Alerts — Check current statewide public-safety alerts.
Missing Persons — View official missing-person notices and reporting information.
Criminal Record Check — Find state criminal-history record request procedures.
Fingerprinting — Review official fingerprinting service information.
Aggressive/Reckless Driver: How to Report — Read the State Police procedure for reporting dangerous driving.
Crime Prevention — Browse practical crime-prevention resources.
Vehicle Safety Inspection — Find information about Virginia vehicle safety inspections.
Emergency Services
For an emergency, call 911.
Virginia statewide
VDEM preparedness — Find Virginia household emergency planning resources.
Virginia 511 — Check traffic incidents and road conditions before travel.
National service
National Weather Service — Enter your location for official forecasts, watches and warnings.
Ready.gov emergency kit — Use the federal checklist to assemble household emergency supplies.
Ready.gov family plan — Prepare a household communication and meeting plan.
Flood preparation — Find preparation and response guidance for flooding.
Power outage preparation — Plan for loss of electricity and essential powered equipment.
Disaster assistance — Check assistance available after a federally declared disaster.
Red Cross shelters — Check open shelters during a disaster.
FEMA mobile app — Review official mobile warning and preparedness tools.
State Parks
Local
Leesylvania State Park — Prince William County park on the Potomac River with trails and public recreation.
Virginia statewide
Find a Park — Compare Virginia state parks by location when planning a regional outing.
Park trail maps — Download park maps before choosing a walking or riding route.
Find programs and events — Check ranger programs and scheduled activities by park and date.
Reservation information — Review how to reserve campsites, cabins and other facilities.
Prices — Check the official fee schedule before your visit.
Search by amenity — Find parks with the facilities your group needs.
Accessibility — Review accessible facilities and visitor assistance.
Become a Junior Ranger — Find children's learning activities available through the state park system.
Rules and regulations — Check visitor rules, permitted activities and restrictions.
Trails
Local
Leesylvania trail information — Prince William County park on the Potomac River with trails and public recreation. Use the official maps to plan a route.
Parks & Recreation — Find local recreation facilities and information for planning an outdoor visit.
Parks, Centers & Pools — Find local recreation facilities and information for planning an outdoor visit.
New Bridge Improves Access Along Broad Run Trail — Find trail planning information, maps or current project status.
Virginia statewide
Park trail maps — Download official state park trail maps and choose an appropriate route.
Hiking — Find state park walking opportunities and planning information.
Biking — Identify parks with cycling opportunities and check permitted use.
Equestrian — Find horse-trail and horse-camping information.
Accessibility — Check accessibility information before choosing a trail.
All-Terrain Wheelchairs available — Find parks offering all-terrain wheelchair access and reservation details.
Utilities
Local
Public Works — Find public utility or public works contacts and service information; coverage varies by address.
Virginia statewide
Regulated Electric Companies & Service Map — Identify electric service territories; confirm service for your specific address.
Regulated Gas Companies & Service Map — Identify regulated gas providers and their service areas.
Regulated Water/Sewer Companies — Find regulated water and sewer companies; municipal systems may be separate.
Universal Service: Lifeline — Review the telephone affordability program and application resources.
Electricity FAQs — Find answers about electric utility service and billing.
Natural Gas FAQs — Find answers about gas service and customer responsibilities.
Water/Sewer FAQs — Review state guidance on water and sewer utility service.
Virginia 811 — Request underground utility marking before digging.
Virginia Energy Sense helps you save energy — Find practical guidance on reducing household energy use.
Libraries
Local
Library — Find library services, branch information and borrowing resources.
Library Card — Review how to obtain a library card and borrowing privileges.
Library Locations & Hours — Find library branch locations and current opening information.
Digital Library — Access the library system’s online reading and research resources.
Digital Library — Access the library system’s online reading and research resources.
Local contacts
Dale City Library — 4249 Dale Blvd, Dale City, VA 22193. 703-792-5670 . Contact listing: IMLS FY2024; confirm hours and services directly.
Dumfries Library — 18115 Triangle Shopping Center, Dumfries, VA 22026. 703-792-5678 . Contact listing: IMLS FY2024; confirm hours and services directly.
Haymarket Gainesville Library — 14870 Lightner Road, Haymarket, VA 20169. 703-792-8700 . Contact listing: IMLS FY2024; confirm hours and services directly.
Virginia statewide
Get a Library Card — Check eligibility for a Library of Virginia account and remote resources.
Catalog Search — Search the state library catalog for books and archival material.
Courts
Local
Clerk of the Circuit Court — Find court contacts, office information and guidance for court business.
Circuit Court Civil Filing Fees — Find court contacts, office information and guidance for court business.
Circuit Court Criminal Fines, Costs & Restitution — Find court contacts, office information and guidance for court business.
Virginia statewide
Find a Local Court — Identify the court serving your locality and its official contact page.
Case Status and Information — Choose the appropriate court system to look up case information.
Pay Traffic Tickets and Other Offenses — Review official payment options and participating courts.
Access to Justice Self-Help — Find court-approved self-help information and forms.
Other Court-Related Forms — Locate forms by court and proceeding type.
Assistance with Protective Orders (I-CAN!) — Find the court system's protective-order assistance resources.
Mediation — Learn about court-connected mediation services.
DMV
Virginia statewide
Locations — Find a customer service center and check the services offered before traveling.
Reserve Your Spot — Check appointment options for a DMV visit.
Driver's License — Find instructions for obtaining, renewing or replacing a Virginia license.
Title Your Vehicle or Trailer — Review the documents needed to establish vehicle ownership.
Registration — Find vehicle registration and renewal instructions.
REAL ID — Review the identity documents needed for a REAL ID credential.
Disability Programs — Find parking placard and license plate information.
Change my address — Update the address attached to your DMV records.
Request a Copy of Your Driver or Vehicle Record — Request an official driving or vehicle record.
Moving — Find DMV steps for moving into, out of or within Virginia.
Transportation
Virginia statewide
Traffic conditions — Check road incidents, closures and traffic cameras before travel.
Travel advisories — Read current VDOT travel notices and planned restrictions.
Road maps — Download official highway and county road maps.
Toll roads — Identify toll facilities and their payment information.
Rest areas — Locate state-maintained rest stops along major highways.
Virginia Breeze routes — Compare intercity bus stops and schedules; service does not reach every county.
Virginia Breeze passenger information — Check luggage, accessibility and trip-planning information.
Commuting and public transit — Find Commonwealth public-transportation resources.
Virginia passenger rail — Compare Amtrak Virginia routes and stations for regional trips.
VDOT customer service — Report road maintenance concerns to VDOT.
Postal Services
USPS nationwide service
Locations — Locate post offices and collection boxes by your address or ZIP Code.
Forwarding Mail — Review mail-forwarding and change-of-address options.
Rent/Renew a PO Box — Check PO Box availability, rental and renewal options.
Schedule a Pickup — Check address eligibility and arrange collection of qualifying packages.
Schedule a Redelivery — Request another delivery attempt for eligible missed mail.
Track a Package — Check delivery progress using a USPS tracking number.
Calculate a Price — Compare postage costs for the size and destination of your mailing.
Finding Missing Mail — Follow the official steps for a delayed or missing item.
Passports — Locate passport acceptance services and review appointment preparation.
USPS Service Updates — Check disruptions affecting postal operations before visiting or shipping.
Veterans
Virginia statewide
Virginia Department of Veterans Services — Find state benefits offices and veteran support programs.
Virginia Veterans Network employment services — Connect with Virginia veteran employment and transition assistance.
National VA service
VA facility locator — Find nearby VA medical centers, clinics and benefit offices.
Accredited claims representatives — Find accredited assistance with VA benefit claims.
VA health care enrollment — Review health care enrollment and application options.
Disability claims — Find the official steps for filing a disability claim.
Education benefits — Review application steps for VA education benefits.
Careers and employment — Explore VA career counseling and employment support.
VA housing assistance — Find veteran home-loan and housing assistance programs.
Burial and memorial benefits — Review cemetery, burial and memorial benefit resources.
Employment
Local
Human Resources — Find county employment information and the human resources office.
Virginia statewide
Virginia Works job-seeker services — Find career assistance, training and job-search support.
Virginia Workforce Connection — Learn how to register for the state job-search system.
Registered apprenticeships — Search approved apprenticeship opportunities.
Virginia state jobs — Search current Commonwealth employment openings.
Unemployment applications — Find official application steps for unemployment benefits.
VEC reemployment services — Review the state reemployment and eligibility-assessment program.
Virginia community colleges — Find community colleges and workforce-training pathways.
Virginia DARS — Find vocational rehabilitation and employment support for people with disabilities.
National
USAJOBS — Search federal openings by locality and occupation.
Get to Know Prince William County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Prince William County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
502,966 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
347.162 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Prince William Forest Park offers wooded trails, streams and camping experiences. Consult the National Park Service’s trail and visitor information to choose a route suited to your available time. Prince William Forest Park.
The park began as Chopawamsic Recreation Area in 1936, serving children’s relief camps during the Depression. Its historic cabins help connect today’s recreation landscape with that earlier public-welfare purpose. Forest park history.
Manassas National Battlefield Park interprets the fighting of 1861 and 1862. Use its visitor guidance to distinguish the two campaigns and select a walk or tour focused on one of them. Manassas National Battlefield Park.
Historic Occoquan brings together shops, restaurants, art studios and River Mill Park. The county tourism guide can help you plan a town visit around the activities you most enjoy. Explore Historic Occoquan.
Start with Emergency Services Volunteers, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with these official Virginia resources: Title Your Vehicle or Trailer; Registration; Driver's License. Choose the page for the service you need, then check its office or online instructions before making a trip. These links cover state services; they do not establish that every transaction is available at a county office.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
The VA explains how to find and appoint an accredited representative for benefit claims. Contact a representative to confirm availability before appointing them. For education benefits, use the GI Bill application guidance. These are national VA services available to eligible local residents, rather than a listing of county offices.
The Stone House at Manassas served wounded Union soldiers during both battles. Learning its story adds a human-scale perspective to a visit otherwise dominated by troop movements and large open fields. Stone House and battlefield landmarks.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make Time to ExploreBrowse local places by the kind of day you have in mind.
Kids’ Fun
- National Museum of the Marine Corps
Triangle — in Prince William County
Museum exhibits and family learning activities; some military-history content suits older children. - Leesylvania State Park
Prince William County — in Prince William County
A family outdoor outing; check facilities, ranger programs and applicable fees before visiting. - Dale City Library
Prince William County — in Prince William County
Browse children’s books together and check the branch calendar for family activities.
Restaurants
- The Secret Garden Cafe
Occoquan — in Prince William County
Cafe in historic Occoquan with its current menu online. - Bistro L’Hermitage
Woodbridge — in Prince William County
French restaurant near Occoquan; review reservations and dress guidance. - Bottle Stop Wine Bar
Occoquan — in Prince William County
Occoquan restaurant and wine bar with food menus online.
Shopping & Retail
- Potomac Mills
Woodbridge — in Prince William County
Outlet shopping center with current store and visitor information. - Gift & Gather
Occoquan — in Prince William County
Occoquan gift shop featuring independent makers and small brands. - Tysons Corner Center
Tysons — nearby region; outside Prince William County
Shopping center with stores, dining and visitor information.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Potomac Mills
Woodbridge — in Prince William County
Browse clothing and footwear outlets; check each store’s current listing. - Monkee’s of Fairfax
Fairfax Corner — nearby region; outside Prince William County
Women’s clothing, shoes and accessories at Fairfax Corner. - Nordstrom — Tysons Corner Center
Tysons — nearby region; outside Prince William County
Department-store clothing, shoes and styling services.
Outdoor Fun
- Manassas National Battlefield Park
Prince William County — in Prince William County
Battlefield trails and open landscapes; check trail and road notices. - Prince William Forest Park
Prince William County — in Prince William County
Woodland trails, scenic drives and camping; check entrance fees and access notices. - Leesylvania State Park
Prince William County — in Prince William County
Plan a walk on the park’s designated trails and review current access, parking and activity fees.
Free Things To Do
- National Museum of the Marine Corps
Triangle — in Prince William County
Free museum admission; explore Marine Corps history near Triangle. - Manassas National Battlefield Park
Prince William County — in Prince William County
No park entrance fee; choose a battlefield walk using NPS visitor information. - Dale City Library
Prince William County — in Prince William County
Enjoy reading and browsing in the public library; borrowing eligibility and optional service charges are separate.
A New Stop, a Local ConnectionExplore the Listings Below