Welcome to Virginia’s Independent City of Falls Church, which very few people (except for perhaps the residents of Falls Church) know that Falls Church is the smallest political subdivision by area (approximately 2.2 square miles) in the nation at the county level. Fittingly, Falls Church is just 9 miles west from the nation’s capitol, Washington D.C.

The City of Falls Church is also well known for its prestigious and long history that predates even the country’s colonial times. The area was long home to Native American tribes, with anthropologist estimating that early settlement by hunter-gatherers occurred as far back as 12,000 years ago. English settlers arrived in the mid-1600’s who drove out the Indians to establish a settlement here who were quick to construct a church known as “Falls Church” since the settlement was located at the falls of the Potomac River. The name of the church was then transferred to become the name of the community.

The quality of life here in Falls Church is exceptionally high. In fact, the parents of this community made the motion to becoming an independent city due to their perceived lack of quality in the local schools. Consequently, the city became independent in 1948 and created one of the finest school districts in the state. Other accolades demonstrating the high quality of life in Falls City include being honored as an “All-America City”.