Morning Notes
Trolley Pub Launches Without Alcohol — Despite assurances by Arlington County Police that it met the letter of the law, the plan to launch an open-air, pedal-powered party trolley in Arlington has hit a snag. Virginia ABC has told the operator of the Trolley Pub that riders cannot bring their own alcohol with them on rides. Instead, the Trolley Pub has launched without alcohol, as a sort of “pub-crawl conveyance.” [Washington City Paper]
The Most Arlington Photo Ever? — A photo of four ACPD officers on Segways talking to the driver of the Trolley Pub in front of Fire Works Pizza is gaining some attention for being, perhaps, “the most Arlington photo ever.” Wrote the Clarendon Nights blog: “All we need is someone in the background in a popped collar eating cupcakes and doing Crossfit to complete every Arlington stereotype!” [Clarendon Nights]
NSF Staying in Ballston for Five Years — The National Science Foundation has renewed its lease in Ballston for the next five years. The agency is still looking for an office that offers lower rent. The General Services Administration is currently reviewing offers for a 15-year-lease. [Washington Business Journal]
Metro Lines and Median Income — A new infographic shows the median income along the Washington area’s Metro lines. The highest median income among Arlington’s Metro stops was East Falls Church, at $142,486. The methodology for the infographic is unclear — a median income of $113,567 was listed for Arlington National Cemetery. [Urban Turf]
Arlington Among the Highest-Earning Cities — Arlington has placed 16th on a list of cities and suburbs with the highest percentage of $100,000+ household incomes. In Arlington 50.3 percent of households earn more than $100K, according to census data. [Nerd Wallet]
Five Percent of Arlington Households Make $250k+
Want to crack the top 5 percent of Arlington households in terms of income? You’ll have to pull in more than a quarter million dollars per year.
Arlington is ranked #7 of 3,143 counties nationwide for high-earning households, according to census data cited by the Washington Post. The starting point for the top 5 percent of high-earning households in Arlington is $250,001 per year, compared to the U.S. average of $191,469 and the Virginia average of $226,079.
In Arlington, 17,093 households — nearly one in five countywide — are in the national top 5 percent ($191,469+) in terms of income.
Arlington isn’t alone. Five D.C. area counties, including Arlington, were among the top 10 counties for high-earning households nationwide, the Post reports.
Free Tax Help Clinics Begin Friday
Starting this Friday, Arlington County is holding free clinics to assist residents with tax preparation.
The clinics are intended to serve residents with “low or moderate income.” Several of the clinics are vague about income levels, but others specify a maximum income.
Those seeking assistance must bring a photo ID, social security cards for each family member, earnings statements (W-2, W-2G, and all 1099′s received) and a copy of last year’s federal and state returns. If applicable, participants should also bring interest and dividend statements, daycare expenses paid in 2012, student loan interest payments, a record of any sales tax paid on new vehicles purchased in 2012 and a record of any real estate taxes paid in 2012.
The schedule for the clinics is as follows:
- Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street) — Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m., February 5-April 11. No appointments are necessary, customers are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Spanish speakers will be available.
- Columbia Pike Branch Library (816 S. Walter Reed Drive) — Tuesdays from 1:15-7:45 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., February 1-April 13. No appointments are necessary, customers are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Spanish speakers will be available.
- Arlington Department of Human Services (2100 Washington Blvd) — Tuesdays from 5:30-7:00 p.m. (or when all available slots are filled), February 5-April 9. No appointments are necessary, customers are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Maximum income is $35,000 for one person or $51,000 for families. Spanish speakers will be available.
- ECDC Enterprise Development Group (901 S. Highland Street) — Tuesdays and Fridays from 6:00-9:00 p.m., Saturdays from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., February 1-April 13. No appointments are necessary, customers are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Maximum income is $51,000. Spanish speakers will be available.
- AARP Travel Team — (Only available to people unable to leave their homes.) Call 703-594-6576 to schedule an appointment.
Morning Notes
Arlington to Hold Online Snow Chat — Dave Hundelt, Arlington County’s Streets Manager, will be answering questions about snow removal online today (Thursday). The discussion is scheduled from noon to 1:00 p.m. [Facebook]
Metrobus Driver Arrested at Pentagon – A Metrobus driver was arrested by U.S. Marshals at the Pentagon Wednesday morning. The driver, of the 9E Pentagon-Huntington line bus, was wanted in connection with a 2010 murder. [Washington Examiner]
Joe Allbritton Dies — Joe L. Allbritton, owner of Arlington-based WJLA (ABC 7), NewsChannel 8 and Politico, has died. Allbrittion, whose initials are the call letters of WJLA, was 87. [Politico]
Arlington Ranks Sixth in Household Income — Arlington County had a median household income of $98,060 in 2011, which was 5.1 percent higher than a year prior, according to new census figures. Arlington’s 2011 median income is the sixth-highest of all counties in the United States. [Sun Gazette]
Arlington Ranks as #11 ‘Top-Earning Town’ in U.S.
Arlington is the 11th “top-earning town” in the nation, according to a new list compiled by CNN Money.
The ranking is based on Arlington’s $132,580 median family income. Arlington’s median home price is $485,000, according to CNN Money.
Two other D.C. suburbs ranked higher than Arlington. Bethesda, Md. was #1 with a median income of $184,606 and a median home price of $740,000. Ashburn, Va. is #6 with a median income of $146,093 and a median home price of $345,000.
As of 2010, the median annual household income in the U.S. was $50,221, and the median annual household income in Virginia was $59,330.
Free Tax Prep Clinics Begin Next Week
Tax season is officially upon us, as all businesses must mail out employee W-2 forms by next week. Arlington County is offering free clinics for those seeking help filling out tax forms.
The sessions are said to be for “people with low or moderate income,” and criteria for each session is listed below. Attendees must bring photo ID, all W-2 and 1099 forms, social security cards for each family member and information on all other income received in 2011. If it’s available, also bring a copy of last year’s tax return and bank account numbers for direct deposit.
The schedule is as follows:
- Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy St) Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., February 2-April 17. No appointments are necessary, customers are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Spanish speakers will be available.
- Columbia Pike Library (816 S. Walter Reed Dr) Tuesdays 1:15-7:45 p.m., Fridays & Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., February 3-April 14. No appointments are necessary, customers are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Spanish speakers will be available
- Arlington Department of Human Services (2100 Washington Blvd) Tuesdays 5:30-7:00 p.m., February 7-April 10. No appointments are necessary, customers are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Spanish speakers will be available. Customers may not have an individual income that exceeds $25,000 or a family income that exceeds $45,000.
- ECDC Enterprise Development Group (901 S. Highland St) Tuesdays 6:00-9:00 p.m., Fridays 6:00-9:00 p.m., Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., February 3-April 14. No appointments are necessary, customers are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Customers may not have an income that exceeds $50,000.
- AARP Travel Team (Only available to people unable to leave their homes) Appointments only. Call 703-960-0428 to schedule an appointment.
