Falls Church has returned to its No. 1 spot on the U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings of the nation’s healthiest communities, and Arlington remains in the top 25.
The rankings, released today (Tuesday), gave Falls Church an overall score of 100 out of 100, particularly recognizing its high quality education, healthy populace, strong economy and good nutrition and infrastructure. Arlington County, meanwhile, received a score of 86.07, placing it at No. 19 on the list.
The urban design and education system in Falls Church gave it a competitive edge over other top-rated communities — including the now-dethroned Los Alamos County, New Mexico, which has been at No. 1 for the previous three years.
“Falls Church posted the highest walkability index score — a measure included in the infrastructure category — and rates among the nation’s best on a similar measure reflecting the share of its population living close to a destination like a library, museum or playground,” according to U.S. News & World Report.
A grocery store is a 10-minute walk away for 70% of Falls Church residents. In a press release, Mayor Letty Hardi described Falls Church as a 15-minute city, “where all needs can be met within a 15- minute walk or bike ride,” contributing to its walk score of 91%.
Arlington County — recognized last month as the nation’s “fittest city” in the eyes of the American College of Sports Medicine — also received high marks for its population health, food and nutrition, economy and public safety.
Arlington’s average life expectancy is 84.7 years, according to the rankings. Life expectancy in Falls Church is 77.4 years, while the national average is 75.8.
Arlington and Falls Church scored high in most of the U.S. News & World Report’s 10 categories, but received low marks in categories like equity, housing and the environment. Arlington’s lowest rating was for “community vitality,” where it received a score of 32 out of 100.
Elsewhere in the D.C. area, Fairfax County and Fairfax city placed at No. 14 and 15, respectively in the 2024 U.S. News list, with scores of 86.85 and 86.75. Howard County, Maryland was placed at No. 20 with a score of 86, just a touch below Arlington.
