Joblessness in Arlington County is up 38% year-over-year in new state data, and local officials are warning that federal layoffs will likely bring further increases.
A total of 5,413 Arlington residents were recorded as seeking jobs in August, according to data released yesterday (Wednesday) by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement. That’s compared to 3,932 unemployed residents in August 2024.
The first weekend of October will bring seasonal festivals, outdoor activities and celebrations of a new Taylor Swift album in Arlington and Falls Church.
But first, federal workers and contractors affected by the government shutdown can take some solace in discounts and deals at several local businesses.
Each week, “Just Reduced” spotlights properties in Arlington County whose prices have been cut over the previous week. The market summary is crafted by Arlington Realty, Inc. Maximize your real estate investment with the team by visiting www.arlingtonrealtyinc.com or calling 703-836-6000 today!
Please note: The properties featured here may be listed with other brokerages– but that doesn’t limit your options. Arlington Realty, Inc. is ready to represent you, arrange showings, analyze value, and negotiate the best possible terms on your behalf. We understand the neighborhoods, pricing trends and market timing — and we use that knowledge to your advantage.
As of October 12, there are 211 detached homes, 77 townhouses and 314 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 53 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:
2510 N. Upland Street, 22207 – NOW: $1,249,000 (Reduced: $50,000 on 10/9)
2419 N. Dickerson Street, 22207 – NOW: $1,100,000 (Reduced: $50,000 on 10/9)
520 N. Livingston Street, 22203 – NOW: $1,000,000 (Reduced: $50,000 on 10/8)
3521 8th Street S., 22204 – NOW: $995,000 (Reduced $55,000 on 10/8)
2122 N. Thomas Street, 22207 – NOW: $950,000 (Reduced: $20,000 on 10/12)
2539 Washington Boulevard, 22201 – NOW: $945,900 (Reduced: $53,000 on 10/12)
4701 9th Street S., 22204 – NOW: $889,987 (Reduced: $10,000 on 10/9)
Please note that this is solely a selection of Just Reduced properties available in Arlington County. For a complete list of properties within your target budget and specifications, contact Arlington Realty, Inc.
After a nine-month stint as a Caribbean restaurant, Lesly’s Restaurant Bar and Grill has returned to its previous owner and nixed its new menu in Falls Church.
The restaurant at 306 Hillwood Avenue has returned to its roots as a Latin American restaurant and nightlife spot following a dispute in management, departing owner Ricky Bartlette told ARLnow. The eatery has reinstated its previous offerings, which include entrees like carne asada and a variety of fajitas and tacos.
Arlington Transit (ART) in fiscal 2025 returned to service levels last seen immediately preceding the pandemic, according to county officials.
About 2.62 million passengers rode the local service between July 2024 and June 2025, on par with the period between July 2019 and June 2020.
Get ready for some spooky fun — our Annual Trunk-or-Treat is back! 👻
This year, we have a special treat! We are hosting a FREE 30 minute kids' martial arts class from 12:00 – 12:30 pm. Ages 5-16 yrs old are welcome. This is a great opportunity to try Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and then head to our parking lot afterwards for our Trunk or Treat event! Come dressed in your best Halloween costume and join us for an afternoon filled with candy, music, and fun! 🎶🍬
After 26 years as Arlington Public Schools’ supervisor for health, physical/driver education and athletics, Debbie DeFranco has retired.
DeFranco — whose last day was Tuesday, following 34 years at APS — is being succeeded by former Wakefield High School principal Chris Willmore.
The median rental cost for an Arlington apartment is down 0.9% year-over-year, according to new data, paralleling a slight nationwide decrease.
The county’s apartments remain among the most expensive in major urban areas outside California.
Flyover Planned This Morning — From AlertDC: “The United States Military will conduct a flyover in the National Capitol Region at Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 11:05 AM.”
Data Center Power Usage — “Data centers and AI are gobbling up electricity, but the share differs significantly by state. Between 2010 and 2025, data centers went from less than 5% to roughly 40% of Virginia’s electricity consumption.” [Derek Thompson/X]
Shutdown Shakes Up Va. Races — “The federal government shutdown — and the escalating battle over which party bears the most blame — has injected a major new question mark into the governor’s race in Virginia, home to hundreds of thousands of federal workers… The state is home to more than 300,000 federal workers — more than any other state but Maryland. That reality means anxiety over government shutdowns and their economic fallout runs especially deep in northern Virginia’s densely populated suburbs.” [CNN]
Top of Ticket Spending Down — “Republican nominee and current Lt. Gov Winsome Earle-Sears and Democratic nominee Abigail Spanberger are making their final pushes to voters before they fill out their ballots. Even with the historic implications, total fundraising for this gubernatorial race is substantially down from other recent elections, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.” [Virginia Mercury]
Gov. Touts Efficiency Gains — “We are CUTTING RED-TAPE and REDUCING COSTS for Virginia families and businesses! Our best-in-class regulatory reform efforts have set a gold standard for the Nation. Over $1.275 million in saving each year for Virginians. Less government bureaucracy, saving you time and money!” [Gov. Glenn Youngkin/X]
‘Suspicious Person’ Arrest — “The male suspect allegedly jumped over the fences of residences in the 400 block of S. Edgewood Street. A lookout was broadcast, and responding officers observed the suspect exiting a residence in the 300 block of S. Fillmore Street where they detained him following a brief struggle. During a search incident to arrest, brass knuckles were recovered.” [ACPD]
Local Woman’s Sake Shop — “Arlington resident Reiko Hirai started her online shop, DC Sake cō, with a grand plan to introduce the DMV to the wide world of sake. “I have a personal mission to bring sake to everyone,” she says. “My dream would be for everyone to one day say, ‘Honey, are we having beer, wine or sake tonight?’” The Kyoto native sells all sorts of hard-to-find sake and Japanese beverages.” [Arlington Magazine]
Coming to Potomac Yard — “The longest-standing vacancy at Potomac Yard Center has been filled. Ulta Beauty Inc. will replace Dressbarn, which closed its location at 3501 Richmond Highway in 2019 along with all 650 of the retailer’s locations. The 9,700-square-foot storefront is listed “at lease” on Willard Retail’s Potomac Yard Center brochure, but Ulta confirms it is opening there, with a planned debut in spring 2026.” [WBJ]
New Legal Notice — Establishment seeks restaurant/caterer alcohol license. Objections are due within 30 days. [Public Notices]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 70 degrees, accompanied by an east wind around 8 mph. Thursday night will see partly cloudy conditions with a low around 52 degrees. [NWS]
Good Wednesday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Oct 1, 2025.
Here is what’s going on Thursday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Expect sunny skies and a high near 70 degrees accompanied by an east wind around 8 mph. Thursday night will see partly cloudy conditions with a low around 52 degrees. The east wind at around 5 mph will become calm in the evening. See more from Weather.gov.
“There is nothing permanent except change.”
– Heraclitus
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
Thanks for reading! If you have something to say about an issue of local note not covered today, feel free to post it as a letter to the editor on our new forum.
As Arlington County staff research a possible ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, they may take some lessons from a nearby jurisdiction’s struggles with a similar prohibition.
A ban on gas-powered leaf blowers in Montgomery County went into effect July 1, threatening $500 citations if someone is photographed using the noisy and environmentally unfriendly devices. Recently, however, that county’s leaders have been rethinking ways to enforce the ban while respecting people’s privacy.
