Del Ray, Alexandria Virginia Neighborhood
Section: NVA Neighborhoods
Author: Susan Isaacs, Washington DC Real Estate Strategist
You’ll hear this little neighborhood described as charming, eclectic, artsy and yes, we said it: adorable. Eye-popping architecture and a fun-loving vibe make this one of Alexandria’s most popular spots.
The Neighborhood Made Of Adorable
Del Ray is an urban village in Alexandria, Virginia known for its playful individuality, artsy bent, mom & pop business district, epic Saturday farmer’s market, dog friendliness and cute-as-a-button housing stock. In short, Del Ray is one of a kind.
The main drag is Mount Vernon Avenue. where you’ll find unique restaurants & pubs like The Evening Star Cafe, St. Elmo’s, Matt & Tony’s, Little Birdie, Cheesetique, butchery Let’s Meat, and iconic shops like Vélocity Bicycle Cooperative.
Del Ray’s residential streets look much as they did many decades ago, lined with large shade trees, deep lots with generous backyards, and 15-foot front setbacks. Architectural styles range from Craftsman Bungalow, Folk Victorian and American Foursquare to Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival, Art Deco, Queen Anne and Italianate. Walk, don’t drive, as you tour these streets to avoid fender-benders while you’re gaping at it all.
Some of Del Ray’s grandest houses were built on Mount Vernon Avenue, and you can still see several of the original Foursquare houses, converted for retail use. As the area grew and developed, Mount Vernon Avenue evolved from a grand residential avenue to a funky retail corridor full of color and character.
Del Ray History
Del Ray grew from several subdivision tracts; Hume, Mount Ida, Saint Elmo’s and its namesake Del Ray. The historic communities of Del Ray and St. Elmo’s originated in early 1894. Homes here were originally built for workers at Potomac Yard. Most were affordable, detached single family dwellings of modest size. The desirability of today’s Del Ray is partially due to these working class beginnings and its unpretentious personality.
Other Details
Del Ray is bounded on the south by Braddock Road, Russell Road on the west, East and West Glebe on the north and U.S. Route 1 on the east. It’s adjacent on the west to Potomac Yard and its southernmost tip is separated from Old Town West by the Metro line.
Some older posts written about Del Ray mention storm water issues, but the City of Alexandria has been working on mitigation. The city has completed some fixes on East and West Del Ray Avenue by adding new storm inlets and increasing the capacity of existing ones. The city still targets surface flooding catchments near West Reed Avenue to complement the larger Commonwealth work.
Del Ray Schools
Mount Vernon Community School Public Grades K-5
George Mason Elementary School Public Grades K-5
George Washington Middle School Public Grades 6-8
Alexandria City High School Public Grades 9-12
Del Ray spans more than one ACPS elementary attendance area. Alexandria implemented new elementary and middle-school boundaries for the 2026-27 school year, so exact assignment varies by address. Always confirm a property through the official ACPS Attendance Zone Locator.
Disclaimer
We are not attorneys, legal experts, investment counselors, or CPAs. The content on this channel is presented for informational purposes only and derived from reliable sources, but should not be considered legal, financial, investment, transaction or real estate practice advice. Susan Isaacs and Compass, their principals and/or representatives, do not guarantee or warrant its accuracy, completeness, or applicability to any specific real estate transaction. Homebuyers should read applicable D.C. law and code as part of their due diligence, and seek help from licensed, qualified professionals for interpretation and application to their specific transaction.