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Burke, Virginia
Census-designated place
Houses in Burke in October 2016
Location of Burke in Fairfax County, Virginia
Burke, VirginiaShow map of Northern VirginiaBurke, VirginiaShow map of VirginiaBurke, VirginiaShow map of the United States
Coordinates: 38°46′53″N 77°16′15″W / 38.78139°N 77.27083°W / 38.78139; -77.27083
Country	United States
State	Virginia
County	Fairfax
Named for	Silas Burke
Area
• Total	8.7 sq mi (22.6 km)
• Land	8.6 sq mi (22.3 km)
• Water	0.1 sq mi (0.3 km)
Elevation	256 ft (78 m)
Population
• Total	42,312
• Density	4,771/sq mi (1,842.1/km)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes	22009, 22015
Area code(s)	703, 571
FIPS code	51-11464
GNIS feature ID	1494192

Burke is an unincorporated section of Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, traditionally defined as the area served by the Burke post office (Zip Code 22015). Burke includes two census-designated places: the Burke CDP, population 42,312 in 2020 and the Burke Centre CDP, population 17,518 in 2020.

History

Burke is named after Silas Burke (1796–1854), a 19th-century slave-owner who built a house on a hill overlooking the valley of Pohick Creek in approximately 1824. Burke was a farmer, merchant, and local politician. He was a judge, sheriff, director of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad Company, president of the Fairfax Agricultural Society and the Fairfax Turnpike Company, among other leadership titles. He was also an overseer of the Fitzhugh’s plantation, which meant that he managed the Fitzhugh’s slaves and farming tasks. Burke also had personal slaves for his own farm. The Silas Burke house still stands.

When the Orange and Alexandria Railroad was constructed in the late 1840s, the railroad station at the base of that hill was named "Burke's Station" after Burke, who owned the land in the area and donated a right-of-way to the railroad company. The community that grew up around the railroad station acquired a post office branch in 1852. The railroad tracks located on the same historical line are owned by the Norfolk Southern Railway and form part of the Manassas Line of the Virginia Railway Express commuter rail system, which has two stations (Rolling Road and Burke Centre) in the Burke area. The original Burke Station building can still be seen in the community, turned 90 degrees from its historical footprint.

During the Civil War, the railway station was garrisoned by Union troops. The Bog Wallow Ambush occurred nearby in 1861. On December 28, 1862, Confederate cavalry under General J.E.B. Stuart raided the station. Stuart seized supplies from the area, destroyed a nearby bridge, monitored Union messages passing over the telegraph lines, and then famously sent a telegram to Union Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs complaining of the poor quality of the mules he had captured. Further action was seen in the neighborhood in 1863.

In 1903, Henry C. Copperthite changed the name of the post office from Burke's Station to Burke after buying the Burke House and 241 acres (98 ha) to build a racetrack for trotting and pacing horses. Copperthite was a wealthy man and the largest non-government employer in Washington, D.C.; in 1914 his factory in Georgetown produced 50,000 pies a day, earning him the nickname "King of Pie". Copperthite built four hotels, stables and expanded the general store. Burke became a popular summer destination where people attended fairs and saw horse races, foot races, motorcycle races, exhibition boxing matches and baseball games. Trains ran to Burke from Washington Union Station in Washington, D.C., Alexandria, Prince William, and Loudoun counties and as far away as Richmond. Copperthite installed the first phones in Burke, and his stables housed the horses of President McKinley and Vice President Theodore Roosevelt. The site of the racetrack is marked by a historic marker erected by Fairfax County in 2016.

The area remained predominantly rural into the mid-20th century. After World War I, Burke's population grew as federal government workers moved into the area within easy commuting distance to Washington.

In 1951, the U.S. Civil Aeronautics Administration announced plans to condemn 4,520 acres (1,830 ha) of land in Burke to construct a second airport to serve the Washington metropolitan area. After a lengthy lobbying campaign by area residents, the government in 1958 selected a different site near Chantilly, Virginia, which would become Washington Dulles International Airport. Land that had been purchased to build the airport was later developed into Burke Lake Park and the planned community of Burke Centre.

The first large subdivision in the vicinity, Kings Park, was constructed beginning in 1960, and was followed by many others over the next two decades, converting Burke into a densely populated suburban community.

A historic marker in Burke denotes the Huldah Coffer House, owned by a prominent resident of the county for many years. Another privately erected historical marker indicates the site of the former Lee Chapel Methodist church, which was intentionally burned in 1951 after having been abandoned for some years, but whose cemetery remains on the site.

Historic sites

• Mulberry Hill (c. 1790), located at 9417 Windsor Way
• Silas Burke House (original c. 1820; rebuilt c. 1853), located at 9617 Burke Lake Road
• Burke Methodist Church/Burke Station (c. 1857), located at 9415 Old Burke Lake Road Burke
• Little Zion Baptist Church and Cemetery (1891), located at 10018 Burke Lake Road

Burke

Geography and climate

Burke is located south of the center of Fairfax County at 38°46′53″N 77°16′15″W / 38.78139°N 77.27083°W / 38.78139; -77.27083 (38.781480, −77.270750). The Burke CDP is bordered by the CDPs of Burke Centre to the west, Kings Park West to the northwest, Long Branch and Wakefield to the north, Kings Park to the northeast, West Springfield to the east, Newington Forest to the south, and South Run to the southwest. Burke Lake Park, which borders the Burke CDP to the southwest and is not part of any CDP, is a large recreational park operated by the Fairfax County Park Authority, featuring a golf course and woodland surrounding Burke Lake.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Burke CDP has a total area of 8.7 square miles (22.6 km), of which 8.6 square miles (22.3 km) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km), or 1.22%, is water. Most of the water making up Burke consists of artificial ponds and lakes.

Demographics

2020 Census

At the 2020 census (some information from the 2022 American Community Survey) there were 42,312 people, 13,880 housing units and 13,786 households residing in the CDP. The population density was 4,920.0 inhabitants per square mile (1,897.4/km). The average housing unit density was 1,614.0 per square mile (622.4/km). The racial makeup of the CDP was 56.46% White, 7.22% African American, 0.36% Native American, 18.41% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 4.95% from other races, and 12.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 14.20% of the population.

Of the households, 74.1% were married couple families, 8.4% were a male family householder with no spouse, and 14.6% were a female family householder with no spouse.

The average family household had 3.41 people. The median age was 39.6, 26.4% of people were under the age of 18, and 15.8% were 65 years of age or older. The largest ancestry is the 13.7% who had German ancestry, 35.1% spoke a language other than English at home, and 25.3% were born outside the United States, 73.8% of whom were naturalized citizens.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $172,432, and the median income for a family was $176,970. 11.9% of the population were military veterans, and 65.0% had a bachelor's degree or higher. In the CDP 2.0% of the population was below the poverty line, including 1.2% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over, with 5.3% of the population without health insurance.

2000 Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 59,830 people, 19,215 households, and 15,756 families residing in the community. Burke is the largest community in Virginia recognized by the Census Bureau, other than counties and incorporated cities (although 11 cities and Arlington, Virginia have greater populations). The population density was 5,008.0 inhabitants per square mile (1,933.6/km). There were 19,367 housing units at an average density of 1,679.9 per square mile (648.6/km). The racial makeup of the CDP was 74.36% White, 14.66% Asian, 5.04% African American, 3.27% from two or more races, 0.21% Native American, 0.08% Pacific Islander, and 2.37% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.43% of the population.

There were 19,215 households, out of which 44.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.6% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.0% were non-families. 13.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.99 and the average family size was 3.30.

The population distribution by age is 27.9% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 30.6% from 45 to 64, and 5.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.

According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in Burke is $113,034, and the median income for a family was $125,905. Males had a median income of $66,149 versus $41,933 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $34,936. About 1.5% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.4% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Elementary and secondary school students in Burke are served by the Fairfax County Public School System. The elementary schools in Burke are White Oaks, Terra Centre, Fairview and Cherry Run, although students also attend Ravensworth and Kings Park/Kings Glen as well Sangster. Burke is home to Lake Braddock Secondary School, though many students within the district attend Robinson Secondary School and West Springfield High School, as well as South County High School.

Public libraries

Fairfax County Public Library operates the Pohick Regional Library, the Burke Centre Library, and the Kings Park Library in the CDP.

Transportation

Burke is served by two Virginia Railway Express stations, Burke Centre and Rolling Road, both on the Manassas Line. The former is also an Amtrak station. It is also served by the Washington Metrobus system, via the 17A, B, G, H, K, and L and the 18G, H, J, P, R, and S routes, with rush-hour-only service to the Pentagon and Springfield Metro stations.

Recreation and events

Recreation

Along the boundaries of adjoining Fairfax Station, Burke Lake Park is an 888-acre (3.59 km) park centered on a 218-acre (0.88 km) recreational lake. The park contains a 4.68-mile (7.53 km) jogging trail, campsites, numerous picnic and sports areas, an 18-hole par three golf course with driving range, a disc golf course, miniature golf course, boat rental, amphitheater, ice cream parlor, carousel, and miniature train ride.

Events

• From April through December, the Burke Farmers Market takes place each Saturday morning, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., in the Burke Centre VRE station parking lot.
• Burke Centre hosts a fall festival for two days, every September.

Communities

Burke Centre is a 1,700-acre (690 ha) planned community that was formerly part of the Burke CDP but is now a separate census-designated area. It is located west of Burke and is divided into five subcommunities: The Commons, The Landings, The Oaks, The Ponds and The Woods. Other notable communities in the Burke area include Rolling Valley West, Burke Village I & II, Lakepointe, Longwood Knolls, Burke Lake Meadows, Edgewater, Lake Braddock, Signal Hill, Crownleigh, and Cherry Run along with Burke Station Square.

Nearby towns, communities, etc.

All distances are by road from Burke Station, the original settlement of Burke:

• Annandale (5 miles NE)
• Clifton (8 miles W)
• Fairfax (5 miles NW)
• Lorton (9 miles SE)
• Springfield (6 miles E)

Notable people

• Retesh Bhalla, aka Sonjay Dutt, professional wrestler
• Hubert Davis, head coach of the University of North Carolina men's basketball team, former professional basketball player
• Chad Dukes, Washington-area radio personality
• Glennon Doyle, blogger and author
• Tiffany Dupont, actress
• Greg Eklund, drummer for Everclear
• Mia Hamm, American retired professional soccer player, two-time Olympic gold medalist, and two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion who attended Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke
• Nikki Hornsby, singer- songwriter, musician, NARAS member
• Allen Johnson, gold medalist in 1996 Olympics in Atlanta (110 metre hurdles) and a four-time world champion; attended Lake Braddock Secondary School
• Nguyễn Ngọc Loan, South Vietnamese general and chief of the South Vietnamese National Police, subject of an iconic Vietnam-era picture by Eddie Adams
• David W. Marsden, Virginia state senator
• John William Minton, aka Big John Studd, former professional wrestler
• Travis Morrison, member of the band The Dismemberment Plan
• Byron Saxton, WWE announcer
• Ronald J. Shurer, US Army special forces staff sergeant and medic (retired), Medal of Honor recipient
• Mary Simpson, violinist
• Timothy L. Smith, historian and educator
• Joseph Sobran, journalist and writer for the National Review
• Justin Spring, Olympic medal-winning gymnast

References

1. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
2. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
3. "Total Population in Burke CDP, Virginia". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
4. "Total Population in Burke Centre CDP, Virginia". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
5. "Braddock District Black History Month | Board of Supervisors - Braddock". www.fairfaxcounty.gov. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
6. "Silas Burke House Historical Marker". Retrieved November 2, 2016.
7. ^ "Burke Station Historical Marker". Retrieved February 3, 2020.
8. "Bog Wallow Ambush Historical Marker". Retrieved November 2, 2016.
9. "Burke's Station Historical Marker". Retrieved November 2, 2016.
10. "Burke's Station Historical Marker". Retrieved November 2, 2016.
11. "Burke, Mount Vernon: Copperthite Race Track Receives Historical Marker". Retrieved November 2, 2016.
12. MSH. "The Historic Marker at Burke Nursery". Retrieved November 2, 2016.
13. Winship, Thomas (June 14, 1951). "450-Acre Tract in Fairfax County Located West of Shirley Hwy.: Burke, Va. Selected As Site of Airport". The Washington Post. ProQuest 152367943.
14. "Dulles Airport was originally supposed to be in Burke, but neighbors successfully stopped it". Retrieved February 3, 2020.
15. "The Huldah Coffer House Historical Marker". Retrieved November 2, 2016.
16. "Lee Chapel Church Historical Marker". Retrieved November 2, 2016.
17. "MASTER LIST: FAIRFAX COUNTY INVENTORY OF HISTORIC SITES as of March 2022" (PDF). Fairfax County Government. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
18. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
19. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Burke CDP, Virginia". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
20. "Average Weather for Burke, VA". The Weather Channel. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
21. ^ "Burke CDP, Virginia". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
22. "Library Branches." Fairfax County Public Library. Retrieved on October 21, 2009.
23. "Burke Farmers Market". Retrieved June 18, 2019.

Further reading

• Netherton, Nan & Rose, Ruth Preston (1988). Memories of Beautiful Burke, Virginia. Burke: Burke Historical Society. ISBN 0-9620619-0-5.

External links

v t e Places adjacent to Burke, Virginia
Fairfax Annandale Clifton Burke Springfield Lorton

v t e Fairfax County, Virginia
Northern Virginia Washington metropolitan area Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area
Administration	Fairfax County Public Schools Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Fairfax County Park Authority Fairfax County Economic Development Authority Fairfax County Public Library Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Fairfax County Police Department Fairfax County Sheriff's Office
Organizations	Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce
Landmarks	Fairfax County Government Center Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts Inova Fairfax Hospital Mount Vernon Gunston Hall Tysons Corner Center Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park Great Falls Park Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Washington and Old Dominion Railway Fort Belvoir
Transportation	Air Manassas Regional Airport Dulles International Airport Roads Fairfax County Parkway Springfield Interchange Virginia State Route 123 Dulles Toll Road (VA 267) Transit Fairfax Connector Silver Line Virginia Railway Express Manassas Line Fredericksburg Line
Culture	Battles Battle of Chantilly First Battle of Bull Run Second Battle of Bull Run
Education	George Mason University University of Fairfax Northern Virginia Community College

v t e Municipalities and communities of Fairfax County, Virginia, United States
County seat: Fairfax
Towns	Clifton Herndon Vienna
CDPs	Annandale Bailey's Crossroads Belle Haven Braddock Bull Run Burke Burke Centre Centreville Chantilly Crosspointe Difficult Run Dranesville Dunn Loring Fair Lakes Fair Oaks Fairfax Station Floris Fort Belvoir Fort Hunt Franconia Franklin Farm George Mason Great Falls Great Falls Crossing Greenbriar Groveton Hayfield Huntington Hutchison Hybla Valley Idylwood Kings Park Kings Park West Kingstowne Lake Barcroft Laurel Hill Lincolnia Long Branch Lorton Mantua Mason Neck McLean McNair Merrifield Mount Vernon Navy Newington Newington Forest North Springfield Oakton Pimmit Hills Ravensworth Reston Rose Hill Seven Corners South Falls Church South Run Springfield Sully Square Tysons Union Mill Wakefield West Falls Church West Springfield Wolf Trap Woodburn Woodlawn
Other communities	Accotink Arcturus Barkers Crossroads Blevinstown Colchester Cooktown Culmore Doveville Farrs Corner Five Forks Gum Springs Hattontown Hollin Hills Hollindale Jermantown Langley Lewinsville New Alexandria Oak Hill Odricks Corner Pohick Shady Oak Sleepy Hollow South Alexandria Uniontown West McLean
Ghost town(s)	Matildaville
Virginia portal United States portal

v t e Fairfax County, Virginia in the American Civil War
Battles	Battle of Blackburn's Ford Battle of Chantilly Battle of Dranesville Battle of Fairfax Court House (June 1861) Battle of Fairfax Court House (June 1863) First Battle of Bull Run Second Battle of Bull Run Battle of Vienna, Virginia
Skirmishes	Bog Wallow Ambush Lewinsville
Raids	Burke's Station Raid Mosby's Raids
Units	8th Virginia Infantry 17th Virginia Infantry 1st Virginia Cavalry 43rd Battalion of Virginia Cavalry Georgia Hussars (later Jeff Davis Cavalry Legion, Company F) 3rd Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment 45th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment 16th Regiment New York Volunteer Cavalry First New Jersey Brigade 2nd Vermont Brigade XXII Corps (Union Army) Union Army Balloon Corps
People	Clara Barton Michael Corcoran Antonia Ford Thaddeus Lowe John Quincy Marr John S. Mosby Laura Ratcliffe Edwin H. Stoughton
Sites	Clarens (Alexandria, Virginia) Centreville Military Railroad Colvin Run Mill Fort Lyon (Virginia) Fort Marcy Park Hope Park Huntley (plantation) Fort O'Rourke Merrybrook Oak Hill (Annandale, Virginia) Okeley Manor Ossian Hall (plantation) Ox Hill Battlefield Park Ravensworth (plantation) St. Mary's Church (Fairfax Station, Virginia) Taylor's Tavern William Gunnell House (Fairfax, Virginia) Mason's Hill Minor's Hill Munson's Hill Upton's Hill Bailey's Crossroads Wolf Run Shoals

• Fairfax County, Virginia, in the American Civil War
• Census-designated places in Fairfax County, Virginia
• Washington metropolitan area
• Census-designated places in Virginia