Population: 39,140 Municipal Leesburg: 32,561 Unincorporated Leesburg: 6,579 Office Market: ? msf Founded: 1758 Distance From DC: 39.9 miles

Originally George Town, Leesburg boasts an impressive history. It served temporarily as partial capital of the United States during the War of 1812 after Washington was evacuated, President Monroe wrote his famous Doctrine at his home near the town in 1823, and the Civil War Battle of Ball's Bluff was fought along the banks of the Potomac only a short distance away in 1861. Today Leesburg is the seat of Loudoun County and one of the largest incorporated but not independent municipalities in Virginia.

If Loudoun County is a wasteland of some of the nastiest sprawl in the country, Leesburg is an oasis of urban grace. It's more seriously at odds with neighbors than Fairfax or Annapolis and more in danger of losing its place amidst the surrounding exurban growth than Manassas or Frederick. Unfortunately, it's hard to be optimistic for Leesburg. Though the town is nice enough, it's at the mercy of a county government that seems to take two giant steps back for every baby step forward. How long will it be before the town is totally surrounded by parking lots and strip malls? Much too soon, we're afraid.