The short answer
Is Seminary Hill, VA a good place to buy a home? That depends on what you want from a home, but here are the facts. Seminary Hill is the area around Virginia Theological Seminary on the highest ground in the City of Alexandria, roughly north of Duke Street, south of King Street, east of I-395 and west of the railroad along Callahan Drive (City of Alexandria). Much of it stayed wooded and lightly built until the mid-1900s. Bright MLS reports the city, not Seminary Hill alone: in September 2026 Alexandria’s median sold price was $660,000, down 11.4% from a year earlier, and active listings were up 26.8% (Bright MLS).
Where is Seminary Hill?
Seminary Road runs along a high ridge from Bailey’s Crossroads east to the seminary, and the area has steep ravines, stream valleys and many old trees (City of Alexandria). It became part of the city in three annexations: from Hooff’s Run to Taylor Run in 1915, land north of Duke Street between Taylor Run and Quaker Lane from Arlington County in 1930, and land west of Quaker Lane from Fairfax County in 1952 (City of Alexandria). Some nearby homes with Alexandria mailing addresses are in Fairfax County instead, so confirm the jurisdiction.
What is the history of Seminary Hill?
The Protestant Episcopal Theological Seminary in Virginia, now Virginia Theological Seminary, was founded in 1823 and bought its hilltop site overlooking Alexandria in 1827 (Virginia Department of Historic Resources). Fort Ward, part of the Civil War Defenses of Washington, was built nearby in 1861; the City of Alexandria restored its Northwest Bastion and opened the fort, museum and park to the public on May 30, 1964 (City of Alexandria).
What kinds of homes are in Seminary Hill?
Most of the area was built out after the mid-1900s, so you’ll find mid-century and later single-family homes on wooded lots, along with townhomes and some condo buildings closer to the main roads. Lot size, slope and tree cover vary a lot from street to street.
What is the Alexandria market like right now?
City of Alexandria, September 2026 vs. September 2025, per Bright MLS:
- Closed sales: 143, down 14.4%
- Median sold price: $660,000, down 11.4%
- Median days on market: 19 days, up 5 days
- New pending sales: 147, down 10.9%
- New listings: 205, up 4.6%
- Active listings: 464, up 26.8%
- Months of supply: 2.83, up 0.58 months
These are citywide figures. Bright MLS does not publish a Seminary Hill-only number in this report, and the area’s single-family homes can look different from the city as a whole.
What do 2026 assessments and taxes look like?
As of January 1, 2026, the city’s average assessment for existing residential property was $757,706, up 3.81% from 2025, and the average single-family home was assessed at $1,045,750, up 4.44% (City of Alexandria). The calendar year 2026 real estate tax rate is $1.135 per $100 of assessed value (City of Alexandria). Assessments are the city’s estimate for tax purposes, not a sale price.
What should buyers check in Seminary Hill?
- City or county. Confirm that a home is in the City of Alexandria, not Fairfax County.
- Slopes and drainage. Steep lots and ravines are common; look at grading, drainage and any retaining walls.
- Trees. Large trees add shade and can affect roofs, gutters and sewer lines; ask about maintenance and inspections.
- Older systems. Mid-century homes may need updates to wiring, plumbing or HVAC.
- Commute. Test your drive on I-395, Seminary Road, King Street and Duke Street at rush hour.
- School boundaries. Confirm assigned schools for a specific address with Alexandria City Public Schools.
How do I find the best buyer’s agent in Seminary Hill?
Look for someone who tours west and central Alexandria often, checks city-versus-county details early, reads inspection reports on older homes closely, and moves quickly when a new listing appears. Read the written buyer brokerage agreement before you sign. See the guide to choosing a buyer’s agent in Alexandria, the Alexandria buyer Q&A and the Alexandria market update.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Seminary Hill in Alexandria? Around Virginia Theological Seminary, roughly north of Duke Street, south of King Street, east of I-395 and west of the railroad along Callahan Drive (City of Alexandria).
Is Seminary Hill in the City of Alexandria? Yes. The area joined the city through annexations in 1915, 1930 and 1952 (City of Alexandria). Some nearby homes with Alexandria addresses are in Fairfax County.
Why is it called Seminary Hill? It is named for the seminary that bought its hilltop site in 1827, now Virginia Theological Seminary (Virginia Department of Historic Resources).
What is the median home price in Seminary Hill? Bright MLS does not publish a Seminary Hill-only figure. The City of Alexandria’s median sold price was $660,000 in September 2026, down 11.4% from a year earlier (Bright MLS).
Is Fort Ward near Seminary Hill? Yes. Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site, built as a Civil War fort in 1861, is in the area and opened to the public in 1964 (City of Alexandria).
Who is a buyer’s agent for Seminary Hill? I’m Kevin Muir with Compass, and I help buyers in Seminary Hill, Rosemont, Del Ray and across Alexandria.
Sources
- Bright MLS, September 2026 Housing Market Report, Washington, D.C. Metro (data as of Oct 6, 2026; September 2026 vs. September 2025).
- City of Alexandria, Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities, Remnant Natural Areas in Parks, Waterways, and Undeveloped Sites: Seminary Hill Area (Natural Resources Technical Report 13-1, June 2013).
- Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Protestant Episcopal Theological Seminary in Virginia.
- City of Alexandria, History of Fort Ward.
- City of Alexandria, Office of Real Estate Assessments, 2026 Real Property Assessment Information (assessments as of Jan. 1, 2026).
- City of Alexandria, Alexandria 2026 First Half Real Estate Tax Bills Due June 15, 2026 (June 8, 2026; calendar year 2026 rate).
- Alexandria City Public Schools, official website (school boundary information).
- City of Alexandria, official website (planning, historic preservation and real estate tax information).
Looking in Seminary Hill? Reach out and we can plan a first round of tours.
Kevin Muir · Compass
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