Arlington
Arlington is a small, quiet community with a population of over 2,000 people who enjoy its friendliness, good schools, and close proximity to excellent employment opportunities in Fremont, Valley and Omaha. Located on the banks of the Elkhorn River, seven miles east of Fremont, its small business district straddles Highway 30, while most of its residences are found on the gently rising banks north of the river.
Established in the mid 1800s, it was originally a true farm community, which supported the many fertile farms located in the surrounding area. While the town still fulfills this purpose to a lesser degree, it is now primarily a “bedroom community” for the cities listed above. It does, however, celebrate its agricultural heritage by hosting the annual Washington County Fair. This is a time when rural and town kids display their 4-H projects which range from livestock (cows, pigs, goats, horses, chickens, rabbits) to garden produce, interior design, photography, sewing, public speaking, baking, cooking, and child care. The list goes on and on as does the excitement and satisfaction from celebrating a job well done. Of course, the Fair isn’t just about these projects—it’s also a time for mud volleyball, lots of food, car races, tractor pulls, a rodeo, a demolition derby, concerts, and the usual carnival rides and games.
With a progressive Pre-K through 12th grade school system, the public schools serve approximately 600 students in their modern elementary, middle, and high schools. There is also a K-8th grade parochial school located in a rural setting close to Arlington, giving parents options for their children’s education. Students are given opportunities to participate in many athletic, scholastic, music, public speaking and debate programs. There are also numerous recreational activities for kids during the summer as the town has well-maintained fields, a swimming pool, and park facilities.
Homes of all types and price ranges are found in Arlington. Many older homes have been well-maintained, while ranches, two stories, and multi levels built in the late 1900s are also very popular. New homes are still being constructed, and there are several apartment and townhome facilities.
Several years ago, Business Week ranked Arlington as the 2nd Best Place to Raise Your Kids. So if you’re looking for a small, neighborly town with good schools and lots of activities for your family, (and don’t mind a short commute), this may be just the community for you.
