Special feature: Communities follow commuter routes in Prince William County

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By Michele Lerner

Prince William County, located approximately 35 miles southwest of the District, experienced a growth rate of more than 30 percent between 1990 and 2000, followed by a 39 percent rate from 2000 to the present. The Prince William County government acknowledges that this rate has slowed since 2007 along with the real estate market.

Despite a slower growth rate, Prince William continues to thrive, with a highly educated population (37.4 percent of adults in the county have a college education). The county is among the top 10 in the nation for income, with a median household income of $87,243 in 2007. The U.S. Census Bureau's 2007 American Community Survey ranked Prince William ninth among the country's largest counties.

These statistics encourage developers to continue creating planned communities in the county, primarily along the two major transportation routes in the area, Interstate 66 and Interstate 95. The Virginia Railway Express provides commuters with another option. Planned communities often are located near a station or a bus or shuttle service to a train station.

M/I Homes Inc. is building town homes in two collections and single-family homes at the Villages of Piedmont in Haymarket, a planned community near I-66 with a club, a swimming pool and tennis courts. Golf courses, parks and shopping centers are nearby.

The town homes, each with a two-car garage, range in price from the upper $200,000s to the low $300,000s. Call 571/296-7840 or 571/261-4280 for the town homes.

The single-family homes have first-floor master suites, lanais and three-car side-entry garages. Call 571/248-6691 for the single-family homes or visit www.mihomes.com.

Beazer Homes Corp. is building town-home-style condominiums at the Residences at Market Center in Haymarket, a planned community with a swimming pool and a multipurpose court. Plans call for the development to include shops, restaurants, entertainment venues and offices.

The two-level homes include two or three bedrooms, a deck and an attached one-car garage. The homes are priced from the low to mid-$200,000s. Call 571/261-2027 or visit www.beazer.com.

At Westmarket in Haymarket, K. Hovnanian Homes is building town homes and larger attached homes that look like single-family homes. The community includes a swimming pool, tennis courts and a basketball court. It is located conveniently near commuter routes and shopping areas.

The town homes, which have three finished levels, three bedrooms and a two-car garage, are priced from the low $300,000s. They are almost sold out, with just two left for immediate delivery. Call 866/407-3676 for the town homes.