Shirlington is an “urban village” in the southern part of Arlington. The name “Shirlington” is a combination of “Shirley” (from the Shirley Highway or Interstate 395) and “Arlington”. Shirlington is billed as “Arlingtonês Arts and Entertainment District” and is largely mixed-use development based on New Urbanist principles. Shirlington is home to many upscale dwellings and retail and service establishments.

Fairlington, adjacent to Shirlington, is a neighborhood consisting of primarily townhouse-type condominiums built in the 1940s as the largest housing project financed by the Defense Homes Corporation during World War II. Fairlington is listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and on the Virginia Landmarks Register.