Dale City is an unincorporated community in Prince William County, Virginia, United States. Recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census designated place (CDP), the community had a total population of 63,616 according to the 2006 American Community Survey.

History

Dale City was the idea of a real estate developer Cecil Don Hylton. Many myths surround Hylton and his choice of names for the community. Many erroneously believe Hylton's middle name was "Dale". He actually chose the term because it aptly describes the "hills and dales" of the rolling Virginia Piedmont, where he developed the community. His company, Hylton Enterprises, began Dale City approximately 1 mile east of Interstate 95 and continued to build west towards Hoadly Rd (State Route 642).

Several places in Dale City are named after Hylton, such as C.D. Hylton High School and the Hylton Memorial Chapel. More recently, the Hylton Foundation underwrote a major new addition to Potomac Hospital in nearby Woodbridge, Virginia. As Dale City is nearing completion, Hylton companies have branched into new markets, especially real estate of existing houses. Hylton Realty now sells property in and near Dale City. Hylton Enterprise Inc manages some retail property and owns oddly shaped parcels throughout Dale City. These parcels were land that could not be built on or were proffered to the county. Andrew Leitch Park is one such parcel that has been given to the local Park Authority. Some residential construction does continue in the area by The Hylton Group.

Hylton began his career as a "huckster", a young man who sold farm goods and produce at the farmers' market in Washington, DC. He later began a sod business after several requests from his regular clients. He ran several dozen trucks and pioneered new technologies in the industry.

After the post-war housing boom, he moved into homebuilding. Throughout his career, he constructed apartments, commercial shopping centers, and over 22,000 homes. Along the way, he began his own sewer company, Dale Service Corp, Inc. (now Virginia American Water), as well as the first cable television companies in Prince William County.