A Northern Virginia community is being recognized for its tip-top health status.

Falls Church, Virginia, has been named America’s healthiest community by U.S. News and World Report.

The annual ranking lists the top 500 healthiest communities nationwide using a score of zero to 100 across 10 categories, based on assessments of nearly 3,000 counties and county equivalents.

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The categories include population health, equity, education, economy, housing, food and nutrition, environment, public safety, community vitality and infrastructure.

Falls Church scored high in multiple categories — 97 in population health, 96 in economy, 94 in food and nutrition, 95 in infrastructure, and a perfect score of 100 in education.

“The Little City” dethroned Los Alamos County, New Mexico, which took second place in 2024, followed by Douglas County, Colorado; Sioux County, Iowa; and Hamilton County, Indiana.

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Falls Church also landed the top spot in 2018.

The city was found to have the top walkability score and ranked high for its proximity to destinations like libraries, museums or playgrounds, according to U.S. News.

A playground at Graham Park in Falls Church, Virginia, is pictured. The city was found to have the top walkability score and ranked high for its proximity to destinations like libraries, museums or playgrounds. (Benjamin C Tankersley/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Falls Church has a 93% preschool enrollment rate and a 97% high school graduation rate.

Eight in 10 residents have at least an associate’s degree, earning the city a high score in education.

Behind the ranking

There are 92 metrics that make up each of the 10 assessed categories, U.S. News data editor Julia Haines shared with Fox News Digital.

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For example, the population health category considers metrics like cancer prevalence, lack of health insurance, and life expectancy, which is the heaviest weighted of all categories, according to Haines.

This is followed by equity, education and the economy. 

Falls Church ranked high in a number of these categories, Haines said.

A class is pictured at Justice High School in Falls Church, Virginia, on September 11, 2019.  (ALASTAIR PIKE/AFP via Getty Images)

“We like to say that consistency is key across our rankings, so doing well in a number of categories and subcategories helps a county succeed,” she told Fox News Digital.

As U.S. News marks its sixth edition of Healthiest Communities, Haines said she hopes the annual list starts conversations among communities and individuals.

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“[The list] allows our readers to not only identify how their communities succeed, but also where they may fall short, perhaps motivating readers and community leaders to find solutions,” she said.

“For example, someone may find that while their county is doing really well, a county just a few miles away could be struggling, indicating that something may be causing that shift down the road.”

The population health category considers metrics like cancer prevalence, population with no health insurance, and life expectancy, which is the heaviest weighted of all categories. (iStock)

Dana Jones, the director of Housing and Human Services in Falls Church, said the local reaction to the designation has been “one of joy that the city has been recognized for something we make a real effort toward.”

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“Residents and employees see the correlation between health, wellness and quality of life,” she told Fox News Digital.

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Jones echoed some attributes that she believes gave Falls Church an advantage, including the city’s nationally recognized farmers market, “outstanding education system” and walkability.

The Eden Center, located at Seven Corners in Falls Church, Virginia, is a destination for Vietnamese food and specialties. (Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Mayor Letty Hardi displays “fitness in action” by walking and jogging around town and hosting the annual Mayors’ Fitness Challenge, Jones noted.

Some of the other contributing factors to the city’s ranking include “trail improvements, a focus on bike safety and the availability of healthy food,” according to Jones.

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Above all, she added, community members want “the best for themselves and their families, including comprehensive health and a safe and affordable place to live.”

The Washington Commanders announced a pair of roster moves before the start of today’s practice. It was reported yesterday that the team would be hosting WR Martavis Bryant for a visit, his second of the offseason. Bryant was officially signed today, and kicker Ramiz Ahmed was released in the corresponding roster move. Dan Quinn talked about coaching against Bryant last season when he was on the Dallas Cowboys practice squad. He said he knows what the he’s capable of, and Bryant’s in great shape.

Bryant hasn’t played in the NFL since 2018 as he dealt with multiple suspensions for violations of the NFL’s substance abuse policy. He spent his first four seasons in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers after being picked in the 4th round of the 2014 draft. He was suspended for the 2016, but was reinstated the following season. He spent another season in Pittsburgh, before getting traded to the Raiders. Bryant played in 8 games before going to injured reserve with a knee injury. Then more suspensions started. His post-NFL career included signing with the CFL(2021), Indoor Football League(2021), and Fan Controlled Football(2022). He played for the XFL’s Vegas Vipers last year, appearing in 8 games. Bryant finally returned to the NFL last season, signing with the Dallas Cowboys after he was reinstated. He wasn’t activated for any games, but apparently caught Dan Quinn’s eye in practice.

Quinn told reporters yesterday that the wide receivers are right in the middle of the competition. Jahan Dotson played the most WR snaps vs the Jets, and reporters wanted to know what that meant for the former 1st round picks status on the depth chart. Dyami Brown has been having a good camp, and caught Jayden Daniels’ highlight reel, 42-yard pass. Washington also drafted Luke McCaffrey and has a number of young receivers fighting for a roster spot. Bryant has been out of the league for a long time, and is a longshot to bust through the bottom of the depth chart.

The Washington Commanders have had four kickers under contract this year, and none of them will likely be with the team when the season starts. The new regime moved on from Joey Slye, replacing him with Brandon McManus. That plan fell apart when sexual assault lawsuit led to his release. Ramiz Ahmed was signed to have a kicker on the roster during offseason workouts, and he’s been on the roster until today. Riley Patterson was claimed off of waivers almost two weeks ago, and he has been competing with Ahmed in camp and during the preseason opener against the Jets.

Patterson doinked his only field goal attempt from 39 yards, while Ahmed made his 40-yard attempt. Both players didn’t look good in practice yesterday, but Patterson has won the competition. Washington is expected to still be looking for their next kicker, and there are several teams that have multiple kickers on their roster. Washington is #2 on the waiver wire, and should be able to claim their choice of released kickers before the season starts.

ST. GEORGE, Utah — While a lot of Utah’s youngsters might have still slept in Monday morning, it was the first day of school in the St. George area.

Washington County schools were the first in the state to go back Monday morning

 As the sun started to rise above Santa Clara’s Lava Ridge Intermediate School Monday morning, there was a sense of calm. Tom Gubler started his 30th year as a teacher, raising the Stars and Stripes.

There was anticipation of the day to come.

“We want all kids students to succeed and we’re … trying to prepare and hope that we can make a difference in each child’s life that will last them a lifetime,” said Gubler, a Utah history teacher at the school. “So there’s anticipation, nervousness — ‘Am I doing the right thing, going to be able to reach each child?’”

Seemingly moments after the calm, chaos ensued.

With a theme to touch gold, Lava Ridge Principal Launa Williams led a welcome to each returning and new student with signs and cheers from their classmates worthy of a returning Olympic champion.

“When we survey the kids, the one thing that they’re looking forward to is being with their friends,” Williams said. “So we want to create opportunities so that they get to spend time with their friends and to get to know others and have that support from their peers.”

If there’s one thing all of the students shared as they tried to navigate to their new classrooms, it was the anticipation of what was to come. One such case was sixth-grader Jason, who is making the transition from elementary school to the next level.

“We have to walk around in elementary,” Jason said. “We’re just one big class and they teach us every subject one teacher.”

The anticipation was felt by the parents, like Brielle Broadhead who has four kids in four different schools.

“They were up extremely early because they’re so excited,” she said.

A mile and a half north at Red Mountain Elementary in Ivins, the theme of excitement continued as the students received red-carpet treatment.

“Personally, my favorite part is seeing the kids after they’ve been gone for summer, so just seeing all their faces again. They’re so excited to be here,” Red Mountain Principal Jennifer Leavitt said. “It’s the one day where everybody’s excited to be here on the first day of school.”