When I first set foot in Northern Virginia, I had no idea there would be so many Koreans here.

Many newcomers will remember the joy of seeing Korean signs. The Korean community established in Fairfax County is one of the largest in the United States.

Talking in numbers makes it more tangible. There are 46,438 Koreans residing in Fairfax County, which accounts for 60% of all Koreans in Virginia. According to the 2010 census, there were 41,356 Koreans, making up 3.8% of the county's total population, and this number has steadily increased since then. Records show that the Korean population in Fairfax County more than doubled between 1990 and 2011.

Annandale and Centreville are particularly well-known as densely populated Korean areas. About 25% of Koreans in Fairfax County are concentrated in these two regions. Annandale has been home to a Koreatown since the late 1980s, and it has now become a hub for Korean businesses, including restaurants, markets, salons, and clinics. When I first moved here and didn't know the neighborhood, it was incredibly convenient to find Korean stores where I could communicate easily.

The community infrastructure is also quite substantial. As of 2011, there were four Korean newspapers, three Korean TV channels, and one Korean radio station operating in Northern Virginia. As of September 2010, there were 6,387 students in the Fairfax County school system whose first language was Korean. This number alone shows how firmly the community has taken root.

The religious community is also significant. There are dozens of Korean churches operating throughout Northern Virginia. In Fairfax City and County alone, Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, and Full Gospel churches are actively involved. Korean churches serve not just as places of worship but also as centers for information exchange, settlement support, and social networking. I can't express how helpful the church community was when I first immigrated and settled down.

The Korean community in Fairfax is not just large in size. As generations change, the 1.5 and 2nd generations are raising their voices in local politics, education, and the economy. What this community has built serves as a strong foundation for newcomers. Isn't that the true meaning of community?