Incorporated in 1879, the Town of Herndon is located in far western Fairfax County. A seven-member town council, one member, the mayor, governs the town. The town’s jurisdiction remains subordinate to Fairfax County government powers and those of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The town’s boundaries embrace 4.2 square miles of residential and commercial properties. The town is the gateway to the Dulles Technology corner and is designated as zip code 20170. The town describes itself as “innovative,” “inclusive” and a "Next Generation Small Town" where its residents respect history and heritage.

The single word “Herndon” is used to describe the four nearby unincorporated areas of Fairfax County and not part of the Town of Herndon. They are designated with zip codes 20171, 20190, 20191 and 20194 and are governed by Fairfax County.

The Town of Herndon is the heart of the expanded community, intersecting small town charm with an urban environment of culture, dining, entertainment, and shopping. Town of Herndon residents drive, walk, cycle and use public transportation to get to work, places and events.

The town offers a wide range of attractions, enriching the area’s quality of life and bringing people together. Public spaces provide venues for free outdoor concerts, arts walks, festivals, races, children's programming and farmers markets. Every citizen in the town lives within a 1/4 mile of at least one of the town's 11 public parks. The town is near the center point of the famous Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Trail, a 45-mile, paved 9-foot wide asphalt path that begins in Dunn Loring and ends in rural Purcellville. A parallel horse path runs beside parts of the trail. The town boasts the award-winning Herndon Centennial Golf Course, named one of the premier public golf courses in the Northern Virginia area and the award-winning Herndon Community Center for fitness and recreation.

Arts and entertainment are vibrant in the Town of Herndon. Next Stop Theatre Company calls the town "home." It is a professional theatre company with the same performers on their stage as one would see in D.C., but without the drive. CBS D.C. named Classical Ballet Theatre which is based in the town "...Best Places to see Ballet in the D.C. Area." ArtSpace Herndon is a community art gallery showcasing artwork and events by local, regional and national artists of acclaim with artwork for sale, performances, and events. During warm weather months, it produces the Downtown Third Thursdays Arts Crawls series.

The Folk Club of Reston/Herndon meets weekly at Amphora Diner Deluxe in the town, and hosts open mics and performances. The Herndon Senior Center offers a wide range of activities for adults 50 years and older.

The Town of Herndon welcomes small locally owned businesses and global corporations alike. It provides a variety of housing options across multiple price ranges for its citizens. There are apartments, new elevator townhomes in the Historic Downtown District, two-level urban-style condominiums steps from the future Herndon Metrorail Silver Line Station, mid-to-late century houses and 104 houses listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Frying Pan Farm Park operated by the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is located a ten-minute drive from the Town of Herndon in Greater Herndon. Frying Pan Farm Park is a working farm that recreates and interprets farm life in the first half of the 20th century. It offers visitors experiences with farm animals, a playground, Country Store, farmhouse tours and wagon and antique carousel rides. Frying Pan Farm Park is known for the Annual 4-H Fair held there the first 4-day weekend in August.

During July and August, FCPA features free music at Arrowbrook Centre Park in Herndon. These are public concerts featuring folk to funk and everything in-between.