The United States Patent and Trademark Office is located in the Carlyle District of Old Town Alexandria VA. The USPTO is one of Alexandria's top employers and a magnet for sharp, well-educated folks from across the country. Commuters have easy access to the USPTO because it's located a few blocks from Alexandria's King Street Metro and just inside the Capitol Beltway. The mission of the USPTO is to protect the interests of inventors of intellectual property, while providing for the good of the nation and the market.

The Carlyle District and Old Town have many upscale shops, restaurants, hotels and restaurants. Young patent examiners may have a hard time finding an affordable residence in Old Town or the Carlyle District, but have many choices close by in Huntington, New Alexandria and the West End of Alexandria.