The current mayor is Earnest W. Porta Jr. Today, the town is a restored artists' community, with shops, outdoor dining, ghost walks, and a town boat dock, as well as historic buildings dating back to the 17th century.

Occoquan is derived from an Algonquian Doeg Indian word, meaning "at the end of the water".

[9] In 1608, when the first European reached Northern Virginia, the Tauxenent tribe (also known by the English as the "Dogues") had its main village at the mouth of the Occoquan River.

The local chief was called a Tayac, who was subservient to an "emperor" located in Prince Georges County.

[10] By 1765, Anglo-American colonists had established an industrial settlement at Occoquan, with grist mills and tobacco warehouses.

[11] During the Civil War, the post office passed letters and packages between North and South.

[7] The oldest brick structure in Occoquan, the Hamill Hotel once housed Confederate troops under General Wade Hampton.

[11] The Odd Fellows Hall on 308 Commerce Street dates back to 1889 but was renovated to add an upstairs porch.

Additional local roads provide access to neighboring portions of unincorporated Prince William County.