City · Virginia
Fairfax, Virginia
Fairfax, city, in Fairfax city, Virginia. Fairfax had 26,772 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 10.9% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 24,146 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 25,026 (controlled total). GEOID 5126496.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
26,772
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 24,146 · ACS 2020-2024: 25,026
Median household income
$132,348
±$10,015 (90% margin)
Virginia: $93,170
Median home value
$722,600
±$27,332 (90% margin)
Virginia: $383,700
Median gross rent
$2,245
±$107 (90% margin)
Virginia: $1,579
Where is Fairfax and what county is it in?
Fairfax is a city in Fairfax city, Virginia. It covers 6.2 square miles of land, 3,869 residents per square mile in 2020.
Fairfax is in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 23 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Fairfax covers the same area as Fairfax city: the city and the county are one area, so the county's figures are Fairfax's; the county page lists its census tracts.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Fairfax, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 26,772 people lived in Fairfax on July 1, 2025, up 10.9% since 2020, faster than Virginia (+2.9%). The 2020 Census counted 24,146 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 25,026.
| Measure | Fairfax | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 25,026 | 8,705,170 | +1,495 |
| Households | 9,155 ±117 | 3,365,732 | +578 |
| Average household size | 2.68 ±0.03 | 2.52 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,313 ±23 | 3,684,756 | +354 |
Fairfax's population since 2000
From 21,498 in 2000 to 26,772 in 2025: up 24.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Fairfax as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Fairfax?
The median resident of Fairfax is 36.6 years old; 24.8% are under 18 and 14.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 51.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 18.9%. 30.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Fairfax | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.6 ±0.9 | 39.0 | −1.6 |
| Under 18 years | 24.8% ±0.1 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 14.1% ±0.6 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Male | 49.2% ±0.6 pts | 49.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 18.9% | 11.0% | +1.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 51.1% ±0.5 pts | 58.4% | −5.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 6.3% ±0.6 pts | 18.3% | +1.4 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 18.4% ±0.9 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.1% ±1.0 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.0% ±0.7 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 30.6% ±3.0 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 38.4% ±2.5 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.4% ±1.2 pts | 9.4% | – |
| With a disability | 7.9% ±1.4 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.5% ±2.6 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.7% ±2.0 pts | 91.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 62.4% ±3.2 pts | 42.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 29.5% ±3.1 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 84.3% ±2.3 pts | 86.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.7% ±1.2 pts | 3.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Fairfax earn?
Half of Fairfax's 9,155 households earn less than $132,348 a year (±$10,015), against $132,348 in Fairfax city and $93,170 in Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $143,965 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 9.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Fairfax | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $132,348 ±$10,015 | $93,170 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $178,337 ±$12,478 | $128,260 | – |
| Per capita income | $63,647 ±$4,026 | $50,666 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 9.1% ±1.9 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 6.7% ±3.1 pts | 12.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 3.1% ±1.5 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a computer | 99.3% ±0.5 pts | 95.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 96.7% ±1.9 pts | 91.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Fairfax?
Owners occupy 69.9% of Fairfax's occupied homes and renters 30.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $722,600 by its owner (±$27,332). The median renter pays $2,245 a month including utilities, and 42.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Fairfax | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $722,600 ±$27,332 | $383,700 | +$32,919 |
| Median gross rent | $2,245 ±$107 | $1,579 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.3% ±10.7 pts | 39.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,193 ±$134 | $2,127 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.9% ±3.7 pts | 67.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 30.1% ±3.7 pts | 32.7% | – |
| Housing units | 9,313 ±23 | 3,684,756 | +354 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.2% ±1.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±1.4 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 54.3% ±3.1 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.6% ±1.1 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 8.5% ±2.1 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.9% ±1.9 pts | 6.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Fairfax building?
Builders took permits for 89 new housing units in Fairfax in 2025 (89 in single-family houses), 3.3 per 1,000 residents against 3.7 across Virginia.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Fairfax work and get to work?
52.6% of Fairfax's workers drive alone and 29.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.3%.
| Measure | Fairfax | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 70.9% ±1.8 pts | 65.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.3% ±1.1 pts | 4.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 52.6% ±3.6 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.3% ±2.3 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 3.9% ±1.2 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 2.9% ±0.9 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 29.1% ±3.3 pts | 18.3% | +22.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 28.0 min ±1.3 | 27.3 min | −3.5 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Fairfax?
5 census tracts lie mostly in Fairfax (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $119,659 (Tract 3001) to $174,118 (Tract 3002).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 3003Fairfax city | 6,039 | $130,859 |
| Tract 3002Fairfax city | 5,568 | $174,118 |
| Tract 3001Fairfax city | 5,305 | $119,659 |
| Tract 3004Fairfax city | 4,319 | $146,117 |
| Tract 3005Fairfax city | 3,795 | $124,792 |
Every census tract in Fairfax: the tract table of Fairfax city
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Fairfax) · Census block assignment files
How does Fairfax compare with other places in Virginia?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Fairfax is the 1,496th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 22nd-most populous of 227 in Virginia.
Fairfax ranks 92nd of 365 places in Virginia with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 22nd | 227 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 4th | 139 |
| Residents per square mile | 63rd | 374 |
| Median household income | 92nd | 365 |
| Per capita income | 83rd | 374 |
| Median home value | 45th | 359 |
| Median gross rent | 77th | 341 |
| Poverty rate | 143rd | 263 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 78th | 359 |
| Median age | 262nd | 372 |
| Owner-occupied share | 173rd | 368 |
| Work from home | 65th | 286 |
| Travel time to work | 147th | 372 |
Fairfax's figures with every place in Virginia (CSV)
Every place in Virginia, sortable · Compare Fairfax with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Fairfax?
7 of the 57 figures for Fairfax on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Fairfax are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Fairfax.