Population 1,147,837 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Fairfax County
Household size in Fairfax County
| Period | Fairfax County | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.78 | 2.73 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.90 | 2.82 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.95 | 2.86 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.85 | 2.77 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.07 | +0.04 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Fairfax County holds 2.85 people, more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.78, even as the national average fell. Of Virginia's 133 counties, only six have larger households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Fairfax County
| Period | Fairfax County | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.1 | 37.0 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 38.6 | 37.6 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 39.5 | 38.5 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 40.1 | 39.2 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.0 | +2.2 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
At 40.1, the median age in Fairfax County is the same as the national median, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The median age has climbed from 38.1 in 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Fairfax County
| Period | Fairfax County | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.2% | 11.3% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.3% | 11.3% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.3% | 10.4% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.6% | 10.4% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.6 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 7.6% of households in Fairfax County, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has edged down 0.6 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Fairfax County has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five Virginia counties.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Fairfax County
Renters in Fairfax County
| Period | Fairfax County | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.1% | 34.0% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 31.8% | 36.6% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 32.0% | 36.8% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 31.4% | 36.3% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.3 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Just over three in ten households in Fairfax County rent their homes (31.4%), a little below the national share of 34.8%; the rest own. Among owners, 29.3% have paid off their mortgages, well below the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the east; owners are most common in the south. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 3.3 points, mirroring the country.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Fairfax County
| Period | Fairfax County | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.0% | 8.7% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 5.2% | 7.3% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.0% | 6.6% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 4.6% | 5.9% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.4 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in Fairfax County: just 4.6% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 2.4 points, in line with the national trend. Of Virginia's 133 counties, only four have a lower vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Fairfax County
| Period | Fairfax County | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1979 | 1977 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1980 | 1978 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1980 | 1979 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1982 | 1982 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +6 | +5 | +6 |
The typical home in Fairfax County was built around 1982, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). The median year built has moved up from 1979 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the west, the oldest in the east.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Fairfax County
| Period | Fairfax County | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,668 | $1,470 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,774 | $1,583 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,236 | $1,907 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,579 | $2,236 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$910 | +$766 | +$600 | +$606 |
The median renter in Fairfax County pays $2,579 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $910 a month since 2006–10, up 55%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 29.5% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Only one other Virginia county has higher rents.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Fairfax County
Bachelor's degrees in Fairfax County
| Period | Fairfax County | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 57.8% | 46.6% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 59.3% | 48.2% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 61.7% | 51.0% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 64.9% | 53.9% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.1 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fairfax County is highly educated: about two-thirds of adults 25 and older (64.9%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 7.1 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only four of Virginia's 133 counties have a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Fairfax County
| Period | Fairfax County | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 91.9% | 89.4% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 91.9% | 90.2% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 92.4% | 90.8% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.0% | 91.2% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.1 pts | +1.7 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Fairfax County is above the national rate: 93.0% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma has edged up 1.1 points since 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Fairfax County has a higher share of high school graduates than the great majority of Virginia counties.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Fairfax County
| Period | Fairfax County | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.3% | 5.9% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.2% | 6.9% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.9% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.2% | 4.8% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.1 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been a little easier to find in Fairfax County than nationally: unemployment was 4.2%, against 5.4%. That is in line with the rest of the Washington area. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Fairfax County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfax County | 2.85 | 40.1 | 7.6% | 31.4% | 4.6% | 1982 | $2,579 | 64.9% | 93.0% | 4.2% |
| Fairfax City | 2.74 | 36.8 | 6.5% | 30.1% | 3.4% | 1970 | $2,239 | 62.5% | 90.3% | 3.2% |
| Falls Church City | 2.45 | 40.2 | 6.1% | 47.5% | 5.1% | 1973 | $2,271 | 79.9% | 94.7% | 4.7% |
| Arlington County | 2.22 | 37.2 | 5.4% | 58.7% | 8.8% | 1973 | $2,524 | 76.4% | 94.9% | 3.4% |
| Alexandria City | 2.16 | 38.9 | 7.8% | 57.9% | 6.5% | 1973 | $2,278 | 64.9% | 92.2% | 3.4% |
| Manassas Park City | 3.71 | 36.3 | 12.9% | 33.5% | 6.4% | 1983 | $2,042 | 25.7% | 78.8% | 5.5% |
| Manassas City | 3.17 | 35.3 | 12.6% | 28.5% | 3.3% | 1985 | $1,893 | 33.7% | 81.2% | 3.9% |
| District of Columbia | 2.09 | 36.2 | 12.2% | 58.5% | 10.4% | 1963 | $2,078 | 63.4% | 92.7% | 7.0% |
| Prince George's County | 2.84 | 39.7 | 14.8% | 37.7% | 5.8% | 1979 | $2,013 | 36.8% | 86.1% | 6.4% |
| Warren County | 2.71 | 40.7 | 10.1% | 24.1% | 10.7% | 1985 | $1,260 | 25.1% | 88.9% | 4.7% |
| Talbot County | 2.33 | 49.9 | 10.0% | 24.9% | 14.6% | 1982 | $1,411 | 40.0% | 92.1% | 4.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Broward County, FL · New York County, NY · Salt Lake County, UT · Oakland County, MI · Wayne County, MI · Travis County, TX · Fresno County, CA · Bronx County, NY · Westchester County, NY · Tarrant County, TX
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Fairfax County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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