Population 18,092 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Merrifield
Household size in Merrifield
| Period | Merrifield | Fairfax | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.38 | 2.80 | 2.73 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.54 | 2.86 | 2.82 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.45 | 2.89 | 2.86 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.25 | 2.76 | 2.77 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.13 | −0.04 | +0.04 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Merrifield is a place of small households, averaging 2.25 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has dropped from 2.38 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the west.
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 Merrifield
| Period | Merrifield | Fairfax | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.8 | 37.3 | 37.0 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 35.2 | 38.4 | 37.6 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 34.0 | 38.1 | 38.5 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 36.0 | 38.3 | 39.2 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.2 | +1.0 | +2.2 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 36.0, Merrifield is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. The median age has climbed from 34.8 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. The youngest areas are in the north, the oldest in the west.
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 Merrifield
| Period | Merrifield | Fairfax | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.5% | 6.3% | 11.3% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 5.5% | 6.9% | 11.3% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.3% | 6.4% | 10.4% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.7% | 5.8% | 10.4% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.8 pts | −0.5 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 5.7% of households in Merrifield, well below the national share of 11.6%. Fairfax as a whole looks much the same. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 0.8 points, mirroring the country.
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 Merrifield
Renters in Merrifield
| Period | Merrifield | Fairfax | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.8% | 26.0% | 34.0% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 46.5% | 30.3% | 36.6% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 62.1% | 32.6% | 36.8% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 55.6% | 32.4% | 36.3% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +13.8 pts | +6.3 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Merrifield rent: 55.6% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Nearly one in five owners (19.3%) have paid off their mortgages, well below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has risen 13.8 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Merrifield
| Period | Merrifield | Fairfax | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.2% | 5.1% | 8.7% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 5.2% | 5.5% | 7.3% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.1% | 5.1% | 6.6% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 3.9% | 3.2% | 5.9% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.3 pts | −1.9 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in Merrifield: just 3.9% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. The picture is much the same across Fairfax.
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 Merrifield
| Period | Merrifield | Fairfax | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1989 | 1978 | 1977 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1991 | 1981 | 1978 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1995 | 1982 | 1979 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1992 | 1982 | 1982 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +4 | +6 | +5 | +6 |
Merrifield has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1992, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1989 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the south, the oldest in the west.
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 Merrifield
| Period | Merrifield | Fairfax | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,598 | $1,654 | $1,470 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,782 | $1,786 | $1,583 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,117 | $2,184 | $1,907 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,418 | $2,405 | $2,236 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$821 | +$751 | +$766 | +$600 | +$606 |
Rent in Merrifield runs $2,418 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $821 a month since 2006–10, up 51%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 29.5% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
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 Merrifield
Bachelor's degrees in Merrifield
| Period | Merrifield | Fairfax | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 62.4% | 59.4% | 46.6% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 70.3% | 60.9% | 48.2% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 76.0% | 67.0% | 51.0% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 74.1% | 68.7% | 53.9% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +11.7 pts | +9.3 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in Merrifield: 74.1% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher, against 35.6% nationally. Education tends to track local incomes and the kinds of jobs nearby. The share with a degree has risen 11.7 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Merrifield
| Period | Merrifield | Fairfax | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 92.4% | 93.4% | 89.4% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 93.2% | 93.9% | 90.2% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.1% | 95.0% | 90.8% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.3% | 94.8% | 91.2% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.9 pts | +1.3 pts | +1.7 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Merrifield: 94.3% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Fairfax as a whole looks much the same. The share with a diploma has risen 1.9 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Merrifield
| Period | Merrifield | Fairfax | Washington area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.8% | 4.4% | 5.9% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 4.9% | 5.9% | 6.9% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.2% | 5.0% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.7% | 3.5% | 4.8% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.1 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Merrifield runs below the national rate: 3.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Since 2006–10, unemployment has edged down 1.1 points, in line with the national trend. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's 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).
Merrifield compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merrifield | 2.25 | 36.0 | 5.7% | 55.6% | 3.9% | 1992 | $2,418 | 74.1% | 94.3% | 3.7% |
| Mantua | 2.96 | 41.3 | 6.8% | 23.3% | 6.6% | 1972 | $2,328 | 75.9% | 97.8% | 2.7% |
| Pimmit Hills | 2.76 | 38.4 | 5.3% | 40.4% | 2.0% | 1973 | $2,888 | 73.4% | 95.2% | 3.4% |
| Wakefield Park | 3.21 | 41.5 | 3.0% | 8.4% | 3.2% | 1969 | $3,015 | 73.9% | 96.9% | 2.6% |
| Madison Condominium | 2.09 | 39.9 | 6.9% | 66.5% | 6.0% | 1986 | $2,323 | 76.8% | 93.3% | 6.2% |
| Arlington-East Falls | 2.81 | 42.8 | 9.0% | 33.5% | 5.9% | 1969 | $3,500 | 79.4% | 93.3% | 2.6% |
| Lake Barcroft | 2.74 | 41.1 | 6.1% | 32.8% | 1.9% | 1962 | $2,429 | 61.9% | 89.8% | 5.4% |
| Williamsburg | 2.88 | 44.9 | 4.0% | 7.0% | 8.3% | 1958 | $3,501 | 83.1% | 96.8% | 2.6% |
| North Springfield | 2.92 | 41.0 | 7.4% | 20.0% | 9.0% | 1962 | $2,609 | 54.8% | 91.1% | 5.8% |
| Rock Spring | 2.98 | 49.4 | 5.2% | 6.7% | 5.4% | 1960 | $3,501 | 84.0% | 99.9% | 2.5% |
| Bailey's Crossroads | 3.06 | 38.5 | 16.3% | 56.6% | 5.2% | 1971 | $1,946 | 39.4% | 69.0% | 7.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Rice, Houston, TX · Far Southwest, Portland, OR · Flat Rock Area, Flat Rock, MI · Foggy Bottom, Washington, DC · Glen-Fallstaff, Baltimore, MD · Goodyear Heights, Akron, OH · Grandview, Glendale, CA · Great Bridge East, Chesapeake, VA · Green Valley Ranch, Henderson, NV · Greenwood, Seattle, WA
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 Merrifield. 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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