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CITY · 2020 ACS

Fairfax

Virginia · 24,146 residents · 6.241 sq mi
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The short version

Fairfax is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $109,708. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 60% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $587,000. Households here earn about 44% more than the Virginia median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 39.0
US median: 38.8
More educated
60% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 107%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
24,146
+12%since 2000
from 21,498 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,869 / sq mi
+12%since 2000
from 3,445 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
39.0
+5%since 2000
from 37.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
19K21K22K24K26K1990201020202024Fairfax
202425K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$109,708
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $67,642 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$53,488
+71%since 2000
from $31,247 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
68.0%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 64.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
9.8%
+4.1 ptssince 2000
from 5.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Other services8%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade6.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Information6.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Public administration5.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Retail trade4.2%
US avg: 10%
Arts, entertainment, food2.7%
US avg: 2%
Finance & insurance2.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing0.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$587,000
+107%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $188,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,822
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $945 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
71.3%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 69.1% in 2000
28.7% rent
Afford Score
5.4
+92%since 2000
from 2.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Fairfax on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic66.7%(14,333)
Black4.8%(1,035)
Hispanic / Latino13.6%(2,932)
Asian12.1%(2,609)
Other0%
Diversity Score61.6%(13,232)
2020
White, non-Hispanic53.5%(12,911)
Black4.4%(1,052)
Hispanic / Latino17.7%(4,278)
Asian18.7%(4,519)
Other3.6%(876)
Diversity Score78.6%(18,984)
Diversity Score
79
+28%since 2000
from 62 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
60.3%
+14.6 ptssince 2000
from 45.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.6%
+4.0 ptssince 2000
from 88.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
31.2%
+10.4 ptssince 2000
from 20.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.8 min
+40%since 2000
from 21.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
69.4%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 71.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.0%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2011
from 4.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
70.5%
+1.6 ptssince 2011
from 68.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
57.0%
−18.6 ptssince 2009
from 75.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.8%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 48.3% in 2009
Female
51.2%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 51.7% in 2009
Foreign born
29.5%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 26.1% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.7%
−81.4 ptssince 2013
from 88.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Fairfax to nearby cities

FAIRFAX VS
George Mason
Income$150,341+37%
Home value$728,000+24%
Population9,937−63%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FAIRFAX VS
Mantua
Income$213,047+94%
Home value$1,001,200+71%
Population8,298−69%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FAIRFAX VS
Oakton
Income$160,663+46%
Home value$792,100+35%
Population36,528+36%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FAIRFAX VS
Kings Park West
Income$170,039+55%
Home value$742,800+27%
Population13,442−50%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Fairfax, Virginia?

Fairfax, Virginia has about 24,146 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Fairfax, Virginia?

The typical household in Fairfax, Virginia earns about $109,708 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Fairfax, Virginia expensive?

In Fairfax, Virginia, the median home is worth about $587,000, and the typical rent is about $1,822 a month.

How educated are people in Fairfax, Virginia?

About 60.3% of adults age 25 and over in Fairfax, Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Fairfax, Virginia?

About 9.8% of people in Fairfax, Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Fairfax, Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Fairfax, Virginia has grown since 1990. The population has added about 4,524 residents, a change of about 23 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →