Fairfax
Virginia

What stands out

If you had to describe Fairfax County in numbers, start here: the median household income is among the highest in America ($145,165), life expectancy is among the longest in America (84.9 years), and the typical two-bedroom rent is among the highest in America ($2,143 a month). Within Virginia it ranks 3rd of 133 counties for the median household income.

Where you are

You live in Fairfax County, Virginia. 1,145,354 people live here with you, which makes it one of the country's big urban counties. The population held steady at 0.2% last year.

Virginia has a graduated income tax with a 5.75% top rate that begins at just $17,000 of income, so most residents pay near the top rate. It does not tax Social Security and allows an age deduction of up to $12,000 for residents 65 and over. Northern Virginia's federal and defense economy produces incomes closer to the Washington suburbs of Maryland than to the rest of the state. Localities levy annual property tax on vehicles.

Money

The typical household here brings in $145,165 a year, higher than almost every county in America. Employers pay an average wage of $114,100. Unemployment runs 2.5%, lower than 84% of American counties. 22% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 24 minutes each way.

Virginia takes 5.6% of that median income in state income tax, about $8,089 a year.

Home

The median home costs $777K, pricier than 98% of American counties, about 3.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $2,143 a month. Property tax is 1.03% of home value, roughly $6,843 a year on that median home, higher than 62% of American counties. 69% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 2.6 per 1,000 residents, lower than almost every county in America. Drug overdoses killed 7 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 84.9 years, longer than almost every county in America. There are 5,405 active physicians in the county, about 47.2 per 10,000 people. 7.9% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.24 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 79% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 36 points. 81% of eligible voters turned out. Under Virginia law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is legal with limits, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 57°F, highs near 67 and lows near 47, warmer than 56% of American counties. About 34 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 95 out of 100, riskier than 95% of American counties; the county has had 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 271 Mbps down, faster than 84% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 4 breweries, 13 museums, 3 National Park Service sites.