Serving Fairfax County & Northern Virginia한국어 상담 가능 · Korean spoken

Home › Areas › Fairfax City

Central Fairfax

Fairfax City

A historic small city next to George Mason University.

City of Fairfax (independent city)15 miles from the White House
HistoryHomesCommuteEconomyGovernmentResearch
Potomac RiverDC✈DullesArlingtonAlexandriaFalls ChurchAnnandaleTysonsMcLeanViennaSpringfieldMount VernonFairfax CityBurkeRestonHerndonChantillyCentrevilleGreat FallsLorton

Schematic map · not to scale

Population24,1462020 Census
Land area6.24 sq mi
People per sq mi3,8702020
To the White House15 mistraight-line
Real estate tax$1.0725per $100 · FY2027

Overview

What Fairfax City is like

The City of Fairfax is independent from Fairfax County but sits in its center. Old Town Fairfax keeps its historic courthouse and brick buildings, and George Mason University is just outside the city line.

Good to know about addressesMany homes with a “Fairfax” mailing address are in Fairfax County, not the City of Fairfax. The difference affects taxes and some services.

History

How Fairfax City came to be

  1. 1800

    The Fairfax County Courthouse was built; it still stands.

  2. 1805

    The Town of Providence was established around the courthouse.

  3. 1863

    Confederate raider John Mosby captured a Union general here, and a Civil War skirmish followed.

  4. 1874

    Renamed Fairfax and incorporated as a town.

  5. 1961

    Became an independent city; its schools have been run by Fairfax County Public Schools by agreement since then.

Homes you'll find

  • Mid-century single-family homes
  • Townhomes
  • Condominiums
  • Newer homes in mixed-use developments

Today's market in Fairfax City

Prices, days on market and inventory change every month, so I don't print numbers that go stale. Ask me for a free, up-to-date market report for Fairfax City — recent sales, price trends and what's for sale now, straight from the MLS.

Get a free market report

Getting around

  • Vienna/Fairfax–GMU Metro station (Orange Line) just north of the city
  • CUE city bus
  • I-66, Route 50, Route 29 and Route 123

About 15 miles in a straight line to the White House. Real drive times vary a lot with traffic — test your commute at rush hour before you buy.

Weather

January45° / 30°avg high / low
July90° / 72°avg high / low
Rain & snow43 inper year · 12 in of snow
Hot days37days of 90°F+ per year

Four real seasons: humid summers, colorful falls, mostly mild winters with a few snowstorms. Frost-free roughly March 27 to November 18. NOAA 1991–2020 averages at Reagan National Airport.

Economy

Where people work

  • George Mason University (next door)
  • Fairfax County government offices nearby
  • Old Town Fairfax businesses

Local favorites

Places people love

  • Old Town Fairfax
  • George Mason University events
  • Van Dyck Park
  • Daniels Run Park

Local government

The City of Fairfax has its own mayor and City Council, independent of Fairfax County.

  • Mayor, City of FairfaxCatherine S. Read (term ends December 2026; not seeking reelection)
  • Governor of VirginiaAbigail Spanberger (since January 2026)

As of September 2026. Officials change with elections — confirm on the official websites.

Taxes

Real estate tax: $1.0725 per $100 of assessed value (FY2027), set by City of Fairfax. Official rates ↗

Example: a home assessed at $700,000 would owe about $7,508 a year at the City of Fairfax rate.

Virginia also taxes cars and other vehicles yearly (personal property tax), and some areas add small special-district taxes. Older adults and people with disabilities may qualify for tax relief programs.

Before you buy

Points to consider

  • City or county? Check the address — it changes taxes and services
  • Traffic on Routes 50, 29 and 123 at rush hour

Schools

Public schools

Served by Fairfax County Public Schools (the city arranges schooling with the county). Test scores and school details are in the official links below. Boundaries change — always confirm the assigned schools for a specific address.

Research this area

Official data on Fairfax City

Crime, school test results and population details come straight from official sources. Each link opens in a new tab, so this page stays open.

Census QuickFactsPopulation, age, income, housing and more — official U.S. Census data↗City of Fairfax Police crime mapOfficial crime data from the local police department↗Virginia School Quality Profile: Fairfax County Public SchoolsTest results, graduation rates and more from the Virginia Department of Education↗FCPS school boundary locator (check any address)Confirm which schools serve a specific address↗FEMA flood mapsCheck whether an address is in a flood zone↗Metro trip plannerPlan a commute by Metro and bus↗Find your elected officialsLook up your state and federal representatives by address↗

Nearby

Also worth a look

Vienna

A small town feel next door to Tysons and Metro.

Town of Vienna (inside Fairfax County)

Burke

Lakes, trails and commuter rail in a classic suburb.

Fairfax County (unincorporated)

Centreville

More space for your money along I-66, with history next door.

Fairfax County (unincorporated)

See all 17 areas →

Sources: 2020 U.S. Census; Fairfax County, Arlington County and city/town government websites; NOAA climate normals; Virginia Department of Education. Updated September 2026. General information only — verify details that matter to your decision.

Contact

Thinking about Fairfax City?

Tell me a little about what you're looking for. I'll reply personally, usually within one business day.

한국어로 편하게 문의하세요.