Fast Facts About Fairfax County
Fast Facts The most populous jurisdiction in Virginia, with approximately 1.2 million residents and 406 square miles of land, Fairfax County is a destination that helps connect you with America and offers unexpected experiences at every turn. Located just across the Potomac River from Washington, DC in the heart of Northern Virginia, you’ll discover a whole new world of wonderful places to explore. Here are some fast facts and trivia to help you get to know Fairfax County, Virginia. PDF File Did You Know?PDF File Take a look and/or download this general fact sheet about Fairfax County. Read More PDF File HISTORY & LOCATION In 1649, King Charles II granted the land that has become Fairfax County to Thomas Fairfax, the 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron. In 1742, the county was officially designated. Fairfax County is home to approximately 1.2 million residents, stretching over 406 square miles of land. If Fairfax County were a city, it would rank as the 10th largest in the United States – making it larger than major U.S. cities such as San Francisco, Seattle, Baltimore, Atlanta, and Miami. Fairfax County is located just west of Washington, DC on the East Coast of the United States. Bordering localities in Northern Virginia include Arlington County, the City of Alexandria, Loudoun County, and Prince William County; the City of Fairfax and the City of Falls Church are independent jurisdictions located within Fairfax County’s geographical border. Fairfax County is located within a day’s drive of 50 percent of the U.S. population. Northern Virginia is one of the country’s most racially, ethnically, and internationally diverse regions. 27% of its population are international residents, representing more than 120 countries. Fairfax County continually ranks in the Top 5 of Forbes' list of wealthiest counties in America. A staggering 70% of the world’s internet traffic flows through Northern Virginia. The region’s proximity to Washington, DC provides access to seven different professional sports teams. In fact, several of the highest-profile teams, including the newly dubbed Washington Commanders, have practice facilities in the region. The region has been named one of the top places to live in the country. It’s been recognized by Money Magazine, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine, and CNNMoney.com. It was also ranked among Forbes' Best Places To Live in 2017 and 2018. TRANSPORTATION The Northern Virginia and DC region is accessible by three major airports, including one of the largest transatlantic portals in the U.S., serving 75 million passengers. Four Metrorail lines with 14 stations (including one at Washington Dulles International Airport) extend throughout Fairfax County. Bus service is available through Metrobus and Fairfax Connector on dozens of routes. Amtrak rail service is available between Union Station in Washington, DC and major eastern cities. Regional line service is available in Burke to parts of Southern Virginia. The Auto Train is available from Lorton to Sanford, FL. Virginia Railway Express offers rail service with two lines. Four major interstates run through Fairfax County – I-66, I-95, I-395, and I-495. Ride-sharing services are readily available. Bikers can enjoy Capital Bikeshare rentals from more than 30 locations. 500+ miles of bike trails in Fairfax County alone can help you explore the beauty of the area. >> Learn more about getting to Fairfax County and getting around while you're here. TOURISM Total tourism spending in Fairfax County reached over $3.84 billion in 2019. Fairfax County is the #2 contributor of expenditures to Virginia’s entire tourism industry. Local tourism jobs have combined earnings of $759 million, as of 2019. Fairfax County offers more attractions than any other area in Northern Virginia and has more than 19,000 hotel rooms. >> Learn more about the impact of tourism in the county, state, and the U.S. BUSINESS With 116 million square feet of space (and growing), Fairfax County has the second-largest suburban office market in the United States and the largest in the Washington, DC area. Fairfax County is home to 11 Fortune 500 company headquarters, including Booz Allen Hamilton, Capital One Financial, General Dynamics, Hilton Worldwide, Northrop Grumman, SAIC, and others. Fairfax County has the largest concentration of technology jobs of any major US market. Fairfax County has the most minority-, woman- and veteran-owned businesses in the D.C. region. >> Learn more about working in Northern Virginia. EDUCATION & HEALTHCARE Fairfax County continually is ranked with some of the best public and private schools in the nation and has the 10th largest school division in the U.S. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology is ranked as the #1 high school in America by U.S. News & World Report, as of 2022. Fairfax County is also home to some of the top emergency responders on international crisis teams in the country, most notably Virginia Task Force 1, VATF-1. Fairfax County is home to hospitals that rank as the best in the region by U.S. News & World Report. THE ONLY PLACE TO SEE The first modern post-war planned community in America - Reston. This accomplishment sparked a revival of the planned community concept, and is still to this day, internationally recognized. The only public Korean Bell Garden in the Western Hemisphere at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, VA. The home of the first bald eagle refuge in the United States at Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge. The only National Park dedicated solely to the performing arts - Wolf Trap. Tysons Corner, VA: The Rodeo Drive of the East Coast, with the largest concentration of shopping on the East Coast outside of Manhattan. The most visited historic estate in the United States is Mount Vernon, which was home to America's first president, George Washington. The Washington & Old Dominion Trail is the "skinniest park in Virginia" - a 45-mile paved path throughout Fairfax County. (Parts are gravel, perfect for horses!) FAMOUS RESIDENTS George Washington, the first President of the United States George Mason, the Father of the Virginia Bill of Rights Richard Bland Lee I, Northern Virginia’s first Congressman Mia Hamm, United States Women's Soccer Player Grant Hill, former NBA Basketball Player Jason Sudeikis, actor/writer (Ted Lasso, Saturday Night Live) Dave Grohl, musician (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) Lauren Graham, actress (Gilmore Girls, Parenthood)
10 Reasons Why to Move to Northern Virginia
When it comes to finding the perfect place to call home, Northern Virginia should be at the top of your list. This vibrant region offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural attractions, exceptional schools, and a thriving economy. If you're considering a move to Northern Virginia, here are 10 compelling reasons why this area should be your next destination. 1. Buyers' Paradise: Northern Virginia boasts a diverse range of real estate options, from charming townhomes and single-family houses to luxurious estates and modern condos. Whether you're a first-time buyer or looking to upgrade, you'll find plenty of choices to suit your needs and preferences. Additionally, the robust real estate market in this area ensures that your investment will appreciate over time. 2. Convenient Location: Situated just minutes away from the nation's capital, Northern Virginia offers unparalleled connectivity. With easy access to major highways and several airports, including Dulles International Airport, getting around and traveling internationally is a breeze. This makes it an ideal location for professionals who commute or frequently travel for work. 3. Thriving Job Market: Northern Virginia is home to a wide range of industries, including technology, defense, healthcare, and government contracting. This region boasts a strong job market, with many well-known companies and government agencies headquartered here. Whether you're starting your career or looking for new opportunities, the Northern Virginia job market has something for everyone. 4. High-Quality Education: Northern Virginia is renowned for its top-notch education system. The region is home to highly-rated public schools, prestigious private schools, and renowned universities such as George Mason University and the University of Virginia. Parents can rest assured that their children will receive an excellent education in this area. 5. Cultural Attractions: From world-class museums to vibrant music and arts scenes, Northern Virginia offers a plethora of cultural attractions. The area is home to iconic landmarks like the Smithsonian museums, the Kennedy Center, and Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. You'll never run out of opportunities to explore and enrich your cultural experiences. 6. Outdoor Recreation: Nature enthusiasts will find themselves in paradise in Northern Virginia. This region boasts an abundance of parks, hiking trails, and scenic spots. The Shenandoah National Park and Great Falls Park offer breathtaking views, while the Mount Vernon Trail provides an excellent setting for biking, jogging, and leisurely walks along the Potomac River. 7. Culinary Delights: Northern Virginia is a food lover's haven, offering a diverse and eclectic dining scene. From world-class restaurants and trendy eateries to international cuisine and local farm-to-table options, there's something to satisfy every palate. You can indulge in culinary adventures without ever leaving your neighborhood. 8. Vibrant Shopping: Whether you prefer high-end boutiques or bustling shopping centers, Northern Virginia has it all. The region is home to upscale malls like Tysons Corner Center and Tysons Galleria, as well as charming local shops and farmers' markets. Retail therapy is never far away in this vibrant area. 9. Community Spirit: Northern Virginia prides itself on its strong sense of community. The area is known for its friendly and welcoming residents who actively engage in local events and initiatives. You'll have ample opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals and build lasting friendships. 10. Quality of Life: With its safe neighborhoods, excellent healthcare facilities, and abundant recreational options, Northern Virginia offers a high quality of life for its residents. Whether you're raising a family or enjoying retirement, this region provides a perfect balance of urban amenities and suburban tranquility. In conclusion, Northern Virginia offers a myriad of reasons why it should be your next destination. From its diverse real estate options and convenient location to its thriving job market, exceptional education system, and a wide array of cultural and recreational attractions, this region has something to offer everyone. Northern Virginia combines the best of both worlds, making it an attractive place to call home for individuals and families alike.
Forecast For Northern Virginia Housing Market In 2024 Predicts Fewer Sales, Rising Prices
The NVAR forecast predicts a particularly sharp regional drop-off in the availability and sale of townhouses, often regarded as somewhat more affordable “starter homes” for first-time buyers. Margaret Barthel / DCist/WAMU If buying a home in Northern Virginia is on your agenda for 2024, well … good luck. The already-tight housing market isn’t expected to get much better in D.C.’s Virginia suburbs in the new year, even though high interest rates are expected to ease, according to a forecast from the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors and George Mason University’s Center for Regional Analysis. Home sales are projected to be down by 10% or more in Northern Virginia in 2024, bucking national projections of increases in home sales as interest rates begin to come down. But in Northern Virginia, home sales are expected to keep declining, for one simple reason: there are not enough houses to buy. In some Northern Virginia jurisdictions, the decline in home sales over 2024 may be even more pronounced: in Alexandria, sales are expected to drop by 12% from 2023 levels, and in Prince William County, NVAR expects sales of single-family homes to be down 14%. “We are hopeful that recent spikes in mortgage rates will moderate and stabilize,” said Ryan McLaughlin, CEO of NVAR. “But we expect home values to continue to increase due to historic low housing inventories across the region.” The National Association of Realtors, NVAR’s national organization, lists the D.C.-Arlington-Alexandria housing market as tenth in the country for most pent-up housing demand. That level of demand shows up in sky-high housing prices, which are expected to continue rising in 2024. NVAR predicts that the average price of a single-family home in 2024 will be $1.2 million in Arlington, and about $1 million in Alexandria and Loudoun County. In Fairfax, the largest jurisdiction in the D.C. region, it’ll be close to $900,000. In several local jurisdictions, the pronounced shortage of homes on the market is expected to hit the available inventory of less expensive single-family “starter” homes like townhouses and duplexes especially hard. In Alexandria, Arlington, Loudoun and Prince William counties, the inventory of townhomes on the market is expected to drop by more than 25% from 2023 levels. As a result, townhomes will get more expensive, NVAR predicts, with prices rising 4.4% in Fairfax, 6% in Loudoun, and 7.9% in Prince William. That would bring the yearly average price for a townhome to just shy of $620,000 in Fairfax, roughly $690,000 in Loudoun, and over $500,000 in Prince William. Townhouses, duplexes, and small multiunit buildings have been center stage in some of Northern Virginia’s most bruising zoning debates this year. Arlington and Alexandria ended single-family-only zoning in 2023, opening up all residential lots to small multiunit buildings, provided they fit within existing size restrictions. Those changes are expected to have a very modest effect on incentivizing new construction — in Alexandria, the city expects about 65 new units in the next decade as a result of the law, and Arlington capped the number of so-called ‘missing middle’ units that can be built each year — but are a significant symbolic step away from traditional and often discriminatory ideas about single-family suburban living. In both localities, the shift provoked serious opposition, particularly from current homeowners, an indicator of how politically fraught adding denser, less expensive forms of housing can be in Northern Virginia. “Local governments are coming to understand that having a supply of for-sale homes at prices affordable to young professional families is a necessary condition for economic success,” the report notes. “They’re just not sure how to achieve that goal, yet.” Local governments are also grappling with the challenge of building more so-called “committed affordable” homes, subsidized units set aside for households making under the local area median income. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments has estimated the region needs to build an additional 320,000 units — 75% of them affordable to middle- and low-income families — by 2030. In the meantime, people are looking to further-out localities for somewhat more affordable homes to purchase. For the first time this year, NVAR individually analyzed the housing markets in Prince William, Loudoun, and Stafford counties, saying it’s the result of “intraregional migration patterns” to “more distant suburbs” enabled by the pandemic move to remote work. Consequently, Northern Virginia’s housing supply problems appear to be migrating to the exurbs, too. In Prince William, single-family home prices are projected to increase nearly 6% in 2024, coinciding with a whopping 32% drop in available inventory and a 14% decline in sales. The average price of a single-family home in the county is expected to rise to about $720,000 by next December. The story is expected to be similar in neighboring Loudoun, with a 26% decline in single-family homes available and a 12% decline in sales. The average price of a single-family home is expected to crack $1 million in Loudoun in 2024, per the NVAR estimates. The tight market is bad news for homebuyers, but fairly good news for homeowners — assuming they can keep up with the property taxes on their rapidly-appreciating real estate. Home values have shot up 42% in Virginia as a whole since the beginning of the pandemic, per the report. (At the height of the pandemic, some localities tried to mitigate that impact on residents’ tax bills by taxing only a percentage of their home values, but steadily climbing property taxes are making it increasingly difficult for some longtime homeowners — especially those on fixed incomes — to stay in their homes.) The NVAR forecast does not anticipate a major recession in the coming year, a bright spot in a sea of expensive housing figures. “In the DC region, we expect that the economy will slow through the first half of 2024, and we may even see job losses in the second half of the year, but the correction may not be deep or long enough to qualify as a regional recession,” said Terry Clower, the director of the Center for Regional Analysis, in a press release.
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