1st Advantage MortgageAbout 70% of Fairfax city homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $132,348. Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Fairfax city applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- Who lives in Fairfax city
- How Fairfax city ranks in Virginia
- The Fairfax city housing market in figures
- The $132,348 median and what sits around it
- Labor force snapshot: Fairfax city
- Towns and communities in Fairfax city
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Fairfax city demographics against Virginia
- Debt-to-income at Fairfax city's medians
- What the numbers mean for Fairfax city borrowers
- Four steps for Fairfax city borrowers
- Virginia rules that apply in Fairfax city
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Fairfax city
With an estimated 25,026 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Fairfax city ranks 72nd of 133 in Virginia for population. Land area is 6 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 4,010 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Fairfax, with about 25,026 people, is the only Census place mainly inside the county.
How Fairfax city ranks in Virginia
Ranked against the other 132 county-level areas in Virginia, these are the Fairfax city figures furthest from the middle.
- Few Virginia counties match Fairfax city on the housing vacancy rate: 2% here, 9% for the state, ranking the lowest of 133. Low vacancy tends to push rents up over time.
- Few Virginia counties match Fairfax city on the share of mobile homes: 0.0% here, 4.3% for the state, ranking 3rd lowest of 133. Few mobile homes means most owners have traditional equity options.
- On median gross rent, Fairfax city sits near the top of Virginia at $2,245/mo, 4th highest of 133. High rent is the first thing a lender's ratio will see.
- The share of workers who work from home: 29.1% in Fairfax city. Only 3 of 133 Virginia counties are higher. Remote and self-employed income may need tax returns as proof.
The Fairfax city housing market in figures
Fairfax city rent at the median: $2,245 a month, utilities in ($1,579 in Virginia). Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 51% in Fairfax city, 49% statewide. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $722,600, about 5.5 times the median household income. In Fairfax city, 70% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them.
| Fairfax city | Virginia | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $722,600 | $383,700 | 88% higher |
| Median gross rent | $2,245/mo | $1,579/mo | 42% higher |
| Owners | 70% | 67% | +2.6 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 51% | 49% | +2.5 pts |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 25% | -0.9 pts |
51% of Fairfax city renters are already past the 30% line; one more payment should leave room for a late paycheck.
The $132,348 median and what sits around it
Fairfax city households have a median income of $132,348 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 6th of 133 in Virginia.
| Yearly household income | Fairfax city | Gap to Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 13.3% | -4.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 23.8% | -11.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 30.8% | +1.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 32.1% | +14.4 pts |
Six-figure households (63%) outnumber those under $35,000 (13%) in Fairfax city. The poverty rate is 9.1%, 1 point lower than the state's 9.9%. None of these numbers decides a Fairfax city application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Labor force snapshot: Fairfax city
Top Fairfax city industry by residents employed: professional and administrative services, 28%; second, education and health care, 20%. Compared with Virginia, the county leans toward professional and administrative services (28% against 17%). 3.3% of Fairfax city's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. Long commutes are common here: 18% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Sector | Fairfax city | Compared with Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Professional and administrative services | 27.8% | +11.0 pts |
| Education and health care | 19.9% | -2.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.2% | +0.4 pts |
| Public administration | 7.5% | -1.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.7% | -1.3 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.6% | +0.1 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Towns and communities in Fairfax city
Fairfax is the only Census place mainly inside Fairfax city, with about 25,026 of the county's 25,026 residents. Fairfax has no separate guide, so this county page serves it.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfax | city | 25,026 | $132,348 | $2,245 | 0 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (2 to 12 miles). Fairfax County leads the group on income ($153,637), Manassas Park city trails ($103,250), and Fairfax city out-earns 3 of the six.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfax city | - | $132,348 | $2,245/mo | 70% |
| Fairfax County, VA | 2 mi | $153,637 | $2,276/mo | 69% |
| Falls Church city, VA | 7 mi | $143,262 | $2,190/mo | 53% |
| Manassas Park city, VA | 10 mi | $103,250 | $2,146/mo | 66% |
| Arlington County, VA | 11 mi | $142,114 | $2,322/mo | 41% |
| Alexandria city, VA | 12 mi | $119,681 | $2,089/mo | 42% |
| Manassas city, VA | 12 mi | $113,590 | $1,850/mo | 71% |
Fairfax city demographics against Virginia
62% of Fairfax city adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 8.5%, against 6.9% for Virginia.
| Fairfax city | vs Virginia | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 62.4% | +20.2 pts | +40.2 pts |
| Work from home | 29.1% | +10.8 pts | +20.5 pts |
| Median age | 36.6 | -2.4 yrs | -4.9 yrs |
| No health insurance | 8.5% | +1.5 pts | +0.6 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.3% | -1.0 pts | -1.1 pts |
| No high school diploma | 9.3% | +0.9 pts | n/a |
| Poverty rate | 9.1% | -0.8 pts | -4.1 pts |
| No vehicle | 5.9% | -0.2 pts | +0.5 pts |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 19.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 31.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.3% |
| 60+ min | 7.7% |
Debt-to-income at Fairfax city's medians
DTI math using Fairfax city medians ($132,348 income, $2,245 rent):
- $132,348 a year is $11,029 of gross monthly income
- Rent at the median, $2,245, takes 20% of that
- Under a 35% cap, $3,860 total minus rent leaves $1,615
- Under a 45% cap, $4,963 total minus rent leaves $2,718
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
What the numbers mean for Fairfax city borrowers
Where the Fairfax city numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Commuter costs. 18% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Strong incomes, long terms. 63% of Fairfax city households earn $100,000+. The risk is a term that outlasts the need.
- Fairfax city rent burden. 51% of renters are cost-burdened; ask your landlord about a payment plan before borrowing for rent.
Four steps for Fairfax city borrowers
Steps that save money for Fairfax city residents:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- A Virginia license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Virginia rules that apply in Fairfax city
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Fairfax city borrowers answers to the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response.
Related local guides
No city in Fairfax city has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Fairfax city?
$132,348 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $93,170 for Virginia. It ranks 6th of 133 in the state.
What do renters pay in Fairfax city?
$2,245 a month at the median, about 20% of median household income.
Which towns does the Fairfax city guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 1 Census places: Fairfax.
Does living in Fairfax city change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Fairfax city resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Where can someone in Fairfax city check a lender's license?
With the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.