Fairfax, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fairfax, Virginia had a total population of 25,026, the 46th largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $132,348, which is 42% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Virginia.
Fairfax Quick Facts
How Fairfax Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,478 | 25,026 | +2.2% |
| Median household income | $132,774 | $132,348 | -0.3% |
| Median home value | $677,400 | $722,600 | +6.7% |
How Fairfax Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Fairfax Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Fairfax
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herndon | 24,672 | $148,000 | $599,100 | 53.2% | 8.1% |
| Cherry Hill | 26,044 | $122,447 | $492,500 | 43.7% | 8.6% |
| Chantilly | 24,036 | $157,124 | $663,600 | 59.7% | 5.8% |
| McNair | 22,655 | $122,778 | $595,800 | 68.8% | 6.1% |
| Leesylvania | 21,632 | $132,524 | $531,500 | 53.5% | 4.4% |
Population Overview
Fairfax is a mid-sized community located in Virginia. The total population is 25,026. It ranks as the 46th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fairfax is 36.6 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fairfax is $132,348. This is 42% higher than the state median of $93,170. It is also 64% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.1%. This is 8% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 3.3%. This is 23% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $722,600. Housing costs are 88% higher than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x. 69.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fairfax is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 18.9%. The Black or African American population (6.3%) is well below the state average of 18.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (18.9% vs 11.0%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (18.4% vs 6.9%).
Education
62.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% higher than the state rate of 42.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.7%. Notably, 29.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fairfax, Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 681 Census-designated places in Virginia. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Fairfax, Virginia?
Fairfax, Virginia has a population of 25,026 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fairfax, VA?
The median household income in Fairfax is $132,348, which is 64% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fairfax, VA?
The poverty rate in Fairfax is 9.1%. This means approximately 2,211 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fairfax, Virginia?
Fairfax's population is 51.1% White, 6.3% Black, 18.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 18.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fairfax, VA?
The median home value in Fairfax is $722,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x.
How educated is Fairfax, Virginia?
62.4% of adults (25+) in Fairfax hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 29.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.