Merrifield, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Merrifield, Virginia had a total population of 20,698, the 65th largest community in Virginia, with a median household income of $136,373, which is 46% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Virginia.
- 76.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Virginia.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in Virginia (diversity index: 71/100).
Merrifield Quick Facts
How Merrifield 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 | 20,549 | 20,698 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $136,173 | $136,373 | +0.1% |
| Median home value | $637,600 | $660,800 | +3.6% |
How Merrifield 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
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Merrifield Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Fairfax County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centreville | 71,706 | $139,510 | 7.2% | $590,500 |
| Reston | 64,414 | $148,710 | 5.7% | $642,000 |
| McLean | 49,627 | $250,000+ | 2.9% | $1,412,700 |
| Burke | 44,029 | $185,818 | 3.2% | $747,700 |
| Annandale | 41,705 | $116,263 | 12.1% | $681,300 |
| Oakton | 36,528 | $160,663 | 4.6% | $792,100 |
| Fair Oaks | 35,545 | $123,947 | 5.7% | $608,200 |
| West Falls Church | 31,279 | $134,978 | 7.9% | $706,800 |
| Springfield | 31,154 | $125,999 | 8.9% | $640,300 |
| Tysons | 28,936 | $129,818 | 7.9% | $640,000 |
Cities Similar to Merrifield
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lorton | 20,991 | $138,685 | $626,500 | 60.6% | 7.4% |
| Leesylvania | 21,632 | $132,524 | $531,500 | 53.5% | 4.4% |
| Lincolnia | 20,320 | $121,639 | $647,400 | 55.5% | 7.7% |
| Rose Hill (Fairfax County) | 21,066 | $174,950 | $687,600 | 61.8% | 2.6% |
| McNair | 22,655 | $122,778 | $595,800 | 68.8% | 6.1% |
Population Overview
Merrifield is a small city located in Virginia, within Fairfax County. The total population is 20,698. It ranks as the 65th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Merrifield is 34.6 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Merrifield is $136,373. This is 46% higher than the state median of $93,170. It is also 69% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.1%. This is 49% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 3.4%. This is 21% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $660,800. Housing costs are 72% higher than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 39.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 42% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Merrifield is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Asian residents account for 35.8%. The Black or African American population (7.3%) is well below the state average of 18.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (35.8% vs 6.9%).
Education
76.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Merrifield in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 81% 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 95.0%. Notably, 43.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Merrifield, 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 Merrifield, Virginia?
Merrifield, Virginia has a population of 20,698 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Merrifield, VA?
The median household income in Merrifield is $136,373, which is 69% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Merrifield, VA?
The poverty rate in Merrifield is 5.1%. This means approximately 1,052 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Merrifield, Virginia?
Merrifield's population is 36.0% White, 7.3% Black, 14.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 35.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Merrifield, VA?
The median home value in Merrifield is $660,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x.
How educated is Merrifield, Virginia?
76.2% of adults (25+) in Merrifield hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 43.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.