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Fairfax County

#4 in Best Counties to Live in Virginia
  • A+
    Overall Grade
  • County in Virginia
  • 472 reviews
    A+
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Public Schools
      A+
    2. Crime & Safety
      B
    3. Housing
      B
    4. Nightlife
      A
    5. Good for Families
      A+
    6. Diversity
      A
    7. Jobs
      B+
    8. Weather
      B-
    9. Cost of Living
      C-
    10. Health & Fitness
      A+
    11. Outdoor Activities
      A
    12. Commute
      C+
    View Full Report Card
    Fairfax County is located in Virginia with a population of 1,142,004. Fairfax County is one of the best places to live in Virginia. In Fairfax County, most residents own their homes. In Fairfax County there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many families and young professionals live in Fairfax County and residents tend to be liberal. The public schools in Fairfax County are highly rated.
    Population
    1,142,004

    Real Estate

    Median Home Value
    $534,800
    National
    $184,700
    Median Rent
    $1,823
    National
    $949
    Rent vs. Own
    • Rent
      32%
    • Own
      68%
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    Fairfax County Rankings

    Niche ranks thousands of places to live based on key statistics from the U.S. Census and and expert insights.

    Crime & Safety

    Crime & Safety
    B
    Based on violent and property crime rates.
    Violent Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Assault
      53.5
      282.7
    • Murder
      2.4
      6.1
    • Rape
      14.6
      40.7
    • Robbery
      31.6
      135.5
    Property Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Burglary
      48.6
      500.1
    • Theft
      940.4
      2,042.8
    • Motor Vehicle Theft
      29.2
      284

    Residents

    Diversity
    A
    Based on ethnic and economic diversity.
    Age
    • <10 years
      13%
    • 10-17 years
      10%
    • 18-24 years
      8%
    • 25-34 years
      14%
    • 35-44 years
      15%
    • 45-54 years
      15%
    • 55-64 years
      13%
    • 65+ years
      12%
    Education Levels
    National
    • Master's degree or higher
      30%
      12%
    • Bachelor's degree
      31%
      19%
    • Some college or associate's degree
      19%
      29%
    • High school diploma or equivalent
      13%
      28%
    • Less than high school diploma
      8%
      13%

    Working in Fairfax County

    Jobs
    B+
    Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living.
    Median Household Income
    $117,515
    National
    $55,322
    Search for Jobs in Fairfax County
    • Public Schools
    • Private Schools
    • Colleges

      Fairfax County Reviews

      472 reviews
      All Categories
      I love living here! Fairfax County is an extremely diverse region, with one of the best public school systems in the United States. There are some really beautiful neighborhoods here, and I've never been to a part of Fairfax County that looked really "shabby" or not well-maintained. As Fairfax County is just a short distance outside of Washington, D.C., the cost of living is higher here than in more rural areas, but I do enjoy the proximity to a cultural center.
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      The schools are academically sufficient and will prepare your students well for the next academic level or life beyond high school. The teachers are well-trained and have enthusiasm and patience in their fields of work. The communities and streets are generally clean and are well-kept by the generous members of the community. Both local restaurants and franchises are sprinkled around the area, so there's always a place to eat at within a mile of where you are. The biggest grievance most have with the area is the higher standard and cost of living, as the average income is above average given the wealth of job opportunities here. Recommended for those with a stable, well-paying job, but it is an area perfect for any lifestyle.
      Fairfax County has relatively safe neighborhoods and affluent communities. The public schools have great teachers and plenty of resources. Students are are given school-issued laptops for use at school and home. They are responsible for the fee for tech repairs. Traffic can be difficult at times. Their website improved and has beautiful graphics. Students are updated on changes like school closings from snow, wind, and rain.