If you find yourself traveling to northern Virginia and you are wondering what new things you can experience here then we have some good news for you. The city of Fairfax is a small city inside the boundaries of Fairfax county but separated politically from the county.
The city of Fairfax, also known as Old Town Fairfax, or Fairfax Courthouse, is well placed in northern Virginia, within Fairfax county. Although it is located in Fairfax County and it comprises the county seat, Fairfax is an independent city. This city is part of the Washington, Arlington, Alexandria, Metropolitan area and it is an enclave surrounded by Fairfax county, a separate political entity. It is well known for its prosperous economy and it is a desirable place to live in.
People here enjoy some of the best school districts in the USA and great job opportunities that pay really well. Virginia is the birthplace for eight of our country’s presidents and it is filled with both historical and political significance. With Washington, D.C just 17 miles away and some of the best annual events, there is no mistake that both locals and tourists consider Fairfax city a marble of culture and history.
Demographics of Fairfax city, Virginia
According to the most recent United States census, the population of Fairfax is estimated at 24,574. Across the years the population has increased and this city is considered the 23rd largest city in Virginia according to the 2017 estimates. The density of population in Fairfax is 586,87 people/mi2and the median age is 39 years overall, 37.6 years for males, and 40.3 years for females.
Data from the American community survey suggests that in 2017 there was an average of 2.7 people per household. The median household income in Fairfax, Virginia is around $106,970 and the median household income is $128,527 and the poverty rate is at 7.85%. Cities with high poverty rates are also placed amongst the least safe places, but when it comes to safety in Fairfax city, you should not worry because it is one of the safest places in Virginia.
Virginia Employment Commission in 2016 suggested that, in Fairfax city, the unemployment rate was at 3.0%. Employees working in the city were about 19,227 and there were about 1,756 employers.
Most recent ACS came up with the racial composition of Fairfax and here are the numbers:
- White: 68.30%
- Asian: 16.04%
- Mixed races: 5.54%
- Other race: 5.05%
- Black or African American: 4.86%
- Native American: 0.17%
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.06%
Demographics in Fairfax show that the population is prosperous and in continuous growth. Both the economy and their political location are strong points that support this growing trend.
Climate in Fairfax, Virginia
Here, in Fairfax city, the climate is subtropical, and it’s locals enjoy warm, humid summers and cold winters. The weather here varies and temperature ranges from 26°F to 87°F with it rarely going below 13°F or above 94°F. Also, Fairfax is partly cloudy year-round. According to tourists, the best time of year to visit Fairfax are the months of June – September.
Precipitations such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail are common in Fairfax. They get, on average, 119 days per year of precipitation. Fairfax, Virginia gets, on average, 43 inches of rain per year, which is above the US average of 38 inches of rain per year. Also, the snow average per year is 22 inches, lower than the US average of 28 inches. Residents also enjoy an average of 198 sunny days per year in Fairfax, below the US average of 205 sunny days per year.
Comfort index places Fairfax amongst the average cities in Virginia in terms of good weather, with a score of 7.3 out of 10. The months of May, June, and September are the most pleasant months to be in Fairfax, but on the other hand, the months of January and February are the least comfortable. The hottest month in Fairfax is July with an average high temperature of 85.7°, which makes it cooler than most cities in Virginia however January is the coldest, with nighttime temperatures dropping at an average of 23.7° and this also places it above average compared to other places in Virginia.
Overall the weather in Fairfax is comfortably placed in between hot summers and cold winters, which makes it the perfect place for people who enjoy the four seasons.
Housing market in Fairfax, Virginia
Fairfax was rated by Forbes Magazine in 2009 as one of the best places to live in, and it is true that homes in the area are in high demand amongst home buyers. The costs of living in Fairfax are pretty high, and the most expensive part of Fairfax is housing. Fairfax has a highly rated school system and a good location that facilitates easy and fast access to areas of high importance and this also boosts the prices up for homes listed for sale.
The median home value in Fairfax currently stands at $570,000 and the median rent value is at $2,400. There is a noticeable value increase in homes listed for sale in the past year and the trend shows that it will continue to increase.
If you decide to live in Fairfax, where you choose to buy a home is an important aspect, because here people have to deal with really long commutes every day to get to work and back home. So don’t take any risks and hire one of our top real estate agents in Fairfax VA in order to get the best deal and the ideal location.
Here are some of the most sought after neighborhoods in Fairfax city:
- Lee Hwy
- Willow Springs / Crystal Springs
- Mantua
- Pender/ Penderwood
- Fairfax Station
- Country Club View
- George Mason U
- Fairview / Greenway Hills
- Holly Park / Holly Park Estates
- Fairlee
Annual events in Fairfax City, Virginia
There are plenty of things to do in Fairfax, VA and the annual events that are held in the city are amongst them. Here are some of the events you might want to check out if you plan to live in Fairfax city or if you are just a tourist visiting this side of the country.
Chocolate lovers will surely love the annual chocolate festival that is held in the Old Town of Fairfax during the first weekend of February. Here you can indulge in a large variety of chocolate products and there is even a chocolate sculpture contest.
Every year, during the Spring, at the Blenheim estate, a historical property owned by the city, a Civil War reenactment camp is held. This is known as the Fairfax Civil War Day and here you can relive a piece of history during the Civil War. Cultural information about the Civil War and practices such as, military muster, drill, and fire demonstration are things that you can witness if you are around for this day. Each April, the city of Fairfax, with the support of well-known schools and universities in the area holds the event, Fairfax Spotlight of Arts. This festival runs for three full weeks and here you can enjoy some good music and choral concerts, dance, theater, and art.
In September you can stay around for the Irish Festival, a festival that features Celtic songs, dance and music.
Independence Day Celebration Parade and Evening Show is one of the largest events held in Washington metropolitan region. This event includes a parade through the Old Town Fairfax, tours of local museums and historical buildings, as well as live concerts and firework displays.
Fall brings with it the Fall for the Book Festival in Fairfax, a festival that features readings, lectures, discussions, and exhibits of nationally recognized writers. This event is held at George Mason University in the city of Fairfax.
Fall Festival is also an event held in Old Town Fairfax that people love because it includes arts, crafts, food vendors, and it is held outdoors on the streets of the city.
The annual Holy Craft Show is an event held in November at Fairfax High School, and this event features hundreds of craft vendors where you can buy some special gifts from the merchants.
In December the spirit of Christmas is brought back to life at the Festival of Lights and Carols. With beautiful glowing lights that surround the Old Fairfax Town, this event features photos with Santa, caroling, hot mulled cider and the lighting of the Christmas tree.
The city of Fairfax has a rich historical and cultural background and we can see it develop more with each passing year. Being part of the Washington metropolitan area makes Fairfax an important political entity both for its geographical location and significance in relationship with the other areas from the metropolis. It is traveled by many important routes that interconnect the important area through the Washington metropolitan area and the rest of the state of Virginia.
These few aspects, combined with the excellent education that Fairfax provides and all the events that fill the calendar through the year makes Fairfax a hotspot for many people both for raising a family here, business interests and many more. Experience the art, architectural and cultural beauty of Fairfax and enjoy all the things that this city has to offer by creating some great memories that would make anyone jealous.
