Population1,167,873 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
Suburban Communities Along a Great River
Fairfax County, VirginiaFairfax County combines Northern Virginia’s metropolitan life with Potomac River landscapes, major museums, historic places and substantial parkland. The range makes it possible to build very different visits: aviation collections in Chantilly, scenery around Great Falls, arts in Lorton or time in a smaller community. The county’s name does not describe one compact destination. Choose a geographic cluster and a clear interest, then allow enough time to experience it. That approach makes the county easier to understand than an ambitious itinerary spanning every familiar Northern Virginia place name.
Fairfax County at a Glance
Population1,167,873 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatFairfax
Largest municipalityHerndon (2020 Census)
Established1742
ZIP coverage count83 (whole or partial coverage; Oct. 2026)
Total Area, Including Water406.493 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major routesI-66; I-95; I-495; US 1; US 50
Main area codes703 / 571
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Discover Fairfax County
Fairfax County
Established in 1742, Fairfax developed in a region with much older Indigenous histories, including the Doeg. Colonial places and later suburban growth are both part of its landscape, but they describe different experiences of land and community. The independent city of Fairfax serves as county seat while remaining legally separate from the county. This distinction helps explain why an address or familiar regional name may not identify the jurisdiction you expect. Historic farm interpretation, former institutional sites and preserved natural areas offer additional ways to explore changes beyond the county’s administrative timeline.
Visitors can balance a large attraction with a more intimate stop. A day around Great Falls might connect scenery with a historic mill, while a southern-county itinerary could emphasize arts and local history. Families interested in machinery and invention can choose an aviation museum day; others may prefer farm interpretation or outdoor observation. Consult current destination information before joining distant stops together. The most useful plan accounts for travel as well as admission, and leaves space for a conversation, an exhibit or a trail that deserves more time than expected.
What Shapes Us
History At Different Scales
Large historic properties and smaller community sites answer different questions. Compare the people and work interpreted at each destination, looking beyond famous names to the broader communities that sustained the place over time.
A Potomac Landscape
The river provides an enduring natural frame within a densely connected region. A focused outdoor visit can reveal terrain, habitat and seasonal change that are easy to miss when traveling only between major roads.
Many Community Centers
Fairfax’s towns and neighborhoods offer distinct settings for a visit. Treat a regional tourism list as a starting point, then check the actual location and build a manageable route around your chosen community.
Distinct communities share a wooded Potomac-side landscape.
A Closer Look
Fairfax County
Places and perspectives from Fairfax County
FFXnow
New Chantilly dog day care to throw Halloween-themed grand opening party tomorrow
A new dog day care and boarding spot opened in Chantilly this summer, and to celebrate, its owners…
Read the Story Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min readAround Fairfax County
Stories from every corner of Fairfax County.
New Chantilly dog day care to throw Halloween-themed grand opening party tomorrow
A new dog day care and boarding spot opened in Chantilly this summer, and to celebrate, its owners…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Half of N. Va.’s 10 best restaurants are in Fairfax, Northern Virginia Magazine says
There has been some upheaval at the top of Northern Virginia Magazine’s annual ranking of the region’s best…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
JUST IN: Off-duty FCPD officer charged with domestic assault in Tysons
An officer assigned to the Fairfax County Police Department’s McLean District Station has been arrested and charged with…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
FCPS lawsuit over federal funding freeze revived by appeals court
Fairfax County Public Schools’ legal bid to restore funding withheld by the U.S. Department of Education due to…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Family-owned Wolf Trap Nursery prepares to close after 54 years
Wolf Trap Nursery has been part of the landscape along Leesburg Pike for more than five decades, selling…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Local
Building — Start with the county’s building-permit or inspection guidance.
Board of Supervisors — Learn about the county governing board and find its official information.
Budget — Review county budget documents and financial planning information.
Fairfax County government — Find county notices, public meetings and official service information.
Departments & Agencies — Locate county departments and official service contacts.
Virginia statewide
Virginia voter services — Find official voter registration, election and polling information.
Virginia General Assembly — Find state legislators, legislative sessions and public information.
Virginia tax services — Find Commonwealth tax forms, filing and payment information.
Virginia vital records — Review requests for eligible Virginia birth, death and marriage records.
Virginia social services — Find benefit-program guidance and local social-services contacts.
Schools
Local
Public Schools — Find official schools information and service contacts.
Registration — Find the school division’s enrollment steps and required documents.
Transportation — Find transportation services and current department information.
Special Education — Find local special-education services and family contacts.
Local contacts
Belle View Elementary — Elementary; grades PK-06. 6701 Fort Hunt Rd, Alexandria, VA 22307. 703-660-8300 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
Mount Daniel Elementary — Elementary; grades KG-02. 2328 N Oak St, Falls Church, VA 22046. 703-248-5640 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
Edison High — High; grades 09-12. 5801 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA 22310. 703-924-8000 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
Glasgow Middle — Middle; grades 06-08. 4101 Fairfax Pkwy, Alexandria, VA 22312. 703-813-8700 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
Virginia Hills Early Childhood Resource Center — Prekindergarten; grades PK-PK. 6520 Diana Ln, Alexandria, VA 22310. 703-317-1400 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
Annandale Terrace Elementary — Elementary; grades PK-05. 7604 Herald St, Annandale, VA 22003. 703-658-5600 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
Hospitals
For an emergency, call 911.
Local and regional hospitals
Inova Fairfax Hospital — Falls Church mailing address, Fairfax County. View hospital services and visitor information. This is a regional option, not a nearest-hospital ranking.
Local
Health Department — Find local public-health or healthcare information; this is not a hospital emergency department.
Virginia statewide
Virginia local health districts — Find the public health district and offices serving your locality.
VDH health facility oversight — Find licensing information and facility oversight contacts.
Virginia Medicaid — Find official coverage and member-service information.
Virginia health insurance marketplace — Review coverage options through the state marketplace.
Virginia 211 — Find local assistance with health access, transportation and basic needs.
Virginia immunization services — Find public vaccination information and service resources.
Virginia maternal health — Find state maternal-health resources and support.
National locator
HRSA health center locator — Search nearby federally supported health centers.
Public Safety
For an emergency, call 911.
Local
Police — Find the local law-enforcement office and its public services.
Sheriff — Find the local law-enforcement office and its public services.
Virginia statewide
Active Alerts — Check current statewide public-safety alerts.
Missing Persons — View official missing-person notices and reporting information.
Criminal Record Check — Find state criminal-history record request procedures.
Fingerprinting — Review official fingerprinting service information.
Aggressive/Reckless Driver: How to Report — Read the State Police procedure for reporting dangerous driving.
Crime Prevention — Browse practical crime-prevention resources.
Vehicle Safety Inspection — Find information about Virginia vehicle safety inspections.
Vehicle Recalls — Check official resources for vehicle safety recalls.
Emergency Services
For an emergency, call 911.
Local
Emergency Preparedness — Find local emergency planning, alerts and preparedness information.
Fire & Rescue — Find local fire, rescue or emergency-services information and contacts.
Virginia statewide
VDEM preparedness — Find Virginia household emergency planning resources.
Virginia 511 — Check traffic incidents and road conditions before travel.
National service
National Weather Service — Enter your location for official forecasts, watches and warnings.
Ready.gov emergency kit — Use the federal checklist to assemble household emergency supplies.
Ready.gov family plan — Prepare a household communication and meeting plan.
Flood preparation — Find preparation and response guidance for flooding.
Power outage preparation — Plan for loss of electricity and essential powered equipment.
Disaster assistance — Check assistance available after a federally declared disaster.
State Parks
Local
Mason Neck State Park — Fairfax County park with trails, wetlands and wildlife watching.
Virginia statewide
Find a Park — Compare Virginia state parks by location when planning a regional outing.
Park trail maps — Download park maps before choosing a walking or riding route.
Find programs and events — Check ranger programs and scheduled activities by park and date.
Reservation information — Review how to reserve campsites, cabins and other facilities.
Prices — Check the official fee schedule before your visit.
Search by amenity — Find parks with the facilities your group needs.
Accessibility — Review accessible facilities and visitor assistance.
Become a Junior Ranger — Find children's learning activities available through the state park system.
Rules and regulations — Check visitor rules, permitted activities and restrictions.
Trails
Local
Mason Neck trail information — Fairfax County park with trails, wetlands and wildlife watching. Use the official maps to plan a route.
Parks & Recreation — Find local recreation facilities and information for planning an outdoor visit.
Virginia statewide
Park trail maps — Download official state park trail maps and choose an appropriate route.
Hiking — Find state park walking opportunities and planning information.
Biking — Identify parks with cycling opportunities and check permitted use.
Equestrian — Find horse-trail and horse-camping information.
Accessibility — Check accessibility information before choosing a trail.
All-Terrain Wheelchairs available — Find parks offering all-terrain wheelchair access and reservation details.
Virginia Trails — Explore the state's overview of established trail systems.
Water Trails and Public Access — Locate water-trail planning resources and public access information.
Utilities
Local
Watersheds — Find public utility or public works contacts and service information; coverage varies by address.
Utilities — Find public utility or public works contacts and service information; coverage varies by address.
Virginia statewide
Regulated Electric Companies & Service Map — Identify electric service territories; confirm service for your specific address.
Regulated Gas Companies & Service Map — Identify regulated gas providers and their service areas.
Regulated Water/Sewer Companies — Find regulated water and sewer companies; municipal systems may be separate.
Universal Service: Lifeline — Review the telephone affordability program and application resources.
Electricity FAQs — Find answers about electric utility service and billing.
Natural Gas FAQs — Find answers about gas service and customer responsibilities.
Water/Sewer FAQs — Review state guidance on water and sewer utility service.
Virginia 811 — Request underground utility marking before digging.
Libraries
Local
Library Branches — Find library branch locations and current opening information.
Library Catalog Search — Search the library collection and check borrowing options.
Library Resources — Find library services, branch information and borrowing resources.
Local contacts
John Marshall Community Library — 6209 Rose Hill Dr., Alexandria, VA 22310. 703-971-0010 . Contact listing: IMLS FY2024; confirm hours and services directly.
George Mason Regional Library — 7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22030. 703-256-3800 . Contact listing: IMLS FY2024; confirm hours and services directly.
Burke Centre Community Library — 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke, VA 22015. 703-249-1520 . Contact listing: IMLS FY2024; confirm hours and services directly.
Centreville Regional Library — 14200 St. Germaine Dr., Centreville, VA 20121. 703-830-2223 . Contact listing: IMLS FY2024; confirm hours and services directly.
Chantilly Regional Library — 4000 Stringfellow Rd., Chantilly, VA 20151. 703-502-3883 . Contact listing: IMLS FY2024; confirm hours and services directly.
Access Services — 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035. 703-324-8380 . Contact listing: IMLS FY2024; confirm hours and services directly.
Thomas Jefferson Community Library — 7415 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, VA 22042. 703-573-1060 . Contact listing: IMLS FY2024; confirm hours and services directly.
Courts
Local
Circuit Court Docket — Find court contacts, office information and guidance for court business.
Circuit Court — Find court contacts, office information and guidance for court business.
General District Court — Find court contacts, office information and guidance for court business.
Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court — Find court contacts, office information and guidance for court business.
Virginia statewide
Find a Local Court — Identify the court serving your locality and its official contact page.
Case Status and Information — Choose the appropriate court system to look up case information.
Pay Traffic Tickets and Other Offenses — Review official payment options and participating courts.
Access to Justice Self-Help — Find court-approved self-help information and forms.
Other Court-Related Forms — Locate forms by court and proceeding type.
Assistance with Protective Orders (I-CAN!) — Find the court system's protective-order assistance resources.
DMV
Virginia statewide
Locations — Find a customer service center and check the services offered before traveling.
Reserve Your Spot — Check appointment options for a DMV visit.
Driver's License — Find instructions for obtaining, renewing or replacing a Virginia license.
Title Your Vehicle or Trailer — Review the documents needed to establish vehicle ownership.
Registration — Find vehicle registration and renewal instructions.
REAL ID — Review the identity documents needed for a REAL ID credential.
Disability Programs — Find parking placard and license plate information.
Change my address — Update the address attached to your DMV records.
Request a Copy of Your Driver or Vehicle Record — Request an official driving or vehicle record.
Moving — Find DMV steps for moving into, out of or within Virginia.
Transportation
Local
Transportation — Find transportation services and current department information.
Virginia statewide
Traffic conditions — Check road incidents, closures and traffic cameras before travel.
Travel advisories — Read current VDOT travel notices and planned restrictions.
Road maps — Download official highway and county road maps.
Toll roads — Identify toll facilities and their payment information.
Rest areas — Locate state-maintained rest stops along major highways.
Virginia Breeze routes — Compare intercity bus stops and schedules; service does not reach every county.
Virginia Breeze passenger information — Check luggage, accessibility and trip-planning information.
Commuting and public transit — Find Commonwealth public-transportation resources.
Virginia passenger rail — Compare Amtrak Virginia routes and stations for regional trips.
Postal Services
USPS nationwide service
Locations — Locate post offices and collection boxes by your address or ZIP Code.
Forwarding Mail — Review mail-forwarding and change-of-address options.
Rent/Renew a PO Box — Check PO Box availability, rental and renewal options.
Schedule a Pickup — Check address eligibility and arrange collection of qualifying packages.
Schedule a Redelivery — Request another delivery attempt for eligible missed mail.
Track a Package — Check delivery progress using a USPS tracking number.
Calculate a Price — Compare postage costs for the size and destination of your mailing.
Finding Missing Mail — Follow the official steps for a delayed or missing item.
Passports — Locate passport acceptance services and review appointment preparation.
USPS Service Updates — Check disruptions affecting postal operations before visiting or shipping.
Veterans
Virginia statewide
Virginia Department of Veterans Services — Find state benefits offices and veteran support programs.
Virginia Veterans Network employment services — Connect with Virginia veteran employment and transition assistance.
National VA service
VA facility locator — Find nearby VA medical centers, clinics and benefit offices.
Accredited claims representatives — Find accredited assistance with VA benefit claims.
VA health care enrollment — Review health care enrollment and application options.
Disability claims — Find the official steps for filing a disability claim.
Education benefits — Review application steps for VA education benefits.
Careers and employment — Explore VA career counseling and employment support.
VA housing assistance — Find veteran home-loan and housing assistance programs.
Burial and memorial benefits — Review cemetery, burial and memorial benefit resources.
Employment
Local
Human Resources — Find county employment information and the human resources office.
Virginia statewide
Virginia Works job-seeker services — Find career assistance, training and job-search support.
Virginia Workforce Connection — Learn how to register for the state job-search system.
Registered apprenticeships — Search approved apprenticeship opportunities.
Virginia state jobs — Search current Commonwealth employment openings.
Unemployment applications — Find official application steps for unemployment benefits.
VEC reemployment services — Review the state reemployment and eligibility-assessment program.
Virginia community colleges — Find community colleges and workforce-training pathways.
Virginia DARS — Find vocational rehabilitation and employment support for people with disabilities.
National
USAJOBS — Search federal openings by locality and occupation.
Get to Know Fairfax County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Fairfax County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
1,167,873 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
406.493 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
The Great Falls area combines river scenery with nearby park experiences. Visit Fairfax’s area guide introduces Great Falls Park and surrounding attractions so you can plan a focused outdoor visit. Explore Great Falls.
The Smithsonian’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is one of Fairfax County’s major attractions. Its aircraft and space collections make it a strong choice for a day centered on engineering and flight. Fairfax museum highlights.
Frying Pan Farm Park interprets historic farm life. It offers a different family outing from the county’s large museums; check the current park program before selecting a day to visit. Fairfax family attractions.
The Workhouse Arts Center occupies a former prison site in Lorton. Its arts setting adds a distinctive cultural stop to a visit focused on the southern part of Fairfax County. Explore the Workhouse Arts Center.
Fairfax County was established in 1742 in a region previously inhabited by Algonquian-speaking peoples including the Doeg. Its later development placed it within the suburban ring of Washington, D.C. The county seat is the independent city of Fairfax, which is legally separate from the county itself. That unusual relationship is important when interpreting addresses, government responsibilities, and records. The Potomac River provides another enduring boundary within the county’s evolving Northern Virginia identity.
Fairfax County includes extensive suburban communities alongside parks, wooded areas, and Potomac River landscapes. Wolf Trap provides a performing-arts connection, while Mason Neck offers a different natural setting. A county visit benefits from selecting a focused area because nearby places can belong to separate jurisdictions. The independent cities of the region should not be confused with county territory simply because their names appear in familiar local addresses or metropolitan descriptions.
The 2020 Census geography figures record 391.021 square miles of land and 15.472 square miles of water in Fairfax County. The county’s total area includes both. These are geographic measurements for that Census vintage, not a measurement of current water levels or public recreation access.
In the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate series, Fairfax County had an estimated 1,148,598 residents on July 1, 2020, and 1,167,873 on July 1, 2025. Over that interval, the estimated population increased by 19,275 residents, or about 1.7%. Both figures come from the same estimate vintage, which revises earlier years for a consistent comparison.
Colvin Run Mill appears in the Great Falls area’s attraction guide. Pairing a mill visit with nearby outdoor time provides a useful contrast between river scenery and the practical machinery of community life. Colvin Run Mill and nearby stops.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make Time to ExploreBrowse local places by the kind of day you have in mind.
Kids’ Fun
- Frying Pan Farm Park
Herndon area, Fairfax County — in Fairfax County
Working-farm exhibits and family activities; some rides and programs cost extra. - National Museum of the United States Army
Fort Belvoir area, Fairfax County — in Fairfax County
Interactive exhibits and Army history; check family programs and timed-entry tickets. - Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Chantilly — in Fairfax County
Aircraft and spacecraft displays; museum admission is free and parking is separately charged.
Restaurants
- Coastal Flats
Fairfax Corner — in Fairfax County
Seafood restaurant; choose the Fairfax Corner location. - Sweetwater Tavern
Fairfax County — in Fairfax County
Tavern dining; select the Merrifield or Centreville location. - Patsy’s American
Tysons area — in Fairfax County
American restaurant on Leesburg Pike in the Tysons area.
Shopping & Retail
- Tysons Corner Center
Tysons — in Fairfax County
Shopping center with stores, dining and visitor information. - Reston Town Center
Reston — in Fairfax County
Walkable shopping district with current retailer information. - Gift & Gather
Occoquan — nearby region; outside Fairfax County
Occoquan gift shop featuring independent makers and small brands.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Monkee’s of Fairfax
Fairfax Corner — in Fairfax County
Women’s clothing, shoes and accessories at Fairfax Corner. - Nordstrom — Tysons Corner Center
Tysons — in Fairfax County
Department-store clothing, shoes and styling services. - Bloomingdale’s — Tysons Corner Center
Tysons — in Fairfax County
Department-store fashion, shoes and accessories.
Outdoor Fun
- Burke Lake Park
Fairfax Station — in Fairfax County
Walk the lake trail or review boating and fishing information. - Frying Pan Farm Park
Herndon area, Fairfax County — in Fairfax County
Explore the farm landscape and designated park paths. - Mason Neck State Park
Fairfax County — in Fairfax County
Plan a walk on the park’s designated trails and review current access, parking and activity fees.
Free Things To Do
- National Museum of the United States Army
Fort Belvoir area, Fairfax County — in Fairfax County
Free museum admission; reserve the required timed-entry ticket. - Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Chantilly — in Fairfax County
Free museum admission; parking normally has a separate charge. - John Marshall Community Library
Fairfax County — in Fairfax County
Enjoy reading and browsing in the public library; borrowing eligibility and optional service charges are separate.
A New Stop, a Local ConnectionExplore the Listings Below