Fairfax City Leads VA Localities In Population Growth From 2020 To 2025

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Fairfax City posted the fastest population growth rate among Virginia cities and towns with at least 20,000 residents between 2020 and 2025, according to newly compiled Census data.

Fairfax City’s population grew from 24,146 residents in 2020 to 26,772 residents in 2025, an increase of 2,626 people, or 10.88 percent, according to U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program data released in May 2025.

Fairfax City narrowly outpaced Suffolk by 0.002 percentage points, according to Every City in the USA, an online utility that compiles Census data about every locality in the U.S. Alexandria recorded 0.75 percent growth during the same period.

The largest annual increase came between 2023 and 2024, when the city added 968 residents, according to the report. Another 734 residents were added between 2024 and 2025.

The report also compared Fairfax City with the Town of Vienna, another municipality located within Fairfax County. Vienna’s population increased from 16,475 residents in 2020 to 16,691 residents in 2025, a gain of 216 people, or 1.31 percent, according to the data.

Fairfax City also ranked among Northern Virginia localities with the highest availability of gigabit-class broadband service, according to Federal Communications Commission data cited in the report. About 39.4 percent of residential broadband-serviceable locations in Fairfax City had access to service offering download speeds of at least 1 gigabit per second and upload speeds of at least 100 megabits per second.

The report said health care and social assistance was Fairfax City’s largest private-sector industry by employment in 2024, with 3,980 jobs.

Fairfax City’s unemployment rate averaged 2.4 percent in 2024, matching rates reported for Alexandria, Falls Church and Manassas Park, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data included in the report.

Fairfax City Officials Respond To Report

News of the city's high ranking garnered positive responses from a majority of the city's elected leaders.

Mayor Catherine Read credited the growth to building more high density housing in a small city that was mainly made up of older post-World War II neighborhood on big lots.

"With the opening of Scout on the Circle in 2020, the city continues to build more units per acre than in the previous history of the city," she said. "Subsequently our formerly incremental population growth from 2000 to 2020 has shown a marked increase."

However, not all of these developments have set asides for affordable housing units as they were built before the city had an ordinance mandating set asides, according to Read.

"Like every other jurisdiction in Northern Virginia, we feel keenly the lack of housing to meet the needs of working families with modest incomes," she said. "I think there residents who don’t like the growth and other residents who realize our geographic location is an asset to growing a vibrant local economy that will sustain this city well into the future. It really is about smart growth and not everyone agrees on that definition."

Councilmember Rachel McQuillen said she was encouraged to see more people choosing Fairfax City as their home, which speaks to the "strength of our schools, neighborhoods, local businesses, parks, and community character.

However, the growth also highlights the need for careful long-term planning, according to McQuillen.

"We must ensure our public infrastructure, particularly our schools, can keep pace sustainably and affordably," she said. "As someone who has consistently raised concerns about school capacity, long-term operating costs, and housing affordability, I believe this data reinforces the importance of making thoughtful, financially responsible decisions as we plan for the future."

In particular, the city must continue to expand housing opportunities across different income levels while preserving the city's character, which residents deeply value, McQuillen said.

"Rapid or poorly planned change can have unintended consequences, which is why broad public engagement and strategic planning remain essential," she said. "I also see this as an opportunity to continue streamlining our permitting and zoning processes so residents and businesses can more efficiently invest in our city and contribute positively to our local economy."

According to Councilmember Billy Bates, Fairfax City is a desirable place to live and people outside the area are beginning to realize that.

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"They want to live in a place that actually feels like a tight-knit community while providing the amenities and vibrancy we usually see in larger cities," he said. "Additionally, land that is vastly underutilized has presented a unique opportunity to accommodate that demand through redevelopment. Fairfax can be a more walkable, sustainable, and welcoming community without sacrificing the charm that draws these new neighbors of ours here in the first place."

Councilmember Stacy Hall said that if the growth could be a positive indicator, showing vitality and investment in the community. But it also presents real challenges for city leaders and puts a spotlight on affordability and infrastructure.

"As demand increases, we must be mindful of housing costs and ensure that our teachers, first responders, and working families can still afford to live here," Hall said. "At the same time, growth increases pressure on infrastructure, from roads and utilities to schools and public facilities, and those systems need to keep pace to maintain what we all value here in the city – our quality of life.

"The goal isn’t growth for its own sake, but managed, balanced growth that preserves what makes Fairfax City so special, while ensuring it remains livable and accessible for people at all income levels."

"I am excited to welcome all of our new residents and families to the city, and see this as a catalyst for an influx of new business and opportunities," Councilmember Anthony Amos told Patch. "We love our small town vibe, yet it is equally as important to grow healthily to bolster economic development and continue to show why we are a city worth investing in.”

Business Leaders Credit Successful Collaboration

“This ranking reflects the incredible opportunity in Fairfax City," said Colleen Kardasz, CEO and director of Fairfax City Economic Development. "Being in the center of Northern Virginia means that the needs and expectations of a supportive, inclusive, and resilient city are met and exceeded for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.”

Jennifer Rose, executive director of the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, told Patch that the growth shows thoughtful economic development, strategic investment, and strong collaboration between city leadership, the business community, and city residents.

"Fairfax City offers a unique combination of accessibility, highly educated talent, entrepreneurial energy, and a vibrant quality of life that continues to attract both new residents and new businesses," she said.

"For our business community, this trend is especially encouraging. Population growth brings increased consumer activity, expanded workforce opportunities, and greater momentum for local investment and innovation. We are seeing continued interest from businesses that recognize Fairfax City as a dynamic and growing market with tremendous long-term potential."

City Councilmember Questions Report's Claims

Councilmember Tom Peterson disputed claims that Fairfax City was Virginia’s fastest-growing locality between 2020 and 2025, saying the conclusion relies on a limited interpretation of population data.

In a statement submitted to Patch responding to Every City in the USA's report, Peterson said official statewide estimates from the University of Virginia Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service show Fairfax City’s population grew from 24,146 residents in 2020 to 25,764 residents in 2025. That represents an increase of 1,618 residents, or about 6.7 percent over five years, according to Peterson.

“That is positive growth — but it is not extraordinary growth by Virginia standards,” Peterson said.

Peterson said several Virginia localities recorded larger population increases during the same period, including New Kent County, Falls Church, Goochland County, Louisa County and Caroline County.

The original report cited U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program data showing Fairfax City’s population increased by 10.88 percent between 2020 and 2025. Peterson argued that comparisons based on third-party data presentations can lack statewide context and methodological explanations.

“This distinction matters because third-party visualization platforms can present snapshots of federal datasets in ways that omit methodological context, statewide comparisons, or local planning realities,” Peterson said.

Peterson also raised concerns about the pace of housing approvals in Fairfax City compared with population growth trends.

According to Peterson, Fairfax City approved or planned 3,873 additional housing units through 2025, representing a 41.5 percent increase relative to the city’s 2020 housing base.

“This means planned housing growth has occurred at a rate more than six times greater than actual population growth,” Peterson said.

Peterson said the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ 2020 cooperative forecast projected Fairfax City population growth of 7.3 percent over five years, which he said was close to actual population growth figures but still below the scale of planned housing additions.

Peterson also pointed to broader economic and demographic trends in the Washington region, including recent job losses and slowing statewide population growth.

According to Peterson, recent MWCOG economic data showed the Washington metropolitan region lost about 103,000 jobs in 2025, including more than 62,000 federal jobs.

He also cited Census Bureau figures that he said showed Virginia’s overall population growth rate has slowed compared with previous trends.

“Fairfax remains an attractive and desirable community, which is good news,” Peterson said. “But it does not mean the City is experiencing runaway or unprecedented growth.”

Peterson said future planning decisions should be based on “accurate facts, fiscal realities, infrastructure capacity, market conditions, and demonstrated community needs.”