Fairfax Is Changing: 5 Takeaways From The County's Latest Demographics Report

Fairfax County is still growing, but not the way it did a generation ago, according to the county's latest demographics reports.

The newly released 2025 Demographics Reports show slower population growth, thousands of new homes in the pipeline, rising housing costs and a population that's become significantly more diverse.

Here are five takeaways from the new data. The full report is available online:

1. Fairfax County is still growing — just not nearly as fast as it used to.

The county's population is estimated at 1,199,700 in 2025, an increase of about 3,200 residents from 2024. That's a growth rate of roughly 0.3%, far below the annual increases Fairfax experienced in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. County forecasts show that modest pace continuing through at least 2055.

2. The county is adding housing at a rapid pace.

Fairfax has nearly 5,800 housing units in the development-plan stage, more than 3,100 units with approved development plans, about 2,650 units under construction and more than 2,200 units with permits issued but construction not yet underway. Providence, Hunter Mill and Dranesville account for many of the largest development pipelines.

3. Fairfax has become dramatically more diverse over the past two decades.

The report shows white residents accounted for about 70% of the population in 2000 but less than half (49.5%) by 2020. Meanwhile, the Asian population grew from 13.1% to 20.5%, and the Hispanic population increased from 11% to 17.3%.

4. Fairfax residents are earning more—but housing is getting even more expensive.

Median household income reached $154,545 in 2024, among the highest in the Washington region. But the county's estimated median home value climbed to $752,378 in 2025, while average monthly apartment rent reached $2,092 in 2024.

5. Fairfax's future growth will be driven more by redevelopment than suburban expansion.

The report projects continued population increases through 2055, reaching roughly 1.41 million residents, but those gains will occur alongside a mature development pattern, with much of the new housing concentrated in multifamily projects and redevelopment areas rather than large greenfield subdivisions.

The 2025 Demographic Reports, published by Fairfax County's Department of Management and Budget in June 2026, compiled demographic, housing, development and economic data from a variety of local, state and federal sources.

Most of the county's estimates and forecasts reflect conditions as of Jan. 1, 2025, while historical data spans several decades. Some economic indicators use the most recent available calendar-year data, such as 2024 median household income and rental rates.