Fairfax County Named America's Third-Happiest County

A recent study conducted by popular website SmartAsset determined that Fairfax County is America’s third-happiest county with at least 50,000 residents.

The study looked at four factors in ranking the counties with the nation’s highest quality of living: family stability; physical health; personal financial health; and economic security.

Here’s what SmartAsset had to say about Fairfax County:

With a population of more than 1.1 million, Fairfax County is the most populous county in Virginia, and the largest county to rank in the top 25 of SmartAsset’s analysis. Fairfax is one of the few U.S. counties with a median household income over $100,000 — but household income isn’t the only reason the county’s quality of life is so high.

The average life expectancy in Fairfax County is 83.1 years, third highest of any major U.S. county. Part of the reason for that longevity is likely that nearly 63% of the population exercises regularly. The U.S. average is 54.5%.

Fairfax County’s bankruptcy rate of 0.15 percent was the lowest among counties ranked in the top 5 in the country, as is its 56.8 percent mortgage rate.

Fairfax County was one of three Virginia counties to crack SmartAsset’s top 5. Loudon County earned the top overall ranking, while York County earned No. 5 on the list. Arlington County placed 22nd.