Fairfax Virginia

This article refers to the independent city of Fairfax, Va. For the surrounding unincorporated area of Fairfax County with a Fairfax postal address, please see Fairfax County, Virginia

Fairfax, Virginia
Seal
Location in the Commonwealth of Virginia
Country	United States
State	Virginia
Founded	1805
Area
- City	6.3 sq mi
- Land	6.3 sq mi
– Water	0 sq mi
Elevation	312 ft
Population (2007)
- City	23,349
- Density	3,406.9/sq mi
ZIP codes	22030, 22031, 22032, 22038
Website	http://www.fairfaxva.gov/

Demographics

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there were 21,498 people, 8,035 households, and 5,407 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,406.9 people per square mile. There were 8,204 housing units at an average density of 1,300.1/sq mi. The racial makeup of the city was 72.91% White, 5.07% Black or African American, 0.34% Native American, 12.17% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 6.17% from other races, and 3.26% from two or more races. 13.64% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

By 2005 Fairfax City had a population that was 65.3% non-Hispanic whites. African-Americans were 6.5% of the total population. Native Americans were 0.4%. 14.3% of the population was Asian. 13.1% of the population were Latino.

In 2000 there were 8,035 households out of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the city the population was spread out with 20.5% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 33.7% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $67,642, and the median income for a family was $78,921 (these figures had risen to $93,441 and $105,046 respectively as of a 2007 estimate^[11]). Males had a median income of $50,348 versus $38,351 for females. The per capita income for the city was $31,247. About 2.4% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 2.1% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Beginning in June 2005, Old Town Fairfax has undergone an extensive redevelopment.^[12] The redevelopment added a new Fairfax City Regional Library, over 45,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, over 70,000 square feet of office condominiums, and 85 upscale residential condominium units.^[13]

Arts & Culture

Annual Events

• Chocolate Lovers Festival

Around the time of Valentine’s day, a Chocolate Lover’s Festival is held in the heart of Old Town Fairfax. Events have included craft shows, historic building open houses, children’s activities, collections of vendors selling various edible chocolate products, and even chocolate sculpture contests. ^[14]

• Blenheim Civil War Encampment/Historic Homes Tour

Every other year in the Spring, a Civil War re-enactment camp is held at the Blenheim estate, a city-owned historical property. The encampment features military muster, drill, and firing demonstrations.^[15]. Alternating with the Civil War encampment is an Historic Homes Tour of homes in the city.

• Spotlight on the Arts

Each April, the City of Fairfax, in cooperation with George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College, and City of Fairfax schools, sponsors the Spotlight on the Arts Festival. The Festival runs for three weeks and features music, dance, theater, art, and choral concerts. Events take place at venues throughout the city and the colleges. ^[16]

• National Trails Day

In June, a National Trails Day is held to celebrate the trails, open spaces and parks in the City of Fairfax.^[17]

• Independence Day Celebration Parade and Evening Show

The largest hometown parade and fireworks celebration in the Washington metropolitan region is held in the City of Fairfax. The day’s events include a parade through downtown Fairfax, tours of historic buildings and local museums, an Old Fashioned Fireman’s Day at the Company 3 fire station, and a live concert and fireworks display at Fairfax High School. ^[18]

• Irish Festival

In September, a festival of Irish and Celtic song, dance, and music is held. ^[19]

• Fall for the Book Festival

The City of Fairfax has a new regional public library building that was completed in 2008. Each fall, the Fall for the Book Festival features readings, discussions, lectures, and exhibits from nationally-recognized writers and professionals. The program is coordinated with a school-wide reading project, “All Fairfax Reads”. ^[20]

• Fall Festival

A Fall Festival is held in historic downtown Fairfax on the second Saturday in October. This event includes more than 500 arts, crafts, and food vendors, and is usually held outdoors on the streets of the City. Attendance is about 35,000 to 45,000. ^[21]

• The Holiday Craft Show

An annual Holiday Craft Show is held at Fairfax High School on the third Saturday and Sunday of November. The event features hundreds of craft vendors. Attendance is about 8,000 to 10,000.^[22]

• Festival of Lights & Carols

In December, the Parks Department holds a Festival of Lights and Carols. Activities include photos with Santa, caroling, a yule log, hot mulled cider, illumination of historic downtown Fairfax, and the lighting of the City tree.^[23]

Education

The public schools in the City of Fairfax are owned by the city, but administered by the Fairfax County Public Schools system under contractual agreement with Fairfax County.

The schools include Fairfax High School, Lanier Middle School, Daniels Run Elementary School, Eagle View Elementary School, and Providence Elementary School.

George Mason University, the second largest university in the Commonwealth of Virginia, is located just to the south of the Fairfax city limits.^[24] The Town of Fairfax purchased 150 acres for the university in 1958, though the property remained within the County when the town became a city. In 1966, GMU became a four-year university just outside the city. Along with various administrative offices, the Fairfax campus also contains such facilities as the Center for the Arts complex^[25], the Patriot Center, a 66,000-square-foot Aquatic and Fitness Center, and a 113,900-square-foot Recreation Sports Complex.^[26]

Northern Virginia Community College, the second largest multi-campus community college in the United States, and the largest educational institution in Virginia, has its Annandale Campus immediately to the east of the city limits.

Transportation

Roads

The intersection of US-50 and US-29 is located within the city. The two major highways join together to form Fairfax Boulevard for approximately 2.8 miles before separating. VA-123 and VA-236 both pass through the city. VA-236 is named Main Street in the city (though it diverts onto North Street for about three blocks in Old Town Fairfax) and then becomes Little River Turnpike once the city line is crossed. In addition, I-66 is located on the outskirts of the city.