Fairfax County, Virginia

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Fairfax County, Virginia
County
Location within the state of Virginia
Country	United States
State	Virginia
Founded	1742
County seat	Fairfax
Area
• Total	407 sq mi (1,053 km2)
• Land	396 sq mi (1,026 km2)
• Water	10 sq mi (27 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	1,150,309
• Density	2,800/sq mi (1,100/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (Eastern)

Fairfax County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 1,150,309, making it the most populous jurisdiction in Virginia and the Washington metropolitan area. The county seat is the independent city of Fairfax.

History

Fairfax County was formed in 1742 from the northern part of Prince William County. It was named after Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, who was granted 5 million acres of land in Northern Virginia by King Charles II.

Geography

Fairfax County is located in the northeastern part of Virginia and is part of the Washington metropolitan area. It is bordered by the Potomac River to the northeast, which separates it from Maryland. The county has a total area of 1,053 square kilometers, of which 1,026 square kilometers is land and 27 square kilometers is water.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Fairfax County had a population of 1,150,309. The county is known for its high median household income and is one of the wealthiest counties in the United States. The population is diverse, with significant communities of Asian, Hispanic, and African American residents.

Economy

Fairfax County is a major center for technology and defense industries. It is home to the headquarters of several large companies, including General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, and Capital One. The county's economy is also supported by its proximity to Washington, D.C., which provides numerous employment opportunities in the federal government and related sectors.

Education

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is the largest public school system in Virginia and one of the largest in the United States. The county is also home to several higher education institutions, including George Mason University.

Government and Politics

Fairfax County is governed by a Board of Supervisors, which consists of nine members elected from single-member districts and a chairman elected at-large. The county is known for its active civic engagement and has a reputation for being politically moderate.

Transportation

Fairfax County is served by several major highways, including Interstate 66, Interstate 95, and the Capital Beltway. Public transportation is provided by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), which operates the Washington Metro and Metrobus services in the area.

Notable People

• Sandra Bullock, actress
• Warren Beatty, actor and filmmaker
• Katie Couric, journalist

Related Pages

• Washington metropolitan area
• Fairfax, Virginia
• George Mason University
• Prince William County, Virginia
• Potomac River