Fairfax, Virginia

Fairfax, Virginia
Fairfax's Old Town Hall in 2024
Nicknames: 
Downtown Fairfax, Fairfax City, Historic Fairfax
Interactive map of Fairfax, Virginia
Fairfax City
Fairfax City
Fairfax City
Coordinates: 38°51′9″N 77°18′15″W / 38.85250°N 77.30417°W / 38.85250; -77.30417
Country United States
State Virginia
Pre-incorporation CountyFairfax County (none after incorporation – Independent city)
Founded1869
Government
 • TypeCouncil–manager government
 • MayorCatherine S. Read (D)
Area
 • Total
6.27 sq mi (16.25 km2)
 • Land6.24 sq mi (16.16 km2)
 • Water0.031 sq mi (0.08 km2)
Elevation
312 ft (95 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
24,146
 • Density3,870/sq mi (1,494/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes
22030–22033
Area codes703, 571
FIPS code51-26496
GNIS feature ID1498476
Websitefairfaxva.gov

Fairfax (/ˈfɛərfæks/ FAIR-faks) is an independent city in Virginia and the county seat of Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 24,146.

Fairfax is part of both the Washington metropolitan area and Northern Virginia regions. It is located 14 miles (23 km) west of Washington, D.C. Fairfax is served by Washington Metro's Orange Line.

George Mason University, located in unincorporated Fairfax County along Fairfax's southern border, is the largest public university in Virginia with 40,185 students as of 2023.