Fairfax City is an independent city of just over 24,000 residents — surrounded by Fairfax County but operating its own city government, school system, and police force. The City covers about six square miles centered on Old Town Fairfax, a walkable historic downtown with restaurants, breweries, the Fairfax Theatre Company, and weekly farmers market. Buyers come to Fairfax City for the walkable Old Town, the City of Fairfax Schools (which contract with FCPS to provide services), George Mason University access, and the rare combination of small-town feel + central NoVA location. The Bailey Team is a third-generation, family-owned real estate team — in business since 1970, in Northern Virginia since 1988 — and we work the Fairfax City market regularly.

Looking? Browse every current Fairfax City listing below. Selling? Get a free, no-obligation home valuation in under 60 seconds — or call us at (571) 240-4495.

Why Fairfax City is different

Fairfax City is one of only 38 independent cities in Virginia. It operates separately from surrounding Fairfax County — its own taxes, its own elected city council, its own police, its own zoning, and its own school division. That has real practical implications for buyers: City of Fairfax Schools contract with Fairfax County Public Schools for K-12 services, but the city retains separate budget, governance, and identity. Real estate taxes, water rates, and a handful of municipal services are City-administered.

Neighborhoods and character

Fairfax City offers a wider housing variety than its small footprint would suggest:

  • Old Town Fairfax — walkable historic downtown with mixed residential including townhomes, condos, and restored single-family
  • Country Club Hills — established single-family near the country club
  • Mosby Woods — established single-family community
  • Fairchester / Fair Lakes border — single-family on the City's edges
  • Comstock area / GMU side — single-family and townhomes near George Mason University
  • Pickett Park / Robertson Park areas — established residential

Schools (City of Fairfax / FCPS partnership)

Fairfax City contracts with Fairfax County Public Schools to provide K-12 education. City of Fairfax students attend FCPS schools, but the city's contract gives City residents priority placement and direct city-government engagement on school issues. Major school assignments include:

  • Daniels Run Elementary and Providence Elementary — major City elementaries
  • Lanier Middle School
  • Fairfax High School — anchor high school for the City

Always verify current attendance with the City of Fairfax Schools and FCPS directly before contract.

Lifestyle and amenities

  • Old Town Fairfax — walkable Main Street with restaurants, breweries, theaters
  • George Mason University — Patriots athletics, EagleBank Arena concerts and events, Center for the Arts performances
  • Fairfax City Farmers Market — Saturdays, May through October
  • Van Dyck Park — community concerts, walkability, dog-friendly
  • Daniels Run Park and Draper Drive Park
  • Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center — Civil War history, walking tours
  • Annual Fairfax City events — Independence Day Parade, Chocolate Lovers Festival, fall festival, holiday tree lighting

Commute

  • CUE Bus — Fairfax City's local bus system, plus connections to Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Metro Station (Orange Line)
  • Routes 50, 29, 123, and 236 — major commute corridors
  • Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Metro — 10–15 minutes
  • Tysons — 20–30 minutes
  • Pentagon / Crystal City — 30–40 minutes
  • Washington DC — 40–55 minutes
  • Dulles Airport — 25 minutes

Why work with The Bailey Team in Fairfax City

Fairfax City transactions involve a few wrinkles that don't show up in surrounding Fairfax County deals — separate city taxes, City of Fairfax water/sewer billing, the contract-school arrangement with FCPS, and certain Old Town historic overlays. We've been working real estate in Northern Virginia as a family since 1988 (as a family business since 1970), and we know what City buyers and sellers should expect.

Other Fairfax County resources

Fairfax City sits at the geographic center of Fairfax County. Also worth exploring: the broader Fairfax County hub, Fairfax Station (large-lot south county), Burke (Lake Braddock + Robinson pyramids), and Centreville (western Fairfax).

FAQ

Is Fairfax City the same as Fairfax County?
No — Fairfax City is an independent city with its own government, surrounded by but separate from Fairfax County. They share certain services (most notably K-12 education via contract), but the City has its own taxes, police, zoning, and elected leadership.

Do Fairfax City kids go to Fairfax County schools?
Yes — by long-standing contract, City of Fairfax students attend Fairfax County Public Schools. The City pays FCPS for the service. Major assignments include Daniels Run/Providence Elementary, Lanier Middle, and Fairfax High School.

What's the appeal of Old Town Fairfax?
Old Town is walkable, historic, and surprisingly active — restaurants, breweries, a thriving arts community, a weekly farmers market, and a real "downtown" feel that's rare in suburban NoVA. Residential inventory in Old Town turns slowly because owners love it and stay.

Ready to tour Fairfax City? Call or text us at (571) 240-4495 or email Gayle@GayleBailey.com.