Fairfax, Virginia
From Freepedia
| Fairfax, VA | |
|---|---|
| Image:VAMap-doton-Fairfax.PNG | |
| Founded | 1805 |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Independent city |
| Mayor | Robert Lederer |
| http://www.fairfaxva.gov/ | |
Fairfax is an independent city forming an enclave within the confines of Fairfax County, in the U.S. state of Virginia. Although politically independent of the county, the City of Fairfax is nevertheless its county seat6.
Situated in the Northern Virginia region, Fairfax forms part of the Washington-Baltimore, DC-MD-VA-WV Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area (CMSA). The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines Fairfax (and the city of Falls Church) with Fairfax County for statistical purposes.
As of the 2000 census, the City of Fairfax had a total population of 21,498.
Contents |
History
The area the City of Fairfax now encompasses was settled in the early 1700s by farmers from Virginia's Tidewater region. The Fairfax County courthouse was established at the corner of Old Little River Turnpike (now Main Street) and Ox Road. The small town in the vicinity of the courthouse was then known as Earp's Corner, and in 1805 was designated the Town of Providence by an act of the Virginia General Assembly (although people continued to informally refer to it as Fairfax Court House). The town was officially renamed the Town of Fairfax in 1874, and became an independent city in 1961 (upon which it acquired its current name, the City of Fairfax). A small enclave in the heart of the city, which includes the courthouses and the headquarters of the county police, remains part of Fairfax County.
Sites on the National Register of Historic Places
| Site | Year Built | Address | Listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Diner (Tastee 29 Diner) | 1947 | 10536 Lee Highway | 1992 |
| Blenheim | circa 1855 | 3610 Old Lee Highway | 2001 |
| City of Fairfax Historic District | Junction of VA 236 and VA 123 | 1987 | |
| Fairfax County Courthouse | 1800 | 4000 Chain Bridge Road | 1974 |
| Old Fairfax County Jail | 1891 | 10475 Main Street | 1981 |
| Fairfax Public School (Old Fairfax Elementary School Annex) | 1873 | 10209 Main Street | 1992 |
| Ratcliffe-Logan-Allison House (Earp's Ordinary) | 1812 | 200 East Main Street | 1973 |
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, and Providence Elementary School.
George Mason University is located here.
Geography
Fairfax is located at 38°51'9" North, 77°18'15" West (38.852612, -77.304377)1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.3 km² (6.3 mi²). None of the area is covered with water.
Demographics
| Historical populations | |
|---|---|
| Census year | Population |
| 1970 | 21,970 |
| 1980 | 20,537 |
| 1990 | 19,622 |
| 2000 | 21,498 |
| 2004 | 22,062 |
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 21,498 people, 8,035 households, and 5,407 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,315.4/km² (3,406.9/mi²). There are 8,204 housing units at an average density of 502.0/km² (1,300.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 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 are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 8,035 households out of which 28.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% are married couples living together, 9.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% are non-families. 23.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.61 and the average family size is 3.07.
In the city the population is 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 93.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $67,642, and the median income for a family is $78,921. Males have a median income of $50,348 versus $38,351 for females. The per capita income for the city is $31,247. 5.7% of the population and 2.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 4.3% of those under the age of 18 and 2.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
External links
- Official website
- Fairfax's Historical Markers
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Local or Yahoo! Maps
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
- Satellite image from Google Local or Microsoft Virtual Earth
