Fairfax City vs. Fairfax County: What Your Address Doesn’t Tell You
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Jurisdiction, Fiscal 2027 Tax Rates, Services, School Locators and How to Check Any Parcel
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Quick Answer: Is a Fairfax Address in the City or the County?
Last updated October 2026
Quick answer: a “Fairfax, VA” mailing address does not tell you which government you live under. The City of Fairfax is an independent city of about 6.3 square miles, separate from Fairfax County since 1961, with its own council, police, school board, services and tax rate. Fairfax County surrounds it, and many County homes share Fairfax mailing addresses, including parts of 22030. For fiscal 2027, the City’s real estate tax rate is $1.0725 per $100 of assessed value and the County’s is $1.12. The reliable test is the tax record: search the City’s Real Estate Assessment Database first, then the County’s iCARE site.
Part of Nikki’s Living in Fairfax guide.
Your Fairfax realtor: Nikki Lagouros is the #1 selling realtor in Northern Virginia by units sold since 2020, based on RealTrends rankings and her team’s transaction records. See Rankings & Data or contact Nikki to check a specific address.
Named #1 Selling Realtor in Northern Virginia by Units Sold Since 2020
The best way to navigate Fairfax’s real estate market is with a knowledgeable realtor who listens, advocates, and works tirelessly for your goals. Nikki Lagouros offers a blend of proven expertise, honest guidance, and commitment to helping clients feel supported throughout every step.
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Nikki is the #1 selling realtor in Northern Virginia by units sold, meaning homes sold, from 2020 through 2026, based on RealTrends’ Virginia sales rankings and her team’s transaction records. See Rankings & Data.
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Two Governments, One Name
- The City of Fairfax became an independent city by court order in 1961. Under Virginia law it is separate from Fairfax County, yet it is still the county seat.
- The courthouse quirk: the historic courthouse complex, the jail and a small area nearby in Old Town belong to the County even though the City surrounds them.
- The Government Center: Fairfax County’s main offices are at 12000 Government Center Parkway, west of the city.
- George Mason University: the Census Bureau counts Mason’s Fairfax campus and some neighborhoods south and southwest of the city in Fairfax County’s George Mason area. The university’s own pages describe the campus as in the City of Fairfax, which donated the original campus land in the 1960s. For a home near campus, the parcel record decides.
- ZIP codes: Fairfax ZIP codes such as 22030 and 22031 include both City and County addresses. A ZIP code is a mail route, not a boundary.
Fiscal 2027 Real Estate Tax Rates, Side by Side
| City of Fairfax | Fairfax County | |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate tax rate | $1.0725 per $100 | $1.12 per $100 |
| Adopted | May 2026, City Council | May 5, 2026, Board of Supervisors |
| Example: $700,000 assessment, base rate only | $7,507.50 a year | $7,840 a year |
| Who assesses | City Real Estate Assessment Office (about 9,700 parcels) | County Department of Tax Administration |
The example uses only the base real estate rate. Bills can include other fees or special district charges, and each government sets its own assessments, so ask for the actual tax bill on any home you are considering. The City kept its personal property tax rate at $4.13 per $100 for fiscal 2027. Sources: City FY2027 budget, County FY27 budget.
Services: Who Picks Up the Phone
- Government: City residents elect a mayor and City Council; County residents elect the Board of Supervisors.
- Police and fire: the City has its own police and fire departments. County addresses are served by Fairfax County Police and Fairfax County Fire and Rescue.
- Parks and events: the City runs its own parks and festival calendar (see the Fairfax events calendar); County residents use Fairfax County Park Authority parks.
- Buses: the City’s CUE bus is fare-free and links City neighborhoods, Old Town, George Mason University and the Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Metro station. Fairfax Connector serves County communities.
- Trash, recycling and permits: handled by whichever government the parcel belongs to, so check that government’s website for pickup days and permit rules.
Schools: Use the Official Locators
City of Fairfax students attend four schools that the City owns and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) operates under a School Services Agreement: Daniels Run Elementary, Providence Elementary, Katherine Johnson Middle and Fairfax High. County addresses are assigned by FCPS boundaries, which can change. Check any address with the FCPS Boundary Locator and the City of Fairfax Schools website.
How to Check a Parcel in Five Minutes
- Search the address in the City of Fairfax Real Estate Assessment Database. If it appears there, the home is in the City.
- If it does not, search Fairfax County’s iCARE site by address or tax map number.
- Note the assessed value and that government’s tax rate, then estimate the yearly tax.
- Run the address through the FCPS Boundary Locator.
- Ask the seller’s realtor for the latest tax bill and, for a condo or townhouse, the HOA resale packet.
Related guides: Living in Fairfax, Fairfax development tracker, Fairfax events calendar, Boulevard VI, Fairfax and all areas served.
Fairfax City vs. County FAQ
Is a 22030 address always in the City of Fairfax?
No. ZIP code 22030 includes both City of Fairfax and Fairfax County addresses. The property’s tax record shows which government it belongs to.
What is the City of Fairfax real estate tax rate for fiscal 2027?
The Fairfax City Council adopted a fiscal 2027 real estate tax rate of $1.0725 per $100 of assessed value.
What is the Fairfax County real estate tax rate for fiscal 2027?
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors adopted a fiscal 2027 rate of $1.12 per $100 of assessed value, a quarter cent lower than the year before.
Is George Mason University in the City of Fairfax?
The Census Bureau counts Mason’s Fairfax campus in Fairfax County’s George Mason area, just south of the city line, while the university describes the campus as in the City of Fairfax. For a home nearby, check the parcel record.
Do City of Fairfax students attend Fairfax County Public Schools?
City students attend four City-owned schools that Fairfax County Public Schools operates under a School Services Agreement. Use the FCPS Boundary Locator to confirm the assignment for any address.
How do I check whether a home is in the City or the County?
Search the address in the City of Fairfax Real Estate Assessment Database. If it is not there, search Fairfax County’s iCARE real estate assessment site. The government whose records list the parcel is the jurisdiction.
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Sources
Sources (last updated October 2026): City of Fairfax: City Council Adopts FY2027 Budget; Fairfax County: Board Adopts FY27 Budget, Reduces Real Estate Tax Rate; Fairfax, Virginia (independent city, courthouse exclave); George Mason, Virginia (Census-designated place); George Mason University campuses; City Real Estate Assessment Database; City Real Estate Assessments office; Fairfax County iCARE; FCPS Boundary Locator; City of Fairfax Schools; City of Fairfax: City Schools. Photo: Old Fairfax County Courthouse by Eopederson, CC BY-SA 3.0.
