City of Falls Church vs. a Falls Church Address in Fairfax County
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Fiscal 2027 Tax Rates, Services, ZIP Codes, School Locators and How to Check Any Parcel
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Quick Answer: Is a Falls Church Address in the City or the County?
Last updated October 15, 2026
Quick answer: a “Falls Church, VA” mailing address does not tell you which government you live under. The City of Falls Church is an independent city of about 2 square miles, separate from Fairfax County since 1948, with its own City Council, schools, police and tax rate. Fairfax County surrounds much of it, and communities such as Seven Corners, Lake Barcroft, Jefferson, Idylwood, Pimmit Hills and West Falls Church share Falls Church mailing addresses. For fiscal 2027 the city’s real estate tax rate is $1.18 per $100 of assessed value and the county’s is $1.12. The reliable test is the city’s Address Finder, then the tax record.
Part of Nikki’s Falls Church local insider guide.
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#1 Selling Realtor in Northern Virginia by Units Sold Since 2020
Nikki is the #1 selling realtor in Northern Virginia by units sold since 2020, based on RealTrends’ Virginia sales rankings and her team’s transaction records. See Rankings & Data.
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Two Governments, One Name
- A town, then a city: Falls Church became a town in 1875 and an independent city in 1948. Under Virginia law an independent city is not part of any county, so the city handles services a county would otherwise provide.
- ZIP codes are mail routes: the city says its primary ZIP code is 22046, with a few city properties in 22042, 22044 and 22205, and that 22040 is used for post office boxes. Most Fairfax County homes with a Falls Church address use 22041, 22042, 22043 or 22044.
- House numbers help: most residential addresses in the city have three digits, and the city says most addresses numbered 1400 and up are outside it, with a few exceptions in the 6000s.
- Road names help too: the city notes that addresses on Leesburg Pike, Route 7, Arlington Boulevard, Route 50, Lee Highway or Route 29 are likely not in the city. Inside the city, Route 7 is Broad Street and Route 29 is Washington Street.
- The county areas: the city’s Address Finder names Merrifield, Seven Corners and Bailey’s Crossroads as Fairfax County areas with Falls Church mailing addresses. Lake Barcroft, Jefferson, Idylwood, Pimmit Hills and West Falls Church are also in the county.
- One shopping center that surprises people: Eden Center, at 6751-6799 Wilson Blvd. near Seven Corners, is inside the city even though it uses ZIP code 22044.
Fiscal 2027 Real Estate Tax Rates, Side by Side
| Item | City of Falls Church | Fairfax County |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate tax rate | $1.18 per $100 | $1.12 per $100 |
| Adopted | May 2026, City Council (a half-cent cut) | May 5, 2026, Board of Supervisors (a quarter-cent cut) |
| Example: $900,000 assessment, base rate only | $10,620 a year | $10,080 a year |
| Effect on a typical bill | Median homeowner bill up $557 (4.6%), because assessments rose | Average homeowner bill up about $337, because assessments rose |
| Who assesses | City Real Estate Assessment Office, at 100% of fair market value each January 1 | County Department of Tax Administration |
The example uses only the base real estate rate. Bills can include other charges; for example, Lake Barcroft lots in Fairfax County pay a watershed improvement district tax that the county bills with property taxes. Each government sets its own assessments, so ask for the actual tax bill on any home you are considering. Sources: City FY2027 budget (Falls Church News-Press), County FY27 budget.
Services: Who Picks Up the Phone
- Government: city residents elect a seven-member City Council. County residents are represented by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
- Police: the city has its own police department. County addresses are served by the Fairfax County Police Department.
- Parks and events: the city runs its own parks and events, centered on Cherry Hill Park and City Hall (see the Falls Church events calendar). County residents use Fairfax County Park Authority parks, and anyone can use the W&OD Trail, which NOVA Parks manages.
- Buses and trains: Metrobus routes serve both. East Falls Church station is in Arlington County and West Falls Church station is in Fairfax County.
- 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
Homes inside the City of Falls Church are served by Falls Church City Public Schools, and homes with a Falls Church address in Fairfax County are served by Fairfax County Public Schools. Assignments depend on the exact address and can change, so check any home with the official sources:
How to Check a Parcel in Five Minutes
- Search the address in the city’s Address Finder map. If it appears, the home is in the city.
- Confirm in the city’s real estate assessment records, which the city links from the same page.
- If it is not in the city, search Fairfax County’s iCARE site by address.
- Note the assessed value and that government’s tax rate, then estimate the yearly tax, and ask the seller’s realtor for the latest bill.
- Check the school assignment with the official locator for that jurisdiction, and for a condo or townhouse, ask for the HOA or condo resale packet.
Related guides: Falls Church local insider guide, Falls Church neighborhoods compared, Falls Church development tracker, Falls Church events calendar and all areas served.
Falls Church City vs. County FAQ
Is a 22046 address always in the City of Falls Church?
Not always. The city says 22046 is its primary ZIP code, but the property’s location, not the ZIP code, decides the government. Check the address in the city’s Address Finder and the tax record.
What is the City of Falls Church real estate tax rate for fiscal 2027?
The Falls Church City Council cut the rate by half a cent to $1.18 per $100 of assessed value for fiscal 2027.
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 on May 5, 2026, a quarter cent lower than the year before.
Are Seven Corners and Lake Barcroft in the City of Falls Church?
No. Seven Corners and Lake Barcroft are in Fairfax County, even though they use Falls Church mailing addresses. Eden Center, near Seven Corners, is an exception: it is inside the city.
Are the Falls Church Metro stations in the city?
No. East Falls Church station is in Arlington County, and West Falls Church station is in Fairfax County.
How do I check whether a home is in the city or the county?
Search the address in the City of Falls Church Address Finder. If it is not there, search Fairfax County’s iCARE real estate site. The government whose records list the parcel is the jurisdiction.
Get in Touch With Your
Falls Church Real Estate Expert Today
Nikki Lagouros is your go-to real estate partner for buying or selling in Falls Church, VA, in the city or in Fairfax County. Schedule a consultation and start your journey toward a successful real estate experience.
Sources
Sources (checked October 15, 2026): City of Falls Church: Address Finder, Real Estate Assessment, African American History (town status in 1875); Falls Church News-Press: F.C. Budget Adopted as Expected: Down 1/2c (May 13, 2026) and Launching F.C.’s 75th Anniversary Year (city status in 1948); Fairfax County: Board Adopts FY 27 Budget, Reduces Real Estate Tax Rate, iCARE; WMATA: East Falls Church and West Falls Church station pages; Lake Barcroft Watershed Improvement District; Falls Church City Public Schools; FCPS Boundary Locator. Photo: The Falls Church by Southerngs, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
