Wealth Index
Among the top 5 wealthiest counties in Virginia
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Fairfax County | Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $150,104 | $91,409 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $101,510 | $68,517 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.8% | 4.6% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 31.5% | 17.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Fairfax County is about 64% higher than in Virginia. Income has been growing slower in Fairfax County (3.8%/yr) than in Virginia (4.6%/yr).
About 31% of adults in Fairfax County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the Virginia average of 18%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Fairfax County, Virginia grew by 43.5% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $150,104 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.8% per year.
Economic Inequality in Fairfax County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Fairfax County | Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.545 | 0.565 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $111,825 | $76,014 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $89,114 | $60,748 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 20.3% | 20.1% | 19.1% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Fairfax County, it is 0.545, lower than Virginia's 0.565, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 25% more than women's income in Fairfax County, Virginia. Over a 35-year career, a 25% wage gap accumulates to roughly $794,885 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Fairfax County, Virginia has narrowed from about 27% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $512 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Fairfax County | Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.2% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 25.1% | 16.2% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 28 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 25,479 people are unemployed in Fairfax County, Virginia.
The average commute time in Fairfax County is 28 minutes, longer than the 23 minutes in Virginia.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Fairfax County, Virginia has fallen from 4.6% to 3.9% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Fairfax County, Virginia has an overall wealth index grade of A+, making it notably better than Virginia, and far better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Fairfax County, Virginia.
How Rich Is Fairfax County, Virginia?
Fairfax County has a wealth index grade of A+. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; an A+ grade means it is one of the most prosperous areas in the country. The median household income is $150,104, about 64% higher than the Virginia average of $91,409.
What is the current median household income in Fairfax County, Virginia?
As of 2023, the median household income in Fairfax County, Virginia is $150,104.
What was the median household income in Fairfax County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Fairfax County, Virginia was $150,104.
What was the median household income in Fairfax County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Fairfax County, Virginia was $127,750.
What is the Gini coefficient in Fairfax County, Virginia?
The Gini coefficient in Fairfax County is 0.545. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Fairfax County, Virginia?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Fairfax County, Virginia has narrowed from about 27% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $512 since 2009.