16 Interesting Facts about Fairfax County, Virginia

Officially the County of Fairfax, Fairfax County is in the Commonwealth of Virginia with an estimated population (2015) of 1,142,234 making it the Commonwealths most populous jurisdiction; along with Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia’s Metropolitan Statistical Area and Washington-Alexandria-Arlington, DC’s. The County is most likely known most for its history and heritage, but there is endless entertainment for anyone to choose from; and something for everyone to discover. Have a look at some interesting facts about Fairfax County, Virginia from its extensive history to little known facts..

Little Known Facts

Most people in the Fairfax County area may be familiar with what makes it unique and special, but “outsiders”, and even some of the locals, may be surprised to find there is a lot more to this place than they think; making it a “hidden-gem” to discover.

Its made up of 252,828 land areas in 395 square miles.
Its average temperature is 54.2 degrees Fahrenheit.
It has more residents than the states of Montana, Alaska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Delaware, Wyoming and Vermont.
If it was a city, its population would rank it as 10^th largest city in the U.S.; making it larger than Atlanta, Boston or Charlotte.
Originally, Fairfax County included all of what are now Arlington County, Loudoun County and the cities of both Falls Church and Alexandria.

Historical facts

Anyone, and everyone really, knows Virginia has mega amounts of history dating all the way back 1800s, but Fairfax County’s history started even before that.

In 1649, King Charles II granted Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, whom the City of Fairfax was named for, 5-million acres.
In the 1700s, Fairfax County was in the midst of the Revolutionary War.
In 1742, the Fairfax County Courthouse – the county’s most historic building – was established.
From about 1750 through the end of the 1800s roads and mills were built and industries of other forms increased.
In 1805, the Town of Providence was established by a state legislature act.
Known as a village at the time, the Battle of Fairfax County Courthouse of June 1861, was the first Civil War land battle. Two years later a second battle – Battle of Fairfax Court House – occurred on June 27, 1863, defeating Union troops. Nevertheless, Jon Stuart, Confederate Calvary Chief’s movements were delayed delivering disastrous consequences a few days later in Gettysburg, for General Lee.
Late in the 19^th Century, the Civil War came to an end – April 1865 – and the county’s economic rebuilding began quickly.
By the time Virginia was readmitted back into the Union – 1870 – it had recovered substantially from the war.
Fairfax was renamed Town of Fairfax officially in 1874.
Fairfax County became connected with Washington, D.C. in 1904, with its new trolley line.
In 1961, the Town of Fairfax was incorporated separating it from Fairfax County under Virginia law.

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