Check out our land for sale in Fairfax County VA and learn more about this high-growth community a short drive from the nation’s capital.

Overview of land for sale in Fairfax County VA

When shopping for land for sale in Fairfax County VA, you will find that the majority of land for sale is residential. Residential land for sale in Fairfax County VA includes single lots in preexisting neighborhoods, small multi-lot residential development opportunities, and old “tear down” homes that can be purchased for the value of the land.

Even though Fairfax County is predominantly suburban and residential, there are several urban centers where commercial development is booming. There are also various industrial parks and a booming market for data centers. In fact, Northern Virginia is the largest data center market in the world, and Fairfax County alone is home to 27 data centers. In addition to residential, commercial, and industrial land, you can occasionally find rural and agricultural land for sale in Fairfax County VA. 

During the past year, land in Fairfax County sold for an average of $799,100 per acre. The median sale price per acre was $530,128. On average, land that sold during the past year sold for roughly 93% of its list price. The average and median days on market for closed land sales in Fairfax County during the past year were 159 and 57, respectively.

Fairfax County has a population of roughly 1.15 million. It continues to experience strong population growth, which bodes well for future property values. Additionally, it was recently ranked as the 7th wealthiest county in the United States. Therefore, it enjoys a strong and stable real estate market. These are all good reasons to consider buying land for sale in Fairfax County VA.

Fairfax County is home to beautiful rolling hills and deep, stream valleys. Bound by the Potomac River to the north, Arlington County to the east, Prince William County to the south, and Loudoun County to the west, Fairfax County forms the outer suburban area of the Washington metropolitan area.

While Fairfax County offers a slower pace of life than Washington, D.C., it’s close enough to the city that Fairfax County residents can still enjoy city life in the evenings and on weekends. In fact, many people who live in Fairfax County commute to work in Washington, D.C.

Of course, proximity to the city is just one of many reasons to consider buying land for sale Fairfax County VA. Below are several other reasons you might consider buying land in Fairfax County.

Fairfax County has deep roots

Fairfax County has a suburban feel and is a haven for those who enjoy a suburban lifestyle. Formed in 1742, it was one of the earliest counties to be established in the United States. The county was named after Thomas Fairfax, who was the 6th Lord of Fairfax of Cameron and one of few British lords living in America.

The earliest settlers in Fairfax County settled along the banks of the Potomac River. George Washington chose Fairfax County as his home and built Mount Vernon overlooking the beautiful vistas of the Potomac. George Mason’s former plantation home, Gunston Hall, is also located near the Potomac River in Mason Neck, not far from Mount Vernon.

Fairfax County played a significant role in the founding of America, and you can visit many historical sites throughout the county. It is home to numerous breweries, wineries, historic plantations, and a broad range of family friendly attractions. You can visit the Winery at Bull Run or the Civil War Interpretive Center at Blenheim.

Sure, Washington D.C. and Arlington may attract more tourists, but Fairfax County has a lot to offer, too. The best part is that if you find the perfect land for sale in Fairfax County VA, you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

Career opportunities and great communities

Fairfax County is home to peaceful, quiet, and family-friendly communities, such as McLean, Great Falls, Vienna, Oakton, and Reston. The county seat is the independent City of Fairfax.

The largest census-designated places in Fairfax County are Burke, Reston, and Annandale, each of which has a population between 40,000 and 60,000. The largest incorporated town is Herndon, with a population of roughly 24,000. Most of these communities have a small-town atmosphere, but still plenty of opportunity for business growth.

Fairfax County is also a hub for commercial districts, big tech firms, and industrial parks. The Mosaic District in Fairfax and the Reston Town Center are popular with young professionals who enjoy happy hours, good food, shopping, and a modern urban lifestyle.

Companies with headquarters in Fairfax County include the Center for Innovative Technology, X.O. Communications, Verizon Business, AOL, and Network Solutions. Top employers include Amazon, Fannie Mae, Harris Corporation, Booz Allen Hamilton, Boeing, and Navy Federal Credit Union.

Career-oriented professionals will thrive in Fairfax County. Many residents work for the federal government or for federal government contractors. There are also many service industry employers, in addition to opportunities for employment in manufacturing and production.

Schools and education

Another reason to consider land for sale in Fairfax County VA is its school system. It is served by Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), which is well-funded due to property value growth in the area. The FCPS system includes the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. This school consistently ranks near the top of all United States high schools. Many National Merit Finalists and Semifinalists come from the FCPS system.

There are also well-known colleges and universities in Fairfax County. These include George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College, the University of Fairfax, and Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Medicine. Inova Fairfax Hospital – a teaching hospital – is also located in Fairfax County.

Arts and culture 

Fairfax County offers residents an excellent variety of arts and cultural entertainment throughout the year. The Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival is held in Reston in May, and the Celebrate Fairfax festival takes place in June in Fairfax City. Wolf Trap National Park sponsors the International Children’s Festival in September. You can also enjoy the summer concert series held throughout different venues around the county.

Fairfax is home to the EagleBank Arena that hosts concerts and shows throughout the year. The Center for the Arts at George Mason University hosts shows and arts events year-round. Lorton, Virginia, is home to the Workhouse Arts Center, which includes studios for artists and performing groups. There are also plenty of theaters, including the Alden Theater at McLean Community Century, Center Stage in Reston, and ArtSpace Herndon, among others.

Travel and transportation

Fairfax County benefits from an excellent transportation infrastructure. Four interstates (I-66, I-95, I-395, and I-495) run through the county, making the commute to Washington, D.C. and surrounding areas convenient. The George Washington Parkway is a favorite with commuters who want to avoid tolls and enjoy beautiful views of the Potomac River on the way to work.

The Dulles Access Road (VA-267) offers convenient access to Washington Dulles International Airport. Residents of western Fairfax County who live in places like Reston, Chantilly, and Herndon, can easily get to the airport in 10-20 minutes. Ronald Reagan National Airport in neighboring Arlington County is also convenient.

The orange, blue, yellow, and silver lines of the Washington Metro system service Fairfax County.  The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) also offers commuter rail service to downtown Washington, D.C. along the I-66 and I-95 corridors. The Fairfax Connector – the largest local bus system in Northern Virginia – operates 91 routes daily.

With such a strong transportation infrastructure, there are plenty of high traffic locations for developers looking for commercial land for sale in Fairfax County VA.

Parks and recreation

If you’re a nature lover, then Fairfax County offers plenty of things to do. There are more than 390 county parks covering more than 23,000 acres, including the Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge. Roer’s Zoofari in Vienna is a great option for families and kids. Alternatively, the Washington National Zoo offers more of a “big city” zoo experience.

For biking and hiking, there are miles of trails to choose from. Local favorites are the 17 mile Mount Vernon Trail that runs along the Potomac River, and the Washington & Old Dominion Trail that traverses three counties (Arlington, Fairfax, and Loudoun) and runs 45 miles from Shirlington to Purcellville.

With something for everyone, there are numerous reasons to consider buying land for sale in Fairfax County VA. Contact Jonathan Kennedy today to get started!

Why trust Jonathan Kennedy when it comes to finding the best land for sale in Fairfax County VA?

Great question!

Jonathan Kennedy is the Principal Broker of LandReady Real Estate, an Accredited Land Consultant, and two-time recipient of the Realtors Land Institute Apex Producers Award. He has been buying, selling, and investing in real estate since 2013 and has sold more than $30M of land in Northern Virginia.

Past clients have described Jonathan as “Creative,” “Diligent,” “Efficient,” “Detail Oriented,” “Honest,” “Thoughtful,” “Committed,” “Enthusiastic,” “Responsive,” “Resourceful,” and “Extremely Competent.”

You might also be interested in these topics related to land for sale in Fairfax County VA…

Land for sale in Northern Virginia

Land for sale in Loudoun County VA

Land for sale in Fauquier County VA

How much does land cost per acre in Virginia?

Waterfront land for sale in Northern Virginia

Does the concept of curb appeal apply to raw land?

Perked land for sale – what is a “perk” test?