Fairfax

Fairfax is an independent city forming an enclave within the confines of Fairfax County, in the U.S. state of Virginia. Although politically independent of the surrounding county, the City of Fairfax is nevertheless its county seat. Situated in the Northern Virginia region, Fairfax forms part of the Washington Metropolitan Area. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines Fairfax (and the city of Falls Church) with Fairfax County for statistical purposes. The population was 21,498 at the 2000 census. Many surrounding communities and developments have a Fairfax postal mailing address. While the City is an enclave within the County of Fairfax, a small portion of the County (comprising the courthouse complex and a small area nearby) is itself an enclave within the city.