Fairfax City Community Survey Results Available Online

Published on October 08, 2025

Satisfaction with city services rated higher than the national average in 46 of 47 categories.

On Oct. 7, a representative from ETC Institute, a Kansas-based firm that provides market research for local governments, presented the results of Fairfax City’s first community survey to the city council. The statistically valid survey was conducted over the summer to objectively assess resident satisfaction with the delivery of major city services, help determine priorities for the community, and set a baseline for future surveys.

Respondents rated their level of satisfaction with 17 major categories of city services. Overall, the results were overwhelmingly positive; however, the survey identified traffic flow and ease of getting around the city, economic development, and enforcement of city codes and ordinances as top priorities to address.

Residents feel safe in Fairfax City, and more than 90% of respondents rated the city as an excellent or good place to live and to raise and educate children. Satisfaction with the overall quality of city services rated 37% higher than the national average, and satisfaction with customer service provided by city employees rated 47% higher than the national average.

“I’ve had the opportunity to lead the city staff for the past eight months, and the survey results confirm what I’ve observed: Fairfax City is a great place to live,” City Manager Bryan Foster said. “It’s validating to see our residents recognize the efforts of our professional staff to provide great customer service and high-quality amenities for the community.”

ETC Institute has surveyed more than 1,000 communities in 49 states since 2015, and Fairfax City’s results were benchmarked against the Mid-Atlantic Region and the U.S. average. The survey was available in five languages and mailed to randomly selected city addresses, and responses were collected by mail and online. The findings report includes maps showing the general locations of responses and how each census block responded to questions.

Areas residents are most satisfied with include:  

• 91% of respondents who have contacted the city in the past year found employees to be courteous and professional.
• Professionalism of fire/EMT employees and quick response to 911 calls.
• Street maintenance and availability of public parking.
• Residential trash and recycling collection services.
• Quality of city e-newsletters, ease of access to information about city services, and ease of paying bills, applying for applications, and obtaining permits on the city website.
• Efforts to attract visitors and promote Historic Old Town Fairfax, revitalize the historic downtown core, and the availability of quality housing.
• Proximity to city parks and green spaces, quality of special events and festivals, and availability of library services.
• Services for older adults, availability of transportation for people with disabilities, and availability of information on social service programs

View or download the community survey findings report at fairfaxva.gov/Government/About-the-City