Fairfax at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 25,144, placing it 23rd among Virginia's 227 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 24,147 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population rose about 4.1% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among Virginia places: 23rd largest of 227 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 90% of places in Virginia are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 38.8532 / -77.2990, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Alexandria, VA (12 mi); Manassas, VA (12 mi); Washington, DC (16 mi); Rockville, MD (18 mi); Gaithersburg, MD (21 mi) — straight-line distances, US Census Bureau populations.
- Nearest smaller towns: Vienna, VA (4 mi); Clifton, VA (7 mi); Falls Church, VA (7 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Fairfax
The defining feature of a personal loan is the fixed installment: the same payment every month until the term ends.
The advertised interest rate leaves out fees that the APR captures, which is why APR is the number to weigh; try the personal loan calculator before you apply.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
If you are consolidating debt, the loan only helps if you stop adding to the balances it clears; otherwise the total debt grows.
Virginia lending rules that apply in Fairfax
Each row below is a Virginia rule with its publisher and the date it was retrieved.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Payday lending status | Legal via licensed short-term lenders; interest capped at a 36% simple annual rate plus limited fees (Va. Code § 6.2-1817) Source says: Interest at a simple annual rate not to exceed 36 percent | Virginia General Assembly (Code of Virginia) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer finance license required from the State Corporation Commission (Va. Code § 6.2-1501) Source says: No person shall engage in the business of making loans to individuals for personal, family, household, or other nonbusiness purposes | Virginia General Assembly (Code of Virginia) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Virginia State Corporation Commission, Bureau of Financial Institutions (BFI) Source says: The Bureau of Financial Institutions (BFI) is a regulatory division of the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC.) | Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 12% per year maximum contract rate, except as otherwise permitted by law (Va. Code § 6.2-303) Source says: no contract shall be made for the payment of interest on a loan at a rate that exceeds 12 percent per year | Virginia General Assembly (Code of Virginia) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Fairfax
Before you commit to a personal loan in Fairfax, work through these steps:
- Pull your free credit reports and dispute any error — it is the cheapest way to improve the rate you are offered.
- Run your figures through the personal loan calculator on this site so you know the payment before a lender quotes one.
- Pre-qualify with at least three lenders and compare the APR, not the interest rate.
- Check that the lender is licensed in Virginia using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.