economy | FFXnow

Published July 17, 2025 at 9:15AM

Mitre is among the federal contractors in Fairfax County who've laid off workers due to federal contract cuts (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Despite continued concerns about inflation, federal worker layoffs and other issues, business leaders in Northern Virginia are feeling more upbeat about their own economic prospects and those of the region than they were this spring, a new survey found.

The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce (NVC) worked with the marketing firm Pinkston to survey 135 corporate executives and business owners about their experiences with the Trump administration’s efforts to downsize the federal government, their expectations for the near-future and their policy priorities.

Countywide

Fairfax County leaders sound alarm on ‘staggering’ rise in unemployment

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 16, 2025 at 11:45AM | Updated July 16, 2025 at 6:07PM

Federal employment in the D.C. region from 1990 to May 1, 2025 (via Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments)

Fairfax County’s top elected officials at the state and local level united this morning (Wednesday) to urge Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration to provide more support for fired federal workers.

In a joint statement, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Jeff McKay and Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-34), who represents southeastern Fairfax, pinned the “staggering rise in unemployment” across the county on “the reckless policies of Donald Trump” and the “complicity” of Virginia’s Republican leaders.

Countywide

Number of unemployed Fairfax residents reaches a level not seen since mid-2021

By Scott McCaffrey

Published July 14, 2025 at 1:45PM

Virginia unemployment rate from June 2023 through May 2025 (via Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement)

Federal workforce cuts implemented by the Trump administration and, as of July 8, enabled by the U.S. Supreme Court have helped drive the number of unemployed Fairfax County residents to heights not seen in nearly four years.

A total of 21,705 county residents were counted as unemployed in May, according to new data reported by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement. That’s up 35% from a year before.

Countywide

Fairfax County demographics report shows record population, dip in income

By Scott McCaffrey

Published July 14, 2025 at 10:00AM

Cover of demographics report (via Fairfax County)

A record population count, higher home values and a rare year-over-year decline in household income are among the data highlights of Fairfax County’s latest annual demographic report.

Released in late June, the new report covers data from 2024. It is one of a host of tools offered by the county government on demographic and economic trends across Fairfax.

Countywide

Fairfax home prices plateau as wary buyers hold back

By Scott McCaffrey

Published July 11, 2025 at 2:45PM

Home for sale sign (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Per-square-foot home-sales prices were flat across Fairfax in June, and other data points were mixed as the county’s real-estate market closed out the first half of 2025.

The average per-square-foot sales price for homes that went to closing last month in Fairfax was $369, according to figures reported yesterday (Thursday) by Bright MLS, the Mid-Atlantic’s multiple-listing service.

Countywide

Even members of Congress have no clear idea of unemployment related to Trump cuts

By Scott McCaffrey

Published June 17, 2025 at 8:30AM

Sen. Mark Warner speaks at a 2024 Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce event in Tysons on March 11, 2024 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

How many Northern Virginia residents have lost their jobs as part of federal cutbacks and their ripple effects on the economy? Nobody seems to know for sure — including members of the U.S. Senate.

“We’re still trying to get the right numbers,” Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) told the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ (COG) board of directors at a meeting last Wednesday (June 11).

Countywide

Fairfax housing market slows, but demand remains headed into summer

By Scott McCaffrey

Published June 11, 2025 at 11:45AM

House for sale sign (file photo)

New home sales data for Fairfax County and the D.C. region show continued buyer wariness, but there’s no sense of impending doom.

“The [region’s] housing market has been slower-than-typical this spring, but it has fared much better than some expected in the face of cuts to the federal workforce and general economic uncertainty,” said Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist for Bright MLS, the region’s multiple-listing service.

News

Report: Tysons economy steady to open 2025, but federal spending disruptions loom

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 5, 2025 at 11:45AM

The Scotts Run neighborhood in Tysons seen from across the Capital Beltway (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Tysons economy appeared to be heading in an encouraging direction to start 2025. Visitations and residential and retail occupancy rates were up, and office vacancies at least held steady instead of rising.

However, the impacts of federal spending and workforce cuts by the Trump administration have yet to emerge in the data tracked by the Tysons Community Alliance (TCA), which released its latest quarterly market report today (Thursday).

Countywide

NEW: Fairfax leaders bullish on AI industry growth but see need to prepare for job impacts

By Vernon Miles

Published June 5, 2025 at 9:15AM | Updated June 6, 2025 at 10:50AM

Supervisor Dan Storck at meeting discussing AI Coalition development (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Fairfax County doesn’t want to be left behind in what’s looking like an artificial intelligence arms race.

At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors Council for Economic Opportunity on Tuesday (June 3), regional government and private sector leaders discussed plans to assemble an AI Coalition.

Countywide

New initiative hopes to help N. Va. workers ‘pivot’ amid federal government upheaval

By Scott McCaffrey

Published June 3, 2025 at 2:45PM

Man in suit and tie (photo via Hunters Race on Unsplash)

Local economic development organizations have joined forces to launch a comprehensive initiative aimed at assisting federal employees, contractors and other professionals facing career disruptions.

“The Pivot” is an initiative of the Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance, which includes the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority.