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Fairfax County finished 2025 with 21,181 residents looking for work, a 19.4% increase from the 17,744 counted at the beginning of the year, according to new state data.

The county’s unemployment rate stood at 3.3% in December. That was an improvement from 3.8% in November but remained well above the 2.7% recorded in January.

The increase unfolded as federal workforce reductions under the Trump administration affected the broader Northern Virginia economy.

Fairfax County’s unemployment rate reached a 2025 high of 3.8% in both August and November. That was its highest level since July 2021, when the rate hit 3.9% as the region continued to experience effects from the COVID-19 pandemic.

During pandemic-related shutdowns, the county’s unemployment rate peaked at 10.3% in April 2020, roughly four times its pre-pandemic level.

The Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement’s release of December figures for localities was delayed, likely because of the aftermath of the seven-week federal government shutdown in the fall.

Joblessness Rose Across Northern Virginia

Similar patterns appeared throughout the region, with December unemployment rates generally falling from recent highs but remaining above their January levels.

Arlington ended the year with a 3.1% unemployment rate, down from 3.6% in November but up from 2.5% in January. Its number of unemployed residents climbed 23%, from 3,814 to 4,676.

Alexandria’s rate fell from 3.8% in November to 3.3% in December, compared with 2.7% at the start of the year. The city had 3,282 unemployed residents in December, a 20% increase since January.

Falls Church closed 2025 with a 3.8% unemployment rate, 7,953 employed residents and 316 people seeking work. Its rate had reached a yearly high of 4.3% in November.

The City of Fairfax recorded a 2.9% rate in December, with 13,367 residents employed in the civilian workforce and 414 looking for jobs. The rate was down from 3.5% in November but above January’s 2.7%.

Across the Northern Virginia portion of the Washington metropolitan area, the December unemployment rate was 3.3%. The region had 1,684,236 employed people and 56,706 seeking work.

That rate was below November’s yearly high of 3.8% but above the 3% recorded at the start of 2025. The regional totals cover Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun counties, along with Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church.

Virginia Also Ended the Year Above January Levels

Statewide unemployment stood at 3.4% in December, representing 4,337,005 employed Virginians and 153,029 people looking for work.

The rate improved from 3.9% in November, which tied August for the year’s highest level. However, it remained above the 3% recorded in January, when Virginia had 4,464,004 people employed and 137,057 seeking jobs.

The figures are not seasonally adjusted. All December 2025 numbers are preliminary and may be revised.