Guide to Fairfax County Magisterial Districts
Why connect with your Magisterial District?
The 400 miles that span Fairfax County are divided into 9 magisterial districts. If you are one of the 1.1 million community members in Fairfax County, the governance of these districts plays a key role in your day to day life.
This local governance takes the form of the Board of Supervisors. This elected body represents nine magisterial districts, plus an at large Chairman of the Board.
As such, a great way to find information, events, programs and more is through your district’s website, email newsletter and social media. This CF Connect Guide points you right to this key information for each district. Find your magisterial district with the button below and then access the resources for your district today!
District by District Guide:
Braddock District
Braddock district stretches across the middle of the County.
Dranesville District
Dranesville District winds along the northern part of the county.
Franconia District
Franconia district is located in the east part of the county, between Mount Vernon and Mason Districts.
Hunter Mill District
Hunter Mill is located in the northern area between Dransville and Sully counties.
Mason District
Mason district is located next to Arlington County.
Mount Vernon District
Mount Vernon district is in the southern part of the County alongside the Potomac River on its eastern border.
Providence District
Providence district is located in the middle part of the county, neighboring almost every county.
Springfield District
Springfield district is located in the southwest part of the county, next to Prince William county.
Sully District
Sully District is located in the western part of Fairfax County, bordering Loudoun County.
At-Large
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors includes one at-large seat who serves as the Chairman of the Board.
More history of the districts
Fairfax County has a fascinating history dating back to its formation in 1742. Today, it operates as an urban county executive form of government, with several changes to the magisterial districts over the past 150 years. As the population grew and rules of government changed, the districts of Fairfax County changed from 6 to 9, with several name changes of existing districts along the way.
Fairfax County was originally comprised of six townships. In 1870, the Virginia General Assembly approved an act to divide counties into townships. A group of appointed commissioners then divide the county into six townships: Centreville, Dranesville, Falls Church, Lee, Mount Vernon, and Providence. No records have surfaced documenting why the commissioners selected these names. In 1874, Virginia voters ratify an amendment to the Underwood Constitution that require each county be divided into magisterial districts. In Fairfax County, the original six townships are converted into magisterial districts.
The sixth district, Mason District, is added in 1953. Following a vote by Fairfax County residents to adopt the urban county form of government, the Board of Supervisors are required to divide Fairfax County into equally populated districts in 1967. Eight equally populated districts are the result, with the names of five of the original districts retained, Falls Church District abolished, with Annandale District, and Springfield District added.
In 1991, as a result of the 1990 census, Sully district is created as the ninth district, and Annandale District is renamed Braddock District. On 2022 Lee District is renamed Franconia District. Learn more about the The History of the Naming and Redistricting of Fairfax County’s Magisterial Districts in this report:
Additional Rescources
For more information about Fairfax County Board, Authorities, and Commissions, click here.
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