In 2005, Fairfax County received the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Certificate of Distinction for its performance measurement initiative. It also received this award in 2004.

In 2004, Fairfax County received the Performance Institute (PI) City and County Performance Management Award for its performance measurement initiative.

In February 2002, Fairfax County received an overall rating of "A-" - the highest overall rating - of the counties reviewed by Governing Magazine and the Maxwell School of Syracuse University as part of its Government Performance Project. The areas in which all the counties were graded included financial management, capital management, human resources, information technology, and managing for results

In 2003, Fairfax County received the National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award for its joint County/Schools Youth Leadership Program.

Fairfax County received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) "Distinguished Budget Presentation Award"
every year since 1985.

In 2006, Fairfax County received the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Certificate of Distinction for its performance measurement initiative.