The Cultural and Recreational Opportunities dashboard and the Lifelong Education and Learning dashboard are the eight and ninth dashboards now published to support the implementation of the Fairfax Countywide Strategic Plan. The dashboards are designed to:

• Inform residents and stakeholders
• Monitor progress over time
• Identify any demographic or geographic disparities among residents
• Guide community leaders, practitioners and advocates in making data-driven decisions

Cultural and Recreational Opportunity Dashboard Highlights

The Cultural and Recreational Opportunity Dashboard is now available and presents information under the following topic areas referred to as indicators:

• Access to Local Arts, Sports and Cultural Opportunities
• Satisfaction with Local Arts, Sports and Cultural Opportunities
• Awareness and Appreciation of Diverse Cultures
• Representation of Diverse Cultures

Overall, the data included in this dashboard help to evaluate the goals of access to, availability of and participation in cultural and recreational opportunities.

Data Highlights:

• Residents Have High Access to Cultural and Recreational Opportunities: Access to cultural and recreational opportunities is necessary for physical health, mental health and social connection. In 2024, more than 9 in 10 (93.7%) Fairfax County residents lived within a mile of a cultural or recreational center, including community centers, recreational centers, public schools, libraries, museums and performing and visual arts venues. As an example, the average monthly visitors to the Fairfax County Park Authority and Neighborhood and Community Services centers, as well as the Fairfax County Public Library totaled almost 150,000 in FY 2025.
• Overall, Students and Older Adults Report Availability of Community Activities: For youth, recreational opportunities, such as physical activity, are critical for their development. In 2024, 94% of 8th, 10th and 12th grade Fairfax County Public School students reported that there are sports teams or other after school activities available to them in the community. For older adults, recreational activities are critical to their health and ability to live independently. In 2022, 79% of older adults surveyed rated the overall opportunities for education, culture and the arts as excellent or good and 68% rated recreation opportunities (including games, arts, library services, etc.) as excellent or good.

Lifelong Education and Learning Highlights

The Lifelong Education and Learning Dashboard is now available and presents information under the following topic areas referred to as indicators:

• Access to Early Childhood Education
• Access to Quality Technology
• Participation in Learning Opportunities
• Supporting Academic Achievement
• Supporting Career-Based Training
• Increased English Language Proficiency

Overall, the metrics included in this dashboard help to evaluate the goals of promoting school readiness and supporting the achievement of educational goals, while ensuring that access to resources and learning opportunities are available to residents at all stages of life.  

Data Highlights:

• Almost Six Out of Ten Kindergarteners Meeting Grade Level Expectations: In School Year 2024-2025, 57% of all kindergarteners enrolled through Fairfax County Public Schools met grade level expectations in the Fall. Students with Pre-K experience (65%) were more than twice as likely to meet grade level expectations in reading, mathematics and self-regulation in the Fall than those without Pre-K experience (26%).
• On-Time High School Graduation Rate Fluctuates Slightly but Remains High: The on-time graduation rate for the Fairfax County Public School 2025 cohort was 93%. Rates have fluctuated slightly in recent years, with a low of 91% in 2019. The 2025 rate was higher than Virginia’s rate of 92%. Locally, Loudoun County had the highest rate of 97%. Rates varied by race and ethnicity.
• Overall, the Number of Active Library Cardholders is Increasing: In FY25, 610,481 persons were registered Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) cardholders, an increase from 515,358 in FY22. In the same year, 257,039 persons had an FCPL card and actively used their card in the past year, for example, to check out materials or access online databases and digital resources. The number of active cardholders has fluctuated in recent years, with 209,364 active cardholders in FY22.
• Compared to Virginia and the US, More Fairfax County Residents Speak English Less Than “Very Well”: In Fairfax County, approximately one in seven (14.5%) residents in 2024 reported speaking English less than “very well,” indicating limited English proficiency. This represents a decrease from 2017. The county’s rate was higher than both the Virginia state average (6.5%) and the national average (9.0%). Limited English proficiency was more prevalent among certain groups, including older residents and residents living in poverty.

For More Information

Both dashboards will be updated yearly to continue to determine trends and monitor progress. All published dashboards may be accessed through the Countywide Data Analytics webpage. Learn about all ten Community Outcome Areas on the Fairfax Countywide Strategic Plan webpage. For instructions on how to navigate and use the dashboards, please visit the Strategic Plan Dashboard Tutorial. For questions about the dashboard, contact Countywide Data Analytics at DMBDataAnalytics@fairfaxcounty.gov.