Twenty-five years after Falls Church City moved to permit residential over commercial development projects, a review of the fiscal impacts from the first 10 projects have now been released.
Accommodating the City’s growth has required investments in upgrading the infrastructure for a higher population density. Our data analysis shows that these costs, paid with taxes, have fallen heaviest on single-family homeowners, while developers’ taxes have barely changed in 6 years.
From 2013 to 2025, the City added 1,987 housing units in mixed-use developments. City leaders wanted to expand the tax base that was heavily reliant on single-family homes. Our analysis shows that strategy had limited success.
Recent upzoning trends in Arlington and Alexandria may lead to similar zoning changes in Falls Church City.
A new study projects a population growth of 35% from 2020 to 2030 as a result of the mixed-use developments, making the City among the densest in the region.
A City commissioned study projects enrollment growth of 15% from 2023 to 2030, within the physical capacity of the City schools.
An analysis and history of mixed use developments in Falls Church City, fiscal, affordable housing and school impacts.
