Fairfax, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fairfax, California
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Downtown Fairfax (The Parkade)
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Location in Marin County, California
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| Country | United States | |
| State | California | |
| County | Marin | |
| Incorporated | March 2, 1931 | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 2.23 sq mi (5.8 km2) | |
| • Land | 2.23 sq mi (5.8 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0 km2) 0% | |
| Elevation | 115 ft (35 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 7,605 | |
| • Density | 3,410/sq mi (1,316.7/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (PST) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) | |
| ZIP codes |
94930, 94978
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| Area codes | 415/628 | |
| FIPS code | 06-23168 | |
| GNIS ID | 277511 | |
Fairfax is a small town in Marin County, California, United States. It's located about 3.25 miles (5.2 km) west-northwest of San Rafael. The town sits at an elevation of 115 feet (35 meters) above sea level. In 2020, about 7,605 people lived in Fairfax.
Contents
History of Fairfax, California
Early Days and Native Americans
Long ago, the Coast Miwok Native Americans lived in this area. They often settled near creeks and springs, usually on flat ridges or terraces. These spots were good because they had easy access to water.
Becoming a Town
The first post office in Fairfax opened in 1910. Later, in 1931, Fairfax officially became an incorporated town. This means it formed its own local government. The town was named after Lord Charles Snowden Fairfax.
A Famous Duel
Fairfax was the location of the very last political duel in California. This happened in 1861. Two former politicians, Daniel Showalter and Charles W. Piercy, had a disagreement. They decided to settle it at Lord Fairfax's home. Even though Lord Fairfax tried to stop them, they went to a nearby field. Sadly, Piercy was killed during the duel. This event shows how disagreements were sometimes settled in the past.
Plane Crash in 1946
On May 16, 1946, a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber plane crashed on White's Hill, just west of Fairfax.
Geography of Fairfax
Fairfax covers a total area of about 2.2 square miles (5.7 square kilometers), and all of it is land. The town's landscape is mostly made up of hills and valleys.
Population and People of Fairfax
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1940 | 2,198 | — | |
| 1950 | 4,078 | 85.5% | |
| 1960 | 5,813 | 42.5% | |
| 1970 | 7,661 | 31.8% | |
| 1980 | 7,391 | −3.5% | |
| 1990 | 6,931 | −6.2% | |
| 2000 | 7,319 | 5.6% | |
| 2010 | 7,441 | 1.7% | |
| 2020 | 7,605 | 2.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Who Lives in Fairfax?
In 2020, the population of Fairfax was 7,605 people. Most people in Fairfax are White (about 78.9%). There are also people from many other backgrounds, including African American, Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander. About 11.6% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.
Most people in Fairfax live in homes with their families or housemates. About 99.7% of the population lives in households. The average household has about 2.2 people. Many different types of families live here, including married couples, single-parent households, and people living alone.
The town has a mix of age groups. About 14.9% of the population is under 18 years old. Many adults are between 45 and 64 years old (32.7%), and a good number are 65 or older (23.8%). The average age in Fairfax is about 48.5 years.
Culture and Fun in Fairfax
Music and Hot Tubs
Fairfax has a cool history with music. In the 1960s, famous bands like Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead even played softball games at Central Field (also known as Contratti Park).
A long time ago, the famous songwriter Irving Berlin used to play piano from a treetop at a place called Pastori's Hotel!
Fairfax is also known for its connection to outdoor hot tubs. In 1966, a local person named Al Garvey designed his own redwood hot tub. Soon, many people in the area started getting hot tubs, and it became a popular way for friends to relax and socialize.
Biking Adventures
Fairfax is a great place for people who love to bike! It's very close to Mount Tamalpais, which is perfect for both mountain biking and road cycling.
In 2015, Joe Breeze, a famous mountain biker, helped create the Marin Museum of Bicycling in downtown Fairfax. This museum has one of the biggest collections of bicycles on the West Coast. It's a must-see for anyone interested in bikes!
Education in Fairfax
Students in Fairfax attend schools in the Ross Valley Elementary School District for younger grades. For high school, they go to schools in the Tamalpais Union High School District.
Notable People from Fairfax
Born in Fairfax
- Polly Klaas (1981-1993), a young person
- Lonnie Mayne (1944-1978), a wrestler
- Ali Prosch (born 1979), an artist
- Virgil Shaw, a musician
- Alfred Sorensen (1890-1984), a writer and mystic
Passed Away in Fairfax
- Keith Donnellan (1931-2015), a philosopher and professor
- Andy Kulberg (1944-2002), a musician
- Chris Michie (1948-2003), a musician
- Robert Peterson (1924-2000), a poet
- Charles Wesley Piercy (1833-1861), a politician; passed away in a duel
- David James Redford (1962-2020), a filmmaker
- Archie Williams (1915-1993), an athlete and Air Force officer
Images for kids
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Downtown Fairfax (The Parkade)
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Seal of Fairfax
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Location of Fairfax in Marin County, California
See also
In Spanish: Fairfax (California) para niños
