Here is some of what Maciag says about the overall migration shifts:
For each of the past three years, more people have left the D.C. metro area for other parts of the country than moved in. In 2016, the reported net domestic migration loss topped 31,000 — the steepest decline in years. That represents a stark reversal from the immediate post-recession period when the region enjoyed especially strong population gains. Much of the shift is explained by the economy: The Greater Washington region weathered the recession better than other parts of the country, but jobs have since returned in places that previously sustained severe job losses.
More worrisome for Fairfax County is the fact that its migration loss accounted for more than half of the total negative net migration and, at -17,800 people, was more than double the second worst loser, Prince Georges County.
Actually Fairfax is facing exactly what other more expensive taxed to the hilt places are facing. Counties in NJ, NY, CA and other places are loosing the population of those who can actually no longer afford to live there or just can't stand the taxes and the traffic. Also illegal immigration has put tremendous strain on schools, health care services and public assistance that further endangers a stable tax base. Increasing density just aggravates the problem. Right now if you are the average middle income person you are getting squeezed from both ends, cost of living going up and quality of life going down. Our uniqueness of being near DC and the federal government has created bubble that is slowly creating an environment of the wealthy/well off and the poor or near poor and nothing in between. As the population ages and people retire they leave because almost anyplace else is cheaper than here. Places like Winchester, Williamsburg and other communities are the recipients of this migration. If you want people to stay here you need to stop escalating the cost of living by taxes and high cost housing and begin to lower taxes, shed the burden of being a sanctuary county and bring back the balance that will stabilize the population over the long term. I have not met very many people who moved from Fairfax to Arlington but lots of folks have left both Fairfax and Arlington to escape. Look at the growth in Loudon, Clarke, Prince William and now Fauqier. If you don't want people to leave, you have to give them a reason to stay.
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