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Difficult Run, VA
Census-designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia. ZIP codes: 20171, 22124, 22181.
Population
9,938
Land area
8.4sq mi
People per sq mi
1,186
ZIP codes
3
Difficult Run and its ZIP codes
Difficult Run at a glance
- Difficult Run is about 5.4 times as dense as Virginia as a whole.
- It is the 128th most populous of 681 cities and towns in Virginia.
- The median household income is more than $250,000, the highest bracket the Census Bureau reports.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $1,111,400 (about 2.9 times the Virginia figure) and median rent is $3,066 a month.
Local data for Difficult Run, VA
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Difficult Run, VA, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$250,000+
Poverty rate
1.4%
Median home value
$1,111,400
Median rent
$3,066/mo
Homeownership
97.7%
Bachelor's or higher
85.5%
Median age
45.3
Average commute
30.1 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (1,354), Irish Americans (1,173), Indian Americans (789).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Fairfax County. PPP loans are for Difficult Run.
Unemployment rate
3.3%
Aug 2026, -0.1 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$115,004
634,638 jobs, 2025
Federal spending
$45.6B
FY 2026, $39,671 per person
PPP loans
$37M
483 loans, 3,652 jobs reported
How people get to work
Difficult Run, VA, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone53.3%
- Carpooled4.5%
- Public transit2.8%
- Walked0.5%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.5%
- Worked from home37.2%
Average one-way commute: 30.1 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Difficult Run, VA, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
Top: winter weather
Storm events since 1996
1,831
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
3,582
1.1% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
84° / 23°F
43.6 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone1 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Difficult Run, VA, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
21.7%
U.S. 33.3% -11.6 pts
Diabetes
9.5%
U.S. 12.1% -2.6 pts
Smoking
5.8%
U.S. 12.8% -7.0 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
3.7%
U.S. 11.1% -7.4 pts
ZIP codes in Difficult Run
3 in or overlapping Difficult Run. Population shown
Cities near Difficult Run
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| OaktonCensus-designated place | 2.3 mi | 9.8 |
| Fair OaksCensus-designated place | 3.1 mi | 5 |
| RestonCensus-designated place | 3.1 mi | 15.3 |
| NavyCensus-designated place | 3.2 mi | 1.4 |
| Franklin FarmCensus-designated place | 3.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Wolf TrapCensus-designated place | 3.9 mi | 9.8 |
| GreenbriarCensus-designated place | 4 mi | 1.6 |
| FlorisCensus-designated place | 4.1 mi | 2.8 |
| ViennaTown | 4.2 mi | 4.4 |
| FairfaxCity | 4.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Fair LakesCensus-designated place | 4.6 mi | 2.4 |
| Sully SquareCensus-designated place | 4.6 mi | 0.8 |
| McNairCensus-designated place | 4.8 mi | 2 |
| George MasonCensus-designated place | 4.8 mi | 2.5 |
| HerndonTown | 5.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Great Falls CrossingCensus-designated place | 5.2 mi | 0.6 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Difficult Run, VA in?
- Difficult Run is in Fairfax County, Virginia.
- What ZIP codes are in Difficult Run, VA?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Difficult Run include 20171, 22124, 22181.
- What is the population of Difficult Run, VA?
- About 9,938 people live in Difficult Run, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Difficult Run?
- Nearby places include Oakton (2.3 mi), Fair Oaks (3.1 mi), Reston (3.1 mi), Navy (3.2 mi), Franklin Farm (3.2 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023