GREAT FALLS

 

With its pastoral feel, top-rated schools, and proximity to Washington, D.C., the midsize city of Great Falls, Virginia, is considered one of the best places to raise a family in the Washington, D.C., region.

 

Great Falls is extraordinarily well-educated and affluent. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s estimates, Great Falls had a population of about 14,793 in 2020, and almost 30% of its adult residents hold master's degrees. People who’ve owned homes in Great Falls have carried prestigious titles: senator, surgeon general, NFL football team owner, FBI director, CIA director, astronaut, and governor.

 

This community takes its name from the gorgeous Great Falls of the Potomac River. Although Great Falls is technically considered a suburb of D.C., its vast parkland makes it feel more like a tranquil small town.

 

 

Great Falls is a census-designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia, considered part of the Washington Metropolitan Area.

 

The prime location of Great Falls is one reason that this community is so coveted: It’s about 30 minutes from D.C. (via Virginia State Route 193 aka Georgetown Pike) or from Bethesda, Maryland (via Georgetown Pike and I-495). Great Falls is also connected to Alexandria by Virginia Route 7 (Leesburg Pike). Dulles International Airport is a close and convenient trip: less than 20 minutes away by car.

 

Prestigious neighborhoods and subdivisions within Great Falls include Fox Vale, Hidden Forest, Estates at Longwood, and Black Riffles Estates.

Bordering Great Falls, you’ll find Potomac, Maryland, to the east; McLean, Virginia, to the southeast; and Wolf Trap, Virginia, to the south.

Many businesses cluster within commuting distance of Great Falls, fueling the local economy. Dulles Technology Corridor attracts dozens of elite companies: Apple, Google, Adobe Systems, Microsoft, Volkswagen, and Cisco are just a few of the companies with headquarters or major regional offices in Northern Virginia.

 

 

The Fairfax County Public Schools system is renowned as one of the top-rated and best-funded school systems in the nation.

 

Public elementary schools serving Great Falls:

 

 

These schools convey to James Fenimore Cooper Middle School (often shortened to Cooper Middle School) and then to Langley High School. 

 

Children in Great Falls also attend excellent private schools and childcare:

 

The Fairfax County Public Library system runs the local Great Falls Library.

 

 

At the heart of town, Great Falls Village Centre offers international cuisine, boutique shops, great coffee, and more. Village Centre Green holds a series of outdoor concerts throughout the warm months; see the Celebrate Great Falls Foundation’s website for a full calendar of annual events and local traditions.

 

The namesake Great Falls Park spans 800 acres of breathtaking nature, with 15 miles of hiking trails that range from easy to hard. Some trails at Great Falls Park also permit biking and/or horseback riding. Those who love fishing will find a place to cast their lines here, and the park makes the perfect place for a picnic with its seasonal wildflowers and year-round birdwatching.

 

Those who love the outdoors will also want to explore the many sights and activities available at nearby Riverbend Park. On Springvale Road, The Turner Farm park offers a picnic shelter, extensive equestrian facilities, a picnic pavilion, and even an observatory.

 

About 15 minutes to the south by car, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts attracts current chart-topping musical acts and legends like Emmylou Harris, Elvis Costello, Yo-Yo Ma, Wynton Marsalis, Harry Connick, Jr., and many more.

 

Reston Town Center, located just 15 minutes southwest of Great Falls, boasts an impressive list of shops and restaurants: Apple, J. Crew, Sephora, &pizza, Ben & Jerry’s, and more. See Reston Town Center’s website for the complete map and directory. Barring any delays, a Reston Town Center metro stop on the Washington Metro’s Silver Line will open in fall 2022, making this destination especially convenient to Great Falls residents.

Finally, there are myriad things to do in Washington, D.C., Tysons Corner (aka Tysons), Alexandria, and Arlington: luxury shopping, world-class arts, and thriving nightlife are all available within a short drive of Great Falls.

 

 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Great Falls has a very low poverty rate (approximately 3%) and a median income of about $238,828.

 

The overwhelming majority of Great Falls residents own their homes. As you’d expect from such an in-demand housing market, home prices are high, and Great Falls does have a relatively high cost of living. Homes routinely sell for $1M–$3M in this sought-after community.

 

There are no townhomes or apartments available in Great Falls — only single-family homes that tend to be more spacious and private, with generous lot sizes surrounded by trees and greenery. A variety of new construction homes are found throughout Great Falls, displaying a variety of beautiful architecture and design styles.

 

 

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in Great Falls, Virginia — or anywhere in the greater Washington, D.C., region — seek the advice of Nadia Khan. As a leading authority in the local residential real estate market, Nadia will provide you with expert market analysis, unparalleled service, and a seamless transition.