Living In Great Falls
Beautiful rural community
In western Fairfax County along the Potomac River, the beautiful, rural community known as Great Falls offers gorgeous scenery, large homes, and lots of land. Great Falls was once ranked the “top earning town” in the nation by CNNMoney and recognized by Forbes magazine as one of the most expensive zip codes in the country, proof that the area is by far one of the most affluent neighborhoods in all of Northern Virginia. The neighborhood is a gem for those who love nature, wildlife, and other outdoor activities, but it’s not too far from city-like amenities and the area’s most popular urban centers. Mclean, Falls Church, Arlington, and Washington D.C. are all east of Great Falls with Vienna to the south and Ashburn to the west.
Residents can conveniently travel in and out of these areas from Great Falls in 20 to 40 minutes (depending on traffic) by use of Route 7, Georgetown Pike, and I-495. Currently, the Silver line’s Wiehle-Reston East Metro station is the closest station to Great Falls, a 15 minute drive by car. Many families choose to live in Great Falls to get away from the hustle and bustle of the district to raise children in a safe, community-focused neighborhood.
The location
Learn about Living In Great Falls
Great Falls originated as a collection of different towns and villages settled by farmers, slaves, and indentured servants in the late 18th century and early 19th century. The land — some 18,000 acres of it — once belonged to Lord Fairfax and his cousin, but it was granted out to farmers in bits and pieces over a period of time. The towns of Dranesville, Springvale, Forestville, and Matildaville were eventually merged into the community now known as Great Falls in 1959 after Forestville’s fire department suggested it along with the name change in 1945. For the rest of the 20th century, Great Falls protected its open expanses of land and remained a quiet, safe town to raise a family. Not much has changed since then except for the price point of homes. Great Falls has evolved into much more than just a farm town; it is now a prestigious, high-end community with one of the most coveted zip codes in the country.
Travel Methods The Commute
Travel Methods
To City CenterThe Market Median Sales Price
MEDIAN SALES PRICE
Market Trends Housing Market
Percentage change from latest quarter vs same time period previous year
Data compiled using 2nd quarter 2019 data vs. same period from 2018
Education Compare Schools
| RATING* | SCHOOL NAME | GRADES | SCHOOL TYPE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Great Falls Elementary School | Kindergarten - 6th Grade | Public |
| 5 | Forestville Elementary School | Kindergarten - 6th Grade | Public |
| N/A | Siena Academy | Preschool - 6th Grade | Catholic/Religious |
| N/A | Village Green Day School Great Falls | Preschool - Kindergarten | Private/Charter |
