Country & South County
Country living on big lots, next to a national park.
Schematic map · not to scale
Overview
Great Falls has a quiet, rural feel with large wooded lots, horse properties and a small village center — plus the dramatic waterfalls of Great Falls Park on the Potomac.
History
The Patowmack Canal, promoted by George Washington, was built around the falls; the village of Matildaville grew beside it.
Colonial farms spread across the area, long known as Forestville.
The Great Falls and Old Dominion Railroad reached Great Falls Park.
The community officially took the name Great Falls.
Looking at homes for sale in Great Falls? Browse them on Zillow, Redfin or Realtor.com — they all show the same listings. Then send me the link: I'll call the listing agent and tell you what the listing leaves out. I also watch for coming-soon homes that aren't online yet.
Found a home in Great Falls? Send me the linkHome sales from July–September 2026, compared with the same months a year earlier.
For comparison, all of Fairfax County: median $750K (up 0.7% from a year earlier), 28 days on market on average.
2,456 homes for sale (+26% vs. a year ago), 41% with a price cut, 36 median days on market.
Realtor.com listing data via FRED · updated monthlySource: Bright MLS Industry Watch, Q3 2026 (data as of October 10, 2026). Report by ShowingTime Plus, LLC.
About 15 miles in a straight line to the White House. Real drive times vary a lot with traffic — test your commute at rush hour before you buy.
Four real seasons: humid summers, colorful falls, mostly mild winters with a few snowstorms. Frost-free roughly March 27 to November 18. NOAA 1991–2020 averages at Reagan National Airport (the Dulles corridor runs a few degrees cooler at night and usually gets more snow).
Economy
Local favorites
Great Falls is unincorporated and governed by Fairfax County.
As of September 2026. Officials change with elections — confirm on the official websites.
Real estate tax: $1.12 per $100 of assessed value (FY2027, effective July 1, 2026), set by Fairfax County. Official rates ↗ · Work out a home's real tax bill →
Example: a home assessed at $700,000 would owe about $7,840 a year at the Fairfax County rate.
Virginia also taxes cars and other vehicles yearly (personal property tax), and some areas add small special-district taxes. Older adults and people with disabilities may qualify for tax relief programs.
Before you fall in love
Local rules and recent changes that photos and Zestimates can't show. I check these for every home we look at.
Many Great Falls homes use a private well and septic system. Virginia lists septic among the things buyers must check themselves — test both.
Virginia disclosure law ↗Fairfax County approved its first full school-boundary redraw in about 40 years on Jan. 22, 2026. About 1,700 students were reassigned starting this school year, phased in by grade. School information on a listing may be out of date — check the exact address.
Check the address in FCPS Boundary Explorer ↗Land within 100 feet of many streams is a Resource Protection Area. Adding a deck, an addition or clearing trees there needs a county exception with a public hearing — often 3+ months. Fairfax County's new FEMA flood maps are still being finalized.
Fairfax County RPA questions ↗Every home also pays a stormwater tax ($0.0325) and pest levy ($0.001) per $100. Some neighborhoods add a leaf-collection tax ($0.019) or a $630 yearly trash fee.
Work out your real tax bill →Under Virginia's disclosure law the seller makes no promises about the home's condition, flood zones, airport noise, septic or radon. Inspections and your own checks protect you.
Virginia Code § 55.1-703 ↗You can cancel within 3 days of receiving the association's resale certificate. Read it for fees, special assessments and rental limits.
Virginia Code § 55.1-2312 ↗Before you buy
Schools
Served by Fairfax County Public Schools. Test scores and school details are in the official links below. Boundaries change — always confirm the assigned schools for a specific address.
Research this area
Crime, school test results and population details come straight from official sources. Each link opens in a new tab, so this page stays open.
Nearby
Leafy, established neighborhoods minutes from DC and Tysons.
Fairfax County (unincorporated)A planned community of lakes, trails and a lively town center.
Fairfax County (unincorporated)A historic town center next to Dulles Airport and the Silver Line.
Town of Herndon (inside Fairfax County)Sources: 2020 U.S. Census; county, city and town government websites; NOAA climate normals; Virginia Department of Education. Updated September 2026. General information only — verify details that matter to your decision.
Contact
Tell me a little about what you're looking for. I'll reply personally, usually within one business day.
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