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Country & South County

Great Falls

Country living on big lots, next to a national park.

Fairfax County (unincorporated)15 miles from the White House
HistoryHomesCommuteEconomyGovernmentResearch
Potomac RiverDC✈DullesArlingtonAlexandriaFalls ChurchAnnandaleTysonsMcLeanViennaSpringfieldMount VernonFairfax CityBurkeRestonHerndonChantillyCentrevilleGreat FallsLorton

Schematic map · not to scale

Population15,9532020 Census
Land area25.42 sq mi
People per sq mi6282020
To the White House15 mistraight-line
Real estate tax$1.12per $100 · FY2027, effective July 1, 2026

Overview

What Great Falls is like

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

How Great Falls came to be

  1. 1785–1802

    The Patowmack Canal, promoted by George Washington, was built around the falls; the village of Matildaville grew beside it.

  2. Late 1700s

    Colonial farms spread across the area, long known as Forestville.

  3. 1906

    The Great Falls and Old Dominion Railroad reached Great Falls Park.

  4. 1955

    The community officially took the name Great Falls.

Homes you'll find

  • Large single-family homes on one acre or more
  • Custom and estate homes
  • Horse properties

Today's market in Great Falls

Prices, days on market and inventory change every month, so I don't print numbers that go stale. Ask me for a free, up-to-date market report for Great Falls — recent sales, price trends and what's for sale now, straight from the MLS.

Get a free market report

Getting around

  • Georgetown Pike (Route 193) and Route 7
  • No Metro; Tysons and McLean are about 15–20 minutes away
  • Reston and Dulles Airport are reasonably close

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.

Weather

January45° / 30°avg high / low
July90° / 72°avg high / low
Rain & snow43 inper year · 12 in of snow
Hot days37days of 90°F+ per year

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

Where people work

  • Mostly residential — residents commute to Tysons, Reston, McLean and DC

Local favorites

Places people love

  • Great Falls Park
  • Riverbend Park
  • Great Falls village center
  • Colvin Run Mill

Local government

Great Falls is unincorporated and governed by Fairfax County.

  • Chairman, Fairfax County Board of SupervisorsJeffrey C. McKay
  • Supervisor, Dranesville DistrictJames N. Bierman, Jr.
  • Governor of VirginiaAbigail Spanberger (since January 2026)

As of September 2026. Officials change with elections — confirm on the official websites.

Taxes

Real estate tax: $1.12 per $100 of assessed value (FY2027, effective July 1, 2026), set by Fairfax County. Official rates ↗

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 buy

Points to consider

  • Many homes use a private well and septic system — inspect both
  • Longer drives for everyday errands and commuting

Schools

Public 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

Official data on Great Falls

Crime, school test results and population details come straight from official sources. Each link opens in a new tab, so this page stays open.

Census QuickFactsPopulation, age, income, housing and more — official U.S. Census data↗Fairfax County Police crime mapOfficial crime data from the local police department↗Virginia School Quality Profile: Fairfax County Public SchoolsTest results, graduation rates and more from the Virginia Department of Education↗FCPS school boundary locator (check any address)Confirm which schools serve a specific address↗FEMA flood mapsCheck whether an address is in a flood zone↗Metro trip plannerPlan a commute by Metro and bus↗Fairfax County property records & assessmentsAssessed values, sales history and property details↗Find your elected officialsLook up your state and federal representatives by address↗

Nearby

Also worth a look

McLean

Leafy, established neighborhoods minutes from DC and Tysons.

Fairfax County (unincorporated)

Reston

A planned community of lakes, trails and a lively town center.

Fairfax County (unincorporated)

Herndon

A historic town center next to Dulles Airport and the Silver Line.

Town of Herndon (inside Fairfax County)

See all 17 areas →

Sources: 2020 U.S. Census; Fairfax County, Arlington County and city/town government websites; NOAA climate normals; Virginia Department of Education. Updated September 2026. General information only — verify details that matter to your decision.

Contact

Thinking about Great Falls?

Tell me a little about what you're looking for. I'll reply personally, usually within one business day.

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