Named for John Roll McLean, the former publisher and owner of The Washington Post, McLean, Virginia, is home to about 51,000 residents on the banks of the Potomac River. In this Fairfax County community, large homes sit on sprawling lots. Because of its location along the Capitol Beltway, less than 10 miles from Washington, D.C., McLean is home to government officials, military personnel, CEOs and diplomats. The commuter-friendly suburb is also near the Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the Tysons area, which has a Silver Line Metro station. Aside from lavish homes and proximity to employers, McLean has an involved community. “There’s a lot of pride in living here,” says Sharon Hayman, Realtor and vice president of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, who has been selling homes throughout Northern Virginia for nearly 30 years. “People know each other; their kids have grown up here, and many of them stick around.”
Gorgeous homes with well maintained landscaping are a common sight in McLean.
McLean's metro station makes it easy for commuters to get to the Washington DC.
1/2
Potomac parks and community outreach
Residents can enjoy many outdoor spaces in McLean. Along the Potomac, Scott’s Run Nature Preserve spans nearly 340 acres. This scenic riverside park has waterfalls over rocky brooks, natural trails in the shade of tall oaks, hemlock groves and wildflowers along the forest floor. Turkey Run Park also follows the water, with hiking trails through dense forests, while nearby Clemyjontri Park is entirely wheelchair accessible. All children can enjoy the swings with high backs, use the lowered monkey bars, scale the play equipment with rubber surfaces, ride on the carousel and train or navigate the brightly-colored maze. Wooded walking trails lead through McLean Central Park, which also has a disc golf course, tennis courts and a gazebo that accommodates summer concerts.
The Dolley Madison Library, the Alden Theatre and the McLean Community Center are beside McLean Central Park. The Alden Theatre puts on many performances throughout the year, from high school productions to traveling Broadway shows, while the McLean Community Center hosts various annual events, like McLean Day, the area’s largest annual festival on a weekend in the spring. Rides light up and spin, food trucks serve local bites and live performers take the stage. A weekly event, the McLean Farmer’s Market is held on Friday mornings between May and November. Locals can browse vendors selling everything from pastries and produce to coffee beans and cheese.
Kids love playing games like tag at Clemyjontri Park in McLean.
The Dolley Madison Library in McLean is a haven for book lovers.
Live musicians pamper those shopping at McLean's farmers markets.
1/3
Some of Northern Virginia's most expensive homes
McLean’s median single-family home price is about $2.4 million, significantly higher than the national median of around $430,000. “There’s a wide variety of housing available and the value of the land is high,” says Realtor Christine Richardson with Weichert Realtors, who has sold houses throughout Northern Virginia for over three decades. “Sometimes, buyers tear down older homes to build something new.” McLean’s housing options range from multi-million-dollar estates to more modest townhomes; however, the luxury market dominates, attracting diplomats and executives. “No matter where or what you buy in McLean, you know it will be a good investment,” Richardson says. “People are always going to need to live in this area. It’s a safe bet, and properties appreciate.”
McLean boasts amazing gated properties surrounded by trees for those looking for privacy.
Fall in love with the variety of architecture McLean has to offer.
1/2
Homegrown McLean Family Restaurant and nearby employers in Tysons
In McLean’s core, around Chain Bridge Road and Old Dominion Drive, there are fast food chains and sit-down restaurants, grocery stores, and services like nail salons and barber shops. McLean Family Restaurant is in this area and has been run by the Kapetanakis family since 1969. “It’s an anchor of the community,” Richardson says. “Everyone knows it; everyone has been there for breakfast.” Tysons Corner, a megamall with hundreds of retailers, upscale restaurants and a movie theater, is about 4 miles from the center of McLean.
The CIA is headquartered in McLean’s Langley neighborhood, and in the Tysons area, many are employed at the headquarters of several Fortune 500 companies, including Booz Allen Hamilton, Hilton and Capitol One. Capitol One Center has become a public destination: Visitors can hang out at The Perch, a rooftop green space with an amphitheater, beer garden, dog park and minigolf course, while Capitol One Hall hosts live performances. The recently built Capitol One Park meets NCAA standards, hosting college and summer ball teams. For medical services, the Inova Fairfax Medical Campus, a leading regional healthcare provider, is about 10 miles from McLean.
McLean Family Restaurant offers a friendly atmosphere and good food for McLean guests.
McLean is home to a variety of Fortune 500 companies like Capital One.
The Tysons Mall in McLean offers a plethora of entertainment options including an AMC theater.
Inova Fairfax Hospital provides top healthcare services near Mantua.
1/4
Fairfax County Public Schools earn an A
Fairfax County Public Schools, the largest school system in Virginia and the 11th largest in the country, serves McLean. The district receives an A from Niche and educates nearly 183,000 students. McLean also hosts prestigious private schools, like the Potomac School, which serves kindergarten to 12th-grade students; the Langley School, which educates prekindergarten to eighth graders; and the Maderia School, an all-girls boarding school.
The Potomac School is a private, K-12 school in the McLean neighborhood.
Langley High School serves grades 9-12 to teenagers located in McLean.
The Langley School is a private school for preschool through 8th grade in McLean.
McLean High School is one of several quality education centers in McLean.
1/4
8 miles to Washington, D.C., plus Silver Metro stops
McLean is a well-connected suburb with access to city centers and transportation hubs. About 8 miles from D.C., McLean has easy access to George Washington Parkway and U.S. Interstate 495, commonly called the Capitol Beltway. To avoid traffic around the nation’s capital, residents can use the McLean and Tysons Corner Metro stations on the Silver Line, which provide direct connections to downtown D.C., Arlington and Reston. For air travel, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is about 14 miles away, while Washington Dulles International Airport is about 20 miles away. The area is also well-served by bus routes and bike paths.
Crime in Fairfax County
Fairfax County has crime rates significantly lower than national averages. According to local police departments, the violent crime rate in 2022 was 76 incidents per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to the national average of about 379 per 100,000 inhabitants. Property crime rates stood at 834 incidents per 100,000 inhabitants, lower than the national average of about 1,958 per 100,000 inhabitants.
Written By
Adreanna DeMarino
Video By
Emily McNamara
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Steve Michaels,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in McLean, VA sell after 44 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in McLean, VA over the last 12 months is $1,430,000, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to 6622 Madison McLean Drive, a beautifully maintained townhouse nestled in one of McLean's most sought-after communities, renowned for its top-rated schools, exceptional convenience, and desirable lifestyle. This move-in-ready home offers 3 spacious bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, and 1 half bath, thoughtfully designed for comfortable everyday living and effortless entertaining. The
Rare opportunity to assume a VA loan at a 2.375% interest rate. Call for details. Welcome to this beautifully renovated condo in the highly sought-after gated Gates of McLean community. Located on the third floor, this light-filled home offers an open and inviting layout enhanced by fresh paint, luxury vinyl plank flooring, refinished kitchen and bath cabinetry, updated lighting, a smart
4226 40th St. N, Arlington, VA — Custom-built in 2015, this distinguished home offers 3,600+ sq. ft. across the upper two levels and thoughtful living spaces throughout. Welcome to dramatic living with a two-story great room anchored by a gas fireplace and oversized Palladian windows that flood the home with natural light. Entertain with ease in the luxury kitchen—large center island, 6-burner
This is a modern 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom unit (992 SQ FT) in a professionally-maintained condominium community. The unit offers an open floor plan designed for comfortable living. The open kitchen features all new LG appliances, ample cabinets space, granite countertops, a large pantry, and a gorgeous kitchen island making the perfect setup for a an active kitchen and for entertaining guests. New
Grand in scale and impeccable in craftsmanship, this custom four-sided brick estate spans an impressive 12,045 square feet across 1.58 private acres. Please note: while the mailing address reads Vienna, the property sits within McLean per county records—placing it firmly in the coveted Langley High School pyramid and McLean tax zone.Totally renovated in 2022, this six-bedroom,
Fantastic 10K reduction,,,Open Sunday 1 to 4pm.Perched above the treetops in The Rotonda, this turnkey ninth-floor G-model offers the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and resort-style living in the heart of Tysons. Resort like community has everything to make you never want to leave!Welcome to this beautiful turnkey G-model residence in The Rotonda, one of McLean's most sought-after
Welcome to 6622 Madison McLean Drive, a beautifully maintained townhouse nestled in one of McLean's most sought-after communities, renowned for its top-rated schools, exceptional convenience, and desirable lifestyle. This move-in-ready home offers 3 spacious bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, and 1 half bath, thoughtfully designed for comfortable everyday living and effortless entertaining. The
Beautiful Colonial Single-Family Home in the Heart of McLean! Welcome to this charming and well-maintained colonial home located in the highly sought-after Langley High School district. Situated in the heart of McLean, this home offers unbeatable convenience—just minutes to the Silver Line Metro, Tysons Corner, and Washington, DC. This spacious home features 4 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. The
Rare opportunity to assume a VA loan at a 2.375% interest rate. Call for details. Welcome to this beautifully renovated condo in the highly sought-after gated Gates of McLean community. Located on the third floor, this light-filled home offers an open and inviting layout enhanced by fresh paint, luxury vinyl plank flooring, refinished kitchen and bath cabinetry, updated lighting, a smart
Welcome to Unit 220 at The Bexley — Tysons' premier luxury condominium community. Unit 220 offers over 1,300 square feet of open-concept living with soaring 10-foot ceilings, wide-plank LVP flooring, and expansive windows that fill the home with natural light. The stunning kitchen is appointed with a waterfall quartz island, custom cabinetry, and premium stainless steel appliances. Two generously
4226 40th St. N, Arlington, VA — Custom-built in 2015, this distinguished home offers 3,600+ sq. ft. across the upper two levels and thoughtful living spaces throughout. Welcome to dramatic living with a two-story great room anchored by a gas fireplace and oversized Palladian windows that flood the home with natural light. Entertain with ease in the luxury kitchen—large center island, 6-burner
Beautifully updated 1-bedroom, 1-bath condo in the highly desirable gated community of The Gates of McLean! This bright and inviting home offers an unbeatable combination of comfort, convenience, and lifestyle.Freshly painted and meticulously maintained, the unit features luxury vinyl plank flooring, updated lighting, soaring ceilings, and a spacious walk-in closet. The well-appointed kitchen
Investor Opportunity -- Conveniently located 1 bed + 1 Bath Condo in Secure nice community with outdoor patio space, 1 parking space in a covered garage, convenient to TYSONS Corner, Community Features: Nice Pool, Sauna, Gym, Community Areas, Car Wash Area with vacuum, great food options nearby -- Tenant Occupied - Selling with Tenant in Place.....call LA w/ ?'s....
TWO LOTS! Rare 0.94 acres available in Franklin Park! Tremendous opportunity for one luxury estate or potential development opportunity for two new homes. The land is shovel-ready and available to start construction immediately! This sale includes two properties, both 1914 Birch Road (Tax ID: 0411 01 0053) 0.6 acres and adjacent 1912 Birch Road (Tax ID: 0411 01 0051), 0.34 acres. This is an ideal
Rare opportunity in one of Falls Church's most sought-after neighborhoods! Situated within the highly acclaimed Haycock Elementary, Longfellow Middle, and McLean High School pyramid, this classic colonial offers endless possibilities for renovation, expansion, or new construction among surrounding multi-million-dollar homes.The home features hardwood floors throughout much of the main and upper
Handsome 3 Bedroom End TH will be ready for occupancy on July 15 * Current Tenant has Taken Great Care of This Home * All Appliances and Systems in Good Working Order * Will Be Professionally Cleaned and Prepped * Bright and Cheerful Atmosphere * Easy Access to Tysons, Metro, McLean, Dulles Tollway, DFW, I 495, I66, GW Pkwy, Potomac River, Great Falls, and all the History! * Available July 15 *
Located just outside the heart of downtown McLean and with convenience to Tysons Corner, our Scott's Run apartment community offers the best of McLean living at your doorstep. Features like modern lighting and keyless home entry systems will make you proud to call any of our one, two, and three-bedroom apartments for rent in McLean, VA home.Convenience to major employers like the CIA,
Move right in and enjoy this beautifully updated and meticulously maintained 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath Colonial, privately situated on a nearly half-acre wooded lot. Offering generous living space and thoughtful updates throughout, this home combines comfort, style, and convenience. The main level features hardwood floors, an updated kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, and
$1000 OFF 1ST MONTH'S RENT ON SELECT UNITS WITH A 12-MONTH LEASE IF YOU APPLY WITHIN 48 HOURS OF TOURING!Brentford at The Mile is a modern, pet-friendly apartment community in Tysons, Virginia near Washington, DC We offer studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom luxury apartments for rent with an impressive selection of features, including designer kitchens with quartz countertops,
Fully furnished or partially furnished. No pets. 3BR/2 full and 2 half bath 3-level furnished rental end-unit townhome in sought-after McLean Greens/Montivideo location! This wonderful home offers the convenience of city living with the peace and quiet of protected parkland/woods! 2021 updates include fresh paint throughout and new toilets. The home was remodeled in 2014 and features updated
Fall in step with luxurious apartment living without missing a beat. Indulge in spectacular spaces and extravagant comfort while the suburban vitality of Tysons Corner pulses beneath you. With premier shopping, dining and entertainment, along with transportation ease to Washington D.C., life will feel tailor-made.
Exceptional Tysons Corner Location! Welcome to this beautifully updated 2-bedroom, 2-bath condominium in the highly desirable, gated Gates of McLean community. Ideally situated directly across from Capital One Center and walking distance to the McLean Metro Station (Silver Line), this home offers unbeatable convenience for commuters and those seeking an urban lifestyle. Located on the third
Heming offers residents a perfect balance between city and serenity. Enjoy light-filled living spaces, world-class amenities, and unexpected conveniences and comforts. Purpose-built right outside of Washington, DC, Heming is a modern urban neighborhood for those who seek relaxation and delight amidst their busy lifestyle.This information is a general overview of potential costs. For a
Private 1 Bedroom 1 Bath space in basement / Studio with private entrance thru side of property for rent. $1,500 a month. Water and Gas included. Tenant pays Electrical. No pets no smoking.Approximate 500 sqft apartment. READY TO MOVE IN.
Now under new ownership! Kingston at McLean Crossing is now The Point at McLean - owned and managed by Pantzer. Experience elevated living at The Point at McLean. Our style-forward community offers studio, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments in McLean, VA, setting a new standard for luxury at just the right location. Experience a premier collection of amenities designed to perfectly fit your
TOP RATED SCHOOLS!! MCLEAN HS, LONGFELLOW MS, HAYCOCK ES!! Fully renovated home within the past 2 years, ideally situated on a desirable corner lot in one of McLean-Falls Church’s most sought-after neighborhoods. Located within the highly acclaimed school pyramid of Haycock Elementary, Longfellow Middle, and McLean High School, this exceptional residence offers the perfect combination of
Captivating designer touches and rich community spaces provide the perfect features to entertain, socialize or simply relax. Haden pairs beautifully designed floor plans with sleek and modern finishings such as engineered hardwood floors and quartz countertops. With convenient access to shopping and dining in trendy nearby Tysons Corner and access to resort style amenities; there's something for
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.