McLean, Virginia is an unincorporated community in Fairfax County in Northern Virginia and is home to many high-ranking people such as diplomats, businessmen, members of Congress, and other government officials thanks to its proximity to Washington, D.C.
Bloomberg did an analyzation of IRS data to determine the nation’s priciest communities. McLean, which is the 22101 ZIP code, turns out to be the most expensive in Virginia as of 2018. Because McLean is so costly, Bloomberg actually ranked it as the 17th most-affluent ZIP code in the South. The average income for McLean is around $363,900, and the highest priced homes have been listed around $24 million, whereas the cheapest houses on the market have been listed at about $724,000. The median sale price for homes in this area is around $988,000.
McLean is one of the priciest communities in Virginia, but it hasn’t always held the number one spot. In 2017, McLean ranked third as the most expensive area for renters. Rent in McLean averaged in around $2,206. High-priced rentals in the 22101 ZIP code include Post Tysons Corner where rents are as high as $3,500 and Highgate at the Mile, where the most expensive units have rates around $7,400 per month.
McLean’s reputation has been well earned as it is the unofficial headquarters of GOP Washington, was the official headquarters for George W. Bush’s transition team in 2001, and is one of Washington’s power centers. McLean started developing as a wealthy suburb when the CIA headquarters was built in the 1960s. While some people are unhappy with the increasing number of tear-downs where houses are being replaced by multiple mansions on tighter lots, the area does satisfy house hunters looking for both historical, older homes and new-builds alike.
While the cost of living here is quite high, many people find it worth it due to the amenities of McLean. There are several good primary and secondary schools located in and around McLean, and nearby colleges include Marymount University, DeVry University, George Mason University, and the University of Virginia’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies, which has an academic center in Falls Church just south of McLean.
There are also several libraries and weekend educational programs in McLean as well. The Washington Japanese Language School, which is a supplementary weekend Japanese school, has held classes at the St. Luke Catholic School in McLean. This institution was founded in 1958 and gives supplemental education to Japanese-speaking children in the Washington D.C. area. The Polish School of Washington D.C. holds classes at Longfellow Middle School on Saturdays, and a Brazilian Portuguese heritage language program holds weekly classes at McLean High School.
McLean also has some beautiful parks and recreational areas such as Mount Daniel School Park and Claude Moore Colonial Farm. Also, due to its closeness to Washington D.C., McLean has had numerous notable residents such as former Vice-President Dick Cheney, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, former Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich, and Washington Wizards player Bradley Beal.
McLean is one of the priciest ZIP codes in Virginia. While the median cost for homes is around $988,000, the price might be well worth it for some due to the education, recreational parks, notable residencies, and historical prominence of the area.
