Business owners should make a point of looking at McLean, Va. The community has a lot to offer, especially those seeking connections to the United States government. McLean is located in northern Virginia just outside Washington D.C in Fairfax County.
McLean is actually an unincorporated city, meaning it isn’t run by a municipality but is instead run by administrative divisions. There are other interesting facts about the city that every business person should know before venturing there to live or look for new contacts. Here are 10 other things you should know about McLean, Virginia.
1. It is one of the most expensive areas both in the state and in the nation. The unincorporated city is the third wealthiest city in the United States. The median income in the community is $190,258 and the poverty rate is below 2.6 percent. It is made up of high-end shopping districts, including Tysons Galleria and Tysons Corner Center, and lavish, luxury homes.
2. The population is 51,673, according to the 2015 U.S. Census. Those who live there are primarily made up of senior government officials, diplomats and business owners doing business with the government. Not only is McLean near the nation’s capital but it is also close in proximity to the Central Intelligence Agency, so a lot of officials from that agency also live in the community. Demographically, the community is made up of 79.3 white, 14.9 percent Asian and 1.8 African American. There are .1 percent Native American residents and .8 percent from other races. Most everyone, 70.5 percent are married couples who live together and 39.6 percent had children under 18 at home.
3. The city is scenic, located between the town of Vienna and the Potomac River. The river forms the city’s northern and eastern borders and has a lot of smaller creeks flowing through the community. The weather is pleasant and includes four complete seasons. There is snow in the winter, but temperatures are relatively mild with highs reaching 48 degrees lows dipping to 28 degrees. In the middle of the summer, high temperatures reach around 89 degrees in the summer with lows around 67.
4. There are more private schools located there than public schools. A total of 51 schools are located across the community with 43 being privately run and only eight public schools available. Schools include 43 pre-schools, 15 elementary schools, eight middle schools, and six high schools. All of the schools are highly ranked scholastically. There are also nearby colleges including Marymount University and DeVry University, both in Arlington. There is also the University of Virginia’s School of Continuing Professional Studies in Falls Church and George Mason University just southwest of the community in Fairfax.
5. Property taxes have regular increases in both assessments and tax rates. The property tax rate is set in May every year by Fairfax County. There are different rates for different types of parcels. The real estate base rate is currently $1.150 for every $100 in assessed value, compared to $1.130 in 2016. The average assessment increase for 2018 is 2.17 percent. There is also a 6 percent sales tax in place.
7. The city is named after former Washington Post editor John P. McLean. He and two business partners bought a charter for a railroad. The rail line to Washington, D.C was completed in 1906 and McLean promptly named the rail station after himself. The community was established later in 1910 after Langley and Lewinsville merged and the new community took the name from the rail station.
8. Tourism is significant in the area with $3.03 billion coming in annually to Fairfax County. The county is the second highest contributor to money spent in Virginia’s tourism industry. The tourism industry contributes to or creates more than 30,000 jobs in the area.
9. The Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce is highly active and is greatly involved in connecting professionals to do business. It is ranked in the top 20 chambers in the metropolitan area and also earned the 2011 Chamber of Commerce Community Connector Award presented by the Fairfax County Office of Public Private Partnerships.
10. There are many things to do from restaurants, history, and nightlife to cultural events, festivals, and outdoor activities like hiking. One of the best and most well-known restaurants is McLean Family Restaurant, which is a simple place serving homestyle food. There is also Sweet Leaf Cafe that boasts of healthy eating choices like soups and salads. Both are highly rated.
Anyone who visits McLean should look at the city’s historical elements. You can visit the Battle of Lewinsville, the Claude Moore Colonial Farm and Fort Marcy. The Battle of Lewinsville marks the spot of one of the early Civil War battles occurring in 1861. the Claude Moore Colonial Farm is a rebuilt farm that shows people the daily life of an average family during the 18th century. Fort Marcy is one of the surviving forts used to protect Washington, D.C during the Civil War.
The McLean Orchestra offers music and culture for those looking for a sophisticated night out. There is also the Alden Theater, which offers a variety of concerts and shows. McLean also has several festivals and events including the Autumn Market, Cox Farms Fall Festival and the Irish Folk Festival. There is also a Fall Wine Festival and Sunset Tour available. McLean also has McLean Day in the spring, which is primarily a fun day for kids with carnival rides, live music, and food.
One of the most popular outdoor areas is Great Falls Park. The park provides stunning views with its cascading falls and it has plenty of hiking areas. It is open from 7 a.m. Until 7:30 p.m. If you want to explore other trails, there is the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and Turkey Run Park. Both are ranked high by hikers.
The McLean Va nearest airport is only four miles away and you have three from which to choose. The Ronald Reagan Washinton National Airport is only four miles away in Arlington and Dulles International Airport is also four miles away in Dulles, Virginia. There is also Leesburg Executive Airport in Leesburg, which is just over four miles away. All are highly rated airports.
McLean Virginia has a lot of potential for business growth. It is a busy community and business owners can thrive in McLean, Virginia, with the right connections. The secret is to jump in and get involved in the community right away!
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