Great Falls, Virginia

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Great Falls is a census-designated place (CDP) in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. The population was 8,549 at the 2000 census.

It is one of the wealthiest suburbs of Washington, D.C. located along the Potomac River. Many important and influential people live there. The lots are large, typically 1/2, 2, 5, or 10 acres and up and many are zoned for horses (some of the larger lots have horse riding rings, particularly those occupied by older homes.)

Although primarily a bedroom community for Washington, D.C., one major attraction is Great Falls Park which overlooks the Great Falls of the Potomac River, for which the community and the park are named. George Washington was involved with building a canal around the falls on the southwest, or Virginia, side, called the Patowmack canal, which did not become commercially viable. Remnants of the canal and of a village around the canal are still visible in the park.

River Bend County Park is another pleasant gathering area in Great Falls, as is the Village Green, which hosts community celebrations around Easter (Egg Hunt), Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving (Tree Lighting) and other holidays.

There are many famous people who live in Great Falls, Virginia, many of whom have been involved in the Washington, D.C. political scene, including Colonel Oliver North. Mary Cheney, daughter of Vice President Dick Cheney, recently moved to Great Falls. Many athletes from D.C. sports teams also live in Great Falls, including Gilbert Arenas of the Washington Wizards, and Clinton Portis of the Washington Redskins. Residents included Dr. Michael Halberstam, brother of famous journalist David Halberstam. Dr. Halberstam was killed in 1980 by the so-called Standard-Time burglar, in a case that shocked the community of Great Falls.

[edit] Geography

Boundaries of the Great Falls CDP as of 2003

Great Falls is located at 39°0′6″N, 77°16′60″W (39.001609, -77.283249)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 46.4 km² (17.9 mi²). 46.3 km² (17.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.22%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 8,549 people, 2,785 households, and 2,464 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 184.7/km² (478.5/mi²). There were 2,852 housing units at an average density of 61.6/km² (159.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 88.83% White, 1.20% African American, 0.14% Native American, 7.40% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 1.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.56% of the population.

There were 2,785 households out of which 44.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 82.4% were married couples living together, 4.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 11.5% were non-families. 8.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.07 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 29.5% under the age of 18, 4.1% from 18 to 24, 22.1% from 25 to 44, 35.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 102.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.1 males.

The median income for a family in the CDP was $170,618 and the median income for a household was $250,000. Males had a median income of $100,000 versus $62,206 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $78,149. About 0.9% of families and 1.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.5% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.