Dranesville District Among Best Places To Live In 2019: Money

MCLEAN, VA — The Dranesville District of Fairfax County has a high ranking in Money magazine's Best Places to Live in America list for 2019. The district, which includes McLean, Great Falls, Herndon and other communities, took the 14th spot.

The new rankings are based on more than 80 types of data tied to the economy, cost of living, diversity of population, education, housing, health and safety, amenities, and ease of living. The magazine only considered towns with populations of 50,000 or more. Any place that had more than double the national crime risk, less than 85 percent of its state's median household income, or a lack of ethnic diversity was eliminated.

Reporters also researched each community, interviewed residents and checked out neighborhoods. Places that made the list last year were not included in this year's ranking.

Among the 100 communities on the list, Dranesville is one of the most wealthy. Money magazine cites a $153,000 average income and 2018 average home sales price of $681,657. Aside from that, the magazine says a low unemployment rate, quality schools, attractions like Great Falls Park and proximity to DC contribute to the ranking.

Other DC area communities making the list included Columbia, Maryland at 20, Arlington, Virginia at 30, Dale City, Virginia at 77, and Bowie, Maryland at 100.

See Money's Best Places to Live in 2019 list here.

Includes reporting from Patch editor Kathleen Sturgeon