McLean is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Fairfax County in Northern Virginia. McLean is home to many diplomats, military, members of Congress, and high-ranking government officials partially due to its proximity to Washington, D.C., The Pentagon and the Central Intelligence Agency. It is the location of Hickory Hill, the former home of Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Robert F. Kennedy. It is also the location of Salona, the former home of Light-Horse Harry Lee, the Revolutionary War hero. The community had an estimated total population of 53,673 in 2015, according to estimates prepared by the United States Census Bureau. It is located between the Potomac River and the town of Vienna. McLean is often distinguished by its luxury homes and its nearby high-profit shopping destinations: Tysons Corner Center and Tysons Galleria. The two McLean ZIP Codes – 22101 and 22102 – are among the most expensive ZIP Codes in Virginia and the United States. In 2018, data from the American Community Survey revealed that McLean was the third wealthiest city in the United States, based on its poverty rate of 2.6% and its median household income of $190,258.

McLean is located at 38°56′03″N 77°10′39″W (38.9342776, −77.1774801) at an elevation of 285 feet (87 m). Located on the Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) in Northern Virginia, central McLean is 8 miles (13 km) northwest of downtown Washington, D.C. and 9 miles (14 km) northeast of Fairfax, the county seat.

The community lies in the Piedmont upland on the west bank of the Potomac River. The river forms the community’s northern and eastern borders, and a number of its smaller tributaries flow north and northeast through the CDP. From west to east, these include Bull Neck Run, Scott Run, Dead Run, Turkey Run, and Pimmit Run.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 24.88 square miles (64.4 km2) of which 24.79 square miles (64.2 km2) is land and 0.09 square miles (0.23 km2) is water.

McLean, VA is a great place for lovers of the outdoors and nature with many parks and recreation areas. McLean Central Park contains wooded & lawn areas, the park features a disc golf course & a gazebo for summer concerts. Clemyjontri Park is a two-acre playground with maze, carousel & other interactive activities for kids of all abilities. Turkey Run Park is a park with hiking trails through diverse habitats of the Potomac Gorge, including upland forests & riverbanks. McLean Hamlet Park is a roomy community park that’s behind residential developments with playing fields & more. George Washington Memorial Parkway

is a scenic historic thoroughfare along the Potomac River that connects Mount Vernon to McLean. Fort Marcy is a large nature park in a residential neighborhood featuring walking trails through the woods. Great Falls Park boasts spectacular falls & rushing white water, this park offers picnic areas, trails & boating. 

Great schools are another feature of living in McLean, VA. Highly rated schools in McLean include Chesterbrook Elementary School, Franklin Sherman Elementary School, BASIS Independent McLean, The Langley School, Churchill Road Elementary School, Langley High School, Cooper Middle School, Montessori School of McLean, The Potomac School, McLean High School, St. Luke Catholic School, Brooksfield School, Kent Gardens Elementary School, Spring Hill Elementary School, Schools For Green, The Country Day School, Saint John the Beloved Academy, Dolley Madison Preschool, ILA – International Language Academy of Washington, DC, McLean School of Music, McLean Children’s Academy, Westgate Child Center, Celebree School of Tysons-Jones Branch, Lewinsville Montessori School, The Madeira School, NiHao Learning Center, Chesterbrook PTA, James School Of Dance, Ambleside School, and McLean Preschool.

McLean, VA is known as a great place for foodies and is full of great restaurants including Aracosia McLean, CAVA, Mylos Grill, Pulcinella Italian Kitchen, J. Gilbert’s Wood-Fired Steaks & Seafood McLean, Kazan Restaurant, The Union, Cafe Oggi, McLean Family Restaurant and Simply Fresh. 

McLean, VA is a great location for shopping with destinations including SEPHORA, McLean Shopping Center, Langley Shopping Center, Chesterbrook, Williamsburg Shopping Center, Tyson 2, Mclean-Chain Bridge Center, Mc Lean Square, The Preppy Pink Pony and Chico’s.