McLean, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, McLean, Virginia had a total population of 49,627, the 17th largest community in Virginia, with a median household income of $250,000+, which is 168% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 168% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Virginia.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.9% — among the lowest in Virginia.
- 84.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Virginia.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.3%.
McLean Quick Facts
How McLean Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,232 | 49,627 | -1.2% |
| Median household income | $250,000+ | $250,000+ | +0.0% |
| Median home value | $1,304,900 | $1,412,700 | +8.3% |
How McLean Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
McLean Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Fairfax County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centreville | 71,706 | $139,510 | 7.2% | $590,500 |
| Reston | 64,414 | $148,710 | 5.7% | $642,000 |
| Burke | 44,029 | $185,818 | 3.2% | $747,700 |
| Annandale | 41,705 | $116,263 | 12.1% | $681,300 |
| Oakton | 36,528 | $160,663 | 4.6% | $792,100 |
| Fair Oaks | 35,545 | $123,947 | 5.7% | $608,200 |
| West Falls Church | 31,279 | $134,978 | 7.9% | $706,800 |
| Springfield | 31,154 | $125,999 | 8.9% | $640,300 |
| Tysons | 28,936 | $129,818 | 7.9% | $640,000 |
| Herndon | 24,672 | $148,000 | 8.1% | $599,100 |
Cities Similar to McLean
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burke | 44,029 | $185,818 | $747,700 | 68.5% | 3.2% |
| Leesburg | 49,171 | $145,205 | $667,800 | 56.7% | 6.6% |
| Ashburn | 46,026 | $154,978 | $699,300 | 66.1% | 4.0% |
| Linton Hall | 41,876 | $178,915 | $617,000 | 57.0% | 2.2% |
| Lake Ridge | 46,049 | $127,154 | $471,200 | 50.0% | 5.8% |
Population Overview
McLean is a mid-sized community located in Virginia, within Fairfax County. The total population is 49,627. It ranks as the 17th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in McLean is 46.6 years. This is 19% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 10.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in McLean is $250,000+. This is 168% higher than the state median of $93,170. It is also 210% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.9%. This is 71% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 2.3%. This is 47% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $1,412,700. Housing costs are 268% higher than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.7x. 86.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% higher than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in McLean is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.2% of the population. Asian residents account for 20.8%. The Black or African American population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 18.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (20.8% vs 6.9%).
Education
84.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places McLean in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 100% higher than the state rate of 42.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.0%. Notably, 56.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for McLean, Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 681 Census-designated places in Virginia. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of McLean, Virginia?
McLean, Virginia has a population of 49,627 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in McLean, VA?
The median household income in McLean is $250,000+, which is 210% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in McLean, VA?
The poverty rate in McLean is 2.9%. This means approximately 1,422 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of McLean, Virginia?
McLean's population is 65.2% White, 1.7% Black, 6.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 20.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in McLean, VA?
The median home value in McLean is $1,412,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.7x.
How educated is McLean, Virginia?
84.3% of adults (25+) in McLean hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 56.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.