Dranesville 64 Average
Dranesville Livability #365 ranked city in Virginia#14,295 ranked city in the USARanks better than 51% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Dranesville

PROS
  • Crime Crime

    The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.

  • Employment Employment

    This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    A low health and safety score may be attributed to factors such as subpar air quality and the unavailability of certain health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies.

What's it like Living in Dranesville?

Dranesville is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Virginia. The city has a population of 12,223 inhabitants. Dranesville has a population density of 3,182 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (80% White). Given that fact, Dranesville could be considered less diverse than other cities. Something to be aware of when living in Dranesville are the above average commute times. If you're looking for a short commute to work, this might not be the right area for you. With one way commute time of 31 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Dranesville could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Virginia if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Finding the best places to live in Dranesville and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, cost of living, housing and other important metrics.

With a livability score of 64 out of 100, Dranesville is ranked #13,507 in the United States and #351 in Virginia. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Dranesville has higher than average scores for the following: crime (A+) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Dranesville ranks poorly for, including: amenities (F) and cost of living (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.

Unemployment rates can vary significantly among cities, impacting job prospects, wage levels and the overall economic health of an area. In Dranesville, the unemployment rate stands at 2.2%, suggesting increased job opportunities and a heightened demand for workers. This scenario can lead to higher wages, as the demand for employees outpaces job availability. Importantly, a low unemployment rate often signifies a robust and flourishing local economy.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Dranesville apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Dranesville is actually affordable. The median home price for Dranesville homes is $1,096,404, which is 152.1% higher than the Virginia average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Dranesville, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.1, which is 8.9% lower than the Virginia average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Dranesville

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Compare Dranesville, VA Livability

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      Dranesville transportation information

      Statistic Dranesville Virginia National
      Average one way commute31min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work73.8%77.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool3.5%9.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.9%4.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%0.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.3%2.4%2.8%
      Working from home17.5%4.7%4.6%
      Source: The Dranesville, VA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.