Population 13,991 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Kensington
Household size in Kensington
| Period | Kensington | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.42 | 2.73 | 2.68 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.62 | 2.82 | 2.73 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.52 | 2.86 | 2.74 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.51 | 2.77 | 2.68 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.08 | +0.04 | +0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Kensington run a little small, averaging 2.51 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.42, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the north and smallest in the southwest.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Kensington
| Period | Kensington | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.5 | 37.0 | 38.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 41.9 | 37.6 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 39.7 | 38.5 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 42.7 | 39.2 | 40.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.2 | +2.2 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Kensington is 42.7 years old, a bit older than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 41.5, in line with the national trend. The youngest areas are in the northeast, the oldest in the southeast.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Kensington
| Period | Kensington | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.6% | 11.3% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.0% | 11.3% | 12.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.1% | 10.4% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.1% | 10.4% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.6 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Kensington: 7.1% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is down 0.6 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Kensington
Renters in Kensington
| Period | Kensington | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 27.4% | 34.0% | 31.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 30.1% | 36.6% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 35.8% | 36.8% | 33.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 35.4% | 36.3% | 32.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +8.0 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
Just over a third of households in Kensington rent their homes (35.4%), close to the national share of 34.8%. Nearly three in ten owners (28.0%) have paid off their mortgages, well below the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the southwest and least common in the north. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 8.0 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Kensington
| Period | Kensington | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.5% | 8.7% | 9.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 5.8% | 7.3% | 8.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.4% | 6.6% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 4.7% | 5.9% | 7.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Only 4.7% of homes in Kensington are vacant, far below the national rate of 9.6%, which usually means strong demand for housing. The picture is much the same across the Washington area.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Kensington
| Period | Kensington | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1963 | 1977 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1964 | 1978 | 1975 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1966 | 1979 | 1976 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1969 | 1982 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +6 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in Kensington is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1969, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1963 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the southwest, while the northwest has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Kensington
| Period | Kensington | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,483 | $1,470 | $1,249 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,656 | $1,583 | $1,363 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,890 | $1,907 | $1,576 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,391 | $2,236 | $1,869 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$908 | +$766 | +$620 | +$606 |
The median renter in Kensington pays $2,391 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $908 a month since 2006–10, up 61%, roughly in step with the nation. The typical renter here spends 27.2% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the northeast; the highest are in the northwest.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Kensington
Bachelor's degrees in Kensington
| Period | Kensington | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 59.1% | 46.6% | 36.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 62.8% | 48.2% | 37.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 68.6% | 51.0% | 40.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 67.1% | 53.9% | 43.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.0 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
Kensington is highly educated: about two-thirds of adults 25 and older (67.1%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 8.0 points, mirroring the country. Of the 245 Maryland cities with 5,000+ people, only 16 have a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Kensington
| Period | Kensington | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 90.6% | 89.4% | 88.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 92.7% | 90.2% | 89.1% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.7% | 90.8% | 90.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.5% | 91.2% | 90.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.0 pts | +1.7 pts | +2.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Kensington: 94.5% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 4.0 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Kensington
| Period | Kensington | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.4% | 5.9% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.5% | 6.9% | 8.1% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.6% | 4.7% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.6% | 4.8% | 5.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.8 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Kensington runs below the national rate: 3.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 2.8 points, as it has nationally. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Kensington compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kensington | 2.51 | 42.7 | 7.1% | 35.4% | 4.7% | 1969 | $2,391 | 67.1% | 94.5% | 3.6% |
| Garrett Park | 2.51 | 43.3 | 3.5% | 32.5% | 7.4% | 1958 | $2,563 | 76.6% | 98.5% | 1.2% |
| South Kensington | 2.93 | 41.7 | 5.6% | 14.8% | 6.5% | 1957 | $3,113 | 84.5% | 97.2% | 3.5% |
| Chevy Chase View | 3.16 | 43.9 | 0.8% | 6.1% | 3.6% | 1956 | $3,286 | 89.7% | 99.2% | 1.5% |
| Wheaton | 3.34 | 38.4 | 13.6% | 35.4% | 4.1% | 1966 | $2,115 | 36.6% | 80.2% | 7.1% |
| North Bethesda | 2.37 | 42.1 | 6.3% | 51.1% | 6.3% | 1981 | $2,691 | 75.9% | 94.9% | 3.8% |
| North Chevy Chase | 3.09 | 53.2 | 0.4% | 3.7% | 1.9% | 1957 | $3,472 | 77.0% | 93.0% | 1.3% |
| Glenmont | 3.12 | 38.8 | 16.0% | 37.4% | 3.5% | 1982 | $2,100 | 44.8% | 85.5% | 5.0% |
| Kemp Mill | 3.03 | 40.2 | 9.9% | 16.9% | 6.3% | 1962 | $2,916 | 65.1% | 92.8% | 6.4% |
| Silver Spring | 2.64 | 39.6 | 11.9% | 48.7% | 6.0% | 1969 | $2,035 | 57.8% | 88.2% | 5.5% |
| Chevy Chase Section Five | 2.86 | 48.3 | 8.0% | 9.6% | 7.0% | 1940 | $3,501 | 96.0% | 99.6% | 0.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Claremont, NH · Waynesville, MO · Waupun, WI · Waupaca, WI · Wauchula, FL · Watertown, CT · Washington, NJ · Warrior, AL · Warrenton, MO · Warrensville Heights, OH
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Kensington. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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