Population 45,551 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in North Bethesda
Household size in North Bethesda
| Period | North Bethesda | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.19 | 2.73 | 2.68 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.34 | 2.82 | 2.73 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.38 | 2.86 | 2.74 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.37 | 2.77 | 2.68 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.18 | +0.04 | +0.01 | −0.03 |
North Bethesda is a place of small households, averaging 2.37 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.19, even as the national average fell. Of the 245 Maryland cities with 5,000+ people, only 18 have smaller households.
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 North Bethesda
| Period | North Bethesda | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.6 | 37.0 | 38.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 40.4 | 37.6 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.8 | 38.5 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 42.1 | 39.2 | 40.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.5 | +2.2 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
North Bethesda skews a little older than the country: its median age is 42.1, against 40.1 nationally. The median age has crept up from 41.6 in 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Residents skew youngest in the northeast and oldest in the west.
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 North Bethesda
| Period | North Bethesda | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.4% | 11.3% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.8% | 11.3% | 12.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 5.9% | 10.4% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.3% | 10.4% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.8 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in North Bethesda: 6.3% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has edged up 0.8 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. North Bethesda has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five Maryland cities.
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 North Bethesda
Renters in North Bethesda
| Period | North Bethesda | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.4% | 34.0% | 31.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 48.8% | 36.6% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 48.7% | 36.8% | 33.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 51.1% | 36.3% | 32.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +11.7 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in North Bethesda rent: 51.1% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. About four in ten owners (40.4%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 11.7 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 North Bethesda
| Period | North Bethesda | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.2% | 8.7% | 9.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 6.1% | 7.3% | 8.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.0% | 6.6% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 6.3% | 5.9% | 7.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.8 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in North Bethesda: 6.3% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. That is in line with the rest of the Washington area. Vacancy has edged down 0.8 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 North Bethesda
| Period | North Bethesda | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1975 | 1977 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1978 | 1978 | 1975 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1977 | 1979 | 1976 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1981 | 1982 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +6 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in North Bethesda are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1981, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1975 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
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 North Bethesda
| Period | North Bethesda | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,742 | $1,470 | $1,249 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,868 | $1,583 | $1,363 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,239 | $1,907 | $1,576 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,691 | $2,236 | $1,869 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$949 | +$766 | +$620 | +$606 |
Rent in North Bethesda runs $2,691 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $949 a month from 2006–10, a 54% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 26.2% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the north; the highest are in the west.
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 North Bethesda
Bachelor's degrees in North Bethesda
| Period | North Bethesda | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 68.1% | 46.6% | 36.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 70.5% | 48.2% | 37.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 70.4% | 51.0% | 40.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 75.9% | 53.9% | 43.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.8 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in North Bethesda: 75.9% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher, against 35.6% nationally. Education tends to track local incomes and the kinds of jobs nearby. The share with a degree has risen 7.8 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of the 245 Maryland cities with 5,000+ people, only eight 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 North Bethesda
| Period | North Bethesda | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 95.5% | 89.4% | 88.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 95.5% | 90.2% | 89.1% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.0% | 90.8% | 90.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.9% | 91.2% | 90.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | −0.6 pts | +1.7 pts | +2.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in North Bethesda: 94.9% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma is down 0.6 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate rose.
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 North Bethesda
| Period | North Bethesda | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.6% | 5.9% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 4.9% | 6.9% | 8.1% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.3% | 4.7% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.8% | 4.8% | 5.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in North Bethesda runs below the national rate: 3.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's 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).
North Bethesda 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Bethesda | 2.37 | 42.1 | 6.3% | 51.1% | 6.3% | 1981 | $2,691 | 75.9% | 94.9% | 3.8% |
| Garrett Park | 2.51 | 43.3 | 3.5% | 32.5% | 7.4% | 1958 | $2,563 | 76.6% | 98.5% | 1.2% |
| Kensington | 2.51 | 42.7 | 7.1% | 35.4% | 4.7% | 1969 | $2,391 | 67.1% | 94.5% | 3.6% |
| Chevy Chase View | 3.16 | 43.9 | 0.8% | 6.1% | 3.6% | 1956 | $3,286 | 89.7% | 99.2% | 1.5% |
| South Kensington | 2.93 | 41.7 | 5.6% | 14.8% | 6.5% | 1957 | $3,113 | 84.5% | 97.2% | 3.5% |
| Wheaton | 3.34 | 38.4 | 13.6% | 35.4% | 4.1% | 1966 | $2,115 | 36.6% | 80.2% | 7.1% |
| Potomac | 2.89 | 48.1 | 5.3% | 14.5% | 5.3% | 1977 | $3,119 | 84.7% | 97.6% | 3.4% |
| North Chevy Chase | 3.09 | 53.2 | 0.4% | 3.7% | 1.9% | 1957 | $3,472 | 77.0% | 93.0% | 1.3% |
| Bethesda | 2.64 | 43.5 | 5.2% | 32.1% | 7.4% | 1969 | $2,962 | 87.2% | 98.3% | 3.0% |
| Rockville | 2.59 | 41.0 | 8.8% | 47.2% | 5.5% | 1983 | $2,402 | 65.6% | 92.9% | 4.4% |
| Aspen Hill | 3.15 | 39.9 | 13.0% | 34.0% | 5.5% | 1971 | $2,484 | 42.8% | 83.8% | 7.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
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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 North Bethesda. 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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