Population 17,848 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in North Potomac
Household size in North Potomac
| Period | North Potomac | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.17 | 2.73 | 2.68 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.11 | 2.82 | 2.73 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.09 | 2.86 | 2.74 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.01 | 2.77 | 2.68 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.16 | +0.04 | +0.01 | −0.03 |
North Potomac is a place of big households: 3.01 people per home on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. Numbers like that usually point to plenty of families with kids. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 3.17, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Potomac
| Period | North Potomac | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.7 | 37.0 | 38.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 43.8 | 37.6 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 43.8 | 38.5 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 47.4 | 39.2 | 40.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.7 | +2.2 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
North Potomac skews older: half of its residents are older than 47.4, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 41.7, in line with the national trend. Only 18 of the 245 Maryland cities with 5,000+ people are older.
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 Potomac
| Period | North Potomac | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.2% | 11.3% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 6.1% | 11.3% | 12.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.8% | 10.4% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.4% | 10.4% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.8 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 3.4% of households in North Potomac, well below the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 3.8 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only one other Maryland city with 5,000+ people has a lower share of single-parent households.
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 Potomac
Renters in North Potomac
| Period | North Potomac | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.3% | 34.0% | 31.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.8% | 36.6% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 9.2% | 36.8% | 33.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 7.7% | 36.3% | 32.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.4 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 7.7% of households in North Potomac rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 37.8% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. North Potomac has a lower share of renters than at least four in five Maryland cities.
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 Potomac
| Period | North Potomac | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.2% | 8.7% | 9.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 4.1% | 7.3% | 8.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.4% | 6.6% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 3.8% | 5.9% | 7.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.4 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Only 3.8% of homes in North Potomac are vacant, far below the national rate of 9.6%, which usually means strong demand for housing. North Potomac has a lower vacancy rate than the great majority of Maryland cities.
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 Potomac
| Period | North Potomac | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1985 | 1977 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1985 | 1978 | 1975 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1985 | 1979 | 1976 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1985 | 1982 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | −0 | +6 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in North Potomac are a bit newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1985, versus 1980 across the U.S. The picture is much the same across the Washington area.
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 Potomac
| Period | North Potomac | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,896 | $1,470 | $1,249 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,993 | $1,583 | $1,363 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,232 | $1,907 | $1,576 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,786 | $2,236 | $1,869 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$890 | +$766 | +$620 | +$606 |
The median renter in North Potomac pays $2,786 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $890 a month since 2006–10, up 47%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 35.5% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the north; the highest are in the southeast.
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 Potomac
Bachelor's degrees in North Potomac
| Period | North Potomac | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 74.0% | 46.6% | 36.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 74.8% | 48.2% | 37.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 78.9% | 51.0% | 40.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 77.1% | 53.9% | 43.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +3.1 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
North Potomac is highly educated: about three-quarters of adults 25 and older (77.1%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 3.1 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of the 245 Maryland cities with 5,000+ people, only seven 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 Potomac
| Period | North Potomac | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 96.9% | 89.4% | 88.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 98.1% | 90.2% | 89.1% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 97.5% | 90.8% | 90.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.6% | 91.2% | 90.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | −0.2 pts | +1.7 pts | +2.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in North Potomac: 96.6% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. North Potomac has a higher share of high school graduates than at least four in five Maryland cities.
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 Potomac
| Period | North Potomac | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.8% | 5.9% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.5% | 6.9% | 8.1% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.5% | 4.7% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.2% | 4.8% | 5.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.6 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in North Potomac runs below the national rate: 4.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Since 2006–10, unemployment has edged down 0.6 points, a smaller shift than 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 Potomac 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 Potomac | 3.01 | 47.4 | 3.4% | 7.7% | 3.8% | 1985 | $2,786 | 77.1% | 96.6% | 4.2% |
| Travilah | 3.20 | 50.1 | 5.7% | 7.5% | 3.8% | 1988 | $3,306 | 80.7% | 95.8% | 4.9% |
| Gaithersburg | 3.00 | 39.8 | 9.9% | 38.3% | 4.8% | 1986 | $2,132 | 50.2% | 86.9% | 5.3% |
| Cedar Grove | 3.53 | 43.4 | 6.4% | 19.9% | 2.1% | 2003 | $2,651 | 71.2% | 89.7% | 4.7% |
| Rockville | 2.59 | 41.0 | 8.8% | 47.2% | 5.5% | 1983 | $2,402 | 65.6% | 92.9% | 4.4% |
| Washington Grove | 2.61 | 44.9 | 6.3% | 30.7% | 6.1% | 1974 | $2,023 | 44.3% | 82.8% | 3.6% |
| Germantown | 2.86 | 38.5 | 11.1% | 35.6% | 3.7% | 1990 | $2,148 | 50.2% | 89.7% | 5.3% |
| Redland | 2.70 | 41.1 | 4.4% | 28.8% | 2.7% | 1986 | $2,595 | 68.4% | 96.3% | 2.5% |
| Potomac | 2.89 | 48.1 | 5.3% | 14.5% | 5.3% | 1977 | $3,119 | 84.7% | 97.6% | 3.4% |
| Montgomery Village | 2.77 | 39.6 | 13.8% | 33.1% | 5.5% | 1981 | $2,023 | 43.4% | 87.9% | 6.6% |
| Derwood | 2.73 | 45.3 | 6.2% | 17.1% | 2.1% | 1991 | $1,893 | 65.4% | 92.4% | 8.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Bryant, AR · Dayton, TN · Wakulla Springs, FL · Charlotte, MI · Celina, TX · Cedar Lake, IN · Carnegie, PA · Cambridge, OH · Calera, AL · Cairo, GA
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 Potomac. 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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