Potomac, Maryland
Encyclopedia
Potomac is a census-designated place
(CDP) in Montgomery County
, Maryland
, United States
, named for the nearby Potomac River
. The population was 44,822 at the 2000 census. The Potomac area is known for its very affluent and highly-educated residents. In 2009 CNNMoney.com
listed Potomac as the fourth most affluent town in the United States. Potomac is also the seventh most top-educated American small town according to Forbes. Many Potomac residents work in Washington, D.C.
. His grant of land was by the Tehogee Indian Trail, an Indian trade route built by the Canaze Indian
nation in 1716. Throughout the 18th century, what became known as Offutts Crossroads was a small, rural community which served planters and travelers. In the 19th century, a few small dwellings had been built along with a tavern established in 1820. By the time of the Civil War
, the community contained two general stores, a blacksmith shop, and a post office which served a community of 100.
Offutts Crossroads was renamed Potomac in 1881 by John McDonald. An Irishman
and veteran of the Civil War, McDonald settled in Potomac around that time. He petitioned for the name change since postal officials were asking for brief names and there were already several other communities in the area with the name "crossroads".
By the turn of the 20th century, Potomac experienced a period of growth. Thomas Perry, an operator of a nearby general store, built a house on the corner of Falls
and River
Roads in 1902. More residential structures were built on the northern section of Falls Road throughout the 1920s and 1930s. During the 1950s, Potomac was one of many communities in Montgomery County
to experience suburbanization
. Potomac quickly transformed from a rural farming community to a suburban community from the mid to late 20th century.
Numerous original buildings within Potomac Village have been demolished for the construction of strip malls and modern office buildings. However, in the surrounding area, many of the old farmhouses remain, though some are confined within suburban developments. The Perry Store has been restored and still stands as part of a bank, although the building was moved 21 feet in 1986 to allow for a project to widen the intersection of Falls and River Roads.
in the south to Rockville
in the north) and Maryland State Highway 190 (River Road, which runs from western Montgomery County
into Washington, D.C.
). Saint Francis Episcopal Church, two gas stations (Sunoco
and British Petroleum
), and two grocery stores (Safeway
and Giant
) serve Potomac Village.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 26.6 square miles (68.9 km²). 25.2 square miles (65.3 km²) of it is land and 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²) of it (5.20%) is water. It includes the ZIP Code 20854 for properties and 20859 for US Post Office Boxes. The North Potomac
ZIP Codes include 20878, 20854, and 20850 as defined by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission's (M-NCPPC) Potomac Subregion Master Plan as well as the North Potomac Citizens Association (NPCA).
of 2000, there were 46,255 people, 15,655 households, and 13,024 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 1,835.5 per square mile (709.4/km²). There were 15,960 housing units at an average density of 633.9 per square mile (244.7/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 79.46% White, 3.93% African American, 0.11% Native American, 13.37% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.90% from other races
, and 2.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.38% of the population.
Of the 15,655 households, 38.4% included children under the age of 18, 74.8% were married couples
living together, 6.6% had a female householder and 16.8% were non-families. 14.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.9% were persons living alone who were 65 or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the CDP, the age distribution was 26.3% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 34.0% from 45 to 64 and 13.8% who were 65 or older. The median age was 44. For every 100 females there were 91.6 males. For every 100 females 18 or older there were 87.3 males.
According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the CDP was $154,370, and the median income for a family was $177,506. Males had a median income of $100,000+ versus $78,442 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $64,875. About 2.5% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under the age of 18 and 3.6% of those 65 and older.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) in Montgomery County
Montgomery County, Maryland
Montgomery County is a county in the U.S. state of Maryland, situated just to the north of Washington, D.C., and southwest of the city of Baltimore. It is one of the most affluent counties in the United States, and has the highest percentage of residents over 25 years of age who hold post-graduate...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, named for the nearby Potomac River
Potomac River
The Potomac River flows into the Chesapeake Bay, located along the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States. The river is approximately long, with a drainage area of about 14,700 square miles...
. The population was 44,822 at the 2000 census. The Potomac area is known for its very affluent and highly-educated residents. In 2009 CNNMoney.com
CNNMoney.com
CNNMoney.com is the world's largest business website. The site is the online home of Fortune and Money, and serves as CNN.com's exclusive business site. The site, edited by Chris Peacock, together with the three titles, is part of the Fortune|Money Group, and attracts more than 10.8 million unique...
listed Potomac as the fourth most affluent town in the United States. Potomac is also the seventh most top-educated American small town according to Forbes. Many Potomac residents work in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
History
The land which is now Potomac Village was first settled by Edward Offutt in 1714 after he was granted a 600 acres (2.4 km²) land grant "Clewerwell" by Lord BaltimoreCecilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore
Cecilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore, 1st Proprietor and 1st Proprietary Governor of Maryland, 9th Proprietary Governor of Newfoundland , was an English peer who was the first proprietor of the Province of Maryland. He received the proprietorship after the death of his father, George Calvert, the...
. His grant of land was by the Tehogee Indian Trail, an Indian trade route built by the Canaze Indian
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
nation in 1716. Throughout the 18th century, what became known as Offutts Crossroads was a small, rural community which served planters and travelers. In the 19th century, a few small dwellings had been built along with a tavern established in 1820. By the time of the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, the community contained two general stores, a blacksmith shop, and a post office which served a community of 100.
Offutts Crossroads was renamed Potomac in 1881 by John McDonald. An Irishman
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
and veteran of the Civil War, McDonald settled in Potomac around that time. He petitioned for the name change since postal officials were asking for brief names and there were already several other communities in the area with the name "crossroads".
By the turn of the 20th century, Potomac experienced a period of growth. Thomas Perry, an operator of a nearby general store, built a house on the corner of Falls
Maryland Route 189
Maryland Route 189, better known as Falls Road, is a road in Montgomery County, Maryland. The road runs from River Road in Potomac northeast to Maryland Avenuenear Rockville...
and River
Maryland Route 190
Maryland Route 190, or River Road, is a major state highway through southern Montgomery County, Maryland, United States.-Route description:MD 190 begins at MD 112's western terminus in Seneca, and ends at the Montgomery County/Washington, D.C. border...
Roads in 1902. More residential structures were built on the northern section of Falls Road throughout the 1920s and 1930s. During the 1950s, Potomac was one of many communities in Montgomery County
Montgomery County, Maryland
Montgomery County is a county in the U.S. state of Maryland, situated just to the north of Washington, D.C., and southwest of the city of Baltimore. It is one of the most affluent counties in the United States, and has the highest percentage of residents over 25 years of age who hold post-graduate...
to experience suburbanization
Suburbanization
Suburbanization a term used to describe the growth of areas on the fringes of major cities. It is one of the many causes of the increase in urban sprawl. Many residents of metropolitan regions work within the central urban area, choosing instead to live in satellite communities called suburbs...
. Potomac quickly transformed from a rural farming community to a suburban community from the mid to late 20th century.
Numerous original buildings within Potomac Village have been demolished for the construction of strip malls and modern office buildings. However, in the surrounding area, many of the old farmhouses remain, though some are confined within suburban developments. The Perry Store has been restored and still stands as part of a bank, although the building was moved 21 feet in 1986 to allow for a project to widen the intersection of Falls and River Roads.
Geography
Potomac's geographical focal point is Potomac Village, a small cluster of upscale shops and businesses at the intersection of Maryland State Highway 189 (Falls Road, which connects the Great Falls of the Potomac RiverGreat Falls of the Potomac River
The Great Falls of the Potomac River are located at the fall line of the Potomac River, upstream from Washington, D.C. Great Falls Park, operated by the National Park Service, is located on the southern banks in Virginia, while Chesapeake and Ohio Canal parkland is located along the northern banks...
in the south to Rockville
Rockville, Maryland
Rockville is the county seat of Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It is a major incorporated city in the central part of Montgomery County and forms part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. The 2010 U.S...
in the north) and Maryland State Highway 190 (River Road, which runs from western Montgomery County
Montgomery County, Maryland
Montgomery County is a county in the U.S. state of Maryland, situated just to the north of Washington, D.C., and southwest of the city of Baltimore. It is one of the most affluent counties in the United States, and has the highest percentage of residents over 25 years of age who hold post-graduate...
into Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
). Saint Francis Episcopal Church, two gas stations (Sunoco
Sunoco
Sunoco Inc. is an American petroleum and petrochemical manufacturer headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, formerly known as Sun Company Inc. and Sun Oil Co. ....
and British Petroleum
BP
BP p.l.c. is a global oil and gas company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest energy company and fourth-largest company in the world measured by revenues and one of the six oil and gas "supermajors"...
), and two grocery stores (Safeway
Safeway Inc.
Safeway Inc. , a Fortune 500 company, is North America's second largest supermarket chain after The Kroger Co., with, as of December 2010, 1,694 stores located throughout the western and central United States and western Canada. It also operates some stores in the Mid-Atlantic region of the Eastern...
and Giant
Giant Food of Landover, Maryland
Giant Food LLC is a supermarket chain with 202 stores in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.. It is headquartered in unincorporated Prince George's County, Maryland, near Landover. Giant often is known as Giant-Landover to avoid confusion with sibling company Giant-Carlisle...
) serve Potomac Village.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 26.6 square miles (68.9 km²). 25.2 square miles (65.3 km²) of it is land and 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²) of it (5.20%) is water. It includes the ZIP Code 20854 for properties and 20859 for US Post Office Boxes. The North Potomac
North Potomac, Maryland
North Potomac is a census-designated place and an unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. In 2009, CNN Money Magazine listed North Potomac as one of the wealthiest best places to live in the U.S., describing it as, "a tony town that sits on the bank of the Potomac River,"...
ZIP Codes include 20878, 20854, and 20850 as defined by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission's (M-NCPPC) Potomac Subregion Master Plan as well as the North Potomac Citizens Association (NPCA).
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 46,255 people, 15,655 households, and 13,024 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,835.5 per square mile (709.4/km²). There were 15,960 housing units at an average density of 633.9 per square mile (244.7/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 79.46% White, 3.93% African American, 0.11% Native American, 13.37% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.90% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.38% of the population.
Of the 15,655 households, 38.4% included children under the age of 18, 74.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 6.6% had a female householder and 16.8% were non-families. 14.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.9% were persons living alone who were 65 or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the CDP, the age distribution was 26.3% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 34.0% from 45 to 64 and 13.8% who were 65 or older. The median age was 44. For every 100 females there were 91.6 males. For every 100 females 18 or older there were 87.3 males.
According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the CDP was $154,370, and the median income for a family was $177,506. Males had a median income of $100,000+ versus $78,442 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $64,875. About 2.5% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under the age of 18 and 3.6% of those 65 and older.