Potomac, Maryland

Potomac, Maryland
—  CDP  —
Location of Potomac, Maryland
Coordinates: 39°1′N 77°13′W
Country	United States
State	Maryland
County	Montgomery
Area
• Total	26.6 sq mi (68.8 km2)
• Land	25.2 sq mi (65.2 km2)
• Water	1.4 sq mi (3.6 km2)
Elevation	361 ft (110 m)
Population (2000)
• Total	46,255
• Density	1,835.5/sq mi (709.4/km2)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes	20854, 20859
Area code(s)	301, 240
FIPS code	24-63300
GNIS feature ID	0591056

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.

History

The land which is now Potomac Village was first settled by Edward Offutt in 1714 after he was granted a 600-acre (2.4 km²) land grant "Clewerwell" by Lord Baltimore. 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.

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 River 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 (69 km²). 25.2 square miles (65 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).

Demographics

As of the census 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.

Population history

• 1980: 40,402
• 1990: 45,634
• 2000: 46,255

Cultural events

Each year during mid-October, local business and community participate in Potomac Day, a celebration of the community and the year's happenings. Events include a parade, a crafts show, food vendors, and giveaways. Potomac Day is normally held in Potomac Village.

Public Safety

Potomac, MD receives fire prevention and protection services from the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department and the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department. CJPVFD was established in 1930, provides emergency medical services and fire suppression/rescue services to the Potomac and West Bethesda areas of Montgomery County. It has two locations. The first, Fire Station #10, is located on River Road at Seven Locks Road. It serves as the headquarters for the volunteer organization and is staffed with a Truck Company, Engine Company, Basic Life Support Ambulance, Brush Truck, Water Rescue apparatus, and numerous support/command vehicles. Fire Station #30, which is located on Falls Road at Oaklyn Drive, is staffed with a Tanker, Advanced Life Support Medic Unit, an Engine Company, Brush Truck, and Water Rescue apparatus. RVFD was established in 1921 as the third incorporated fire department in Montgomery County. While RVFD has four locations serving the greater Rockville area, Fire Station #33 is located in Potomac on Falls Road near the intersection of Glen Road. At this station the RVFD provides its citizens with an Engine Company, a Basic Life Support Ambulance, a mobile air compressed known as Air 733, and a Canteen Unit. Both of these departments are staffed with both career and volunteer personal of the Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service and the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Rescue Association respectively.

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Potomac, Maryland