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Living in
North Potomac.
North Potomac is an unincorporated community in Montgomery County, MD. It has no city government: the county runs it, and the Census counts it as its own place.
About
Life in North Potomac
North Potomac is a community of 23,994 people in Maryland. The median household income is $186,438, median rent runs about $2,433 per month, and median home values are around $826,200. Unemployment is low at 3.7%, suggesting a relatively healthy local job market.
North Potomac at a Glance
Population, income, housing and more
Median Age
46.5 yrs
Poverty Rate
5.3%
Foreign-Born
41.2%
Broadband Internet
97.2%
of households
Population Growth
+0.3%
recent change · Census Bureau
Median household income
Demographics41.2% foreign-born, most often from China, excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan
Who lives in North Potomac: race and ethnicity, ages, households, languages and countries of origin
In North Potomac, the largest foreign-born group is from China, excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan (24.7%), and 18.9% of residents speak Chinese at home.
Under 18
20.7%
of residents
65 and Older
21.4%
of residents
Households with Kids
35.5%
anyone under 18
Living Alone
16.5%
of households
Married Couples
71.9%
of households
Avg Household Size
2.94
people
Race & Ethnicity
Hispanic or Latino of any race; other groups are non-Hispanic
Top countries of origin (foreign-born)
Languages Spoken at Home
Cost of Livingrent 42% above MD average
Rent, home values, and income in North Potomac
In North Potomac, rent runs 42% above the MD average, and home values are 97% above the MD average.
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
Rent Burdened
47.9%
spending 30%+ of income on rent
Severely Rent Burdened
24.4%
spending 50%+
Cost of Living Index
108.9
metro area (BEA) · US avg = 100
Median Property Tax
$7,143
per year, owner-occupied homes
Homeowners
82.9%
of occupied homes are owned
Typical Home Built
1988
median year built
Vacant Homes
3.1%
of housing units
Home Value Trend
Latest: $876,261 (September 2026)
Jobs & Economyunemployment about average for MD
Unemployment in North Potomac and typical pay across the metro area
Unemployment in Montgomery County, which includes North Potomac, is close to the MD average.
Unemployment rate
North Potomac: Montgomery County rate (county-wide) · BLS annual average
Unemployment Rate — 10 Year Trend
Montgomery County (county-wide) · Annual averages
North Potomac is about 2% of Montgomery County’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
What North Potomac Residents Do for Work · share of employed residents by industry
City residents, wherever they work
Median Salary by Occupation · metro area
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area
Commute31.5 min avg
How North Potomac residents get to work, and the nearest airports
In North Potomac, most residents drive alone to work (51%), and 50% get there in under 30 minutes.
How People Get to Work
Commute Time Distribution
Nearest airports · with airline service
- 16 mi
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Major hub13.9M passengers boarded in 2025
Straight-line distance. Size is the FAA’s hub category, based on passenger traffic: regional airports may have only a few flights a day.
Safetyviolent crime 49% below national average
Crime rates for 2025
Violent crime in the area policed by the Montgomery County Police Department, which covers North Potomac, runs 49% below the national average.
Violent Crime Rate
167.1
per 100,000 residents
Below average (329 national, 2025)
Property Crime Rate
1,571.4
per 100,000 residents
About average (1,552 national, 2025)
Policed by Montgomery County Police Department (county-wide rate)
Natural DisastersThunderstorm Wind most common — 29 events in 2025
Natural hazard risk, storms and earthquakes
FEMA National Risk Index
Relatively Moderate
91.7 / 100
Compares expected losses from natural hazards, social vulnerability and community resilience against every US county (higher = more risk).
Montgomery County, county-wide · FEMA NRI December 2025
In Montgomery County, which includes North Potomac, the most common type is thunderstorm wind, with 29 recorded events in 2025.
Most common events:
Storm events by year
| Year | Events | Top Type | Property Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 29 | Winter Weather | $1.4M |
| 2024 | 25 | Thunderstorm Wind | $6.7M |
| 2023 | 19 | Thunderstorm Wind | $12.9M |
| 2022 | 39 | Thunderstorm Wind | $1.6M |
| 2021 | 48 | Thunderstorm Wind | $4.8M |
| 2020 | 53 | Thunderstorm Wind | $1.9M |
| 2019 | 56 | Thunderstorm Wind | $1.5M |
| 2018 | 48 | Flood | $100 |
Property damage is the National Weather Service's estimate filed with each event. “None reported” means the events were logged with $0 damage; “Not estimated” means no estimate was filed. Storms covering several counties aren't counted here, since NOAA doesn't split their damage by county.
1 earthquake of magnitude 2.5+ within 100 miles in the past year
Montgomery County, county-wide
North Potomac is about 2% of Montgomery County’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
Air Quality39 median AQI — Good
Days by air quality category (2025)
Air quality in Montgomery County, which includes North Potomac, is typically good — 299 good-air days per year.
Median AQI
39
Good Days
299
per year
Moderate Days
61
per year
Unhealthy Days
0
per year
Montgomery County, county-wide
North Potomac is about 2% of Montgomery County’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
Climate85°F summers, 29°F winters
30-year climate averages (1991–2020) — monthly temperatures and precipitation
North Potomac has warm summers (avg high 85°F) and cold winters (avg low 29°F).
Spring (Mar–May)
65°/45°F
avg high / low
Summer (Jun–Aug)
85°/66°F
avg high / low
Fall (Sep–Nov)
66°/49°F
avg high / low
Winter (Dec–Feb)
44°/29°F
avg high / low
Annual Precipitation
46.4"
Annual Snowfall
32.6"
Hot Days/Year
23
days above 90°F
Freeze Days/Year
86
days below 32°F
Rainy Days/Year
124
Average month
Show month-by-month table ↓Hide table ↑
| Month | High | Low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 42°F | 27°F | 3.11" |
| Feb | 45°F | 28°F | 2.60" |
| Mar | 54°F | 36°F | 3.66" |
| Apr | 66°F | 46°F | 3.23" |
| May | 74°F | 55°F | 3.55" |
| Jun | 82°F | 64°F | 3.96" |
| Jul | 87°F | 69°F | 3.98" |
| Aug | 85°F | 67°F | 3.05" |
| Sep | 78°F | 60°F | 4.01" |
| Oct | 66°F | 48°F | 3.52" |
| Nov | 56°F | 38°F | 3.27" |
| Dec | 46°F | 31°F | 3.38" |
Healthcare
Hospitals, ratings, and health insurance in North Potomac
Uninsured
1.7%
of residents
No hospitals inside North Potomac's limits — nearest hospitals · within 15 miles
Adventist Healthcare Shady Grove Medical Center
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available · 2 mi away · Rockville
Holy Cross Germantown Hospital
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available · 5.6 mi away · Germantown
Suburban Hospital
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available · 9.8 mi away · Bethesda
Adult Health · vs. the typical US place
Share of adults. Modeled estimates, not counted cases. “US” = the typical US place.
Medicare-certified hospitals only. Doesn’t include clinics, urgent care, or freestanding ERs.
Education15.2:1 student/teacher ratio
Schools and degree attainment in North Potomac
North Potomac's student/teacher ratio is 15.2:1 (lower than the national average of 16:1), and 77.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Public Schools
4
within city limits
Private Schools
4
within city limits
College Degree Rate
77.2%
adults 25+ with bachelor's or higher
Student/Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
National avg 16:1
Schools located within city limits (2023) — school-level metrics change slowly year to year
Colleges Near North Potomac (within 15 miles)
Public · 2-year · 13,773 students · in-state tuition $5,394 · 23% graduate · median earnings $55,378 (10 yrs after entry)
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 7,266 students · in-state tuition $62,242 · 79% graduate · median earnings $85,458 (10 yrs after entry)
University of the District of Columbia
14.1 mi awayPublic · 2-year · 3,351 students · in-state tuition $8,636 · 32% graduate · median earnings $49,165 (10 yrs after entry)
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 1,810 students · in-state tuition $42,986 · 66% graduate · median earnings $74,032 (10 yrs after entry)
Chamberlain University-Virginia
13 mi awayPrivate for-profit · 4-year · 557 students · in-state tuition $20,845 · 70% graduate · median earnings $96,897 (10 yrs after entry)
Washington Adventist University
14.8 mi awayPrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 452 students · in-state tuition $26,604 · 53% graduate · median earnings $61,426 (10 yrs after entry)
Degree-granting colleges with 100+ students, placed by campus location (main campuses only — branch campuses are reported under their parent school)
Parks & Recreationclosest: Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, 7 mi
Nearby national parks, recreation areas and public libraries for North Potomac
North Potomac has 8 nearby national parks or recreation areas, closest being Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (7 mi away).
Nearby National Parks & Recreation Areas
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
National Historical Park
7 mi awayGreat Falls Park
Park
8 mi awayClara Barton National Historic Site
National Historic Site
10 mi awayGeorge Washington Memorial Parkway
Memorial Parkway
10 mi awayGlen Echo Park
Park
10 mi awayWolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
National Park Site
11 mi awayCivil War Defenses of Washington
National Park Site
14 mi awayRock Creek Park
Park
14 mi awayPublic Libraries in North Potomac
Quince Orchard Branch
15831 Quince Orchard Rd, Gaithersburg
Cities Near North Potomac
The closest cities within 60 miles
Planning a move to North Potomac?
Read our full moving guide — what it's really like to live here.
North Potomac FAQ
Is North Potomac, Maryland affordable?⌄
North Potomac's median rent is $2,413/month, which is significantly above the national average. The median household income is $186,514/year. Median home value is $826,200.
Is North Potomac, Maryland safe?⌄
North Potomac is policed by the Montgomery County Police Department, whose violent crime rate across its service area was 167 per 100,000 residents in 2025, which is well below the national average — one of the safer cities in the country of 329/100k that year. Property crime rate is 1571 per 100,000. As with any city, crime rates vary by neighborhood.
What is the job market like in North Potomac, Maryland?⌄
Montgomery County, which includes North Potomac, has an unemployment rate of 3.7%, which is solid, slightly below the national average of 4.3%.
What is the cost of living in North Potomac, Maryland?⌄
The cost of living in North Potomac is primarily driven by housing. Median rent is $2,413/month and median household income is $186,514/year. The median home value is $826,200. About 48% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing.
How is the commute in North Potomac, Maryland?⌄
The average commute in North Potomac is 32 minutes, which is longer than average compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Data from the US Census Bureau, BLS, FBI, NOAA, EPA, Zillow Research and other public sources. Where our data comes from