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Living in
Potomac.
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 Potomac
If you're considering Potomac, understand upfront that you're looking at one of the wealthier suburbs in the D.C. region — median home values exceed $1.1 million and rents run around $2,900 monthly, so this isn't an affordable option. That said, the community delivers what those prices suggest: strong schools through Montgomery County Public Schools, low unemployment at 3.7%, and residents who tend to be highly educated and established in their careers. Most people here work in D.C. or Northern Virginia, and your commute will average just over 30 minutes depending on where you're headed.
Potomac at a Glance
Population, income, housing and more
Median Age
47.4 yrs
Poverty Rate
3.9%
Foreign-Born
28.8%
Broadband Internet
97.8%
of households
Population Growth
+0.6%
recent change · Census Bureau
Median household income
Demographics28.8% foreign-born, most often from China, excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan
Who lives in Potomac: race and ethnicity, ages, households, languages and countries of origin
In Potomac, the largest foreign-born group is from China, excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan (18.2%), and 8.9% of residents speak Chinese at home.
Under 18
23.3%
of residents
65 and Older
24.2%
of residents
Households with Kids
35.2%
anyone under 18
Living Alone
19.5%
of households
Married Couples
70.3%
of households
Avg Household Size
2.79
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 69% above MD average
Rent, home values, and income in Potomac
In Potomac, rent runs 69% above the MD average, and home values are 176% above the MD average.
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
Rent Burdened
39.3%
spending 30%+ of income on rent
Severely Rent Burdened
18.6%
spending 50%+
Cost of Living Index
108.9
metro area (BEA) · US avg = 100
Homeowners
84.8%
of occupied homes are owned
Typical Home Built
1977
median year built
Vacant Homes
2.9%
of housing units
Home Value Trend
Latest: $1,348,693 (September 2026)
Jobs & Economyunemployment about average for MD
Unemployment in Potomac and typical pay across the metro area
Unemployment in Montgomery County, which includes Potomac, is close to the MD average.
Unemployment rate
Potomac: Montgomery County rate (county-wide) · BLS annual average
Unemployment Rate — 10 Year Trend
Montgomery County (county-wide) · Annual averages
Potomac is about 4% of Montgomery County’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
What 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
Commute29.7 min avg
How Potomac residents get to work, and the nearest airports
In 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
- 14 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 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 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
Potomac is about 4% 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 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
Potomac is about 4% 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
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
48.1"
Annual Snowfall
5.8"
Hot Days/Year
23
days above 90°F
Freeze Days/Year
86
days below 32°F
Rainy Days/Year
116
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 Potomac
Uninsured
1.4%
of residents
No hospitals inside Potomac's limits — nearest hospitals · within 15 miles
Adventist Healthcare Shady Grove Medical Center
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available · 5.5 mi away · Rockville
Suburban Hospital
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available · 5.6 mi away · Bethesda
Walter Reed National Military Med Cen
Acute Care - Department of Defense · ER available · 6.3 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.
Education16.4:1 student/teacher ratio
Schools and degree attainment in Potomac
Potomac's student/teacher ratio is 16.4:1, close to the national average of 16:1, and 84.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Public Schools
10
within city limits
Private Schools
14
within city limits
College Degree Rate
84.9%
adults 25+ with bachelor's or higher
Student/Teacher Ratio
16.4:1
National avg 16:1
Schools located within city limits (2023) — school-level metrics change slowly year to year
Colleges Near Potomac (within 15 miles)
Northern Virginia Community College
12.8 mi awayPublic · 2-year · 33,048 students · in-state tuition $6,062 · 30% graduate · median earnings $56,892 (10 yrs after entry)
University of Maryland-College Park
14.4 mi awayPublic · 4-year · 30,760 students · in-state tuition $12,290 · 86% graduate · median earnings $89,228 (10 yrs after entry)
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 · 11,182 students · in-state tuition $70,170 · 86% graduate · median earnings $96,691 (10 yrs after entry)
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 10,108 students · in-state tuition $38,936 · 69% graduate · median earnings $69,682 (10 yrs after entry)
Strayer University-Global Region
12.2 mi awayPrivate for-profit · 4-year · 9,376 students · in-state tuition $13,920 · 14% graduate · median earnings $44,016 (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, 2 mi
Nearby national parks, recreation areas and public libraries for Potomac
Potomac has 8 nearby national parks or recreation areas, closest being Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (2 mi away).
Nearby National Parks & Recreation Areas
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
National Historical Park
2 mi awayGreat Falls Park
Park
3 mi awayClara Barton National Historic Site
National Historic Site
5 mi awayGeorge Washington Memorial Parkway
Memorial Parkway
5 mi awayGlen Echo Park
Park
5 mi awayWolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
National Park Site
6 mi awayCivil War Defenses of Washington
National Park Site
10 mi awayRock Creek Park
Park
10 mi awayPublic Libraries in Potomac
Potomac Branch
10101 Glenolden Drive, Potomac
Cities Near Potomac
The closest cities within 60 miles
Planning a move to Potomac?
Read our full moving guide — what it's really like to live here.
Potomac FAQ
Is Potomac, Maryland affordable?⌄
Potomac's median rent is $2,887/month, which is significantly above the national average. The median household income is $236,675/year. Median home value is $1,157,000.
Is Potomac, Maryland safe?⌄
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 Potomac, Maryland?⌄
Montgomery County, which includes 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 Potomac, Maryland?⌄
The cost of living in Potomac is primarily driven by housing. Median rent is $2,887/month and median household income is $236,675/year. The median home value is $1,157,000. About 39% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing.
How is the commute in Potomac, Maryland?⌄
The average commute in Potomac is 30 minutes, which is about 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