Wheaton is an unincorporated town and a suburb of Washington DC and sits about 12 miles north. Long ago, Wheaton was named after Frank Wheaton who was a major-general in the United States Army before, during, and after the Civil War. However, it took a large turn when Wheaton was developed in the 1950s. In the 1960s, Wheaton Plaza (now known as Westfield Wheaton), was the largest mall in suburban Washington, D.C, which brought many tourists to the area. It soon became a blossoming town rich with diverse individuals and families. You can see the diversity of the neighborhood by the high concentration and variety of ethnic restaurants located there. Wheaton is served by the Red Line of the Washington Metro system. One interesting thing Wheaton is known for is its escalator! As odd as it may sound, at 508 feet in length, the escalator at the Wheaton station is the longest in the Western Hemisphere. There are also some famous people living in town. Notable people from Wheaton include politician Benjamin F. Kramer and ice dancer Michael Parsons.
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Wheaton, MD Population & Demographics
The population of Wheaton is 50,229. The population in Wheaton is 50.3% female and 49.7% male. The city is a diverse place to live. The racial demographics in Wheaton are 30% Hispanic, 23% White, 15% Black or African American, 13% Asian, and 10% White Hispanic. The median age in Wheaton is 36.2. About 35.6% of Wheaton residents have attained a bachelor’s degree, which is well above the national average of 20%. The crime rate in Wheaton is 8% higher than the national average, but most residents report feeling very safe in Wheaton. Wheaton is under District 4 of the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD). The MCPD includes approximately 1,300 sworn officers and 650 support personnel and is divided into an Internal Affairs Division, Professional Accountability Division, Public Information Office, and five major bureaus. The largest and most visible is the Patrol Services Bureau, consisting of officers on the streets to help keep Wheaton safe.
Wheaton Cost of Living
Is Wheaton an affordable place to live? Well, not really. The cost of living in Wheaton is 33% higher than the national average. Housing prices in Wheaton play a significant role in that figure due to the high real estate costs. Housing in Wheaton is 82% more expensive than in the rest of the US. Utilities are 11% higher than the national average and groceries are 14% higher. Transportation costs are about 15% higher than the national average, which can be expensive for commuters.
The majority of Wheaton residents own their homes. The homeownership rate in Wheaton is 64.6%. The housing market in Wheaton is considered to be somewhat competitive. Homes sell for about 1% above list price and stay on the market an average of 22 days. The median price of a home in Wheaton is $484,800. The cost of homes in Wheaton has increased by 5.7% since last year, so now is a good time to buy a home in Wheaton since the market is fairly high. Check out the many beautiful homes for sale in Wheaton, MD and get into your dream home!
About 35.4% of Wheaton residents rent instead of own. The average rent in Wheaton is $1,651 for a 935 square foot apartment. Rental prices have decreased by 3% over the past year, which is great news.
Wheaton, MD Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Wheaton
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Some of the most popular neighborhoods in Wheaton are Wheaton Crest, Chestnut Hills, and Leesborough. Wheaton Crest offers an assortment of beautiful homes and affordable prices to choose from. Prices average around $489,000. Chestnut Hills is an established neighborhood. Most homes here range in square footage from around 1,400 square feet to over 1,500 square feet and in price from approximately $349,900 to $495,000. Leesborough offers stunning townhomes with private garages, mudrooms, and large open concept dining and living areas. Prices range from $499,999 to $505,000. Downtown Wheaton has a number of small and unique shops. The Danada Square West and Town Square Wheaton are two of many malls close by.
Wheaton, MD Weather
Wheaton has a mix of a humid continental climate and a humid subtropical climate as is common in coastal southern New England. Summers are typically warm and humid, with an average high of 82°F and an average low of 66°F. The average high in winter is 36°F, and the average low is 22°F. Temperatures can rise into the 90s in summer and below 10°F in winter. It can get really chilly, and most people will need to bundle up with sweaters and down coats when going out!
Things to Do in Wheaton
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Wheaton has lots of fun things to do, so whether you want something outdoors for your kids or anything fun for date night, check out the top attractions below in Wheaton:
Wheaton Regional Park
Wheaton Regional Park is made up of 536 acres, nestled in a beautifully forested area of Wheaton, and offers a wide variety of recreational and educational opportunities for kids and adults. Enjoy hiking, biking, or horseback riding through 11 miles of paved and natural surface trails. Fish or picnic on the shores of Pine Lake. Take the kids to the Adventure Playground for unending climbing structures, swings, giant slides, a sandcastle, and much more.
2000 Shorefield Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20902, (301) 495-2595
Strathmore
Strathmore is a large, 16-acre campus for the performing arts that features world-class talent and local artists. Strathmore presents nearly 400 events each year in the Music Center, Mansion, on their campus, at the 230-seat AMP venue, and throughout the community. The Music Center is home to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the National Philharmonic, Washington Performing Arts, Levine Music, and CityDance. You can also see the Young Artists of America, the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestra, and the Strathmore Children’s Chorus here.
5301 Tuckerman Ln, North Bethesda, MD 20852, (301) 581-5100
Additional Things to do in and around Wheaton
Montgomery County is committed to providing quality parks for all its residents. Montgomery County has 431 Parks, many of which are only minutes away from Wheaton. With miles of killing and biking trails, nature centers, miniature trains, indoor tennis facilities, boat rental facilities, indoor ice rinks, event centers, public gardens, and more, you’ll find plenty of outdoor activities near Wheaton.
Wheaton Restaurants
Ready to grab a bite to eat? If so, check out these amazing Wheaton restaurants that you won’t want to miss out on!
K Town Bistro
K Town Bistro is a small, quaint, and cozy eatery serving excellent food with exceptional service. The menu features everything from oysters to French onion soup to beef stroganoff and seared scallops. If you’re in the mood for a specialty burger, try the avocado cheeseburger or the sunnyside burger. The wine list includes a variety of white, red, and sparkling wines.
3784 Howard Ave, Kensington, MD 20895, (301) 933-1211
Christina Ristorante Italiano
Christina Ristorante Italiano is a family-owned and operated, contemporary Italian restaurant in Wheaton featuring a creative menu, a beautiful setting, and unmatched service. Christina’s is perfect for family gatherings or enjoying a meal with friends. They prepare every dish with care using only fresh, natural ingredients. Treat yourself to one of their delicious culinary creations and their impeccable service. They also have an affordable wine list and offer take-out service.
2666 University Blvd W, Wheaton, MD 20902-1913, (301) 942-4137
Map of Wheaton, MD
Looking for things to do, places to eat, stores to check out, and more? Check out this map of Wheaton!
Wheaton Statistics & Information
Wheaton is located in Montgomery County. The area codes for Wheaton are 240 and 301. Wheaton’s zip code is 20902. The elevation of Wheaton is 387 feet. Wheaton is in the Eastern Time Zone during standard time and in the Central Time Zone during Daylight saving time. Wheaton is 6.90 square miles in area.
Jobs in Wheaton, MD
The median household income in Wheaton is $85,617, which is a 0.456% growth from last year. The city currently employs 27,999 residents. The highest paid jobs held by residents of Wheaton are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($107,946), Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations ($99,324), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($94,094). The poverty rate in Wheaton is 10.3%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 – 34.
Most Wheaton residents have an average commute time of 33.3 minutes, which is above the national average of 27.6 minutes. Many Wheaton residents commute to Washington DC, which is why the commute can get a bit long due to traffic in the are. You can click here to see the directions from Wheaton to Washington DC, which is about 12 miles away.
Schools in Wheaton, MD
Wheaton has many good public schools. The top schools in Wheaton are Walter Johnson High, Tilden Middle, Wheaton High, and Oakland Terrace elementary. There are also several good private schools in Wheaton, including Montessori School, Kemp Mill, and Barrie School. You can also take advantage of the great Wheaton Library, which is free!
Living in Wheaton Pros & Cons
- Take advantage of the close proximity to Washington DC and the many job opportunities in the area
- Get ready for cold winters and hot and muggy summers
- Enjoy the many parks in the area
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