If you’re thinking about moving to Potomac, Maryland, you’ll want to get all the information before making an official decision. Many tend to think that Potomac is in Virginia simply because the Potomac River flows from the Potomac Highlands into the Chesapeake Bay — which means a portion of it flows through Virginia.
Potomac is known for being the first documented Algonquin Indian site. The CDP was aptly named for its river, which was derived from the Indian word “Patawomeck,” although the origin and meaning of the word are actually unknown. Potomac is also home to Mount Vernon, which was the home of George Washington himself, as well as several other famous people.
As such, Potomac MD is a good place to live. It has a lot to offer in regard to education, attractions, employment, and more.
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Where Is Potomac?
Potomac is in Montgomery County and is a census-designated place (CDP) in the southwestern region of the state. The CDP’s busiest area is Potomac Village, which hosts a handful of shops and businesses at the intersection of Falls Road (Maryland State Highway 189) and River Road (Maryland State Highway 190), just northwest of Washington DC. It’s also part of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria Metro Area.
Potomac is 18 miles from Washington DC and 18.9 miles to Fairfax, Virginia. It’s common for people who live in Potomac to work in Washington DC and northern Virginia. When it comes to commuting and public transportation, the Potomac Yard Metro Station is gearing up to open in May of 2023!
Potomac Population & Demographics
According to the 2020 US Census, the population of Potomac is approximately 47,018 residents. Compared to the rest of Montgomery County, Potomac ranks 9th out of 51 other towns in the county for its population density of 1,871.2 people per square mile. This makes Potomac one of the smallest towns in the state of Maryland, and it has grown lightly over the past decade by just over 2,000 people.
The racial and ethnic makeup of Potomac MD is 60% White (non-Hispanic or Latino), 6% Black or African American, 20% Asian, 11% Hispanic or Latino, and 3% that are of two or more races.
Potomac is a very safe place to live, with the total instances of general crimes occurring to every 1 in 192 people. That’s roughly 10.61 people per 1,000 residents throughout a standard year, which puts Potomac MD in the 94th percentile for safety. That means only 6% of the cities in Maryland are safer while the national average demonstrates 2,346 crimes per 100,000 people according to the FBI.
Being a CDP, Potomac is served by the Montgomery County Police Department which provides 1,300 sworn officers and 650 support staff members.
Additional Potomac demographics:
- Median age: 46.6 years
- Female population: 52%
- Male population: 48%
- Median household income: $198,870
- Educational acquirement: 97.5% high school graduate or higher and 83.8% bachelor’s degree or higher
Plenty of noteworthy people are from Potomac MD, including Olympic champion swimmer Mike Barrowman, Philadelphia Union soccer pro Freddy Adu, and American painter Howard Behrens.
Cost of Living in Potomac
At one time, Bloomberg Businessweek stated that Potomac MD had the 29th richest zip code in the entire United States due to having the largest population out of all US towns, with a median income of more than $240,000. Today, the CDP is recognized as being home to at least two billionaires with a combined net worth of $9 billion.
The average cost of living in Potomac, Maryland is about 45% higher compared to the national average. Housing is 125% higher than the national average, while utilities, groceries, and transportation are 11%, 10%, and 7% higher than the national average, respectively.
Typical Potomac Living Expenses
According to the Economic Policy Institute, the general cost of living for Montgomery County MD is about $104,098 annually for a family of four. That means you’ll want to plan on making that amount to adequately cover your living expenses.You can expect to spend at least $8,675 per month on the following expenses:
- Housing: $1,856
- Food: $967
- Child care: $1,623
- Transportation: $1,144
- Health care: $898
- Other necessities: $1,023
- Taxes: $1,164
Here’s a more specific breakdown on what your costs will look like living in Potomac:
- Average Potomac utilities per month: $402
- Auto insurance: $264
- Auto loan: $407
- Health insurance: $107
- Life insurance: $190
- Cable & satellite: $155
- Mobile phone: $133
If you’re wondering what you can expect to pay for more specific items while living in Potomac and the DC metro area, here’s a look at the pricing in nearby Baltimore according to Numbeo:
- Meals at inexpensive restaurants: $14.50
- 12 oz Coke or Pepsi: $2.29
- Milk (1 gallon): $3.21
- Loaf of bread (fresh, white): $2.99
- Rice (1 lb): $1.78
- Eggs (dozen): $3.00
- Bananas (1 lb): $0.66
- Bottle of wine (mid-range): $13.50
- Cigarettes (20 pack): $9.99
In November 2022, the average home price in Potomac MD rose by 11.1%. The Potomac median home price is $1.2 million. On average, homes typically sell within 23 days of being on the market, which is 16 days less compared to 2021. You’ll find there’s a wide range of Potomac MD homes for sale.
If you’re looking to rent an apartment in Potomac, you can expect to pay $2,867 for 1,062 sq. feet, according to RentCafe.
Potomac Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Potomac
The Potomac Maryland houses are spread out among several subdivisions sharing four zip codes, with the 20817 being among the most affluent zip codes in Maryland.
If you’re searching for a house in Potomac, these are some of the best neighborhoods:
Potomac Falls
Potomac Falls is an affluent subdivision close to the C&O National Park. It has a New England-style aesthetic with a mixture of traditional and contemporary architectural style homes on large lots. It’s centrally located in Potomac, MD, and is just a short drive from attractions, job centers, and two international airports.
Avenel
Potomac’s Avenel community offers approximately 900 luxury homes built between the 1980s and 1990s. It’s located just north of the Potomac River off of I-495 and is well known for its variety of horse farms, golf courses, and open spaces.
Willerburn Acres
Willerburn Acres is another beautiful Potomac neighborhood situated just off the I-270. The homes here have more of a diverse aesthetic and styles and are notably large. Most of the homes here were built between 1970 and 1999. The subdivision itself is close to all kinds of amenities. Washington, DC is just 15 miles southeast of the area as well.
Potomac Weather & Climate
The Potomac climate is humid and subtropical which means hot and humid summers that turn into mild to very chilly winters.
The average winter temperature in Potomac, MD is 51°F, with the coldest month being January having an average low of 28°F and an average high of 42°F. During the summer, you can expect an average high of 85°F. Potomac averages 17 inches of snow and 42 inches of rain annually.
Things to Do in Potomac
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You won’t have a hard time finding things to do in Potomac and you certainly won’t have a hard time finding places to eat and shop. Potomac Place offers everything you need, from shopping to dining to service centers, as does the Potomac Village Shopping Center. Potomac has various things to do, including our top suggestions.
Great Falls Park
The Great Falls Park is where families, friends, and lovers can spend time marveling at the Great Falls from the overlook on Olmstead Island. When the Potomac River water level is high, you’ll get to see the water run rampant up close and personal. You can also check out the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center and learn about the history of the C&O Canal, find hiking trails, and even try your hand at line fishing.
Swimming in the Potomac between the Great Falls and the southern Maryland/DC line is illegal due to safety reasons. However, people are permitted to camp, kayak, and boat along the river.
Great Falls Potomac, MD 20854 (703) 757-3101
Glenstone Museum
If you’re looking for a dose of culture and art, look no further than the Glenstone Museum. It’s one of Potomac’s top tourist attractions, and it features interesting pieces from private collections created after World War II by artists from all over the world.
Glenstone Museum 12100 Glen Rd, Potomac, MD 20854 (301) 983-5001
Potomac French Market
If you’re moving to Potomac, you may want to decorate or window shop. The Potomac French Market was established in 2017 out of the love of unique home decor. You can think of it as a combination of the open-air markets of New Orleans and Paris, and it’s full of authentic and stellar treasures waiting for you to bring home.
Potomac French Market 12211 River Rd, Potomac, MD 20854 (301) 807-9945
Additional Attractions in Potomac
If you need more outdoor activities, the Montgomery Parks Department manages Potomac’s parks and more. That also includes special events and festivals.
Potomac Restaurants
You’ll also be happy to know that there are plenty of restaurants in Potomac MD, ranging from standard American fare to unique fusion cuisine. Here are some of the best restaurants in Potomac.
Old Angler’s Inn
This Potomac spot is a local favorite that has been serving up fresh seafood, fine steaks, and very distinctive signature dishes since 1860. It offers a very charming outdoor dining experience as well as a professionally trained waitstaff and a changing menu.
Old Angler’s Inn 10801 MacArthur Blvd Potomac, MD 20854 (301)-365-2425
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Sisters Thai
If you’re in the mood for Asian fare, Sisters Thai is one of the best restaurants in Potomac. It’s casual yet classy, with a consistent menu of your favorite Thai staples. Plus, it has an entire dessert bar filled with Asian and Thai sweets, as well as signature cocktails served daily.
Sisters Thai 7995 Tuckerman Lane Potomac, MD 20854 (301) 299-4157
MoCo’s Founding Farmers
MoCo’s Potomac is an upscale-casual spot that’s also an award-winning extension of the MoCo’s in Washington DC. The focus is on providing the freshest and highest quality local fare, with every dish and cocktail being made completely from scratch. It’s an excellent place to bring the family for dinner for farm-to-table meals that are also sustainable.
MoCo’s Founding Farmers 12505 Park Potomac Ave, Potomac, MD 20854 (301) 340-8783
Jobs in Potomac
The market for Potomac MD jobs has seen an 0.8% increase since 2021 and future job growth over the next decade is projected to increase by 31%. The average salary of Potomac residents is $77,243, while the median household income in Potomac is $189,729.
Some of the biggest employers in Potomac include:
- The Heights School
- Hazel Analytics
- Deutscher Schulverein Washington DC
- DermaPet
- Diamond Mind
- ASR Analytics
- Mclean School
Potomac Schools
Potomac is the third most educated place in America. Potomac falls within the Montgomery County Public Schools district, which serves nine public schools in Potomac MD. There are also 18 private schools in Potomac as well as the Potomac Library.
Potomac is also centrally located near some of the best colleges in the country, including Georgetown University and John Hopkins University.
Potomac Statistics & Information
- Potomac County: Montgomery County
- Potomac Area: 26.58 square miles
- Potomac Zip Codes: 20817, 20827, 20854, & 20859
- Potomac Area Code: 240
- Potomac Elevation: 361 feet
- Potomac Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- Closest Major Airport: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA / KDCA) 18.5 miles from the city
Potomac Maryland Map
If you want to check out more things to do and see in Potomac, we’ve included a map of the CDP:
Living in Potomac Maryland means getting the best of both worlds, including nature that’s close enough to major cities and other amenities. If you’re thinking about moving to Potomac, you’ll want to think about who is going to help you get your stuff there.
Choose Suburban Solutions as your Potomac, MD movers for our history of excellence serving the greater DC Metro area! Fill out our form or give us a call today, at 301-928-8669, for your free, custom quote.
