Bethesda CDP, Maryland Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Bethesda CDP, Maryland has a total population of 67,403, the 10th largest city in Maryland, with a median household income of $191,348, which is 88% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 88% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Maryland.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.0% — among the lowest in Maryland.
- 87.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Maryland.
Bethesda CDP Quick Facts
How Bethesda CDP Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 67 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bethesda CDP Rankings in Maryland
Explore Maryland Rankings
Cities Similar to Bethesda CDP
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellicott City CDP | 73,737 | $157,891 | $644,300 | 69.6% | 3.6% |
| Rockville city | 67,218 | $122,384 | $658,300 | 64.6% | 7.9% |
| Bowie city | 57,771 | $141,831 | $442,000 | 50.1% | 4.2% |
| Gaithersburg city | 69,225 | $107,496 | $484,500 | 52.4% | 8.8% |
| Severn CDP | 58,041 | $130,627 | $465,600 | 44.6% | 5.7% |
Population Overview
Bethesda CDP is a mid-sized community located in Maryland. The total population is 67,403. It ranks as the 10th most populous out of 528 cities and towns in Maryland.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bethesda CDP is 43.4 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bethesda CDP is $191,348. This is 88% higher than the state median of $101,652. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 144% higher. The poverty rate stands at 4.0%. This is 57% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $1,129,700. Housing costs are 184% higher than the state median of $397,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x. 65.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 67.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bethesda CDP is White (non-Hispanic), making up 67.7% of the population. Asian residents account for 12.5%. The Black or African American population (5.3%) is well below the state average of 29.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (12.5% vs 6.4%).
Education
87.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Bethesda CDP in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 104% higher than the state rate of 42.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.9%. Notably, 58.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bethesda CDP, Maryland is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Maryland state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 528 Census-designated places in Maryland. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
Free data download: Get all Maryland city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bethesda CDP, Maryland?
Bethesda CDP, Maryland has a population of 67,403 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bethesda CDP, MD?
The median household income in Bethesda CDP is $191,348, which is 144% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Bethesda CDP, MD?
The poverty rate in Bethesda CDP is 4.0%. This means approximately 2,668 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bethesda CDP, Maryland?
Bethesda CDP's population is 67.7% White, 5.3% Black, 9.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 12.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bethesda CDP, MD?
The median home value in Bethesda CDP is $1,129,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x.
How educated is Bethesda CDP, Maryland?
87.1% of adults (25+) in Bethesda CDP hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 58.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.