Bethesda, Maryland Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bethesda, Maryland had a total population of 69,397, the 10th largest community in Maryland, with a median household income of $192,237, which is 85% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 85% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Maryland.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.3% — among the lowest in Maryland.
- 87.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Maryland.
Bethesda Quick Facts
How Bethesda Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,403 | 69,397 | +3.0% |
| Median household income | $191,348 | $192,237 | +0.5% |
| Median home value | $1,129,700 | $1,169,900 | +3.6% |
How Bethesda Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 68 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bethesda Rankings in Maryland
Explore Maryland Rankings
Other Cities in Montgomery County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germantown | 90,719 | $117,546 | 8.8% | $422,400 |
| Silver Spring | 81,462 | $99,860 | 10.6% | $643,300 |
| Gaithersburg | 69,825 | $112,467 | 8.8% | $496,500 |
| Rockville | 67,671 | $128,649 | 7.6% | $682,300 |
| Aspen Hill | 53,279 | $111,575 | 9.7% | $570,000 |
| Wheaton | 52,926 | $111,478 | 13.1% | $501,200 |
| North Bethesda | 49,677 | $129,092 | 5.2% | $731,800 |
| Potomac | 45,902 | $236,675 | 3.9% | $1,157,000 |
| Olney | 35,797 | $171,458 | 4.3% | $656,600 |
| Montgomery Village | 34,110 | $95,348 | 13.1% | $388,900 |
Cities Similar to Bethesda
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellicott City | 75,257 | $156,964 | $661,700 | 68.8% | 3.8% |
| Rockville | 67,671 | $128,649 | $682,300 | 65.6% | 7.6% |
| Gaithersburg | 69,825 | $112,467 | $496,500 | 52.5% | 8.8% |
| Bowie | 57,926 | $141,995 | $459,300 | 50.4% | 3.8% |
| Severn | 58,402 | $134,423 | $479,200 | 46.1% | 5.7% |
Population Overview
Bethesda is a mid-sized community located in Maryland, within Montgomery County. The total population is 69,397. It ranks as the 10th most populous out of 527 Census-designated places in Maryland.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bethesda is 42.8 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bethesda is $192,237. This is 85% higher than the state median of $103,678. It is also 138% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.3%. This is 55% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 3.1%. This is 37% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $1,169,900. Housing costs are 179% higher than the state median of $419,900. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 64.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bethesda is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.7% of the population. Asian residents account for 12.7%. The Black or African American population (6.3%) is well below the state average of 28.9%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (12.7% vs 6.5%).
Education
87.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Bethesda in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 100% higher than the state rate of 43.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 98.0%. Notably, 58.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bethesda, Maryland is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Maryland state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 527 Census-designated places in Maryland. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bethesda, Maryland?
Bethesda, Maryland has a population of 69,397 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bethesda, MD?
The median household income in Bethesda is $192,237, which is 138% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bethesda, MD?
The poverty rate in Bethesda is 4.3%. This means approximately 2,929 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bethesda, Maryland?
Bethesda's population is 65.7% White, 6.3% Black, 9.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 12.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bethesda, MD?
The median home value in Bethesda is $1,169,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.1x.
How educated is Bethesda, Maryland?
87.1% of adults (25+) in Bethesda hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 58.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.