Olney, Maryland Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Olney, Maryland had a total population of 35,797, the 31st largest community in Maryland, with a median household income of $171,458, which is 65% 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 65% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Maryland.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.3% — among the lowest in Maryland.
- 65.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Maryland.
Olney Quick Facts
How Olney 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 | 36,000 | 35,797 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $171,766 | $171,458 | -0.2% |
| Median home value | $632,400 | $656,600 | +3.8% |
How Olney 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 68 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Olney 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 |
| Bethesda | 69,397 | $192,237 | 4.3% | $1,169,900 |
| 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 |
| Montgomery Village | 34,110 | $95,348 | 13.1% | $388,900 |
Cities Similar to Olney
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severna Park | 40,228 | $169,953 | $647,200 | 58.6% | 2.8% |
| Clarksburg | 30,487 | $176,678 | $679,400 | 69.0% | 3.9% |
| Pasadena | 34,309 | $129,727 | $423,400 | 38.2% | 5.7% |
| Eldersburg | 31,695 | $142,954 | $494,300 | 52.9% | 4.7% |
| Clinton | 38,376 | $124,803 | $431,400 | 33.6% | 7.7% |
Population Overview
Olney is a mid-sized community located in Maryland, within Montgomery County. The total population is 35,797. It ranks as the 31st most populous out of 527 Census-designated places in Maryland.
Age Demographics
The median age in Olney is 41.6 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Olney is $171,458. This is 65% higher than the state median of $103,678. It is also 112% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.3%. This is 54% 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 3.6%. This is 26% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $656,600. Housing costs are 56% higher than the state median of $419,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 89.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% higher than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Olney is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 14.4%. The Black or African American population (14.4%) is well below the state average of 28.9%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (11.6% vs 6.5%).
Education
65.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Olney in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 50% 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 96.8%. Notably, 31.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Olney, 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 Olney, Maryland?
Olney, Maryland has a population of 35,797 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Olney, MD?
The median household income in Olney is $171,458, which is 112% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Olney, MD?
The poverty rate in Olney is 4.3%. This means approximately 1,545 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Olney, Maryland?
Olney's population is 55.0% White, 14.4% Black, 12.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 11.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Olney, MD?
The median home value in Olney is $656,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Olney, Maryland?
65.0% of adults (25+) in Olney hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 31.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.