Potomac, Maryland Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Potomac, Maryland had a total population of 45,902, the 20th largest community in Maryland, with a median household income of $236,675, which is 128% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 128% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Maryland.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.9% — among the lowest in Maryland.
- 84.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Maryland.
Potomac Quick Facts
How Potomac 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 | 46,230 | 45,902 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $239,205 | $236,675 | -1.1% |
| Median home value | $1,105,900 | $1,157,000 | +4.6% |
How Potomac 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+)
Potomac 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 |
| Olney | 35,797 | $171,458 | 4.3% | $656,600 |
| Montgomery Village | 34,110 | $95,348 | 13.1% | $388,900 |
Cities Similar to Potomac
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% |
| Odenton | 45,002 | $128,441 | $435,300 | 53.1% | 4.5% |
| North Bethesda | 49,677 | $129,092 | $731,800 | 75.1% | 5.2% |
| Olney | 35,797 | $171,458 | $656,600 | 65.0% | 4.3% |
| Catonsville | 43,368 | $114,109 | $416,900 | 54.7% | 6.9% |
Population Overview
Potomac is a mid-sized community located in Maryland, within Montgomery County. The total population is 45,902. It ranks as the 20th most populous out of 527 Census-designated places in Maryland.
Age Demographics
The median age in Potomac is 47.4 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 39.4 years. 11.2% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Potomac is $236,675. This is 128% higher than the state median of $103,678. It is also 193% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.9%. This is 59% 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 27% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $1,157,000. Housing costs are 176% higher than the state median of $419,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x. 84.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% higher than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Potomac is White (non-Hispanic), making up 58.3% of the population. Asian residents account for 20.4%. The Black or African American population (4.6%) is well below the state average of 28.9%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (20.4% vs 6.5%).
Education
84.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Potomac in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 95% 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 97.5%. Notably, 55.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Potomac, 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 Potomac, Maryland?
Potomac, Maryland has a population of 45,902 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Potomac, MD?
The median household income in Potomac is $236,675, which is 193% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Potomac, MD?
The poverty rate in Potomac is 3.9%. This means approximately 1,775 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Potomac, Maryland?
Potomac's population is 58.3% White, 4.6% Black, 10.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 20.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Potomac, MD?
The median home value in Potomac is $1,157,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x.
How educated is Potomac, Maryland?
84.9% of adults (25+) in Potomac hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 55.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.