Aspen Hill is a census-designated place and an unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It is located 6 miles north of Washington D.C. Its population as of the 2020 census was 51,063.
Etymology
The community name is derived from aspen trees that once were found near the first post office in the area. The post office was located in a general store on what was then known as the Washington-Brookeville Pike (now the intersection of Connecticut and Georgia Avenues) and opened circa 1864.
History
In the 1920s and 1930s, Aspen Hill was known as being the location of Aspin Hill Memorial Park, one of three pet cemeteries then operating on the East Coast of the United States. Burials at Aspen Hill Cemetery included dogs that had served the during World War I as well as the pets of area residents. Memorial ceremonies honoring pets were often held there on World Day for Animals.
In July 1950, Louis M. Denit sold of land in Aspen Hill to Gelman Construction Company for about $300,000. Denit was a well-known attorney who specialized in banking and trust law. Gelman Construction Company bought the land to build 2,450 three-bedroom ramblers, a shopping center, schools, playgrounds, and churches. The land was the last vacant tract of land of its size between Rockville and Wheaton.
Geography
As a census-designated place, Aspen Hill's boundaries are defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. The United States Postal Service does not accept “Aspen Hill” as a place name; addresses in the community must use the place names Rockville, Silver Spring, or Wheaton.
Some addresses use Wheaton (20906), notably in the Aspen Hill Shopping Center, while immediately across Aspen Hill Road at the Northgate Plaza Shopping Center, the addresses use Silver Spring (20906). Immediately to the west across Connecticut Avenue, addresses use Rockville (20853). As a result, crime statistics which are reasonably considered as belonging to Aspen Hill are buried in the statistics of three different areas. Aspen Hill straddles a corner where three statistical areas meet in what locals consider the commercial heart of Aspen Hill.
The United States Census Bureau, defines Aspen Hill as a census-designated place located at 39°6' North, 77°5' West. In the 2000 Census Bureau Gazetteer, Aspen Hill was located at (39.088525, −77.080267).
Other organizations, such as the Aspen Hill Civic Association, Inc. (AHCA) (2021), have their own definitions. For the most accurate boundaries and geographical map of the AHCA visit Aspen Hill Civic Association, Inc., Boundaries & Map (AHCA) (2021).
This an archived website from the early 2000s Aspen Hill Civic Association, Inc.. The Aspen Hill Civic Association, Inc. has been serving the community since 1985 for over 35 years in Aspen Hill, Montgomery County, Maryland.
Other local resources such as the Montgomery Gazette and the Washington Post use a more broad definition. Generally speaking, if it is not a part of Manor Country Club or Leisure World , and is south of Norbeck Road and north of Veirs Mill Road, east of Rock Creek and west of Bel Pre Creek or Matthew Henson State Park or Matthew Henson Greenway, the local media consider it to be Aspen Hill.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the community has a total area of , of which is land and (0.57%) is water.
Education
For the most accurate listing of schools visit the Aspen Hill Civic Association, Inc., Public Schools (AHCA) (2021). The Aspen Hill Civic Association, Inc. has been serving the community since 1985 for over 35 years in Aspen Hill, Montgomery County, Maryland. The Aspen Hill Civic Association, Inc. serves the following elementary schools within the AHCA boundaries: Wheaton Woods Elementary School, Rock Creek Valley Elementary School, Brookhaven Elementary School, Lucy Barnsley Elementary School, and Harmony Hills Elementary School. The Aspen Hill Civic Association, Inc. serves the following middle schools within the AHCA boundaries: Earle B Wood Middle School, and Parkland Middle School. Students within the AHCA boundaries area is served by both Rockville and Wheaton High Schools located outside the civic association boundaries. Other special or magnet schools serve residents as well.
Aspen Hill is also served by Bel Pre, Flower Valley, and Strathmore elementary schools. Older students living in Aspen Hill generally attend Earle B. Wood Middle School, Parkland Middle School, or Argyle Middle School.