Potomac () is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 47,018. By the time of the Civil War, the community contained two general stores, a blacksmith shop, and a post office which served a community of 100.
Offutts Crossroads was renamed "Potomac" in 1881 by John McDonald. An Irishman and veteran of the Civil War, McDonald settled in Potomac around that time. He petitioned for the name change since postal officials were asking for brief names and there were already several other communities in the area with the name "crossroads".
By the turn of the 20th century, Potomac was growing. Thomas Perry, an operator of a nearby general store, built a house on the corner of Falls and River Roads in 1902. More residential structures were built on the northern section of Falls Road throughout the 1920s and 1930s. During the 1950s, Potomac was one of many communities in Montgomery County to experience suburbanization because of its proximity to Washington, D.C. Potomac quickly transformed from a rural farming community to a suburban community from the mid- to late 20th century.
Numerous original buildings within Potomac Village have been demolished for the construction of strip malls and modern office buildings. However, in the surrounding area, many of the old farmhouses remain, though some are confined within suburban developments. The Perry Store has been restored and still stands as part of a bank, although the building was moved 21 feet in 1986 to allow for a project to widen the intersection of Falls and River Roads.
<!--===Historic places===
- Potomac - Glen Store and Post Office - 11530 S. Glen Road
- Potomac - Swain's Lock House - (21) 10700 Swains Lock Rd, Potomac, MD-->
Geography
Potomac's geographical focal point is Potomac Village, a small cluster of shops and businesses at the intersection of Maryland State Highway 189 (Falls Road) and Maryland State Highway 190 (River Road) northwest of Washington, D.C.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Potomac has a total area of , of which are land and , or 5.33%, are water.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Potomac had a population of 47,018 and a population density of . The median age was 47.4 years. 23.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 23.5% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 91.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 88.3 males age 18 and over.
97.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 2.1% lived in rural areas.
There were 16,537 households in Potomac, of which 36.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 69.4% were married-couple households, 8.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 19.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 17.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
! Race !! Number !! Percent
|-
| White || 28,492 || 60.6%
|-
| Black or African American || 2,762 || 5.9%
|-
| American Indian and Alaska Native || 53 || 0.1%
|-
| Asian || 10,468 || 22.3%
|-
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 14 || 0.0%
|-
| Some other race || 782 || 1.7%
|-
| Two or more races || 4,447 || 9.5%
|-
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 3,580 || 7.6%
|}
2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 16,642 housing units at an average density of . Of the 16,316 households, 38.4% included children under the age of 18, 74.8% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder and 16.8% were non-families. Fourteen percent of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.9% were persons living alone who were 65 or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.10.
In Potomac, the age distribution was 23.3% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 34.0% from 45 to 64 and 24.2% who were 65 or older. The median age was 44. For every 100 females, there were 91.6 males. For every 100 females 18 or older, there were 87.3 males.
Other estimates
A 2017 ACS 5-Year Population Estimate cited 45,780 people living in Potomac.
In 2026, the median property value in Potomac, MD was $1,016,000, and the homeownership rate was 84.8%.
Income
The median income for a household in the CDP was $236,675 in 2024. Men had a median income of more than $100,000; women, $78,442. About 2.5% of families and 3.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under the age of 18 and 3.6% of those 65 and older.
Education
thumb|[[Winston Churchill High School (Montgomery County, Maryland)|Winston Churchill High School]]
thumb|[[Connelly School of the Holy Child]]
Public schools
Schools operated by Montgomery County Public Schools in Potomac include:
- Bells Mill Elementary
- Beverly Farms Elementary
- Cabin John Middle School
- Cold Spring Elementary
- Herbert Hoover Middle School
- Potomac Elementary
- Stone Mill Elementary
- Travilah Elementary
- Wayside Elementary
- Winston Churchill High School
Private schools
- Bullis School
- German School Washington, D.C.
- McLean School of Maryland
- Norwood School
- The Harbor School
Religious schools
- Connelly School of the Holy Child
- Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School
- St. Andrew's Episcopal School
- The Heights School
Notable people
In popular culture
- In 2016, the television show The Real Housewives of Potomac premiered, chronicling the lives of two Potomac housewives and four women from neighboring towns. Some residents disputed its portrayal in the show.
- Darren Star created the television series Beverly Hills, 90210 based on his experience as a student at Winston Churchill High School in Potomac.