Potomac, Maryland

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Potomac, Maryland
settlement_type = CDP
nickname =
motto =

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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Maryland
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Montgomery
government_footnotes =
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leader_title =
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unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 68.8
area_land_km2 = 65.2
area_water_km2 = 3.6
area_total_sq_mi = 26.6
area_land_sq_mi = 25.2
area_water_sq_mi = 1.4

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 44822
population_density_km2 = 687.3
population_density_sq_mi = 1780.2

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 110
elevation_ft = 361
latd = 39 |latm = 1 |lats = 22 |latNS = N
longd = 77 |longm = 11 |longs = 11 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 20854, 20859
area_code = 301, 240
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 24-63300
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0591056
website =
footnotes =

Potomac is a census-designated place and an unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. The town is named after its local river, the Potomac River. The area is known for its very affluent and highly-educated residents. CNNMoney.com placed Potomac 7th on its list top-earning American towns for 2008, one place ahead of neighboring McLean, VA. [ [http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/moneymag/0807/gallery.bplive_topearners.moneymag/7.html 25 top-earning towns - Potomac, MD (7) - Money Magazine ] ]

History

In 1716, the Canaze Indian nation built the Tehogee Indian Trail, which is still the route of Potomac's River Road today. Several years later, the first farmers arrived. In 1829, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal was completed in an area that had become known as Offutts Crossroads. The cornerstone was laid there and the name was changed to Potomac, in honor of the river that passes by the town.

Around the Potomac Village are posts for horses to be tied to dating back to the early 1900s.

Each year during Mid-October local business and community participate in Potomac Day. This is a celebration of the community and the years happenings. Events include a parade, crafts show, food vendors, and free giveaways.

Geography

As an unincorporated area, Potomac's boundaries are not officially defined. Potomac is, however, recognized by the United States Census Bureau as a Census-designated Place, and by the United States Geological Survey as a populated place located at coor dms|39|1|22|N|77|11|11|W|city (39.022694, -77.186423).GR|1

The geographical focal point of Potomac is Potomac Village, a small cluster of upscale shops and businesses at the intersection of Maryland State Highway 189 (Falls Road, which connects the Great Falls of the Potomac River in the south to Rockville in the north) and Maryland State Highway 190 (River Road, which runs from western Montgomery County into Washington, D.C.). Saint Francis Episcopal Church, two gas stations (Exxon and BP), and two grocery stores (Safeway and Giant) serve Potomac Village.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Potomac has a total area of convert|26.6|sqmi|km2|1. convert|25.2|sqmi|km2|1 of it is land and convert|1.4|sqmi|km2|1 of it (5.20%) is water. It includes the ZIP Code 20854 for properties and 20859 for US Post Office Boxes. The North Potomac ZIP Codes include 20878, 20854, and 20850 as defined by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission's (M-NCPPC) Potomac Subregion Master Plan as well as the North Potomac Citizens Association (NPCA) [http://www.northpotomacnews.org/wss1/static2/North%20Potomac%20Boundary%20Map.jpg] .

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 44,822 people, 15,655 households, and 13,024 families residing in the area. The population density was 1,780.2/sq mi (687.3/km²). There were 15,960 housing units at an average density of 633.9/sq mi (244.7/km²). The racial makeup of the area was 79.46% White, 3.93% African American, 0.11% Native American, 13.37% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.90% from other races, and 2.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.38% of the population. Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, MD has the second highest percentage of reported Asian ancestry in Montgomery County, Maryland with a 23.0% Asian demographic according to the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) enrollment statistics [ [http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/fy2004/schools/04602.pdf Winston Churchill High School - #602 ] ] . This follows Thomas S. Wootton High School, which has a 32.1% Asian demographic and serves the North Potomac, Rockville, and Potomac communities [http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/fy2004/schools/04234.pdf] .

There were 15,655 households, of which 38.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.8% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present and 16.8% were non-families. Of all households, 14.0% were made up of individuals and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.84, and the average family size was 3.10.

In the area, the age of the population was spread out, with 26.3% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 34.0% from 45 to 64 and 13.8% who were 65 or older. The median age was 44. For every 100 females there were 91.7 males. For every 100 females 18 or older there were 87.3 males.

The median income for a household in the area was $89,936, and the median income for a family was $115,572. Males had a median income exceeding $100,000, versus $54,678 for females. The per capita income for the area was $64,875. About 1.5% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including .6% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.

Census Bureau statistical history

*1980: 40,402
*1990: 45,634
*2000: 44,822

Neighborhoods

As with most large suburbs, Potomac is divided into various neighborhoods. Although Potomac is extremely affluent, the most wealthy neighborhoods are located around Potomac Village. Many of the outlying neighborhoods closer to the Rockville border, while still middle to upper middle class, are more similar to the rest of the county. Potomac Towne is the neighborhood within the Potomac Village hub of River and Falls Roads. This is the original neighborhood of Potomac, from which all the subdivisions emerged.

Notable Residents

Present residents of the area include:
*Marriott International Hotels executives Richard Edwin Marriott and J.W. Marriott, Jr.
*Kenneth Feld Feld Entertainment owner and CEO Barnum and Baileys Circus, Disney on Ice
*Daniel Snyder, Owner of the Washington Redskins, tore down the home of former Potomac resident Queen Noor of Jordan.Fact|date=April 2007
*Wolf Blitzer Anchor/ Host CNN's Situation Room
*Darren Star Creator 90210 and Sex and the City
*David Ritz Owner Ritz Camera
*Mitchell Rales Chairman Danaher Corporation
* Mark Lerner Owner Washington Nationals, Lerner Enterprises
*Bruce Levinson Owner Atlanta Hawks
* Jonathan R. Stein Renowned New York writer, editor, photographer, and artist.
*Michael Jordan (maintains a full-time residence in Highland Park, Illinois, but has a residence in Potomac)
*Bill Wolfe Owner First Washington Realty Trust
*Eddie Jordan (basketball)-- Head coach of The Washington Wizards.
*Gary Williams-- Head coach of University of Maryland basketball team. Final Four Champs 2001
*Lynda Carter Actress - Played Wonder Woman
*Bob Altman Zenimax Media, Married to Lynda Carter
*Neil Cohen District Photo, SnapFish largest film processor in the nation, sold to HP
*Mike Tyson Former boxer (Former Resident)
*Atiku Abubakar Vice President of Nigeria
*Dahani Jones Cincinnati Bengals
*Ted Koppel Former ABC Newsanchor
*John Glenn Former Astronaut and Senator from Ohio
*Max Reinhardt
*H.R.M. Reza Pahlavi II
*Barry Levinson
*Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jeff Halpern
*Friedman Billings Ramsey co-founder Eric Billings
*Freddy Adu Football Player of S.L. Benfica
*Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of John, Robert and Edward Kennedy. (Mother of Maria Shriver)
*Sargent Shriver, husband of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of The Peace Corps, former ambassador to France.
*Dikembe Mutombo NBA Player
*Alonzo Mourning NBA player
*Buck Williams NBA player
*Patrick Ewing NBA player
*Leon Harris anchor for WJLA-TV
*Lea Thompson, "Dateline NBC" Correspondent
*Empress Farah Pahlavi who bought her residence in 2001.
*Donnie Simpson WPGC 95.5 radio personality and former BET Video VJ
*Calbert Cheaney Former Washington Wizard and retired NBA player resides in Falconhurst
*Howard Behrens Painter
*Taylor Momsen Actress from CW TV Show series Gossip Girl
*Bruce Cort CEO Cort and Associattes Inc.
*David Siegel Chairman, CEO Gate Gourmet
*Topper Shutt, Chief Meteorologist for WUSA-TV
*Chuck O'Dell, Former CEO of Marriott
*Andrew Williams, Famous D.C. Trial Lawyer
*Stephen Klein, CEO Encore Marketing International
*Sylvester Stallone, Actor
*Steve Mayer CEO Cogenesys
*Robert Wexler, U.S. congressman

References

External links