Potomac Information
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Potomac, Maryland
Potomac is a census-designated place and an unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States.
The name "Potomac" is from an Algonkian language and is translated as "where something is brought.
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.
Potomac is often cited as the inspiration for the television show Beverly Hills 90210, a show created by Darren Star, a graduate of Potomac's Winston Churchill High School
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 39°1′22″N, 77°11′11″W (39.022694, -77.186423).GR1
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 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 68.8 km² (26.6 mi²). 65.2 km² (25.2 mi²) of it is land and 3.6 km² (1.4 mi²) of it (5.20%) is water.
Potomac Neighborhoods
As with most large suburbs, Potomac is divided into various neighborhoods. Most of the wealthiest neighborhoods (those listed) are located around Potomac Village or closer to North Potomac and Gaithersburg. 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 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.
Falconhurst
The Falconhurst subdivision is home to many large and stately homes. Home sales in the Falconhurst area range from $2-8 million. Most of the homes in Falconhurst were built in the 1970s and 1980s
Falconhurst contains Bentcross Drive, which is one of the most visibly wealthy streets in Potomac. Owners of homes on Bentcross Drive include Global Exchange Services CEO Gary Greenfield, The Mills Corporation CEO Laurence Siegel, United Radiology CEO Dr. Rakesh Sahni, former Monsanto CEO Herbert Broner, Ingram Group president Doug Ingram, Botswana diplomat Ksogi Seepapits, photographer Herbert Ascherman, and NBA player Calbert Cheaney. Beverly Hills, 90210 creator Darren Star grew up on Halter Court, a cul-de-sac in Falconhurst.
Potomac Falls
Developed by Washington-area developer W.C. & A.N. Miller in the 1960s, Potomac Falls is one of Potomac's first subdivisions and one of its most established and prestigious neighborhoods. Bounded by Falls Road on the east, Great Falls Park on the south and west, and Burbank Drive on the north, the large neighborhood is characterized by almost uniformly traditional-style homes on multi-acre lots. Unlike other neighborhoods of Potomac which are known for mansions with interesting architecture, Potomac Falls is generally considered relatively subdued. It is also a heavily WASP neighborhood in Potomac, a suburb which is typically known for wealthy families.
Notable residents of Potomac Falls include Richard Marriott, who owns a lakefront home on Pleasant Hill Drive; the late Time magazine editor Hugh Sidey, who lived on Stanmore Drive; Dateline NBC correspondent Lea Thompson; FBR co-founder Eric Billings; National Symphony Orchestra conductor Leonard Slatkin; and Department of Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff.
Home sales in Potomac Falls range from $2-7 million. The original core of homes were built in the very early 1960's on Alloway Drive and the selling prices were in the $60,000 to $80,000 range.
Avenel
Avenel is a master-planned community developed in the 1980s on the site of a large farm not far from Potomac Village. Its boundaries are Persimmon Tree Road on the north, Country Club Drive on the east, Rock Run Park on the south, and Avenel Farm Drive on the west. The neighborhood is set around the spine of Oaklyn Drive, its main street. It is a golf course community of expensive single-family homes and townhomes built around TPC at Avenel, a private golf club operated by the PGA Tour and home of the Booz Allen Classic (formerly the Kemper Open). Although the neighborhood is known for being extremely affluent, Avenel is also home to Montgomery County's example of inclusionary zoning, as the neighborhood also has a large number of fixed-income single family homes which seamlessly blend into the community using large pine trees to block the view of these modest homes from the myriad of multi-million dollar mansions. Avenel includes a few rows of lavish townhomes on the fairway which average in the 1.5 million dollar range.
Bradley Farms
Bradley Farms is one of Potomac's oldest neighborhoods and certainly one of its visible and most exclusive. Bradley Farms consists of many large, 1940s era estates (many set back quite far from the street) which line River Road in its approach into Potomac Village from Bethesda; the neighborhood also extends behind River Road and is bounded by Persimmon Tree Road on the south and west. The Congressional Country Club forms the neighborhood's eastern boundary. Traditionally, some of the Washington area's most expensive home sales have occurred in Bradley Farms, which consists not only of the homes on River Road but also of the grand, older homes which line Durham Drive, Fox Meadow Lane, Bronson Drive and Congressional Parkway. Unlike Falconhurst, which lies just off of River Road to the west, the homes in Bradley Farms are strictly traditional and, while large, not typically ostentatious.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Sargent Shriver reside in Bradley Farms in a large compound on the north side of River Road, just west of Bradley Boulevard. The Shriver home, however, is well hidden from the road.
Palatine
One of the newer neighborhoods in Potomac, Palatine is made up of two acre or higher lots of land. The neighborhood has copious celebrities living in it. Once a forest land, Palatine was developed about 11 years ago (to date of 2007). Plots of land were sold, and each owner was responsible for their own building. Known for its class and ever expanding houses, Palatine continues to prosper today. It extends to over 110 houses, breaking into the rural area.
River Falls
River Falls is just southeast of Potomac Falls next to the Potomac River and separated by Falls Road. Although most of Potomac is in Churchill High School District, River Falls filters into Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda. The home lot sizes are not as large as other Potomac neighborhoods, which makes River Falls ideal for trick-or-treating, community awareness, and Fourth of July parades.
Economic Composition
According to the 2000 census, 20854 (Potomac's ZIP code) is one of the most affluent ZIP codes in the United States based on per capita income. Contributing to the demand for housing in Potomac is its proximity to the northwestern boundary of Washington D.C. Many professionals and diplomats live in the Potomac area and commute to Washington to work.
Given the affluence of Potomac and its surrounding communities, the town is also home to several of the region's better known private schools, including Connelly School of the Holy Child, The Bullis School, St. Andrew's Episcopal School, and The Heights School.
Potomac is also home to the 2006-2007 Maryland and National Blue Ribbon Awarded High School, Winston Churchill High School, which is also regarded as one of the best public schools in the United States. Herbert Hoover Middle School is a public school in Potomac with very high state test scores.
In 1924 the Congressional Country Club was established. Although the clubhouse lies just within the postal boundaries of neighboring Bethesda, Congressional is considered an integral part of Potomac and its history is closely intertwined with the history of Potomac Village. Congressional Country Club is known all over the country for its beautiful landscapes, its multiple restaurants and muti-level clubhouse.
Potomac is often associated with its neighboring affluent suburbs; Chevy Chase Village, MD, Bethesda, MD, McLean, VA, and Great Falls, VA
Current Population Composition
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 44,822 people, 15,655 households, and 13,024 families residing in the area. The population density was 687.3/km² (1,780.2/mi²). There were 15,960 housing units at an average density of 244.7/km² (633.9/mi²). 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.
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
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
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