Friendship Village is an unincorporated area located in Montgomery County, Maryland. Inclusive within the Friendship Village CDP is the Village of Friendship Heights.

Geography

As an unincorporated area, Friendship Village's boundaries are not officially defined. Friendship Village 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 38°57'45" North, 77°5'25" West (38.962510, -77.090181).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the place has a total area of 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²). 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 4,512 people, 2,995 households, and 1,003 families residing in the area. The population density is 29,034.9/km² (81,991.7/mi²): this is the highest population density of any census-designated place in the United States. There are 3,189 housing units at an average density of 20,521.3/km² (57,950.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the area is 83.91% White, 4.52% African American, 0.11% Native American, 8.09% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.95% from other races, and 2.39% from two or more races. 7.96% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 2,995 households out of which 6.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 28.5% are married couples living together, 3.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 66.5% are non-families. 61.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 25.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 1.51 and the average family size is 2.31.

In the area, the population is spread out with 5.9% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 32.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 51 years. For every 100 females there are 66.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 65.2 males.

The median income for a household in the area is $61,532, and the median income for a family is $80,497. Males have a median income of $70,500 versus $57,500 for females. The per capita income for the area is $53,689. 5.2% of the population and 4.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 0.0% of those under the age of 18 and 6.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

The Village of Friendship Heights

Although not an incorporated municipality, the Village of Friendship Heights was established as a Special Tax District in 1914. Its boundaries—Wisconsin Avenue, Willard Avenue, and Somerset Terrace—enclose 34 acres (140,000 m²), almost entirely occupied by high-rise residential buildings.

The village is governed by a seven-member village council; each member is elected to a two-year term.

In 2000, the village gained national attention when it sought to ban smoking in all public spaces maintained by the local government. The ban, considered one of the strictest in the nation, went into effect December 12, 2000, but it was voided by a judge on March 2, 2001, who said the village as a special tax district and not an incorporated municipality did not have the authority to enact such a ban.

The Village government operates a shuttle bus which circles the neighborhood, making stops at the major residential buildings, the Friendship Heights Village Center, nearby shopping centers, and the Friendship Heights stop of the Washington Metro.

External links

• Village of Friendship Heights