Potomac is a census-designated place and an unincorporated area located in Montgomery County, Maryland.

The name "Potomac" is from the Algonkin language and is translated as "where something is brought."

History

In 1716, the Canaze Indian nation built a trail called the Tehogee Indian Trail which is still the route of 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 at that occasion.

Past and present residents of the area include members of the Marriott hotel family, broadcaster Ted Koppel, Queen Noor and the late King Hussein of Jordan, Redskins owner Dan Snyder, former New York Knicks basketball player Patrick Ewing, television producer and creator of Sex and the City Darren Star, tennis player Pete Sampras, Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver, broadcast journalist and First Lady of California Maria Shriver Schwarzenegger, writer and photographer Deborah Copaken Kogan, boxer Mike Tyson and boxer Sugar Ray Leonard.

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" North, 77°11'11" West (39.022694, -77.186423).

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 is water. The total area is 5.20% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 44,822 people, 15,655 households, and 13,024 families residing in the area. The population density is 687.3/km² (1,780.2/mi²). There are 15,960 housing units at an average density of 244.7/km² (633.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the area is 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. 5.38% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

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

In the area, the population is 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 44 years. For every 100 females there are 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.3 males.

The median income for a household in the area is $128,936, and the median income for a family is $142,472. Males have a median income of $100,000 versus $54,428 for females. The per capita income for the area is $64,875. 3.3% of the population and 2.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 3.6% of those under the age of 18 and 3.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Potomac, MD 20854 is the twelfth-most affluent zip code in the entire United States. One of the reasons Potomac is so affluent is its close proximity to the northwestern boundary of Washington D.C. Many rich professionals live in the Potomac area and commute to Washington D.C. during the week to work.

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