RANK #696 / 996 · POP 1,056,910 · MD
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.0%
Bethesda, a notable town in Montgomery County, Maryland, is recognized for its dining, shopping, and medical centers. The county itself is located directly north of Washington, D.C., and offers a mix of urban and suburban environments. Commuting to D.C. is possible via the Metro Red Line, Metrobus, and Ride On bus services, with many residents utilizing public transit. The county provides extensive green spaces, including over 400 parks and trails like those found at Rock Creek Regional Park and Sugarloaf Mountain, offering opportunities for hiking, biking, and water activities.
Life in Montgomery County appeals to families, professionals, and retirees due to its quality of life. The Montgomery County Public Schools district is Maryland's largest and is recognized for its educational offerings. The local economy is driven by sectors such as biotechnology, technology, and advanced communications, with significant investment flowing into these areas. The county also has a strong focus on workforce development and sustainable transportation initiatives.
Above national median (4.7x)
Well below national median
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Prices detached from rents
Housing is fairly valued at 6.6x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
County-Wide Capital Improvements Program (CIP)
Montgomery County Government
|
$6,600M | Planned |
|
Dickerson Data Center
Undisclosed (Terra Energy owns the former plant site)
|
$1,000M | Proposed |
|
X-Energy Headquarters and Advanced Reactor Development
X-Energy
|
$223M | Under Construction |
|
Brookville Smart Energy Bus Depot Microgrid
AlphaStruxure (Schneider Electric & Carlyle JV)
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Watkins Mill Station (Residential/Mixed-Use)
Pulte Homes
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Montgomery County has a Boom Town Index score of 30/100, ranking #696 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.7% and a median household income of $125,583, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Montgomery County is $588,900 with median rent at $1,957/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2133, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.0% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.7%. Home values changed -1.2% in the past 12 months.