Census-designated place · Maryland
Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda, census-designated place, in Montgomery County, Maryland. Bethesda had 69,397 people in the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (±2,523). GEOID 2407125.
Residents, 2020-2024
69,397
±2,523 (90% margin)
2020 Census count: 68,056
Median household income
$192,237
±$6,260 (90% margin)
Maryland: $103,678
Median home value
$1,169,900
±$23,157 (90% margin)
Maryland: $419,900
Median gross rent
$2,469
±$92 (90% margin)
Maryland: $1,705
Where is Bethesda and what county is it in?
Bethesda is a census-designated place: an unincorporated community the Census Bureau draws for counting, with no city government of its own, in Montgomery County, Maryland. It covers 13.3 square miles of land, 5,132 residents per square mile in 2020.
Bethesda is in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 23 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Bethesda, and is it growing?
The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts Bethesda's population at 69,397 (±2,523). The 2020 Census counted 68,056 residents.
The Census Bureau publishes yearly population estimates for incorporated places only; Bethesda is a census-designated place, so its figures come from the ACS and the 2020 Census.
| Measure | Bethesda | Montgomery County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 69,397 ±2,523 | 1,065,949 | +6,202 |
| Households | 27,937 ±778 | 389,210 | +2,102 |
| Average household size | 2.46 ±0.05 | 2.72 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 30,095 ±689 | 406,531 | +2,286 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Bethesda?
The median resident of Bethesda is 42.8 years old; 23.2% are under 18 and 19.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 65.7%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 12.7%. 26.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Bethesda | Montgomery County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.8 ±1.0 | 40.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.2% ±1.2 pts | 22.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.0% ±1.1 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Male | 47.9% ±1.1 pts | 48.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.6% ±1.2 pts | 21.0% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 65.7% ±1.8 pts | 39.5% | −8.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 6.3% ±1.4 pts | 18.3% | +2.3 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 12.7% ±1.5 pts | 15.3% | +2.9 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.0% ±0.9 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.2 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 26.2% ±1.6 pts | 33.6% | +3.7 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 30.3% ±2.0 pts | 43.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.6% ±0.7 pts | 4.2% | – |
| With a disability | 7.9% ±0.9 pts | 9.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 2.1% ±0.7 pts | 7.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 98.0% ±0.5 pts | 91.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 87.1% ±1.2 pts | 60.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 58.1% ±1.9 pts | 33.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 83.5% ±1.6 pts | 88.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 6.3% ±1.0 pts | 3.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Bethesda earn?
Half of Bethesda's 27,937 households earn less than $192,237 a year (±$6,260), against $132,450 in Montgomery County and $103,678 in Maryland. In 2015-2019 it was $202,009 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 4.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Bethesda | Montgomery County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $192,237 ±$6,260 | $132,450 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $295,886 ±$14,018 | $181,376 | – |
| Per capita income | $120,363 ±$5,751 | $67,571 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 4.3% ±1.0 pts | 7.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 3.2% ±1.5 pts | 9.0% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 3.0% ±1.0 pts | 7.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 99.2% ±0.4 pts | 98.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 97.0% ±0.8 pts | 95.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Bethesda?
Owners occupy 64.0% of Bethesda's occupied homes and renters 36.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $1,169,900 by its owner (±$23,157). The median renter pays $2,469 a month including utilities, and 39.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Bethesda | Montgomery County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $1,169,900 ±$23,157 | $640,300 | +$48,738 |
| Median gross rent | $2,469 ±$92 | $2,068 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.4% ±3.7 pts | 41.9% | +5.5 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $4,000 or more | $2,929 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 64.0% ±1.6 pts | 65.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 36.0% ±1.6 pts | 34.7% | – |
| Housing units | 30,095 ±689 | 406,531 | +2,286 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.7% ±0.8 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.9% ±1.8 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 52.9% ±1.5 pts | 46.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.4% ±0.3 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.7% ±0.7 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 13.2% ±1.6 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 8.3% ±1.1 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 9.6% ±1.4 pts | 8.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Bethesda work and get to work?
39.8% of Bethesda's workers drive alone and 38.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 27.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.1%.
| Measure | Bethesda | Montgomery County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 68.2% ±1.5 pts | 69.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.1% ±0.7 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 39.8% ±2.0 pts | 52.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 3.7% ±1.1 pts | 7.6% | – |
| Public transportation | 9.6% ±1.2 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Walked | 6.0% ±1.0 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 38.0% ±2.0 pts | 28.3% | +27.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 27.7 min ±0.9 | 31.9 min | −2.1 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Bethesda?
18 census tracts lie mostly in Bethesda, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $91,366 (Tract 7048.06) to $250,000 or more (Tract 7059.03).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 7044.04Montgomery County | 6,108 | $191,042 |
| Tract 7046Montgomery County | 5,075 | $216,023 |
| Tract 7057.02Montgomery County | 4,855 | $222,125 |
| Tract 7057.01Montgomery County | 4,837 | $205,000 |
| Tract 7059.03Montgomery County | 4,764 | $250,000 or more |
| Tract 7048.03Montgomery County | 4,556 | $107,460 |
| Tract 7048.06Montgomery County | 4,554 | $91,366 |
| Tract 7059.01Montgomery County | 4,262 | $250,000 or more |
| Tract 7059.02Montgomery County | 4,199 | $250,000 or more |
| Tract 7045.03Montgomery County | 4,108 | $250,000 or more |
| Tract 7047Montgomery County | 3,639 | $250,000 or more |
| Tract 7056.01Montgomery County | 3,359 | $250,000 or more |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Bethesda) · Census block assignment files
How does Bethesda compare with other places in Maryland?
Bethesda ranks 24th of 322 places in Maryland with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population (ACS 2020-2024) | 10th | 326 |
| Residents per square mile | 51st | 326 |
| Median household income | 24th | 322 |
| Per capita income | 7th | 326 |
| Median home value | 9th | 323 |
| Median gross rent | 36th | 288 |
| Poverty rate | 190th | 230 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 6th | 325 |
| Median age | 104th | 326 |
| Owner-occupied share | 225th | 323 |
| Work from home | 13th | 293 |
| Travel time to work | 245th | 325 |
Bethesda's figures with every place in Maryland (CSV)
Every place in Maryland, sortable · Compare Bethesda with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Bethesda?
3 of the 57 figures for Bethesda on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Bethesda are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.