City profile · Maryland · Census ACS 2023

Gaithersburg, MD

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Gaithersburg - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

69,225
Residents
$107,496
Median income
$484,500
Median home
$2,246
Median rent (state)

Gaithersburg - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Gaithersburg lands in the 82nd percentile for household income and the 44th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

82nd
percentile, household income
84th
percentile, home value
87th
percentile, median rent
44th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Gaithersburg, MD

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 69,225 residents in Gaithersburg, a small city within Maryland. Gaithersburg households earn a median of $107,496 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 6.6%. Gaithersburg's housing stock carries a median value of $484,500, and the median resident age is 37.8 years. About 52.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 68.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 0 residential units were authorized in 2024 (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier. Gaithersburg reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1564.9 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Maryland carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Maryland scores 105.0 (Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $2,246 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Maryland's average monthly utility costs around $255 (state average). Workers in Gaithersburg report an average commute of 22.2 minutes, with 54.2% driving alone and 23.9% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 91.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

69,225 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Maryland

Median Household Income

$107,496 /yr

Poverty 6.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

105.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Maryland average

How does Gaithersburg compare to other US cities?

Here's how Gaithersburg stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 82% higher than other cities
Home value 84% pricier than other cities
Median rent 87% pricier than other cities
Safety 44% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Maryland and the picture shifts: Gaithersburg ranks #28 of 70 Maryland cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Gaithersburg's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Maryland, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

82ndIncome percentile
44thSafety percentile

82nd percentile nationally for median household income · 44th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Gaithersburg's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Gaithersburg's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 47 Avg. percentile National median
Gaithersburg's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Gaithersburg's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$484,500 16th percentile more affordable than 16% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Gaithersburg $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Gaithersburg, MD Gaithersburg, MD's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Gaithersburg, MD-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Gaithersburg, MD median $107,496/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Gaithersburg, MD's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Gaithersburg, MD. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 52.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 68.9%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
69,225
Median Income
$107,496
Median Home Value
$484,500
Median Age
37.8
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Labor force participation
68.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
52.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1564.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
252.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1312.0
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
29
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
69,000 residents70,000 residents71,000 residents72,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 69,428 residents 71,113 residents ▲ +2.4%
Gaithersburg's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 66
2020 86
2021 111
2022 70
2023 14
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
22.2 minutes
Drive Alone
54.2%
Carpool
10.7%
Public Transit
6.6%
Walk
1.8%
Work from Home
23.9%
Other
2.8%

Based on 37,095 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Maryland - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$120
avg/month
Natural Gas
$80
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$55
avg/month
Total Utilities
$255
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Maryland state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Maryland state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Gaithersburg sits in

Cost of Living Index
105.0
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,246/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
91.7 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Maryland

Bethesda
67,403 people
Rockville
67,218 people
Glen Burnie
72,772 people
Dundalk
65,441 people
Ellicott
73,737 people
Severn
58,041 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Gaithersburg's 69,225 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

East Orange, NJ
69,183 people
Eau Claire, WI
69,274 people
San Marcos, TX
68,920 people
Yuba City, CA
69,545 people
Passaic, NJ
69,651 people
Walnut Creek, CA
69,790 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Gaithersburg's $107,496 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Geyserville, CA
$107,500 median income
Live Oak, CA
$107,500 median income
Culloden, GA
$107,500 median income
Flensburg, MN
$107,500 median income
Highland Falls, NY
$107,500 median income
Jacobus, PA
$107,500 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Gaithersburg, MD Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Gaithersburg, MD - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 35.6% 15.5% 19.6% 16.3% 11.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 29.5% White 35.6% Black or African American 15.5% Asian 19.6% American Indian 0.9% Native Hawaiian 0.2% Some other race 16.3% Two or more races 11.9% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Gaithersburg compares to nearby Maryland cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Gaithersburg (this city) 69,225 $107,496
Bethesda 67,403 $191,348
Rockville 67,218 $122,384
Glen Burnie 72,772 $88,291
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MD FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Gaithersburg, MD?

What is the population of Gaithersburg, MD? +

Gaithersburg, MD has a population of 69,225 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Gaithersburg, MD? +

In Gaithersburg, the typical household earns $107,496 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Gaithersburg? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Gaithersburg; the closest available measure is the Maryland state average, a cost of living index of 105.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Maryland vary by metro area.

Is Gaithersburg, MD safe? +

Gaithersburg has a total crime rate of 1564.9 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Gaithersburg, MD? +

Homes in Gaithersburg carry a median value of $484,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.