Editing North Potomac, Maryland

{{short description|Census-designated place named North Potomac in Maryland, United States}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = North Potomac, Maryland
|settlement_type          = [[Census-designated place]]
|motto                    =

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = WelcomeToNorthPotomac.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = 
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               =

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|image_map = Montgomery_County_Maryland_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_North_Potomac_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 
|map_caption              = 
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             =

<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type        = Country
| subdivision_type1       = State
| subdivision_type2       = [[List of counties in Maryland|County]]
| subdivision_name        = United States
| subdivision_name1       = {{flag|Maryland}}
| subdivision_name2       = {{Flagicon image|Flag_of_Montgomery_County,_Maryland.svg}} [[Montgomery County, Maryland|Montgomery]]
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = 
|established_date         =

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_24.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=April 26, 2022}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 16.99
|area_land_km2            = 16.89
|area_water_km2           = 0.10
|area_total_sq_mi         = 6.56
|area_land_sq_mi          = 6.52
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.04

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 23790
|population_density_sq_mi = 3648.21
|population_density_km2   = 1408.48

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset               = −5
|timezone_DST             = EDT
|utc_offset_DST           = −4
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 390
|coordinates              = {{coord|39|05|50|N|77|14|54|W|region:US-MD_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 20878, 20850
|area_code                = [[Area codes 240 and 301|301 and 240]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 24-56875
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2389581<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2389581}}</ref>
|website                  = 
|footnotes                = 
}}
'''North Potomac''' is a [[census-designated place]] and [[unincorporated area]] in [[Montgomery County, Maryland]], United States. It is located less than {{convert|5|mi|km}} north of the [[Potomac River]], and is about {{convert|20|mi|km}} from [[Washington, D.C.]] It has a population of 23,790 as of 2020.<ref name="QuickFacts">{{cite web |title=QuickFacts: North Potomac CDP, Maryland |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/northpotomaccdpmaryland/POP010220 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=17 August 2021}}</ref>

The region's land was originally used for growing tobacco, which was replaced by wheat and dairy farming after the soil became depleted. The [[Chesapeake and Ohio Canal]] was used by local farmers to ship their grain (or flour made from the grain at the local mills), and two former canal [[Lock (water navigation)|locks]] are located less than {{convert|5|mi}} away in the [[Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park]]. In addition, infrastructure remains for what was one of the state's leading dairy farms during the first half of the 20th century.

North Potomac did not get an identity of its own until 1989, when the [[United States Post Office]] allowed the use of the North Potomac name for what is mostly a collection of housing sub-divisions, farms, and wooded parks. The [[United States Census Bureau]] listed a North Potomac in 1970 but not 1980. In 2000, it began recognizing North Potomac as a census designated place. Today, the community benefits from its proximity to workplaces such as the [[Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center|Shady Grove Hospital]] area and the [[Interstate 270 (Maryland)|I-270]] Technology Corridor. Washington, D.C. is accessible by automobile or public transportation. The median household income is nearly $160,000, and nearly half of the eligible residents have a graduate or professional degree.

==History==
[[Image:Darnestown_-_Hunting_Hill_1878.png|thumb|300px|right|Darnestown and Hunting Hill in 1878|alt=old map]]Captain [[John Smith (explorer)|John Smith]] explored the [[Potomac River]] in 1608 and mapped the area, including land that would become [[Montgomery County, Maryland|Montgomery County]].<ref name="MCHShistory3">{{harvnb|Montgomery County Historical Society|1999|p=3}}</ref> The first settlements were established in 1688, and were near [[Rock Creek (Potomac River tributary)|Rock Creek]] and what became [[Rockville, Maryland|Rockville]]. The next stage of settlements was further west along the Potomac near [[Darnestown, Maryland|Darnestown]] and [[Poolesville, Maryland|Poolesville]].<ref name="Boyd43">{{harvnb|Boyd|1879|p=43}}</ref> The land had been occupied by Native Americans of the [[Piscataway people|Piscataway Confederation]].<ref name="MCHShistory3"/> Modern-day Darnestown Road, which forms the northern border of North Potomac, was a [[Great Indian Warpath#Maryland|trail]] of the indigenous [[Seneca people]] and is one of the oldest roads in Montgomery County.<ref name="Curtis76">{{harvnb|Curtis|2020|p=76}}</ref>

Originally, the land around present-day North Potomac was used by European settlers to grow tobacco and corn. During the 19th century, a network of roads, mills, and the [[Chesapeake and Ohio Canal]] (a.k.a. C&O Canal) provided farmers with better access to markets. Dufief Mill Road, which runs through the center of North Potomac, leads to the DuFief Mill (established 1850)—one of the mills that were used by farmers in this part of Montgomery County.<ref name="Kelly12">{{harvnb|Kelly|Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission|2011|p=12}}</ref><!--DuFief spelled his name with a capital F, but the road does not!--> By 1840, much of the county's soil was depleted. [[Quakers in North America|Quakers]] began introducing improved farming practices and agriculture was revitalized. By 1860, farmers were growing corn, wheat and oats.<ref name="MCHShistory6-7">{{harvnb|Montgomery County Historical Society|1999|pp=6–7}}</ref>

In 1878, today's North Potomac was still farmland. The nearest general stores and post offices were in Hunting Hill, [[Travilah, Maryland|Travilah]], and Darnestown. The Hunting Hill Post Office and general store was located on Darnestown Road between Muddy Branch Road and Travilah Road, and it also provided wheelwright and blacksmith services.<ref name="Curtis84">{{harvnb|Curtis|2020|p=84}}</ref> It operated from 1873 until 1929.<ref name="Curtis84"/> Darnestown had three country stores, and the Windsor store also served as a Post Office until 1911.<ref name="Curtis77">{{harvnb|Curtis|2020|p=77}}</ref> Travilah, located closer to the canal, had a general store but no name in 1878. The Travilah Post Office was established in 1883, and the community eventually took that name.<ref name="Kelly226">{{harvnb|Kelly|Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission|2011|p=226}}</ref> Eventually, some of the farmland was sold.<ref name="WaPostNoMans">{{cite news
|title=No Man's Land Reborn as North Potomac
|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1989/08/03/no-mans-land-reborn-as-north-potomac/d397bd83-17d8-4a68-b542-5299f76a0c15/
|access-date=March 12, 2020
|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]
|date=August 3, 1989
|last1=Pressley
|first1=Sue Anne}}</ref> During the [[Great Depression in the United States|Great Depression]], some farmers became eager to sell their land because of financial hardship. Wealthy individuals began buying property in the Potomac area as part of their search for land where they could ride horses and hunt.<ref name="PotomacHistory">{{cite news
|title=The History of Potomac
|url=https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-magazine/november-december-2009/the-beginning-of-potomac/
|access-date=May 20, 2020
|newspaper=[[Bethesda Magazine]] – Bethesda Beat
|date=September 27, 2010
|last1=Drydan
|first1=Steve}}</ref> Some of this equestrian heritage continues in North Potomac today at the Potomac Horse Center. Mortgage banker Frederick Harting established this training facility, for horses and riders, in the early 1960s. It was purchased by Montgomery County in 1981 and has been the site of horse shows.<ref name="HartingObit">{{cite news
|title=F.G. Harting Jr. Dies
|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1983/06/29/fg-harting-jr-dies/de983dfb-9739-4436-89c1-8d2ae2381e3c/
|access-date=May 22, 2020
|newspaper=Washington Post
|date=June 29, 1983
|last1=Yang
|first1=Zhuang}}</ref>

Several area farms, such as the 355-acre (144 ha) Maple Spring Farm, continued well into the 20th century.<ref name="Kelly234">{{harvnb|Kelly|Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission|2011|p=234}}</ref> Much of this farm's land was sold in the 1970s and became North Potomac's Dufief subdivision.<ref name="MHT-25-1">{{cite web
|title=Garrett Farm M: 25-1
|website= Maryland Historical Trust
|publisher=Maryland government
|url=https://mht.maryland.gov/secure/medusa/PDF/Montgomery/M;%2025-1.pdf
|access-date=May 20, 2020}}</ref> In 1970, the [[United States Census Bureau]] considered North Potomac an unincorporated place that was part of the Darnestown and Travilah areas.<ref name="1970Census18">{{harvnb|U.S. Census Bureau|1973|p=18}}</ref><ref name="MasterPlan">{{cite web
|title=North Potomac – Potomac Subregion Master Plan, April 2002
|website= Montgomery County, MD – Montgomery Planning
|publisher=Montgomery County Planning Department
|url=http://www.montgomeryplanning.org/community/plan_areas/potomac/master_plans/potomac/landuse_nopotomac.pdf
|access-date=March 15, 2020}}</ref> By 1989, North Potomac consisted of about 25 housing subdivisions mixed with old farms. About 80 percent of those subdivisions were built since 1983.<ref name="WaPostNoMans"/> In late 1989, the [[United States Postal Service]] approved the North Potomac name for a region surrounded by the Montgomery County communities of Darnestown, Travilah, [[Gaithersburg, Maryland|Gaithersburg]] and Rockville. [[ZIP Code]]s were not changed, so most of North Potomac uses the 20878 code used by Gaithersburg and part of Darnestown.<ref name="WaPostNoMans"/> In 1990, North Potomac began being listed by the Census Bureau as a [[census-designated place]], but census records show no data for 1980.<ref name="2000Census21">{{harvnb|U.S. Census Bureau|2003|p=21}}</ref> The last major farm in the area is the Hanson Farm, and work began in 2009 for approval to build single-family homes on the farmland.<ref name="PotomacHistory"/><ref name="HansonApplication">{{cite web
|title=Before the County Council for Montgomery County, Maryland....
|website= Montgomery County, MD – Office of Zoning and Administrative Hearings
|publisher=Montgomery County government
|url=https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/OZAH/Resources/Files/g884hansonreportgrossman.pdf
|access-date=May 22, 2020}}</ref>

===Historic places===
[[Image:DuFiefMillBarn.jpg|thumb|right|Circa 1850 barn at site where John L. DuFief built a mill complex that connected to the C&O Canal|alt=rustic old red barn]]

The historic DuFief Mill site is located near the intersection of Turkey Foot Road and the Muddy Branch in Muddy Branch Regional Park.<ref name="Kelly12"/> John L. DuFief built a mill complex in the 1850s that was about {{convert|3|mi|km|spell=in}} from the C&O Canal.<ref name="MCDistanceMap">{{Cite map |author = Maryland Department of Transportation|year = 2020|title = Maryland|url=https://www.sha.maryland.gov/OPPEN/Highway_Front.pdf|location = Baltimore, Maryland|publisher = Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration|access-date = May 16, 2020}}</ref> A road connected his [[gristmill]], [[blacksmith]]'s shop, and miller's house to the [[Pennyfield Lock]] on the C&O Canal, where he operated a warehouse, barrel house, and wharf. The canal was necessary because the Potomac River was not navigable by ships and barges at [[Great Falls (Potomac River)|Great Falls]].<ref name="MDScenicCO">{{cite web
|title=Chesapeake & Ohio Canal
|website= Visit Maryland, Maryland Office of Tourism Development
|publisher=Maryland Department of Commerce
|url=http://guides.milespartnership.com/md/Byways/16/mobile/index.html#p=17
|access-date=March 29, 2020}}</ref> Construction of the C&O Canal, which began in the 1830s and was completed in 1850, opened the region to important markets and lowered shipping costs.<ref name="CanalHist">{{cite web
|title=Canal History: Canal Era from the 1830s–1870s
|website= C&O Canal Trust
|publisher=C&O Canal Trust
|url=https://www.canaltrust.org/about-us/about-the-co-canal/history/canal-history-canal-era-from-the-1830s-1870s/
|access-date=March 31, 2020}}</ref> After DuFief established this mill and its access to the canal, more roads were constructed, which enabled him to serve farmers from as far away as [[Germantown, Maryland|Germantown]] and [[Damascus, Maryland|Damascus]] in addition to the local growers.<ref name="Kelly12"/>

Three other sites of historic significance remain in North Potomac. The privately owned Maple Spring Barns are located at the intersection of Dufief Mill Road and Darnestown Road, and were part of one of the largest dairy farms in Maryland during the 20th century.<ref name="MHTmaplespringbarn">{{cite web
|title=Montgomery County Historic Preservation Commission Staff Report – Maple Spring Barns
|website= Montgomery County Planning
|publisher=Montgomery County government
|url=https://montgomeryplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/I.J-18021-Dufief-Mill-Road-Gaithersburg.pdf
|access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref> The Pleasant View Historic Site consists of the Pleasant View Methodist Episcopal Church (chapel built in 1914), Pleasant View Cemetery, and the Quince Orchard Colored School (built in 1901).<ref name="PreservationPVMchurch">{{cite web
|title=Preservation Maryland – Pleasant View: From Civil War to Civil Rights
|website= Preservation Maryland
|publisher=Preservation Maryland
|url=https://www.preservationmaryland.org/pleasant-view-civil-war-to-civil-rights/
|access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref> All structures are located on the south side of Darnestown Road near the [[Quince Orchard, Gaithersburg, Maryland|Quince Orchard]] area. The church's congregation was established around 1868.<ref name="Kelly227-228">{{harvnb|Kelly|Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission|2011|pp=227–228}}</ref> The Poplar Grove Baptist Church, located on Jones Lane, is the sole surviving 19th century Baptist church of an African-American congregation in Montgomery County.<ref name="Kelly224">{{harvnb|Kelly|Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission|2011|p=224}}</ref> The church was built in 1893 near a tributary of the Muddy Branch, and [[immersion baptism]]s are said to have taken place in the tributary during the church's early years.<ref name="Kelly224"/>

==Geography==
[[Image:MuddyBranchatQOfacingWest.jpg|thumb|right|Muddy Branch flowing toward Potomac River as viewed from Quince Orchard Road|alt=a stream]]As an unincorporated area, North Potomac's boundaries are not officially defined. However, the United States Census Bureau recognized a North Potomac in the [[1970 United States census|1970 census]], and then as a census-designated place (North Potomac CDP) in every census since [[1990 United States census|1990]].<ref name="2000CensusIII-7">{{harvnb|U.S. Census Bureau|2003|p=III-7}}</ref> As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], North Potomac is located north of the Potomac River in west central Montgomery County, roughly {{convert|20|mi}} from Washington, D.C.<ref name="CensusMapNP">{{cite web|title=North Potomac, CDP, Maryland – Place Selection Map|website= United States Census Bureau|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/map?q=North%20Potomac,%20CDP,%20Maryland&g=1600000US2456875&tid=ACSDP5Y2018.DP05&layer=VT_2018_160_00_PY_D1&vintage=2018&cid=DP05_0001E|access-date=March 12, 2020}}</ref><ref name="VisitMont">{{cite web
|title=Montgomery County, MD: Close to the Action
|website= Visit Montgomery<!--map not used, Rockville & Gaithersburg are close to N.Potomac-->
|publisher=Conference and Visitors Bureau of Montgomery County, MD, Inc.
|url=https://visitmontgomery.com/resources/regional-map/
|access-date=May 16, 2020}}</ref> It is bordered to the north by Gaithersburg, which lies beyond Maryland Route&nbsp;28 (Darnstown Road). Rockville, along Glen Road, is on the east border, while the Travilah CDP, mostly along Travilah Road, forms the southern border. The Darnestown CDP along Jones Lane and Turkey Foot Road forms the western boundary.<ref name="MarylandCDP2010map">{{cite web
|title=Maryland Census Designated Areas – Census Designated Places 2010 (Data Tab with North Potomac, MD, USA search)
|website= Maryland.gov
|publisher=Maryland government
|url=https://data.imap.maryland.gov/datasets/008cbfc9d1d34644864b6b0110f318ab/data?geometry=-77.370%2C39.060%2C-77.128%2C39.107<!--https://data.imap.maryland.gov/datasets/008cbfc9d1d34644864b6b0110f318ab-->
|access-date=April 16, 2020}}</ref><ref name="CensusMapNP"/> Like [[North Bethesda]], residents have held misconceptions about North Potomac's existence, incorrectly arguing that it is part of Gaithersburg and that the name is a neologism created by realtors.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://mocoshow.com/blog/north-bethesda-and-north-potomac-you-mean-rockville-and-gaithersburg-html/|title=North Bethesda and North Potomac “You mean Rockville and Gaithersburg?”|date=July 28, 2017|work=The MoCo Show}}</ref>

Between the 1990 and 2000 census, North Potomac gained and lost land. The loss was caused when a portion of the North Potomac territory, plus [[Potomac, Maryland|Potomac]] territory, was used to create the Travilah census designated place.<ref name="2000CensusIII-7"/> According to the United States Census Bureau, North Potomac has a total area of {{convert|6.6|sqmi|km2}}, virtually all land.<ref name="CensusMapNP"/> The [[Muddy Branch]] and its [[tributary]] Rich Branch are streams that run through North Potomac, and the Muddy Branch empties into the Potomac River.<ref name="WPostFlintsGrove">{{cite news
|title=Neighborhood Profile: Flints Grove

|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/realestate/neigborhood-profile-flints-grove/2013/02/07/8977719c-6b1f-11e2-ada3-d86a4806d5ee_story.html
|access-date=March 17, 2020
|newspaper=Washington Post
|date=February 8, 2013
|last1=Straight
|first1=Susan}}</ref> The [[United States Geological Survey]] lists two features in Montgomery County with North Potomac in all or part of their name. The North Potomac Census Designated Place is listed with an elevation of {{convert|390|ft}}, while the North Potomac Populated Place has an elevation of {{convert|256|ft}}.<ref name="GNIS-NPcdp">{{cite GNIS |id=2389581 |name=North Potomac CDP |entrydate=February 19, 2008 |access-date=May 15, 2020}}</ref><ref name="GNIS-NPpp">{{cite GNIS |id=1713001 |name=North Potomac Populated Place |entrydate=December 4, 1996 |access-date=May 15, 2020}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|The North Potomac CDP has a latitude of 390544N and a longitude of 0771414W, while the North Potomac Populated Place has a latitude of 390458N and a longitude of 0771554W.<ref name="GNIS-NPcdp"/><ref name="GNIS-NPpp"/> The [[Geographic Names Information System]] uses an [[American National Standards Institute|ANSI]] Code for North Potomac of 02389581 and a Place Identifier of 2456875. North Potomac has a [[Geographic information system|GIS]] ID of 296 and a FID of 295. The [[Federal Information Processing Standard state code|State FIPS code]] is 24 and the Place FIPS is 56875.<ref name="MarylandCDP2010map"/>|group=Note}}

=== Climate ===
According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, North Potomac has a [[humid subtropical climate]], abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref name="Koppen">{{cite web
|title=Updated World Map of the Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification
|website= Hydrology and Earth System Sciences
|publisher=European Geosciences Union
|url=https://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/11/1633/2007/
|access-date=May 15, 2020}}</ref> There are four distinct seasons, with winters typically cold with moderate snowfall, while summers are usually warm and humid. July is the warmest month, while January is the coldest. Average monthly precipitation ranges from about {{convert|2.5|to|4|in|cm|abbr=off}}. The highest recorded temperature was {{convert|105.0|°F|°C|abbr=on}} and the lowest recorded temperature was {{convert|-13.0|°F|°C|abbr=on}}.<ref name="WeatherChannelGaith">{{cite web
|title=Gaithersburg, MD Monthly Weather
|website= The Weather Channel
|publisher=TWC Product and Technology LLC
|url=https://weather.com/weather/monthly/l/f01fecbc3e87809e561ef4c95255d53f6741f47663367a8b38aa26e3be681df4
|access-date=March 12, 2020}}</ref> There is a 50&nbsp;percent probability that the first [[Frost (temperature)|frost]] of the season will occur by October 21, and a 50&nbsp;percent probability that the final frost will occur by April 16.<ref name="NCDC">{{cite web
|title=Freeze / Frost Occurrence Data (Rockville, Maryland)
|website=NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/climatenormals/clim20supp1/states/MD.pdf
|access-date=March 18, 2020
|archive-date=June 24, 2017
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624085539/https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/climatenormals/clim20supp1/states/MD.pdf
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>
{{Weather box |location = Gaithersburg, MD (same zip code as North Potomac)
|single line = Y
|Jan high F = 40
|Feb high F = 44
|Mar high F = 53
|Apr high F = 65
|May high F = 73
|Jun high F = 81
|Jul high F = 85
|Aug high F = 83
|Sep high F = 76
|Oct high F = 65
|Nov high F = 55
|Dec high F = 44
|Jan low F = 27
|Feb low F = 29
|Mar low F = 36
|Apr low F = 46
|May low F = 55
|Jun low F = 64
|Jul low F = 69
|Aug low F = 67
|Sep low F = 60
|Oct low F = 48
|Nov low F = 39
|Dec low F = 31
|Jan precipitation inch = 2.88
|Feb precipitation inch = 2.81
|Mar precipitation inch = 3.61
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.22
|May precipitation inch = 4.13
|Jun precipitation inch = 3.49
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.67
|Aug precipitation inch = 2.90
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.83
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.29
|Nov precipitation inch = 3.53
|Dec precipitation inch = 3.00
|source 1 = Weather Channel<ref name="WeatherChannelGaith"/>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1970= 12546
|1990= 18456
|2000= 23044
|2010= 24410
|2020= 23790
|footnote=source:<ref>{{cite web
 |url          = https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title        = Census of Population and Housing|publisher    = [[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date   = March 19, 2007 
 }}</ref><ref>Census area not separately delineated in 1980.</ref><br>2010–2020<ref name="QuickFacts"/>
}}

As of 2018 estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau, North Potomac has a population of 24,148 with a median household income of $159,232 and a poverty rate of 2.3 percent.<ref name="CensusSummary">{{cite web
|title=North Potomac CDP, Maryland 
|website= United States Census Bureau
|publisher=United States Census Bureau, United States Department of Commerce
|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?q=North%20Potomac%20CDP,%20Maryland&g=1600000US2456875
|access-date=March 18, 2020}}</ref> The number of housing units in North Potomac is estimated to be 8,168.<ref name="CensusTableDP05">{{cite web
|title=North Potomac CDP, Maryland – ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates
|website= United States Census Bureau
|publisher=United States Census Bureau, United States Department of Commerce
|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=North%20Potomac,%20CDP,%20Maryland&g=1600000US2456875&hidePreview=true&tid=ACSDP5Y2018.DP05&vintage=2018&cid=DP05_0001E&layer=place
|access-date=March 19, 2020}}</ref> The median age is 43.4 years, which is higher than the 37.9 median for the United States.<ref name="CensusSummary"/> 25.5 percent of residents were under the age of 18, while 14.2 percent were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1 percent male and 51.9 percent female.<ref name="CensusTableDP05"/>

The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|racial makeup]] of North Potomac was 51.6 percent White alone, 35.8 percent Asian alone, 7.3 percent Black or African American alone, and a 5 percent total for all other categories. Over half of the Asian population is Chinese, while Asian Indians and Koreans also have a significant presence.<ref name="CensusTableDP05"/> The educational attainment for the community is above the average for the United States, with 97.8 percent of North Potomac residents eligible being a high school graduate or higher, while the same figure for the United States is 87.7 percent. A graduate or professional degree was attained by 47.6 percent.<ref name="CensusSummary"/>

In 2017, ranking and review site [[Niche (company)|Niche]] ranked North Potomac as the best place to live in Maryland and 43rd in the nation out of more than 15,000 places.<ref name="BethesdaNiche">{{cite news
|title=North Potomac and North Bethesda Rank Among Best Places To Live in Maryland
|url=https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/news/north-potomac-and-north-bethesda-rank-among-best-places-to-live-in-maryland/
|access-date=March 18, 2020
|newspaper=[[Bethesda Magazine]] – Bethesda Beat
|date=April 17, 2017
|last1=Zimmermann
|first1=Joe}}</ref> In 2019, [[Money (magazine)|Money Inc.]] named North Potomac the best place to live in Maryland because of great schools, low crime, and a booming job market.<ref name="MoneyNP">{{cite news
|title=The 20 Best Places to Live in Maryland
|url=https://moneyinc.com/best-places-to-live-in-maryland/
|access-date=May 15, 2020
|newspaper=[[Money (magazine)|Money, Inc.]]
|date=October 1, 2019<!--"7 months ago" on 5/15/2020-->
|last1=Flynn
|first1=Liz}}</ref>

===2010 census===
North Potomac is considered part of the Washington, DC–VA–MD Urbanized Area.<ref name="2010CensusIV-2">{{harvnb|U.S. Census Bureau|2012|p=IV-2}}</ref> As of the 2010 U.S. census, its population was 24,410—a ranking of 51 for the state of Maryland.<ref name="2010Census42">{{harvnb|U.S. Census Bureau|2012|p=42}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|3743.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 8,178 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1254.3|/sqmi|/km2|1}}.<ref name="2010Census37">{{harvnb|U.S. Census Bureau|2012|p=37}}</ref> The racial makeup of the community was 51.9% White, 7.3% African American, 0.2% Native American, 35.8% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, and 3.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 5.7% of the population.<ref name="QuickFactsNorthPotomac">{{cite web
|title=QuickFacts – North Potomac CDP, Maryland (All Tables)
|publisher=United States Census Bureau
|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/northpotomaccdpmaryland/PST045219
|access-date=June 2, 2020}}</ref>

==Government==
The western side of North Potomac is in District 2 of the [[List of members of the Montgomery County Council (Maryland)|Montgomery County Council]], while the eastern side is in District 3.<ref name="MCdistrictmap">{{Cite map|author = Montgomery County government|year = 2020|title = Montgomery County Council Legislative Branch|url = https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mccouncildistrict/|location = Rockville, Maryland|publisher = Montgomery County Government|access-date = May 15, 2020|archive-date = October 17, 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201017055510/https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mccouncildistrict/|url-status = dead}}</ref> The [[county council]] has representatives from each of five districts plus four [[at-large]] members. All members are elected at once and serve four-year terms.<ref name="MCCabout">{{cite web
|title=Montgomery County Council – About the Council
|website=Montgomery County Council
|publisher=Montgomery County Government
|url=https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mccouncildistrict/
|access-date=March 28, 2020
|archive-date=October 17, 2020
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017055510/https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mccouncildistrict/
|url-status=dead
}}</ref> The North Potomac Citizen's Association is a volunteer organization that keeps state and local governments informed on North Potomac's [[Point of view (philosophy)|point of view]] for issues that affect the community.<ref name="NCPAabout">{{cite web
|title=North Potomac Citizen's Association – About Us
|website= North Potomac Citizens Association
|publisher=North Potomac Citizens Association
|url=http://northpotomacnews.org/?page_id=94
|access-date=March 28, 2020}}</ref>

North Potomac is served by the Montgomery County Police Department, which has its 1st District–Rockville headquarters on the north side of Darnestown Road in Gaithersburg.<ref name="CountyPoliceDist1">{{cite web
|title=Montgomery County Department of Police – 1D-Rockville
|website= Montgomery County Department of Police
|url=https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/pol/districts/1D/index.html
|access-date=May 28, 2020}}</ref> Portions of the North Potomac CDP may also be served by the Rockville City Police Department.<ref name="RockvillePolice">{{cite web
|title=City of Rockville – Police
|website= City of Rockville
|url=https://www.rockvillemd.gov/248/Police
|access-date=May 28, 2020}}</ref> The [[Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service|Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service Public Safety Headquarters]] is at the same location as the 1st District police headquarters.<ref name="CountyFireRescue">{{cite web
|title=Montgomery County, Maryland – Fire & Rescue Service
|website= Montgomery County, Maryland government
|url=https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcfrs/connect/phone.html
|access-date=May 28, 2020}}</ref> Two fire and rescue stations that serve North Potomac are located on Darnestown Road. Station&nbsp;32 is located at the intersection of Darnestown Road and Shady Grove Road.<ref name="CountyFireRescue"/> Station&nbsp;31 is located further west near Quince Orchard, and is a Rockville Fire Department that provides services for the county.<ref name="RockvilleFD31">{{cite web
|title=Rockville Fires Department, Inc. – Westside–Company 31
|website= Montgomery County, Maryland government
|url=https://rvfd.org/about-rvfd/stations/station-31/
|access-date=May 28, 2020}}</ref>

==Economy==
[[Image:Traville Gateway Shopping Center.jpg|thumb|right|Shopping at Traville Village Center on Traville Gateway Drive in North Potomac|alt=a shopping area]]
The data based on the Census Bureau 2012 Survey of Business Owners lists 2,292 firms in North Potomac.<ref name="CensusSummary"/> The number of firms with paid employees is 362, and those firms employ 1,579 people. The data are divided using the [[North American Industry Classification System]] (NAICS), and the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services category (NAICS 54) is the leader in firms (168), paid employees (312), annual payroll $16.2&nbsp;million, and sales $50.4&nbsp;million.<ref name="CensusTableSB1200csa01">{{cite web
|title=North Potomac, CDP, Maryland – Statistics for All U.S. Firms by Industry, Gender, Ethnicity, and Race for the U.S., States, Metro Areas, Counties, and Places: 2012
|website= United States Census Bureau
|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce
|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=North%20Potomac%20CDP,%20Maryland&g=1600000US2456875&tid=SBOCS2012.SB1200CSA01&hidePreview=true&vintage=2012&table=SB1200CSA01
|access-date=March 19, 2020}}</ref> Other important categories include Health Care and Social Assistance (NAICS 62) and Administrative and Support (NAICS 56).<ref name="CensusTableSB1200csa01"/>

North Potomac is close to major employers such as [[Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center|Shady Grove Hospital]] and the technology companies along [[Interstate 270 (Maryland)|Interstate 270]].<ref name="WPostFlintsGrove"/> Over 25 biotech companies and over 25 technology companies have facilities in the I-270 Technology Corridor in the Rockville, Gaithersburg, or Germantown area.<ref name="I270Tech">{{cite web
|title=I 270 Technology Corridor Report
|website= Germantown-Gaithersburg Chamber of Commerce
|publisher=Germantown-Gaithersburg Chamber of Commerce
|url=https://www.ggchamber.org/advocacy/270-technology-corridor-report/
|access-date=March 25, 2020}}</ref> North Potomac residents who commute further distances to work typically use Interstate 270 or the [[Shady Grove station|Shady Grove]] subway station on the [[Washington Metro|Washington Metro system]], which serves the region.<ref name="WPostFlintsGrove"/>

North Potomac residents have two shopping centers located within its 2010 census CDP boundaries and several others in the nearby area. The Travilah Square Shopping Center is located at the intersection of Travilah Road and Darnestown Road. It has a grocery store, pizza place, and other stores.<ref name="TravilahSquare">{{cite news
|title=Travilah Square Shopping Center Sold for $52 Million
|url=https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/real-estate/travilah-square-shopping-center-sold-for-52-million/
|access-date=April 13, 2020
|newspaper=Bethesda Magazine
|date=September 12, 2019
|last1=Peetz
|first1=Caitlynn}}</ref> The Traville Village Center is located on Traville Gateway Drive near Shady Grove Road and the [[Universities at Shady Grove]]. It has space for 25 merchants, and has a grocery store and multiple restaurants.<ref name="Beatty">{{cite web
|title=Traville Village Center 
|website= Beatty Management Company
|publisher=Beatty Management Company
|url=http://www.beattycos.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Beatty-TravilleSiteMap-011815.pdf
|access-date=April 26, 2020}}</ref> Based on 2012 census data, total retail sales for the North Potomac CDP were $39.0 million.<ref name="CensusQuickFactsNP">{{cite web
|title=QuickFacts – North Potomac CDP, Maryland
|website= United States Census Bureau
|publisher=United States Census Bureau, United States Department of Commerce
|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/northpotomaccdpmaryland
|access-date=April 26, 2020}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
[[Image:North Potomac MD US Census.png|thumb|right|Map of North Potomac boundaries as defined by the [[United States Census Bureau]]|alt=map of North Potomac]] [[Image:Traville Transit Center.jpg|thumb|right|Traville Transit Center bus stop adjacent to the Universities at Shady Grove|alt=bus stop]]
Maryland Route 28, a state highway, connects North Potomac with Rockville and provides access to Interstate 270.<ref name="CensusMapNP"/> Darnestown Road and Route 28 are united along most of North Potomac's northern border.<ref name="CensusMapNP"/> Dufief Mill Road and [[Maryland Route 124#Route description|Quince Orchard Road]] run through the middle of the community and connect with Darnstown Road.<ref name="CensusMapNP"/> The closest [[Interstate Highway System|interstate highways]] are to the north and east. Maryland's Interstate 270 is a major north–south highway that connects with Washington's [[Capital Beltway]] (a.k.a. Interstate 495).<ref name="MDOTstudy270">{{harvnb|U.S. Department of Transportation|Maryland Department of Transportation|2002|p=12}}</ref> [[Interstate 370 (Maryland)|Interstate 370]] and the [[Maryland Route 200|Intercounty Connector toll road]] (MD 200) are nearby major east–west highways that connect to [[Interstate 95 (Maryland)|Interstate 95]].<ref name="MDTA-ICC">{{cite web
|title=Intercounty Connector (ICC)/MD 200
|website= Maryland Transportation Authority – Intercounty Connector (ICC)/MD 200
|publisher=Maryland Transportation Authority
|url=https://mdta.maryland.gov/ICC/ICC.html
|access-date=March 16, 2020}}</ref>

Portions of the [[Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority]]'s Metrorail system are located in Montgomery County, and [[Red Line (Washington Metro)|Red Line]] stations on the west side of the county are closest to North Potomac.<ref name="MontDC">{{cite web
|title=Montgomery, Maryland – Washington DC
|website= MD DC Montgomery, Maryland
|publisher=Conference and Visitors Bureau of Montgomery County, MD, Inc.
|url=https://visitmontgomery.com/get-inspired/washington-dc/
|access-date=March 16, 2020}}</ref> Among those west side Metro stations are Shady Grove (Gaithersburg), [[Rockville station|Rockville]], and [[Twinbrook station|Twinbrook]] (south Rockville).<ref name="MetroMap">{{cite web
|title=Metro System Map
|website= Metro System Map
|publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
|url=https://www.wmata.com/schedules/maps/upload/2019-System-Map.pdf
|access-date=March 16, 2020}}</ref> At least four Montgomery County [[Ride On (bus)|Ride-On]] bus routes run through North Potomac and connect riders with the Traville Transit Center and Universities at Shady Grove, Shady Grove and Rockville Metro stations, Shady Grove Hospital, and Quince Orchard Library via routes on Travilah Road, Dufief Mill Road, and Darnestown Road.<ref name="RouteMapEssential">{{cite web
|title=Department of Transportation Transit Services – Essential Modified Service Plan Routes
|website= Montgomery County Department of Transportation , Government
|url=https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-Transit/essential-plan-routes.html
|access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref><!--normally routes 56, 66, 67, 76 but currently modified schedule because of COVID-19-->

===Utilities===
North Potomac's [[electric power]] is provided by [[Pepco]] (Potomac Electric Power Company), which serves much of Montgomery County, portions of [[Prince George's County, Maryland|Prince George's County]], and all of the District of Columbia.<ref name="PEPCOsite">{{cite web
|title=Pepco – About Us
|website= Potomac Electric Power Company
|url=https://electricityrates.com/maryland/pepco/
|access-date=May 22, 2020}}</ref> [[WGL Holdings|Washington Gas]] provides natural gas service to residents and businesses.<ref name="WGLservicesite">{{cite web
|title=Washington Gas Service Territory
|publisher=WGL Holdings, Inc.
|website=Washington Gas
|url=https://www.washingtongas.com/builders-contractors/contractor-services/service-territory
|access-date=May 22, 2020
|archive-date=September 30, 2020
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930172601/https://www.washingtongas.com/builders-contractors/contractor-services/service-territory
|url-status=dead
}}</ref> The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection provides for curbside [[municipal solid waste|garbage]], [[single-stream recycling|recycling]], and [[yard waste]] collection and disposal.<ref name="MCgargarbage">{{cite web
|title=What Does My Montgomery County-Provided Trash Service Include?
|publisher=Montgomery County Government.
|website= Department of Environmental Protection of Montgomery County, Maryland 
|url=https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/sws/trash/service-details.html
|access-date=May 22, 2020}}</ref> The Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station, a county [[transfer station (waste management)|waste collection facility]] located in Rockville, is available for drop off of garbage, recycling, and yard debris.<ref name="MCtransfer">{{cite web
|title=Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station
|publisher=Montgomery County Government
|website= Department of Environmental Protection of Montgomery County, Maryland 
|url=https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/sws/facilities/ts/
|access-date=May 22, 2020}}</ref> The [[Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission]] (WSSC) provides water and wastewater treatment for North Potomac.<ref>{{cite web
|title=WSSC – Project Locations
|website=Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
|url=https://www.wsscwater.com/business--construction/sewer-repair-replacement--rehabi/project-locations.html
|access-date=May 22, 2020
|archive-date=September 26, 2020
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926181725/https://www.wsscwater.com/business--construction/sewer-repair-replacement--rehabi/project-locations.html
|url-status=dead
}}</ref> Drinking water comes from the WSSC treatment facility on the Potomac River, while sewage is treated at a plant in the District of Columbia.<ref>{{cite web
|title=Public Water & Sewer Service (Where Does Your Water Come From?) and (Where Does Your Wastewater Go?)
|website= Department of Environmental Protection of Montgomery County, Maryland
|publisher=Montgomery County Government
|url=https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/water/supply/public-water.html
|access-date=May 22, 2020}}</ref>

===Healthcare===
The nearest [[general hospital]] is the Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center in Rockville.<ref name="ShadyGroveSite">{{cite web
|title=Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center
|website= Adventist HealthCare
|url=https://www.adventisthealthcare.com/locations/profile/shady-grove-medical-center/
|access-date=May 22, 2020}}</ref> This medical facility has a five-star rating from the [[Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services]].<ref name="ShadyGrove5star">{{cite web
|title=Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center Earns Five-Star Rating from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
|website= Adventist HealthCare
|url=https://www.adventisthealthcare.com/news/2020/shady-grove-medical-center-earns-five-star-rating/
|access-date=May 22, 2020}}</ref>

==Education==
[[Image:DufiefElementaryNorthPotomac.jpg|thumb|right|North Potomac's Dufief Elementary School|alt=elementary school front]]North Potomac is served by [[Montgomery County Public Schools (Maryland)|Montgomery County Public Schools]]. Public high school students in North Potomac attend either [[Thomas Sprigg Wootton High School|Thomas S. Wootton]] or [[Quince Orchard High School|Quince Orchard]] high schools.<ref name="NPCAschools">{{cite web
|title=Schools – North Potomac Citizens Association
|website= North Potomac Citizens Association
|publisher=North Potomac Citizens Association
|url=http://northpotomacnews.org/?cat=17
|access-date=March 16, 2020}}</ref> Quince Orchard High School is located at the intersection of Quince Orchard Road and Darnestown Road, placing it on the northwest side of the North Potomac CDP.<ref name="QUHSmap">{{cite web
|title=Quince Orchard High School Map + Directions
|website= Montgomery County Public Schools
|url=https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schoolodex/schooloverview.aspx?s=04125&tab=map
|access-date=March 16, 2020}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|Since the U.S. Postal Service and the Census Bureau do not have the same definition for North Potomac, one may see Gaithersburg and Rockville addresses for places in the North Potomac CDP.<ref name="WaPostNoMans"/>|group=Note}} Wootton High School is located in Rockville, on the east side of the North Potomac CDP.<ref name="TWHSmap">{{cite web
|title=Thomas S. Wootton High School Map + Directions
|website= Montgomery County Public Schools
|publisher=Montgomery County Public Schools
|url=https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schoolodex/schooloverview.aspx?s=04234
|access-date=March 16, 2020}}</ref> Area residents have cited the Wootton school cluster as a factor in their home buying decision.<ref name="WPostFlintsGrove"/> In 2019, ''U.S. News & World Report'' ranked Wootton High School 2nd highest in Maryland and 125th in the nation.<ref name="USNewsWootton">{{cite news
|title=US News Best High Schools Rankings – Thomas S. Wootton High
|url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/maryland/districts/montgomery-county-public-schools/thomas-s-wootton-high-9149
|access-date=March 18, 2020
|newspaper=[[U.S. News & World Report]]
|date=March 18, 2020
}}</ref> Each of the two high schools has two feeder middle schools. Multiple elementary schools contribute to the middle schools, and several are located within the North Potomac CDP.<ref name="NPCAschools"/>

===Higher education===
[[Image:UatShady Grove North Potomac.jpg|thumb|right|The Universities at Shady Grove|alt=tall school building]]The Universities at Shady Grove is located within North Potomac and offers select degree programs from nine public Maryland universities.<ref name="UniSG">{{cite web
|title=The Universities at Shady Grove – About USG
|website= The Universities at Shady Grove

|url=https://shadygrove.umd.edu/about-usg
|access-date=March 17, 2020}}</ref> Instead of being a university itself, this campus partners with other universities and offers courses for 80 upper-level undergraduate, graduate degree, and certificate programs. The participating universities handle admissions.<ref name="UniSGglance">{{cite web
|title=The Universities at Shady Grove – USG at a Glance
|website=The Universities at Shady Grove
|url=https://shadygrove.umd.edu/sites/default/files/u80/USG%20At%20A%20Glance%20-%20Executive%20Flyer.pdf
|access-date=March 19, 2020
|archive-date=August 29, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829031506/https://shadygrove.umd.edu/sites/default/files/u80/USG%20At%20A%20Glance%20-%20Executive%20Flyer.pdf
|url-status=dead
}}</ref> [[Johns Hopkins University]] has a campus in Rockville near the Universities at Shady Grove.<ref name="JHU">{{cite web
|title=Johns Hopkins University – Montgomery County
|website=Johns Hopkins University – Montgomery County
|publisher=Johns Hopkins University – Montgomery County
|url=http://mcc.jhu.edu/
|access-date=March 25, 2020
|archive-date=March 28, 2020
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328153742/http://mcc.jhu.edu/
|url-status=dead
}}</ref> [[Montgomery College]] has a campus close to North Potomac in Rockville and a training center in Gaithersburg. Three Montgomery College campuses and online classes serve about 54,000 students offering associate degrees and courses that will transfer to other institutions.<ref name="MontCollege">{{cite web
|title=Montgomery College
|website= Montgomery College
|publisher=Montgomery College
|url=https://www.montgomerycollege.edu
|access-date=March 17, 2020}}</ref>

===Public library===
Several libraries are located in North Potomac or only a few miles away. Quince Orchard library is part of the [[Montgomery County Public Libraries|Montgomery County Public Library system]] and is located across the street from Quince Orchard High School in North Potomac.<ref name="QOLibrary">{{cite web
|title=Montgomery County Public Libraries – Quince Orchard Library
|website= Montgomery County Public Libraries
|publisher=Montgomery County Government
|url=https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Library/branches/quinceorchard.html
|access-date=March 17, 2020}}</ref> Priddy Library is part of the [[University of Maryland Libraries]] system and is located at the Universities at Shady Grove in North Potomac.<ref name="PriddyLibrary">{{cite web
|title=The Universities at Shady Grove – Priddy Library
|website= The Universities at Shady Grove
|url=https://shadygrove.umd.edu/library
|access-date=May 22, 2020}}</ref> Rockville Memorial Library, also part of the county library system, is located in Rockville three blocks from the Rockville Metro station.<ref name="RockvilleLibrary">{{cite web
|title=Montgomery County Public Libraries – Rockville Memorial Library
|website= Montgomery County Public Libraries
|publisher=Montgomery County Government
|url=https://montgomerycountymd.gov/Library/branches/rockville.html
|access-date=March 17, 2020}}</ref> While the Rockville Memorial Library celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2001; Quince Orchard Library was only a year old at that time.<ref name="WaPostQOLib">{{cite news
|title=Library Celebrates 50th Anniversary
|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2001/04/26/library-celebrates-50th-anniversary/c210d9cb-8265-4b09-9536-f7105828952d/
|access-date=May 20, 2020
|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]
|date=April 26, 2001
|last1=Ruben
|first1=Barbara}}</ref> The Priddy Library opened in 2007.<ref name="Zdravkovska135">{{harvnb|Zdravkovska|2011|p=135}}</ref>

==Culture==
===Arts===
North Potomac does not have art centers of its own, but some museums can be found in adjacent communities.<ref name="NPmuseums">{{cite web
|title=Potomac Farms Homeowner's Association – Recreational/Cultural Links
|website= Potomac Farms Homeowner's Association
|url=https://potomacfarmshoa.org/recreational-cultural/
|access-date=May 31, 2020}}</ref> The [[Beall–Dawson House]], built circa 1815, contains exhibits on life in 19th century Rockville.<ref name="BeallDawson">{{cite web
|title=Montgomery History – Beall-Dawson House
|website=Montgomery County Historical Society
|url=https://montgomeryhistory.org/beall-dawson-house/
|access-date=May 31, 2020
|archive-date=September 18, 2020
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918195156/http://montgomeryhistory.org/beall-dawson-house/
|url-status=dead
}}</ref> The [[Gaithersburg station#Gaithersburg Community Museum|Gaithersburg Community Museum]] is located in an old [[Baltimore and Ohio Railroad]] complex in Olde Town Gaithersburg, and focuses on educating children about Gaithersburg history.<ref name="NPGaithersburgBOmuseum">{{cite web
|title=Gaithersburg Community Museum
|website= Gaithersburg, Maryland government
|url=https://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/about-us/city-facilities/gaithersburg-community-museum
|access-date=May 31, 2020}}</ref> [[Glenstone]] Modern Art Museum is south of North Potomac near the intersection of Travilah Road and Glen Road.<!--<ref name="NPGlenstone">{{cite web
|title=Glenstone
|website= Glenstone
|url=https://www.glenstone.org/
|access-date=May 31, 2020}}</ref>--><ref name="WPostGlenstone">{{cite news
|title=Going to Glenstone? Here's what you need to know about D.C.'s new must-see art museum 
|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/museums/going-to-glenstone-heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-dcs-new-must-see-art-museum/2018/10/02/92a29468-c00f-11e8-9005-5104e9616c21_story.html
|access-date=April 5, 2020
|newspaper=Washington Post
|date=October 3, 2018
|last1=Ramanathan
|first1=Lavanya
|last2=Hahn
|first2=Fritz
}}</ref> The [[Strathmore (Maryland)|Strathmore Music and Arts Center]] in North Bethesda has a concert hall and art exhibits.<ref name="Strathmore">{{cite news
|title=Strathmore A High Note For County
|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2005/02/06/strathmore-a-high-note-for-county/32d82501-6f26-4772-b877-c555f13a22de/
|access-date=May 22, 2020
|newspaper=Washington Post
|date=February 6, 2005
|last1=Mir
|first1=A.
|last2=Spivack
|first2=Matthew
|last3=Mosk
|first3=A.}}</ref>

===Parks and recreation===
[[Image:MuddyBranchTrailatQO.jpg|thumb|right|[[Muddy Branch Greenway Trail]] as viewed from Quince Orchard Road near Potomac Horse Center|alt=a hiking trail]] [[Image:DufiefParkNorthPotomac.jpg|thumb|right|Dufief Park, including soccer field, in Dufief neighborhood of North Potomac|alt=a park with tennis courts and soccer field]] Nancy H. Dacek North Potomac Recreation Center is located on Travilah Road adjacent to the county's Big Pines Local Park. The center has a gym, basketball court, and other recreation facilities.<ref name="Dacek Center">{{cite web
|title=Nancy H. Dacek North Potomac Recreation Center
|website= Montgomery County Recreation – North Potomac
|publisher=Montgomery County Government
|url=https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec/facilities/recreationcenters/northpotomac.html
|access-date=March 21, 2020}}</ref> The Potomac Horse Center, at the intersection of Dufief Mill Road and Quince Orchard Road, offers equestrian training and holds horse shows.<ref name="MCPotomacHorse">{{cite web
|title=Potomac Horse Center Special Park
|website= Montgomery County, Maryland – Montgomery Parks

|url=https://www.montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/potomac-horse-center-special-park/
|access-date=May 31, 2020}}</ref> The Westleigh Recreation Club, located on Dufief Mill Road, is a private pool and tennis club.<ref name="WestleighPool">{{cite web
|title=Westleigh Recreation Club
|website= Westleigh Recreation Club
|url=https://www.westleigh-club.org/
|access-date=March 21, 2020}}</ref>

The Montgomery County Park System has over {{convert|200|mi}} of hiking trails.<ref name="MontParksTrails">{{cite web
|title=Montgomery County, Maryland – Montgomery Parks – Park Trails
|website= Montgomery County, Maryland – Montgomery Parks

|url=https://www.montgomeryparks.org/activities/park-trails/
|access-date=March 17, 2020}}</ref> Among those trails is the [[Muddy Branch Greenway Trail]], which passes North Potomac's Potomac Horse Center on a 9-mile (14&nbsp;km) route between Darnestown Road and Blockhouse Point Conservation Park.<ref name="MBGreenway">{{cite web
|title=Montgomery County, Maryland – Montgomery Parks – Muddy Branch Greenway Trail
|website= Montgomery County, Maryland – Montgomery Parks

|url=https://www.montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/muddy-branch-stream-valley-park/muddy-branch-greenway-trail/
|access-date=March 17, 2020}}</ref> Construction of the Powerline Trail (a.k.a. Pepco Trail) began in 2018, and this trail will connect North Potomac (Muddy Branch Stream Valley Park) with the South Germantown Recreation Park, which is the home of the [[Maryland SoccerPlex]].<ref name="BethesdaPepco">{{cite news
|title=Officials Break Ground on Trail Between North Potomac and Germantown
|work=Bethesda Magazine
|url=https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/news/officials-break-ground-on-nature-trail-between-north-potomac-and-germantown/
|date=January 25, 2018
|access-date=March 20, 2020
|last1=Zimmermann
|first1=Joe}}</ref><ref name="MCPowerlineTrail">{{cite web
|title=Powerline Trail
|website= Montgomery County, Maryland – Montgomery Parks

|url=https://www.montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/pepco-trail/
|access-date=March 20, 2020}}</ref>

Four of North Potomac's five county parks range in size from 10 to 15 acres (4 to 6 ha).{{#tag:ref|The four parks are Aberdeen, Big Pines, Dufief, and Quince Orchard Knolls.|group=Note}} These parks typically have sports facilities, a playground, and a picnic area.<ref name="MCParks">{{cite web
|title=Montgomery County Parks
|website= Montgomery County, Maryland – Montgomery Parks

|url=https://www.montgomeryparks.org/parks-trails/parks/
|access-date=May 31, 2020}}</ref> A fifth park, Muddy Branch Stream Valley Park, is {{convert|876|acres}} and contains the Muddy Branch Greenway Trail.<ref name="MBParkMap">{{cite web
|title=Muddy Branch Stream Valley Park
|website= Montgomery County, Maryland – Montgomery Parks

|url=https://www.montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/muddy-branch-stream-valley-park/
|access-date=May 31, 2020}}</ref>

In addition to parks and trails maintained by the county, many housing divisions have locally maintained playgrounds, parks, and short hiking trails. Examples are the Dufief Hiking Trail in the Dufief neighborhood and the unnamed paths and playgrounds in Potomac Crossing.<ref name="DufiefTrail">{{cite web
|title=Our Pond and Park
|website= Dufief Homeowner's Association
|url=https://www.dufief.org/our-pond-and-park/
|access-date=May 16, 2020}}</ref><ref name="PCamenities">{{cite web
|title=Amenities
|website= Potomac Crossing Homeowners Association
|publisher=Vanguard Management Associates, Inc.
|url=https://www.potomaccrossinghoa.org/page/46985~999362/Amenities
|access-date=March 20, 2020}}</ref> Some housing divisions have their own pool in addition to other recreation facilities.<ref name="StonebridgeAmenities">{{cite web
|title=About the Stonebridge HOA
|website= Montgomery County, Maryland – Montgomery Parks

|url=https://stonebridgemc.fswp3.net/about/
|access-date=March 21, 2020}}</ref><ref name="PotomacFarmsHOA">{{cite web
|title=Potomac Farms Homeowner Association PFHOA – Welcome
|website= Potomac Farms Homeowner Association North Potomac, Maryland
|url=https://potomacfarmshoa.org/
|access-date=March 21, 2020}}</ref>

The Pennyfield Lock House (Lock #22) is located near North Potomac along the C&O Canal and is part of the [[Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park]].<ref name="COpark">{{cite web
|title=Chesapeake & Ohio Canal – National Historical Park
|website= National Park Service
|publisher=National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior
|url=https://www.nps.gov/choh/index.htm
|access-date=April 14, 2020}}</ref> The 630-acre (250 ha) Blockhouse Point Conservation Park is also located along the Potomac River and C&O Canal.<ref name="MCBlockhouse">{{cite web
|title=Blockhouse Point Conservation Park & Trails
|website= Montgomery County, Maryland – Montgomery Parks

|url=https://www.montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/blockhouse-point-conservation-park-trails/
|access-date=April 16, 2020}}</ref><ref name="PeckBP">{{harvnb|Peck|2012|p=e-book}}</ref> The Maryland SoccerPlex is located less than {{convert|10|mi|km}} away and has indoor and outdoor facilities for soccer and other activities.<ref name="Soccerplex">{{cite web
|title=Maryland SoccerPlex & Adventist Healthcare Fieldhouse
|website= Maryland Soccer Foundation, Inc.
|url=https://www.mdsoccerplex.org/
|access-date=April 16, 2020}}</ref>

==Notes==

===Footnotes===
{{Reflist|group=Note}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
*{{Cite book                             
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  | title = The History of Montgomery County, Maryland, From its Earliest Settlement in 1650 to 1879
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  | location = Clarksburg, MD [Baltimore]
  | oclc = 79381943
  }}
*{{Cite book                             
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  }}
*{{Cite book
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  | first1 = Clare Lise
  | last2 = Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
  | title = Places from the Past: The Tradition of Gardez Bien in Montgomery County, Maryland - 10th Anniversary Edition
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  | year = 2011
  | location = Silver Spring, Maryland
  | url = https://montgomeryplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Places-from-the-Past-web_with_cover.pdf
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  |access-date=March 26, 2020
}}
*{{Cite book
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  | first1 = Eileen
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  | year = 2012
  | location = Germantown, Maryland
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  |access-date=April 25, 2020
}}
*{{Cite book                             
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  | year = 1999
  | location = Rockville, Maryland
  | url = https://montgomerycountymd.gov/cct/Resources/Files/history.pdf
  }}
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  | oclc = 27693887
  |access-date=March 15, 2020}}
*{{Cite book
  | last = U.S. Census Bureau
  | title = 2000 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Unit Counts, Maryland
  | publisher = U.S. Government Printing Office
  | year = 2003
  | location = Washington, DC
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  | isbn = 9781428985810
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*{{Cite book
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  | year = 2012
  | location = Washington, DC
  | url = http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-22.pdf
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121019110611/http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-22.pdf
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = October 19, 2012
  |access-date=June 2, 2020}}
*{{Cite book
  | last1 = U.S. Department of Transportation
  | last2 = Maryland Department of Transportation
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  | location = Baltimore, MD
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*{{Cite book                             
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  | isbn = 978-1-78063-270-4
  }}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{commons category|North Potomac, Maryland}}
* [http://www.northpotomacnews.org North Potomac Citizens Association]

{{Montgomery County, Maryland}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Asian-American culture in Maryland]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Maryland]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Montgomery County, Maryland]]