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Gaithersburg, Maryland

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Gaithersburg (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell) is a city in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. At the time of the 2020 United States census, Gaithersburg had a population of 69,657, making it the third-largest incorporated city and the ninth-most populous community in the state.<ref name="QuickFacts">Template:Cite web</ref> Gaithersburg is located to the northwest of Washington, D.C., and is considered a suburb and a primary city within the Washington metropolitan area. Gaithersburg was incorporated as a town in 1878 and as a city in 1968.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is headquartered in Gaithersburg directly west of I-270.Template:Refn Other major employers in the city include IBM, Lockheed Martin Information Systems and Global Services business area headquarters, AstraZeneca. Gaithersburg is also the location of the garrison of the United States Army Reserve Legal Command.

Gaithersburg is noted for its ethnic and economic diversity; it was ranked second for ethnic diversity among the 501 largest U.S. cities, and first among smaller U.S. cities, by WalletHub in 2021.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2023, Wallethub announced that Gaithersburg was back in the number one spot for ethnic diversity in the U.S.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

History

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Template:Multiple image Template:Multiple image Gaithersburg was settled in 1765 as a small agricultural settlement known as Log Town near the present day Summit Hall on Ralph Crabb's 1725 land grant "Deer Park".<ref name=fairs>Template:Unbulleted list</ref> The northern portion of the land grant was purchased by Henry Brookes, and he built his brick home "Montpelier" there, starting first with a log cabin in 1780/3. This 1,000-acre tract became part of the landmark IBM Headquarters complex built on the then-new I-270 Interstate "Industrial", now "Technology", Corridor in the late 1960s to the 1970s. Benjamin Gaither married Henry's daughter Margaret, and Benjamin and Margaret inherited a portion of Henry's land prior to Henry's death in 1807. Gaither built his home on the land in 1802.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Closed access</ref> By the 1850s the area had ceased to be called Log Town and was known to inhabitants as Gaithersburg.<ref name="Offutt">Template:Cite book</ref>

19th century

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The Forest Oak Post Office, named for a large tree in the town, was located in Gaither's store in 1851.

On July 10, 1864, using the route of present-day 355, over 10,000 Confederate troops camped overnight in the area, including the present Bohrer Park, after a one-day march from Frederick after the Battle of Monocacy. The next day the troops continued towards Washington in an unsuccessful attempt to take the city.

When the railroad was built through town in 1873, the new station was called Gaithersburg, an officially recognized name for the community for the first time. Also in 1873 the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad constructed a station at Gaithersburg,<ref name="fairs" /> designed by Ephraim Francis Baldwin as part of his well-known series of Victorian stations in Maryland.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Closed access</ref> Rapid growth occurred shortly thereafter, and on April 5, 1878, the town was officially incorporated as the Town of Gaithersburg.

Gaithersburg boomed during the late 19th century and churches, schools, a mill, grain elevators, stores, and hotels were built. Much of this development focused around the railroad station.<ref name="Offutt" />

In 1899, Gaithersburg was selected as one of six global locations for the construction of an International Latitude Observatory as part of a project to measure the Earth's wobble on its polar axis. The Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory is (as of 2007) the only National Historic Landmark in the City of Gaithersburg. The observatory and five others in Japan, Italy, Russia, and the United States gathered information that is still used by scientists today, along with information from satellites, to determine polar motion; the size, shape, and physical properties of the earth; and to aid the space program through the precise navigational patterns of orbiting satellites. The Gaithersburg station operated until 1982 when computerization rendered the manual observation obsolete.

Late 20th century

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In 1968, Gaithersburg was upgraded from a town to a city.

Gaithersburg remained a predominantly rural farm town until the 1970s when more construction began. As the population grew, with homes spreading throughout the area, Gaithersburg began taking on a suburban and semi-urban feel, leaving its farming roots behind. During the late 1990s and 2000s, it had become one of the most economically and ethnically diverse areas in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area as well as the State of Maryland, with people from all walks of life calling Gaithersburg home. This can be seen in the local schools, with Gaithersburg High School and Watkins Mill High School having two of the most diverse student bodies in the region.

During a 1997 rainstorm, the 295-year-old forest oak tree that gave its name to the Forest Oak Post Office crashed down.<ref name=goesdown>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Closed access</ref> The tree served as the inspiration for the city's logo,<ref name= goesdown/> which is also featured prominently on the city's flag.<ref name= goesdown/>

21st century

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In 2007, parts of the film Body of Lies were filmed in the city, at a building on 100 Edison Park Drive. The film was released in 2008 and the building is now the Montgomery County Police Department's headquarters.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On July 16, 2010, Gaithersburg was part of the area where a 3.6 magnitude earthquake was felt, one of the strongest to occur in Maryland.

After years of decline and loss of tenants, including three of its four anchor stores in 2019, Lakeforest Mall closed on March 31, 2023,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> with plans to demolish it and redevelop the area.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Gaithersburg is also the location of the United States Army Reserve Legal Command.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">Template:Cite web</ref>

Demographics

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Template:US Census population

2022 ACS

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As of the 2022 American Community Survey, there were 68,952 people and 24,523 households in the town. The racial makeup of the town was 33% White, 13% Black, 15% Asian, and 1% from other races. Hispanic people of any race were 36% of the population.

The median household income was 95,453, and 6% of people were under the poverty line.

The average time to work was 30 minutes, 57% of people drove alone, 11% carpooled, 8% took public transit, 1% biked, 2% walked and 20% work from home.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2010 census

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As of the census<ref name="wwwcensusgov">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2010, there were 59,933 people, 22,000 households, and 14,548 families residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 23,337 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 31.9% non-Hispanic White, 16.3% African American, 0.5% Native American, 16.9% Asian (6.01 Chinese, 4.77% Indian, 2.03% Korean, 1.69% Filipino, 1.02% Vietnamese, 0.62% Burmese), 0.1% Pacific Islander, 10.7% from other races, and 4.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 24.2% of the population (8.3% Salvadoran, 2% Honduran, 1.9% Mexican, 1.9% Peruvian, 1.7% Guatemalan).

There were 22,000 households, of which 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.9% were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.24.

The median age in the city was 35.1 years. 24.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 33.8% were from 25 to 44; 24.6% were from 45 to 64; and 9.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.6% male and 51.4% females.

2000 census

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As of the census<ref name="GR2">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2000, there were 52,613 people, 19,621 households, and 12,577 families residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 20,674 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city is 34.7% White, 19.5% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 13.9% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.6% from other races, and 3.2% from two or more races. 24.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 34.3% of Gaithersburg's population was foreign-born.

There were 19,621 households, out of which 34.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.14 the population was spread out, with 25.0% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 37.7% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males.

Economy

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According to the city's 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the top employers in the city are:

# Employer # of Employees
1 AstraZeneca (formerly MedImmune) 4,000
2 National Institute of Standards and Technology 2,798
3 Leidos (merged with Lockheed Martin) 1,515
4 Asbury Methodist Village 771
5 Hughes Network Systems, LLC 729
6 Sodexo USA 536
7 Adventist HealthCare 495
8 GeneDx 350
9 Kaiser Permanente 350
10 Emergent BioSolutions 347

Gaithersburg also receives significant income from its conference organization platform including prominent conferences such as the CHI 84 conference.

Patton Electronics was founded in Gaithersburg during 1984. <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Government

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Presidential election results in Gaithersburg<ref name="Dave's">Template:Cite web</ref>
Year Democratic Republican Others
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2020 style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|77.5% 21,286 style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|20.0% 5,487 2.5% 694
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2016 style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|75.2% 18,987 style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|19.1% 4,820 5.7% 1,430

Template:Hidden end Gaithersburg has an elected, five-member City Council, which serves as the legislative body of the city. The mayor, who is also elected, serves as non-voting president of the council. The day-to-day administration of the city is overseen by a career city manager.

The city's current mayor is Jud Ashman, who has held the office since 2014. On October 6, 2014, the Gaithersburg City Council selected city council member Jud Ashman to serve as mayor until the next City of Gaithersburg election in November 2015, replacing resigning mayor Sidney Katz. Ashman was re-elected in November 2015 and would be re-elected to full terms in 2017 and 2021.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Position Name In office
since 		Next Election
Mayor Jud Ashman 2015 2025
Council (At Large) Lisa Henderson 2021 2025
Council (At Large) Jim McNulty 2021 2025
Council (At Large) Neil Harris 2014 2027
Council (At Large) Yamil Hernández 2023 2027
Council (At Large) Robert Wu 2015 2027

Previous mayors include:

  1. George W. Meem 1898–1904
  2. Carson Ward 1904–1906
  3. John W. Walker 1906–1908
  4. E. D. Kingsley 1908–1912
  5. Richard H. Miles 1912–1918
  6. John W. Walker 1918–1924
  7. Walter M. Magruder 1924–1926
  8. William McBain 1926–1948
  9. Harry C. Perry, Sr. 1948–1954
  10. Merton F. Duvall 1954–1966
  11. John W. Griffith 1966–1967
  12. Harold C. Morris 1967–1974
  13. Susan E. Nicholson, May–September 1974
  14. Milton M. Walker 1974–1976
  15. B. Daniel Walder 1976–1978
  16. Bruce A. Goldensohn 1978–1986
  17. W. Edward Bohrer, Jr. 1986–1998
  18. Sidney A. Katz 1998 – 2014
  19. Jud Ashman, November 2014 – Present

The departments of the city of Gaithersburg and their directors include:

  • Office of the City Manager, Tanisha R. Briley
  • Finance and Administration, Janice Hartman
  • Planning and Code Administration, John Schlichting
  • Community, Neighborhood and Housing Services, Tom Lonergan-Seeger
  • Human Resources, Kimberly Yocklin
  • Information Technology, Ruth Lutero
  • Parks, Recreation, and Culture, Carolyn Muller
  • Chief of Police, Mark Sroka
  • Public Works, Anthony Berger

Education

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The following Montgomery County Public Schools are located in Gaithersburg:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Div col

Elementary schools

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  • Brown Station
  • Darnestown
  • Diamond
  • DuFief
  • Fields Road
  • Flower Hill
  • Gaithersburg
  • Goshen
  • Harriet R. Tubman
  • Jones Lane
  • Judith A. Resnik
  • Laytonsville
  • Rachel Carson
  • Rosemont
  • South Lake
  • Stedwick
  • Strawberry Knoll
  • Summit Hall
  • Thurgood Marshall
  • Washington Grove
  • Watkins Mill
  • Whetstone
  • Woodfield

Middle schools

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High schools

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Template:Div col end

Media

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Template:See also Gaithersburg is primarily served by the Washington, D.C. media market.

Newspapers

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Infrastructure

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Police

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Template:Main Being a city, Gaithersburg also has its own police department, which was created in 1963.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Transportation

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Roads and highways

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File:2019-07-12 11 49 53 View south along Interstate 270 (Washington National Pike) from the overpass for the ramp from southbound Interstate 270 to eastbound Interstate 370 in Gaithersburg, Montgomery County, Maryland.jpg
I-270 southbound at the interchange with I-370 in Gaithersburg

The most prominent highways serving Gaithersburg are Interstate 270 and Interstate 370. I-270 is the main highway leading northwest out of metropolitan Washington, D.C., beginning at Interstate 495 (the Capital Beltway) and proceeding northwestward to Interstate 70 in Frederick. I-370 is a short spur, starting just west of I-270 in Gaithersburg and heading east to its junction with Maryland Route 200. Via MD 200, I-370 connects Gaithersburg with Interstate 95 near Laurel.

Maryland Route 355 was the precursor to I-270 and follows a parallel route. It now serves as the main commercial roadway through Gaithersburg and neighboring communities. Other state highways serving Gaithersburg include Maryland Route 117, Maryland Route 119 and Maryland Route 124. Maryland Route 28 passes just outside the Gaithersburg corporate limits.

Transit

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File:MARCtrainGaithersburgmd.jpg
A MARC train stopped at Gaithersburg station in Montgomery County MD.

Gaithersburg is connected to the Washington Metro via Shady Grove station, which is located just outside the city limits and is the north-western terminus of the Red Line.

Maryland's MARC system operates commuter rail services connecting Gaithersburg to Washington, D.C., with two stations in the city, at Old Town Gaithersburg and Metropolitan Grove, and a third station — Washington Grove — just outside city limits.

Bus service in Gaithersburg consists of Metrobus routes operated by WMATA and Ride-On routes operated by Montgomery County, as well as paratransit service provided by MetroAccess.

Two bus rapid transit lines are proposed in Gaithersburg, but as yet unbuilt: A Flash BRT line along Frederick Avenue (Maryland Route 355) in the eastern half of the city, and the Corridor Cities Transitway in the western half of the city.

Airport

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Montgomery County Airpark is located 3 miles (5 km) northeast of the city.

Notable people

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Notes

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References

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Further reading

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