Germantown is home to a diverse mix of residential neighborhoods, suburban retail centers and office parks, research and development establishments, and public institutions. It is located north of Gaithersburg and borders Boyds and Montgomery Village.
The life sciences and retail businesses are particularly local strong employers, and the Germantown MARC train station, I-270 freeway, and local bus service offer connectivity to Montgomery County and the National Capital region. According to the 2020 Census, Germantown is the third most populous place in Maryland with a population of 91,000. The area is served by the Germantown Transit Center which provides Ride On bus service to the WMATA Shady Grove Station along with other designations.