Demographics

Montgomery County is home to some of the most diverse communities in the country. Diversity is essential to the county’s economic success as well as to our ability to produce high-quality housing, education, jobs, transportation, and recreational opportunities. Montgomery Planning’s role is to plan for the county’s land-use growth in the decades to come. In order to plan for the county’s residents, we must understand who they are. Our Research and Strategic Projects division produces in-depth analysis of the demographic characteristics of Montgomery County’s population, which currently is more than one million people. This research supports master plan recommendations, land use policy decisions, and serves as a valuable resource for local government officials and the public. On this page, you’ll find a variety of data on population characteristics through research publications and interactive tools.

Demographics snapshot

Interactive tools

Montgomery PopStats Map

This tool provides users with estimates of population, housing, and income characteristics for custom combinations of Census Block Groups in Montgomery County. Data are from the US Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates.

Languages Spoken in Montgomery County

This interactive map shows areas in Montgomery County that have sizeable concentrations of residents with limited English proficiency and the top foreign language spoken by residents in these areas. Data are from the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS), 2022 5-year estimates. In addition, you can also download a PDF version of Languages Spoken in Montgomery County map.

Illustration of diverse faces under the text "Trends in Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Montgomery County, MD, 1990-2020.

Montgomery County Trends: Racial and Ethnic Diversity Story Map

This story map describes racial and ethnic changes in Montgomery County over 1990-2020. Historical Decennial Census data are used to illustrate the trends and spatial concentration of four major groups (non-Hispanic Asian, Black, and White, and Hispanic) at the Census Tract level.

Image of 5 people representing different ethnicity, age, gender, and abilities standing or sitting at varying height below a dashed line representing equality. Animation places blue boxes of different heights under each person, raising the individual to reach the dashed line. Image illustrates equitable distribution of resources based on the needs of the recipients.

Equity Focus Areas Story Map

Equity Focus Areas are communities that may not have equitable access to resources or opportunities for employment and services that support a good quality of life. This award-winning visual representation of the Equity Focus Areas Analysis provides a critical tool to assess potential racial and social inequities and helps direct planning efforts that will foster more equitable outcomes for communities.

Reports

Countywide demographic analysis

Montgomery County Trends: A Look at People, Housing, Jobs Since 1990 – This study analyzed countywide population, housing, and employment trends between 1990 and 2016, with the goals of describing both major changes since the 1993 General Plan refinement and current conditions to inform needs assessments and policy discussions for Thrive Montgomery 2050, the most recent General Plan update completed in 2022.

QuickStats/Trends At-A-Glance

Demographic analysis by population group

Asian and Pacific Islander Population in Montgomery County

Women in Montgomery County

Black Population in Montgomery County

People with Disabilities in Montgomery County

Hispanic Population in Montgomery County / La población hispana en el condado de Montgomery

Demographic analysis by geography

Demographic Profile of Montgomery County’s Council Districts (2022) – Presented to the County Council, January 24, 2023: Download slides | Watch video

Demographic Profile of Montgomery County’s Council Districts (2016)

Friendship Heights Village Demographics – This presentation highlights key demographic characteristics of the Village of Friendship Heights and was delivered at the Village Council’s October 16, 2023 meeting. A recording of this meeting can be accessed on the Village of Friendship Heights website.