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Gaithersburg, MD

Frequently asked questions

Gaithersburg, MD

Gaithersburg is a city in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. At the time of the 2020 census, Gaithersburg had a population of 69,657, making it the ninth-most populous community in the state. 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.

Gaithersburg is located east and west of Interstate 270. The eastern section includes the historic area of the town. Landmarks and buildings from that time can still be seen in many places, especially in the historic central business district of Gaithersburg called "Olde Towne". The east side also includes City Hall, the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, and Bohrer Park (a well-known joint community recreation center and outdoor water park for kids and families). The west side of the city has many wealthier neighborhoods that were designed with smart growth techniques and embrace New Urbanism. These include the Kentlands community, the Lakelands community, and the Washingtonian Center (better known as Rio), a shopping/business district. Two New Urbanism communities are under construction, including Watkins Mill Town Center (Casey East and West), and the massive "Science City". The state has a bus rapid transit line, Corridor Cities Transitway or "CCT", planned for the western portion of the city starting at Shady Grove Metro Station and connecting all the high-density western Gaithersburg neighborhoods with a total of eight stops planned in the city.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is headquartered in Gaithersburg directly west of I-270. Other major employers in the city include IBM, Lockheed Martin Information Systems and Global Services business area headquarters, AstraZeneca, and the French multinational corporation, Sodexo. 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. In 2023, Wallethub announced that Gaithersburg was back in the number one spot for diversity in the U.S.

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". 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 before Henry died in 1807. Gaither built his home on the land in 1802. By the 1850s the area had ceased to be called Log Town and was known to inhabitants as Gaithersburg. In 1968, Gaithersburg was upgraded from a town to a city.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.34 square miles (26.78 km²), of which 10.20 square miles (26.42 km²) is land and 0.14 square miles (0.36 km²) is water.

Gaithersburg places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Holy Cross Health Center offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Foundry Fitness offers personalized training programs tailored to individual needs, promoting overall fitness and well-being. Yoga Bliss provides a peaceful retreat with a variety of yoga classes tailored to different skill levels. For martial arts enthusiasts, Evolve Academy of Martial Arts offers comprehensive training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and self-defense. Gaithersburg Aquatic Center is perfect for swimming laps or participating in water aerobics. CorePower Yoga combines the physical and mental benefits of yoga with a modern, energetic twist. Kentlands Psychotherapy provides mental wellness services, including counseling and therapy sessions, essential for overall health.

Top sites in Gaithersburg, MD are Downtown Crown, iFLY Indoor Skydiving- Montgomery, Bowl America Gaithersburg, and Kentlands Mansion.

Area code(s): 301, 240. ZIP code(s): 20877, 20878, 20880, 20882. Elevation: 350 ft (106 m). Area: 10.34 square miles (26.78 km²). Population: 68,952 (2022).

FAQs

Is Gaithersburg MD a good place to live?

Gaithersburg is a great place to call home. Homes are conveniently located near restaurants, parks, movie theaters, and highways. In addition to great job opportunities, fun things to do, and enjoyable weather, it’s clean, green, and safe. Ideally located 20 miles northwest of Washington D.C., Gaithersburg is a wonderful community for people who seek a slower pace of life but want to maintain easy access to the hustle and bustle of the nation’s capital.

What is Gaithersburg MD famous for?

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 manual observation obsolete.

Is Gaithersburg MD expensive?

Gaithersburg, Maryland's cost of living is 40% higher than the national average. The cost of living in any area can vary based on factors such as your career, average salary, and the real estate market of that area. Gaithersburg's housing expenses are 120% higher than the national average and the utility prices are 10% higher than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 5% higher than the national average.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Gaithersburg

Zip Moving

Payscale

Downtown Crown 

iFLY Indoor Skydiving- Montgomery 

Bowl America Gaithersburg 

Kentlands Mansion

Holy Cross Health Center

Foundry Fitness

Yoga Bliss 

Evolve Academy of Martial Arts

Gaithersburg Aquatic Center

CorePower Yoga

Kentlands Psychotherapy

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