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Olney, MD

Frequently asked questions

Olney, MD

Olney is a U.S. census-designated place and an unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland. It is located in the north-central part of the county, ten miles (16 km) north of Washington, D.C. 

Olney was largely agricultural until the 1960s when the growth of Washington, D.C.'s suburbs led to its conversion into a mostly residential area. It has a total population of 35,820 as of the 2020 United States census.

In 1763, Richard Brooke received a patent for a tract of land located in the Province of Maryland. Originally known as Mechanicsville, the village which became Olney was established in 1800. The area was mostly farmland, but it soon began attracting artisans. Early residents Sarah Brooke and Dr. Charles Farquhar were devotees of the English poet William Cowper and named their home after the poet's hometown of Olney in England. The area was later named for their home, which still stands and is known as the Olney House. In the town's center was a blacksmith, William Kelley's wheelwright shop, Canby's pottery factory, and a Benedict Duley's store.

The Brooke family held the largest tracts of land in Olney, whose central village was at the intersection of the Rockville to Baltimore road, and the one which connected Washington with Westminster to the north. The Quaker community in Sandy Springs thrived just to Olney's east. The Sandy Spring Museum is a historical museum featuring educational programs and displays. St. John's Episcopal Church was established in 1842 and survives to this day.

Although not as involved in the Civil War as areas of Maryland to the west, Olney residents still experienced the tug-of-war between loyalty to the plantation economy of the South and to the Federal government in Maryland's midst. Both Union and Confederate forces made stops in Olney during the war. Union Generals George B. McClellan and Ambrose Burnside led soldiers through the Maryland Campaign in 1862. During the Gettysburg Campaign in 1863, Confederate General J. E. B. Stuart marched between 10,000 and 20,000 troops north through the village and raided it of supplies, including horses and crops from surrounding farms in which they bivouacked.

Olney served as the original headquarters of the Emergency Management Institute, founded in 1951 as the Civil Defense Staff College (CDSC) to provide training for civil defense. While there, the college built "Rescue Street," a training center designed to resemble atomic bomb ruins.The CDSC was soon relocated to Battle Creek, Michigan due to security concerns of a potential attack on Washington, D.C. during the Cold War.

Olney has a total area of 13.0 square miles (34 km²), all land.

Olney's town center sits at the intersection of state Route 97 (Georgia Avenue) and Route 108 (Olney-Laytonsville Road). The town, larger than any other in the neighboring areas, lies south of Brookeville, west of Sandy Springs, east-northeast of Gaithersburg, north-northeast of Rockville, and north of Aspen Hill.

Olney places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. MedStar Montgomery Medical Center offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Southeast Olney Local Park, Onelife Fitness Olney, and Gold’s Gym offer personalized training programs tailored to individual needs, promoting overall fitness and well-being. Enjoy a relaxing day at Blueberry Gardens, a unique event promoting holistic health practices. For chiropractic care, visit Moss Chiropractic and Wellness to address any musculoskeletal issues. 

Top sites in Onley, MD: Cherrywood Local Park, Olney Manor Recreational Park, Olney Golf Park

ZIP codes: 20830, 20832, 20833. Area code(s): 301, 240. Elevation: 541 ft (165 m). Area: 13.0 square miles (34 km²). Population: 35,820 (2020)

FAQs

Is Olney, MD a good place to live?

Olney is in Montgomery County and is one of the best places to live in Maryland. Living in Olney offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Olney, there are a lot of parks. The public schools in Olney are highly rated.

What is the history of Olney, MD?

In 1763, Richard Brooke received a patent for a tract of land located in the Province of Maryland. Originally known as Mechanicsville, the village which became Olney was established in 1800. The area was mostly farmland, but it soon began attracting artisans. Early residents Sarah Brooke and Dr. Charles Farquhar were devotees of the English poet William Cowper and named their home after the poet's hometown of Olney in England. The area was later named for their home, which still stands and is known as the Olney House. In the town's center was a blacksmith, William Kelley's wheelwright shop, Canby's pottery factory, and a Benedict Duley's store.

What are the demographics of Olney, MD?

At the 2010 U.S. Census, there were 33,844 people, 11,606 households, and 9,447 families residing in the area. The population density was 2,603.4 inhabitants per square mile (1,005.2/km²). There were 11,879 housing units at an average density of 913.8 per square mile (352.8/km²). The ethnic makeup of the area was 75.1% White, 11.9% African American, 12.0% Asian, 8.5% Hispanic or Latino, and 0.53% Native American. 3.1% of the population identifies with "Some Other Race."

Sources

Wikipedia

Montgomery County

Niche

Cherrywood Local Park

Olney Manor Recreational Park

Olney Golf Park

MedStar Montgomery Medical Center

Onelife Fitness Olney

Blueberry Gardens

Moss Chiropractic and Wellness

Southeast Olney Local Park

Gold’s Gym

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.