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Silver Spring, MD

Frequently asked questions

Silver Spring, MD

Silver Spring is a census-designated place (CDP) in southeastern Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, near Washington, D.C. Although officially unincorporated, it is an edge city with a population of 81,015 at the 2020 census, making it the fifth-most populous place in Maryland after Baltimore, Columbia, Germantown, and Waldorf.

Downtown Silver Spring, located next to the northern tip of Washington, D.C., is the oldest and most urbanized area of Silver Spring, surrounded by several inner suburban residential neighborhoods inside the Capital Beltway. Many mixed-use developments combining retail, residential, and office space have been built since 2004.

Silver Spring takes its name from a mica-flecked spring discovered there in 1840 by Francis Preston Blair, who subsequently bought much of the area's surrounding land. Acorn Park, south of downtown, is believed to be the site of the original spring.

As an unincorporated census-designated place, Silver Spring's boundaries are not consistently defined. As of the 2010 census, the U.S. Census Bureau gives Silver Spring a total area of 7.92 square miles (20.5 km2), which is all land; however, the CDP contains some creeks and small ponds. This definition is a 15% reduction from the 9.4 square miles (24 km2) used in previous years. 

Silver Spring contains the following neighborhoods: Downtown Silver Spring, East Silver Spring, Woodside, Woodside Park, Lyttonsville, North Hills Sligo Park, Long Branch, Indian Spring, Goodacre Knolls, Franklin Knolls, Montgomery Knolls, Clifton Park Village, New Hampshire Estates, and Oakview. 

The U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Postal Service, Silver Spring Urban Planning District, and Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce, each use their own slightly different definitions. The Postal Service in particular assigns Silver Spring mailing addresses to a large swath of eastern Montgomery County sometimes called "Greater Silver Spring", including Four Corners, Woodmoor, Wheaton, Glenmont, Forest Glen, Forest Glen Park, Aspen Hill, Hillandale, White Oak, Colesville, Colesville Park, Cloverly, Calverton, Briggs Chaney, Greencastle, Northwood Park, Ashton, Sandy Spring, Sunset Terrace, Fairland, Lyttonsville, Kemp Mill, a portion of Langley Park, and a portion of Adelphi. The area that has a Silver Spring mailing address is larger in area than any city in Maryland except Baltimore.

Landmarks in the downtown area include the AFI Silver Theatre, the National Museum of Health and Medicine, a branch of The Fillmore, and the headquarters of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Greater Silver Spring includes the headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the U.S.

Health and wellness are prominent in Silver Spring, with numerous facilities and initiatives aimed at promoting the well-being of its residents. Silver Spring is home to Holy Cross Health, a leading healthcare provider, ensuring that residents have access to quality medical services. Silver Spring Medical Center offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Start your relaxation journey at Potomac Massage Training Institute, known for its therapeutic massages. Engage in a unique spin class at AmeanSpinn, where fitness meets fun. RevampFIT offers personalized fitness training to help you meet your fitness goals. Experience rejuvenation with Kala Thai Massage, specializing in traditional Thai massage techniques. For a cozy, home-like spa experience, visit Fibre: A Homespun Spa.

Top sites in Silver Spring, MD are National Museum of Health and Medicine, Wheaton Regional Park, and Smithsonian National Zoological Park.

Population: 82,129 (2023). ZIP codes: 20901–20907; 20910. Area codes: 301, 240. Elevation: 341 ft (104 m). Area: 7.91 sq mi (20.49 km2).

FAQs

Is Silver Springs MD a good place to live?

Silver Spring is a town in Maryland with a population of 81,808. Silver Spring is in Montgomery County and is one of the best places to live in Maryland. Living in Silver Spring offers residents an urban feel and most residents rent their homes. In Silver Spring there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. The public schools in Silver Spring are highly rated.

What is Silver Spring MD known for?

Silver Spring is the culture and art hub of Montgomery County, Maryland, and is home to colorful murals, inviting community destinations, and performance venues. Located directly north of Washington, DC, Silver Spring is the place to visit for a family-friendly outing, weekend trip with friends, or romantic getaway. 

Is Silver Spring MD expensive to live in?

Silver Spring is ranked 14 out of 273 cities across the US in terms of cost of living. The cost of living in Silver Spring is 135.8% of the national average. The median home price in Silver Spring is $680,000 with a median price per sqft of $389. The cost of living index for housing estimates the cost of housing in Silver Spring to be 203.9% of the national average. This makes it one of the most expensive cities in the US.

Sources

Wikipedia

Montgomery County

Niche

Zero Down

Visit Montgomery

National Museum of Health and Medicine

Wheaton Regional Park

Smithsonian National Zoological Park

Holy Cross Health

Silver Spring Medical Center

Potomac Massage Training Institute

AmeanSpinn

RevampFIT

Kala Thai Massage

Fibre: A Homespun Spa

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