Potomac, Maryland Income Statistics
Potomac Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
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A+
Potomac Top grade
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Potomac | Maryland Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $206,987 | $103,916 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $131,049 | $75,715 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 1.6% | 4.0% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 42.7% | 20.7% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 58.1% | 20.3% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Potomac is about 99% higher than in Maryland. Income has been growing slower in Potomac (1.6%/yr) than in Maryland (4.0%/yr).
About 43% of adults in Potomac earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the Maryland average of 21%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Potomac, Maryland grew by 29.3% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $206,987 in 2024. That's an average of about 1.6% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Potomac
| Metric | Potomac | Maryland Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.500 | 0.534 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $135,839 | $84,327 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $128,207 | $72,201 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 5.6% | 14.4% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Potomac, it is 0.500, lower than Maryland's 0.534, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 6% more than women's income in Potomac, Maryland. Over a 35-year career, a 6% wage gap accumulates to roughly $267,120 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Potomac, Maryland has narrowed from about 25% to 6% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 30% in 2015. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $24,062 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Potomac | Maryland Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 37.8% | 19.3% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 28 | 28 | 22 |
Approximately 794 people are unemployed in Potomac, Maryland.
The average commute time in Potomac is 28 minutes, about the same as in Maryland.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Potomac, Maryland has risen from 3.1% to 3.7% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 4.2% in 2022 and fell as low as 3.0% in 2017.
Potomac, MD Wealth Compared With Nearby Cities
How Potomac, MD compares with the 2 cities closest to it.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potomac, MD | 43,455 | $206,987 #2/3 | 1.6%/yr #3/3 | 3.7% #3/3 | 0.500 #3/3 |
| McLean, VA | 50,555 | $209,744 | 1.7%/yr | 2.3% | 0.483 |
| North Bethesda, MD | 50,620 | $129,461 | 2.7%/yr | 3.5% | 0.483 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Potomac, Maryland has an overall wealth index grade of A+, making it far better than Maryland, and far better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Potomac, Maryland.
How Rich Is Potomac, Maryland?
Potomac has a wealth index grade of A+. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; an A+ grade means it is one of the most prosperous areas in the country. The median household income is $206,987, about 99% higher than the Maryland average of $103,916.
How fast is household income rising in Potomac, Maryland?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Potomac, Maryland rose 29%, from $160,030 to $206,987. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Maryland as a whole: +29% against +49%.
What was the median household income in Potomac in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Potomac, Maryland was $206,417, up 1% from $203,758 in 2022. The Maryland median that year was $101,974.
What was the median household income in Potomac in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Potomac, Maryland was $192,138. By 2024 it had risen 8% to $206,987.
Is Potomac, Maryland a high-income area?
Yes. 43% of adults in Potomac, Maryland earn $100,000 or more a year (about 1 in 2), against 21% (about 1 in 5) in Maryland. 58% of households have a combined income of $200,000 or more, compared with 20% in Maryland.
Is unemployment high in Potomac, Maryland?
Unemployment in Potomac, Maryland is only 3.7%, well below the Maryland rate of 4.8%, a sign of a tight labor market where employers compete for workers.
What is the Gini coefficient in Potomac, Maryland?
The Gini coefficient in Potomac is 0.500. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Potomac, Maryland?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Potomac, Maryland has narrowed from about 25% to 6% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 30% in 2015. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $24,062 since 2009.
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