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Bethesda, Maryland
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Bethesda, Maryland

Panorama of downtown Bethesda (taken from the Residence Inn Bethesda at 7335 Wisconsin Avenue.)

Location of Bethesda, Maryland

Coordinates: 38°59′5″N 77°6′47″W
Country United States
State Maryland
County Montgomery
Area
- Total 13.2 sq mi (34.2 km²)
- Land 13.1 sq mi (34.0 km²)
- Water 0.0 sq mi (0.1 km²)
Elevation 318 ft (97 m)
Population (2000)
- Total 55,277
- Density 4,205.8/sq mi (1,623.9/km²)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes 20800-20899
Area code(s) 301
FIPS code 24-07125
GNIS feature ID 0583184
Bethesda is an urbanized, but unincorporated, area in southern Montgomery County, Maryland, just Northwest of Washington, D.C. It takes its name from a church located there, the Bethesda Presbyterian Church, built in 1820 and rebuilt in 1850, which in turn took its name from Jerusalem's Pool of Bethesda. (In Aramaic, beth hesda means "house of mercy".)
As an unincorporated area, Bethesda has no official boundaries. The United States Census Bureau defines a Census-Designated Place named Bethesda whose center is located at 38°59' North, 77°7' West. The United States Geological Survey has defined Bethesda as an area whose center is at 38°58′50″N, 77°6′2″W, slightly different from the Census Bureau's definition. Other definitions are used by the Bethesda Urban Planning District, the United States Postal Service, and other organizations. As of 2000, the Census-defined community had a total population of 55,277.
Contents [hide]
1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History
4 Landmarks
5 Notable residents and natives
6 References
7 External links
[edit]Geography



Boundaries of Bethesda CDP as of 2003
Bethesda is located at 38°59′5″N, 77°6′47″W (38.984660, -77.113135)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 34.2 km² (13.2 mi²). 34.0 km² (13.1 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.38%) is water.
The main commercial corridor that runs through Bethesda is Maryland Route 355 (known as Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda and as Rockville Pike and Hungerford Drive in more northern communities), which, to the north, connects Bethesda with the communities of Kensington and Rockville, ending, after several name changes, in Frederick, Maryland. Toward the South, Rockville Pike becomes Wisconsin Avenue near the NIH Campus and continues beyond Bethesda through Chevy Chase, Friendship Heights, Maryland and into Washington, DC, ending in Georgetown.
The area commonly known as "downtown Bethesda" is centered at the intersection of Route 355 (Wisconsin Avenue) with Maryland Route 187 (Old Georgetown Road), and Maryland Route 410 (called "East-West Highway"). Much of the dense construction in that area followed the opening of the Bethesda station on the Red Line of the Washington Metro rapid transit system, also located at this intersection and the centerpiece of the Bethesda Metro Center development. The "downtown," which includes the restaurant districts of Bethesda Row and Woodmont Triangle, lies about 0.7 miles south of Bethesda's other Red Line stop, Medical Center, which serves the NIH Campus and the National Naval Medical Center. Bethesda Row and Woodmont Triangle are under heavy development, including several luxury condominiums, restaurants, and businesses.
The outer rim of Bethesda is known for older houses that still hold a strong value in today’s residential market. Even with the great “bubble burst” in 2006, Bethesda real estate seems to be holding strong. As of November 2, homes are for sale in Bethesda alone for an average price of $994,900, a price change up from October +7.6%. Bethesda Zip codes ******* 20814, 20816, and 20817.
[edit]Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1960 56,527
—
1970 71,621 26.7%
1980 62,736 -12.4%
1990 62,936 0.3%
2000 55,277 -12.2%
source: [1]
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 55,277 people, 23,659 households, and 14,455 families residing in the defined area. The population density was 1,624.2/km² (4,205.8/mi²). There were 24,368 housing units at an average density of 716.0/km² (1,854.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the community was 85.86% White, 2.67% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 7.92% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.23% from other races, and 2.11% from two or more races. 5.43% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 23,659 households out of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the community the population was spread out with 21.9% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 87.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.0 males.
Bethesda is a wealthy and well-educated area. According to the 2000 Census, Bethesda is the best-educated city in the United States of America with a population of 50,000 or more. 79% of residents 25 or older have bachelor's degrees and 49% have graduate or professional degrees. The median income for a household is $99,102, and the median income for a family was $130,160. Males had a median income of $84,797 versus $57,569 for females. The per capita income for the area was $58,479. About 1.7% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 4.1% of those age 65 or over. Many commute to Washington D.C. for work.
Bethesda is often associated with its neighboring communities, Potomac, MD, Chevy Chase, MD, Great Falls, VA, and McLean, VA for their similar demographics.
[edit]History

Bethesda is situated along a major thoroughfare that was originally the route of an ancient Native American trail. Between 1805 and 1820, it was developed into a toll road to carry tobacco and other products between Georgetown and Frederick. Starting around 1920, various sections of the road were paved and widened. The route is now known as Wisconsin Avenue, becoming Rockville Pike just north of the Bethesda town center.[citation needed]
The community of Bethesda took its name from the Bethesda Meeting House, a Presbyterian church built in 1820 on the present site of the Cemetery of the Bethesda Meeting House, located now at 9400 Rockville Pike. The church burnt in 1850 and was rebuilt the same year about 100 yards south at its present site. In 1871, the local post office adopted the name "Bethesda" from the church and in due course the surrounding area generally took on the name.[citation needed]
This short section requires expansion.
[edit]Landmarks



Building 50 at NIH.
Important institutions located in Bethesda ******* the National Institutes of Health campus, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division. Bethesda is also home to the National Naval Medical Center, commonly referred to as Bethesda Naval Hospital, where many famous Americans such as Senator Joseph McCarthy died, and the John F. Kennedy autopsy was performed. Adjoining the hospital to the east is the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS).
The headquarters of defense conglomerate Lockheed Martin, managed health care company Coventry Health Care and hotel and resort chains Marriott International and Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. are located in Bethesda. Software company Bethesda Softworks was originally located in Bethesda, but moved to Rockville, Maryland in 1990. The Discovery Channel also had its headquarters in Bethesda before relocating to Silver Spring in 2004. Bethesda is renowned for its extensive collection of restaurants—180 were listed at the end of 2004—offering cuisine ranging from Afghan to Vietnamese. Bethesda is also home to two vibrant farmers markets, the Montgomery Farm Woman's Cooperative Market and the Bethesda Farmer's Market, as well as numerous cinemas and art galleries.
Also located in downtown Bethesda is one of just 12 Madonna of the Trail monuments, erected by the National Old Trails Association working in concert with the Daughters of the American Revolution. Judge Harry S. Truman, later 33rd President of the United States, presided over the dedication of the Bethesda monument, on April 19, 1929. Eleven others were erected as well, and they stretch from Upland, California to Bethesda, the easternmost of these monuments, which commemorate the spirit of pioneer women during the westward expansion of the U.S.A. Nearby is the Bethesda Post Office, probably the oldest standing building in the downtown area. Also starting in the heart of downtown Bethesda, is the Capital Crescent Trail Capital Crescent Trail which follows the old tracks of the B&O Railroad stretching from Georgetown, Washington, D.C. to Silver Spring, MD.
Bethesda is also home to the Burning Tree Club and the Bethesda Country Club.
In addition, Bethesda has many good public schools. Bethesda's primary public high schools were ranked by Newsweek Magazine in 2006 as among the best in the country. Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School was ranked 34th nationally, Walter Johnson High School ranked 101st and Walt Whitman High School was ranked 116th.
[edit]Notable residents and natives

Matthew Abend, comedian
Jess Atkinson, former NFL kicker
Red Auerbach, former Boston Celtics GM and coach (deceased October 28, 2006)
Michelle Bachelet, president of Chile
William Peter Blatty, critically acclaimed writer of The Exorcist among other works
John R. Bolton, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and former Under Secretary of State
L. Paul Bremer, former Director of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance for post-war Iraq
David Brooks, a New York Times editorial writer, and author of several books
James Brown, sports announcer
Gary Clark, former Washington Redskin and Two-Time Super Bowl Champion
E.J. Dionne, author and journalist, known for Why Americans Hate Politics: The Death of the Democratic Process
John Feinstein, author, columnist and reporter
Douglas Feith, former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy in the Department of Defense.
Thomas Friedman, a New York Times editorial writer, and author of several books.
John Glenn, former astronaut and United States Senator
Jeff Halpern, Dallas Stars forward
Robert Hays, actor, known for role in Airplane!, born in Bethesda on July 24, 1947
Jack Kemp, Vice Presidential Candidate, Former HUD Secretary, Former US Congressman, and Former Buffalo Bills Quarterback
Jeane Kirkpatrick, former American ambassador, known for her Kirkpatrick Doctrine on foreign politics
Gary Michael Krist, a writer and journalist
Tim Kurkjian, ESPN reporter and Baseball Tonight analyst
Marie Levens, former minister for foreign affairs of Suriname
Paul Light
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, heiress and critically acclaimed actress. Raised in Bethesda and graduated from the Holton-Arms School
J.W. Marriott, Jr., Chairman and CEO, Marriott International
Brian McComas, country music artist
Paul Mirengoff, attorney and co-author of Power Line blog
Jim Moody, Former Wisconsin congressman
Bruce Morrison, Former US Congressman and Connecticut Gubernatorial candidate
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, author
Ann Brashares, author, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Maury Povich, talk-show host. Resides part-time in Bethesda with his wife, Connie Chung
Cokie Roberts, American journalist, author, and contributor to NPR
Dennis Ross, author, director of policy planning in the State Department under George W. Bush, and Middle East coordinator under Bill Clinton
John Schiavone, ambassador of Mexico
Eunice Kennedy Shriver and her husband Sargent Shriver, Jr. live in Bethesda, near the Potomac border
David Willman, Pulitzer prize winning journalist
Dainius Zubrus, ice hockey right winger and centre currently playing for the New Jersey Devils