Silver Spring, Maryland

Silver Spring is an urbanized, but unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland. It takes its name from a mica-flecked spring discovered by an early resident. A park in the downtown area of Silver Spring is the site of the original spring.

As an unincorporated area, Silver Spring's boundaries are not officially defined. The United States Census Bureau defines Silver Spring as a Census-Designated Place whose center is located at 39°1' North latitude, 77°1' West longitude. It is larger than any city in Maryland except for Baltimore. The United States Geological Survey locates the center of Silver Spring at 38°59'26" North, 77°1'35" West, notably some distance from the Census Bureau's datum. The definitions used by the Silver Spring Urban Planning District, the United States Postal Service, the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce[?], etc., are all different, each one defining it for their own purposes. As of the 2000 census, the community had a total population of 76,540.

Geography Silver Spring is located at 39°0'15" North, 77°1'8" West (39.004242, -77.019004)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the community has a total area of 24.4 km² (9.4 mi²). 24.4 km² (9.4 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 76,540 people, 30,374 households, and 17,616 families residing in the area. The population density is 3,137.2/km² (8,123.6/mi²). There are 31,208 housing units at an average density of 1,279.1/km² (3,312.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the community is 46.61% White, 28.07% African American, 0.44% Native American, 8.22% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 11.55% from other races, and 5.04% from two or more races. 22.22% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 30,374 households out of which 29.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.8% are married couples living together, 12.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 42.0% are non-families. 32.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.50 and the average family size is 3.21.

In the area the population is spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 37.0% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89.5 males.

The median income for a household in the area is $51,653, and the median income for a family is $60,631. Males have a median income of $38,124 versus $36,096 for females. The per capita income for the area is $26,357. 9.3% of the population and 6.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 11.7% are under the age of 18 and 9.7% are 65 or older.