Takoma Park, Maryland

Takoma Park is a city in Montgomery County, Maryland. The name is from an American Indian word meaning "high up near heaven." As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 17,299.

Table of contents 1 History 2 Geography 3 Demographics 4 Law and Government 4.1 Mayor or City Executive 4.2 Representative body 5 Colleges and Universities

History Takoma Park was incorporated in 1890. For many years the Montgomery/Prince George's County line cut through the city, but pursuant to a popular referendum, in 1997 the county line was moved to include all of the city in Montgomery County, including some territory newly annexed to the city at the time. At one time an extension of Interstate 270[?] was proposed that would have cut the city in two. Sam Abbott and others campaigned to prevent this and were successful.

Geography Takoma Park is located at 38°58'48" North, 77°0'8" West (38.980060, -77.002341)¹.

The city of Takoma Park is just northeast of Washington, D.C. at latitude 38°59' North, longitude 77°0' West. The Takoma Park community (as distinct from the actual incorporated area) spills over the D. C.-Maryland line into the District, but the part inside the District is politically separate from the City of Takoma Park and not given an official identity within the District of Columbia.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.5 km² (2.1 mi²). 5.5 km² (2.1 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.

Demographics Takoma Park is an ethnically diverse city, with a large proportion of the population being recent immigrants.

As of the census of 2000, there are 17,299 people, 6,893 households, and 3,949 families residing in the city. The population density is 3,150.6/km² (8,152.4/mi²). There are 7,187 housing units at an average density of 1,308.9/km² (3,387.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 48.79% White, 33.97% African American, 0.44% Native American, 4.36% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 7.44% from other races, and 4.97% from two or more races. 14.42% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 6,893 households out of which 30.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.5% are married couples living together, 14.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 42.7% are non-families. 32.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.44 and the average family size is 3.13.

In the city the population is spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 35.9% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 8.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 89.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 85.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $48,490, and the median income for a family is $63,434. Males have a median income of $40,668 versus $35,073 for females. The per capita income for the city is $26,437. 10.3% of the population and 8.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 10.5% are under the age of 18 and 20.5% are 65 or older.

Law and Government Takoma Park is known as an extremely liberal community. (It was officially declared a "nuclear-free zone" by then Mayor Sam Abbott in 1983.) In accordance with this, the law allows even non-citizens to vote in municipal elections.

Mayor or City Executive

The current Mayor of Takoma Park is Katherine H. Porter (1997-). Among former mayors are:

• C. M. Heaton, the first Mayor of Takoma Park.
• Benjamin Franklin Gilbert (1890- )

• Oliver W. Youngblood (1948-1950)
• John C. Post (1950)
• Ross H. Beville (1950-1954)
• George M. Miller (1954-1972)
• John D. Roth (1972-1980)
• Sammie A. Abbott (1980-1986)
• Stephen J. Del Giudice (1986-1990)
• Edward F. Sharp (1990-1997)
• Bruce Williams (mayor pro tempore, 1997)

Representative body

Takoma Park has a City Council elected by wards.

Colleges and Universities

• Columbia Union College
• Montgomery College (Takoma Park Campus) (a 2-year institution)