Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Damascus, MD
Thinking about moving to Damascus, MD? This friendly community of 17,224 combines a suburban feel with top-rated schools and a highly educated population—over 50% hold bachelor’s degrees or higher. The median home price is around $539,000, rents average $2,120, and the cost of living sits above the national average. Residents enjoy a low violent crime rate (109 per 100k), plenty of sunny days, and reasonable commutes to nearby employment hubs. Explore quality schools, healthcare, and a welcoming atmosphere in Damascus as you plan your move.
Demographics - Damascus, MD
Demographics - Damascus, MD
Damascus, MD is home to about 17,224 residents, offering a balanced mix of age groups and a median age close to 40. The population is primarily White, with significant Black, Asian, and other minority communities, and nearly 14% of residents speak a language other than English at home. The area provides a suburban atmosphere with moderate population density and a nearly even gender distribution.
Population:
17,224
Density:
1,200 per sq mi
Median Age:
39.8
Gender Ratio:
97 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
13.8%
Ethnic Composition
White:
63.5%
Black:
12.1%
Asian:
7.4%
Others:
17.0%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in Damascus, MD?
The cost of living in Damascus is higher than the national average, with a cost of living index of 135. Housing is a major factor, with median home values at $539,000 and average rents around $2,120 per month. Residents can expect moderate utility and transportation expenses, while state taxes range from 2.0% to 5.75%.
Median House Value:
$539,000
Gross Rent:
$2,120
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$145
Auto Insurance:
$1,620
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$2,650
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$820
State Taxes:
Low:
2.0%
|
High:
5.75%
Cost Of Living Index:
135.0
Grocery:
111.5
Housing:
145.2
Utilities:
104.8
Transportation:
116.5
Health Care:
108.7
Miscellaneous:
106.2
Crime
Is Damascus, MD a safe place to live?
Damascus maintains a low violent crime rate of 109 incidents per 100,000 people, making it a relatively safe community. The chance of experiencing property crime is about 1 in 87, which is below many national averages. Overall, the area provides peace of mind for residents concerned with safety.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
109
Property Crimes Per 100k:
1,150
Crime Index:
1,259
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 915
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 87
Weather
What is the weather like in Damascus, MD year-round?
Damascus experiences all four seasons, with cold winters averaging lows of 25°F and warm summers reaching highs near 87°F. The area sees about 42 inches of annual rainfall and enjoys sunny weather around 54% of the year. This climate supports a variety of outdoor activities throughout the year.
Winter
Min:
25°F
Max:
41°F
Spring
Min:
46°F
Max:
69°F
Summer
Min:
65°F
Max:
87°F
Fall
Min:
49°F
Max:
71°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
42.2 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
54%
Neighbors
Residents of Damascus enjoy high household incomes, with the median household income exceeding $130,000 and a low poverty rate of just 4.1%. The community is well-educated, with over 94% holding a high school diploma and more than half possessing a bachelor’s degree or higher. Commute times average about 39 minutes, reflecting its suburban location near employment centers.
Median Income:
$54,500
Household Income:
$130,300
Family Income:
$142,000
Per Capita Income:
$54,500
Income Male:
$71,200
Income Female:
$59,900
Poverty Rate:
4.1%
Non English Speakers:
13.8%
Rent:
$2,120
Unemployment Rate:
3.2%
Public Transport Usage:
5.1%
Commute Time:
39.2 minutes
Education
High School or Higher:
94.5%
Bachelors or More:
50.3%
Education
How are the schools in Damascus, MD?
Damascus boasts strong public schools, including Damascus High School and Baker Middle School, both known for favorable student-teacher ratios. A variety of private and parochial options, as well as proximity to higher education institutions like Montgomery College and Hood College, provide comprehensive educational opportunities. Families moving to Damascus benefit from quality schooling at all levels.
Public Schools
Name:
Damascus High School
Street:
25921 Ridge Rd
Phone:
301-253-7030
Students:
1,300
Student Teacher Ratio:
15.4
Name:
Baker Middle School
Street:
25400 Oak Dr
Phone:
301-253-7030
Students:
850
Student Teacher Ratio:
14.6
Private Schools
Name:
St. Paul Catholic School
Street:
4822 Damascus Rd
Phone:
301-253-5414
Students:
220
Colleges
Name:
Montgomery College - Germantown Campus
City:
Germantown
State:
MD
Distance:
8 miles
Students:
7,500
Name:
Hood College
City:
Frederick
State:
MD
Distance:
22 miles
Students:
2,100
Healthcare
Damascus offers convenient access to reputable healthcare facilities, including Holy Cross Germantown Hospital and Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove, both providing emergency services nearby. The physician availability is strong at 3.1 per 1,000 residents, and nearly 96% of locals have health insurance coverage. Healthcare services are comprehensive and accessible for families and individuals.
Major Hospitals
Name:
Holy Cross Germantown Hospital
Address:
19801 Observation Dr, Germantown, MD 20876
Phone:
(301) 557-6000
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove
Address:
9901 Medical Center Dr, Rockville, MD 20850
Phone:
(240) 826-6000
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
3.1
Health Insurance Coverage:
95.6%
Health Care Index:
77.4
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in Damascus, MD?
The housing market in Damascus is predominantly owner-occupied, with over 83% of homes owned by residents. The median home price stands at $539,000, and the area has seen steady home appreciation at 4.5% in the past year. Rental options are available with average rates for a two-bedroom apartment around $2,120, and vacancy and foreclosure rates remain low.
Median Home Price:
$539,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$2,120
Owner Occupied Rate:
83.4%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
4.2%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
4.5%
New Construction Rate:
1.1%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.3%
DMV Information
Damascus residents are served by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, located in Glen Burnie. The DMV offers a full range of vehicle and licensing services, and more information can be found on the official Maryland MVA website. Access to state motor vehicle resources is straightforward for new arrivals.
State:
Maryland
Department:
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration
Address:
6601 Ritchie Highway NE, Glen Burnie, MD 21062
Phone:
1-410-768-7000
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.