ZIP Code 20817: Population, Income, Housing

State: MD

Total population: 37,454 Household income: $249,332 Rent: $3,185

Overview

Total population

37,454

Rent

$3,185

Year built

1969

Household income

$249,332

Per capita income

$127,135

Poverty rate

Unemployment rate

N/A

Household size

2.7 persons

Rent over 30% of income

37.6%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State

Maryland

County

Montgomery County

City

Bethesda

Total population

37,454

Adults over 25

25,850

Total households

13,660

Household size

2.7 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Income & Poverty

Household income

$249,332

Per capita income

$127,135

Poverty rate

Unemployment rate

N/A

Rent over 30% of income

37.6%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Housing

Rent

$3,185

Year built

1969

Households that rent

18.6%

Households that own

81.4%

Rooms per home (all homes)

10.0

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Race

White

62.8%

Black

6.2%

Asian

16.9%

Two or more races

12%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino

8.9%

Not Hispanic or Latino

91.1%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Commute

Commute rate

11,216 (61.3%)

Commute time to work

29 mins

Work from home

7,090 (38.7%)

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Education

Less than high school

High school graduate or GED

4.7%

Some college or associate degree

2.7%

Bachelor’s degree or higher

85.6%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Comparison of ZIP Code 20817 with: Montgomery County, MD Bethesda, MD Washington metro area, DC-VA-MD-WV Maryland United States

ZIP 20817

Total population37,454

Rent$3,185

Year built1969

Household income$249,332

Per capita income$127,135

Poverty rate4%

Unemployment rateN/A

Montgomery County, MD

Total population1,065,949

Rent$2,068

Year built1980

Household income$132,450

Per capita income$67,571

Poverty rate7.5%

Unemployment rate2.4%

Bethesda, MD

Total population69,397

Rent$2,469

Year built1970

Household income$192,237

Per capita income$120,363

Poverty rate4.3%

Unemployment rateN/A

Washington Metro Area, DC-VA-MD-WV

Total population6,318,377

Rent$2,027

Year built1983

Household income$126,684

Per capita income$63,554

Poverty rate8.1%

Unemployment rate3%

Maryland State

Total population6,206,011

Rent$1,705

Year built1979

Household income$103,678

Per capita income$52,979

Poverty rate9.4%

Unemployment rate3%

United States

Total population334,922,499

Rent$1,413

Year built1980

Household income$80,734

Per capita income$44,673

Poverty rate12.5%

Unemployment rate4%

Metric	ZIP20817	CountyMontgomery, MD	CDPBethesda, MD	Metro AreaWashington metro area, DC-VA-MD-WV	StateMaryland	CountryUnited States
Total population	37,454	1,065,949	69,397	6,318,377	6,206,011	334,922,499
Rent	$3,185	$2,068	$2,469	$2,027	$1,705	$1,413
Year built	1969	1980	1970	1983	1979	1980
Household income	$249,332	$132,450	$192,237	$126,684	$103,678	$80,734
Per capita income	$127,135	$67,571	$120,363	$63,554	$52,979	$44,673
Poverty rate	4%	7.5%	4.3%	8.1%	9.4%	12.5%
Unemployment rate	N/A	2.4%	N/A	3%	3%	4%

View the full multi-level comparison →

Summary for 20817

Rent & Income

In 20817, the typical monthly rent is $3,185 and the typical household income is $249,332. Rent here is higher than in both Bethesda CDP and Maryland, and household income is also higher than in both. The estimated poverty rate is 4%, which is lower than in both Bethesda CDP and Maryland.

Housing & Affordability

This ZIP Code is primarily owner-occupied, with renters accounting for about 18.6% of households. Around 37.6% of renters are cost-burdened, indicating a moderate level of rent pressure.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is very high, with about 85.6% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher.

ZIP 20817 — Rent vs Household Income

ZIP 20817 — Poverty

How ZIP 20817 compares in Maryland (86 ZIP Codes)

Metric	This ZIP	Rank	Starts from	State range
Rent	$3,185	85 / 86	from lower rent	$773 – $3,501
Household income	$249,332	2 / 86	from higher income	$38,409 – $250,001
Poverty rate	4%	6 / 86	from lower poverty	2.6% – 31.6%

Rankings are calculated among ZIP Codes in Maryland with total population > 30,000 (year 2024).

Detailed Ranking Explanation for ZIP Code 20817

Rent

Looking at rent levels, ZIP Code 20817 places 85th out of 86 ZIP Codes in Maryland. Throughout Maryland, numbers span from $773 in ZIP 21502 up to $3,501 in ZIP 20854.

Household income

In terms of earnings, this ZIP comes 2nd out of 86 ZIP Codes. At the state level, values extend from $38,409 in ZIP 21217 up to $250,001 in ZIP 20854.

Poverty rate

In terms of poverty rate, ZIP Code 20817 comes 6th out of 86 ZIP Codes. In Maryland as a whole, the range goes from 2.6% in ZIP 20854 up to 31.6% in ZIP 21217.

💰 Rent in ZIP Code 20817 (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $3,185 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing — including the apartment or home and essential utilities like heat, water, and electricity.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in ZIP Code 20817

Annual Household Income: $249,332

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in the ZIP code — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in ZIP Code 20817

Estimated Rate: 4%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in ZIP Code 20817

In ZIP Code 20817, households that rent: 2,547 (18.6%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this ZIP Code?

Household Type	Count	Share
Renter-Occupied	2,547	18.6%
Owner-Occupied	11,113	81.4%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in ZIP Code 20817

In ZIP Code 20817, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 957 (37.6%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?

Household Group	Households	Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%)	957	37.6%
Other renter households	1,590	62.4%
Total renter households	2,547	100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in the ZIP code are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in ZIP Code 20817

Less than High School: 1,817 people (7%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 1,213 people (4.7%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 688 people (2.7%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 22,132 people (85.6%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 25,850

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.