About Silver Spring

Silver Spring, Maryland, is one of the fastest growing commercial centers in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region. Situated in Montgomery County, its location and amenities make it a sought-after location in which to live and work. It occupies 61 square miles and is located 7 miles northeast of Washington, D.C. and 34 miles southwest of Baltimore, Maryland.

While not an incorporated city, Silver Spring is one of the most important business and residential centers in the Washington, D.C. region. Downtown Silver Spring is experiencing a renaissance and major projects currently under construction offer new retailers, restaurants, entertainment options, office space, lodging, and residential development. The eastern portion of Montgomery County, primarily the area located northeast of downtown Silver Spring, is attracting large, technology-oriented companies and, proximity to the rejuvenated downtown Silver Spring and other parts of the region, has made the area more attractive to employers and employees alike.

According to the latest Census data, Silver Spring houses 261,310 residents and the population is well educated, with 48% of adults over age 25 holding a Bachelors degree or higher and 24% holding a graduate or professional degree. The median household income is $65,526.

Transportation options are ample in Silver Spring. The area is served by the Washington, D.C. Metro (subway), Amtrak, MARC commuter rail and Ride On and Metrobus systems. Each of these systems offer a variety of schedules to suit the needs of its many commuters and visitors. Additionally, the area's geographic location and highways offer quick access to Annapolis; Washington, D.C., Baltimore; northern Virginia; and I-95 to points north and south.

Silver Spring is home to a wide group of public and private schools. Montgomery Blair High School, the oldest school in Silver Spring, offers the Montgomery County Public Schools' Communication Arts Program (CAP), a humanities and media program, and Science, Mathematics, Computer Science Magnet Program . The school also features Silver Chips, an online newspaper published by its students. Other public and private schools include Springbrook High School, James Hubert Blake High School, The Barrie Day School, Washington Christian Academy and Yeshiva of Greater Washington, respectively.

Starting in 2000, downtown Silver Spring began to see the results of its redevelopment. Public and private funding was combined to help Silver Spring become a more competitive business center with a healthy and diverse economy. In total, the downtown encompasses a whopping 70,000 sq. feet area and features Whole Foods Market, Borders Books, Baja Fresh, several other retailers and an abundance of parking. Today, growth and development continue to shape the area and construction for a new East County Science and Technology Center, on the Route 29 corridor, is expected to begin shortly. The phased, 800,000 square foot complex will house space for start-up businesses, space for "incubator" graduate companies, market rate office space, higher education and telework centers, a day care facility and more.

Downtown Silver Spring is a cultural Mecca, offering ethnically diverse eateries, The Round House Theatre, The American Film Institute (AFI) - the preeminent presenter of classic, foreign and art films - and free jazz concerts every summer that are part of the Silver Spring jazz festival. The Jazz festival premiered in 2004 featuring a number of artists including, Midnight Movers, Radio King Orchestra, and Marcus Johnson. Additionally, Silver Spring is home to the National Capital Trolley Museum.

Silver Spring's history dates back to 1840 when Francis Preston Blair and his daughter, Elizabeth, discovered a spring flowing with chips of mica. Two years later, a mansion they named Silver Spring, was built on a 250 acre plot just situated outside of Washington, D.C. The late 1800s brought abundant development to Silver Spring with the construction of the Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) railways. The early 1900s set the pace for the growth of downtown Silver Spring and the Lee Development Company was founded. Today, its Colesville Road office remains a downtown fixture. Suburban development continued in 1922 when Woodside Development Corporation created Woodside Park, providing the city with 1-acre plots where homes were built. By 1950, Silver Spring was the second busiest retail market between Baltimore and Richmond. From the 1960s through today, growth and improvement in several areas have continued to enhance Silver Spring.

The Silver Spring region has a temperate rain climate, and is predominantly oceanic and partly continental. Winters are fairly short and mild, though temperatures sometimes descend toward zero degrees Fahrenheit. Summers are often warm and humid, with temperatures rising at times to the high 90s. Spring weather is beautiful and fall is wonderful, with an incomparable Indian summer. Yearly precipitation averages 40 inches for rain and 22 inches for snow.