
The population of Gaithersburg, MD shapes how competitive the local housing market gets, but the official numbers only tell part of the story.
Key Takeaway
Gaithersburg had 69,657 residents at the 2020 Census, but that count covers only the incorporated city, not every Gaithersburg mailing address. If you're buying, that population pressure falls hardest on single-family homes, where listings currently trail sales. Townhouses, which make up about half of recent sales, give you the most options to choose from.
Who This Guide Is For
You're weighing a move or purchase in Gaithersburg and want the real population figure plus a sense of how hard it will be to buy the type of home you need.
What Is the Population of Gaithersburg, MD?
At 69,657 residents, Gaithersburg ranks as the third-largest incorporated city in Maryland. In the housing market, that demand lands hardest on single-family homes and lightest on condos. The sections below give the figures by home type.
According to the 2020 Census, the population of Gaithersburg, MD is 69,657, up from 59,933 in 2010. That growth puts more residents in competition for local housing and makes Gaithersburg the third-largest incorporated city in Maryland, behind only Baltimore and Frederick.
City Limits vs. a Gaithersburg Mailing Address
The census count applies only to the incorporated City of Gaithersburg. Montgomery Village and North Potomac are unincorporated Census Bureau-designated places in Montgomery County. Homes in both commonly carry Gaithersburg mailing addresses because USPS ZIP code boundaries don't follow municipal lines.
A home with a Gaithersburg address may not be in the official population figure, may not receive city services and may not carry the city tax. Properties inside the city limits pay a city real property tax on top of the county's bill: $0.262 per $100 of assessed value for Fiscal Year 2026. Include it when you work out your cost of living.
Before relying on city services, confirm whether a specific address falls inside the city limits with the city's official address lookup tool. Also ask whether any market stats you're shown cover the city limits or the whole ZIP code, because the two often differ.
Gaithersburg Housing Market at a Glance
These Redfin figures show what each home type sold for in the 90 days ending September 30, 2026.
- All homes: median sale price $564,731, up 4.6% year over year; 135 homes sold; median 50 days on market; 99.3% sale-to-list; 25.6% sold above list; 4.1 months of supply; 182 homes in inventory; median $293 per square foot (Redfin, 90 days ending 2026-09-30)
- Single family: median sale price $864,655, up 6.9% year over year; 44 homes sold; median 40 days on market; 99.2% sale-to-list; 32.5% sold above list; 2.9 months of supply; 41 in inventory; median $323 per square foot (Redfin, 90 days ending 2026-09-30)
- Townhouse: median sale price $545,006, up 3.8% year over year; 67 homes sold; median 47 days on market; 99.4% sale-to-list; 24.5% sold above list; 4.2 months of supply; 90 in inventory; median $284 per square foot (Redfin, 90 days ending 2026-09-30)
- Condo (based on only 26 sales, so treat as a rough read): median sale price $266,973, up 16.1% year over year; median 68 days on market; 99.2% sale-to-list; 16% sold above list; 6 months of supply; 50 in inventory; median $211 per square foot (Redfin, 90 days ending 2026-09-30)
How Competition Differs by Home Type
Competition runs from heaviest on detached houses to lightest on condos.
Single-Family Homes
Population pressure shows up first in single-family homes, the scarcest property type in the city. Fewer were for sale (41) than sold (44). The listing you want will likely draw several offers, so have a pre-approval in hand and check current mortgage rates before you start touring.
This property type is also the most likely to sell above asking. Budget for paying the list price or more rather than counting on a discount.
Townhouses
Townhouses accounted for 67 of the 135 recent sales, half the market. You'll find more listings to compare and a little more time to decide than you'd have with detached homes, near the city's typical price point.
What you give up is total control over your exterior. Most townhouse communities carry HOA dues and rules that change your monthly cost, so ask the HOA for current dues and what they cover before you compare prices. And don't mistake more inventory for an easy deal: plenty of these homes still sold above list.
Condos
Condos offer the lowest entry price and the most room to negotiate. The median condo took 68 days to sell, so ask the listing agent how long a unit has been listed and whether the price has been reduced before you make an offer.
With only 26 sales behind these figures, the year-over-year price jump may reflect which units happened to sell rather than a broad market shift. Condo fees and FHA approval status can also limit your financing options and monthly budget. Ask the condo association for current fees, reserve status, and whether the building is FHA-approved before writing an offer.
How to Narrow Your Gaithersburg Home Search
If you need a detached house and your budget reaches the $864,655 single-family median, read Single-family homes and plan to compete from the first showing. If a shared wall works for you, Townhouses gives you the widest choice of listings. If you'd trade a slower-moving listing for room to negotiate, Condos is worth a serious look, keeping the small sample in mind. If you need a home inside the city limits for city services or the city tax bill, confirm each address as described in City limits vs. a Gaithersburg mailing address before you shortlist properties. Dart Homes can pull recent sales for the specific home type and area you're targeting when you're ready to start buying a home.
Gaithersburg, MD Population FAQs
What Is a Good Salary in Gaithersburg, MD?
Housing is the biggest factor. Size your income against the townhouse median in the at-a-glance list, since townhouses are the most common home sold.
Is Gaithersburg, MD Closer to DC or Baltimore?
Gaithersburg is closer to Washington, D.C. Downtown is roughly 21 to 27 miles away, about 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic.
How Big Is Gaithersburg, MD?
The incorporated city covers 10.32 square miles of land, with a 2020 Census density of 6,749.1 people per square mile.
Is Gaithersburg, MD a City?
Yes, Gaithersburg is an incorporated city with its own municipal government. It was incorporated as a town on April 5, 1878, and a resolution granting it city status was adopted in the fall of 1968.
What County Is Gaithersburg, MD In?
Gaithersburg is in Montgomery County.
Is Germantown Part of Gaithersburg, MD?
No, Germantown is a separate, unincorporated census-designated place in Montgomery County. Its 91,249 residents at the 2020 Census are not included in Gaithersburg's population figure.
Is Gaithersburg, MD Expensive?
Prices are still rising for every home type in the at-a-glance list, so waiting is unlikely to bring housing costs down.
Does Gaithersburg Have a Downtown?
Yes, Olde Towne is the city's original central business district and historic downtown. It sits next to the B&O Railroad Station and Freight Shed, both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The station complex was built in 1884.
Sources
- Redfin: Data Center
- Census Bureau: Gaithersburg city, Maryland
- The MoCo Show: Gaithersburg Now 3rd Largest City in Maryland
- Census Bureau: Population Density
- Wikipedia: Montgomery Village, Maryland
- City of Gaithersburg: Frequently Asked Questions
- City of Gaithersburg: Budget & Strategic Planning
- City of Gaithersburg: City History
- DriveDistance.com: Gaithersburg to Washington, DC
- Census Bureau: Germantown CDP, Maryland
- City of Gaithersburg: Community Museum Building History