Metrobus Stop, 2019
Fairland’s story
155 years in pictures
The archive holds 3 old photos and papers going back to 2019 and 8 maps from 1892 on.
- 1871Fairland is settled
FairlandMD
With 26,231 residents, this town was settled in 1871.
Population
26,231
Census survey, 2020–24
Median home value
$477K
Census ACS
Household income
$99K
median
Median age
38.5
years
Jobs based here
4,496
A commuter town
TownGrade
A−
#72 of 259 in MD
What should you know before moving to Fairland?
Fairland does the important things well, at a cost. On walkability it is strong: it is easier to get around on foot or by transit than 95% of U.S. towns. The town grades A− overall, better than 85% of U.S. towns, and ranks 72nd of 259 in Maryland. Add health to its strengths: residents are healthier than four fifths of U.S. towns on CDC estimates. The catch is cost of living: the typical home is worth about $477K, 3.8 years of the Washington metro’s $127K median household income. Its concentration of trails is 1.7 miles per square mile, above both Maryland’s towns (0.6) and U.S. towns (0.4). Only 31 of Maryland’s 329 towns score higher on the outdoors. Fairland Recreational Park, at 157 acres with 4.7 miles of trail, is the biggest park or preserve.
Figures: health, CDC PLACES · home values, Zillow · incomes, Census ACS, 2020–24 · OpenStreetMap · USGS PAD-US.
What makes Fairland stand out
Where Fairland beats most towns.
Get outside
9 miles of trails in Fairland
18.3% of the town is conserved land, across 14 parks and preserves.
2
Upper Paint Branch Stream Valley Park1.7 mi of trails · 134 acres
Trails © OpenStreetMap contributors · USGS PAD-US
How Fairland grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Maryland), ordered by how far Fairland is from typical.
Hazard riskFEMA risk higher than 4% of U.S. communities; inland flooding tops the listA+Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 12.5 of 20; 11% of households have no carAOpen →HealthAdventist Healthcare White Oak Medical Center 1.8 miles awayA−Open →Cost of livingCOpen →SchoolsB+Open →Jobs & income$99K median household incomeB+Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
How TownRatings grades towns →
Nearby attractions
All 322 attractions →White House and 283 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Fairland. Close and well known come first.
Big draw13 mi National park siteWhite House311K visitors a year
Big draw14 mi National MemorialWashington Monument204K visitors a year
Big draw15 mi LandmarkArlington National Cemetery
Big draw15 mi LandmarkUnited States Triumphal Arch
Big draw14 mi MuseumSmithsonian Institution30.0M visitors a year
Big draw14 mi National MemorialLincoln Memorial7.7M visitors a yearSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
White House: This image or media was taken or created by Matt H. Wade. To see his entire port, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Washington Monument: Oren Rozen, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Arlington National Cemetery: Protoant, Public domain · United States Triumphal Arch: Hstoops, CC0 · Smithsonian Institution: Highsmith, Carol M., 1946-, photographer, Public domain · Lincoln Memorial: Aerial_view_of_Lincoln_Memorial_-_east_side.jpg: Carol M. Highsmith derivative w, Public domain
Getting set up
Moving to Fairland: who provides what
Fairland is unincorporated, so Montgomery County and regional agencies provide most services.
PowerBaltimore Gas & Electric20.2¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterWSSC WaterNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet4 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & county servicesmontgomerycountymd.govMontgomery County provides services hereRegister to voteOnlineIn Maryland you can register online until 21 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 21 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereMontgomery County Board of ElectionsMontgomery County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Aug 2025
ZIP codes20904, 20866, 2090520904 70% · 20866 25% · 20905 5%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Mar 11, 2026.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Fairland.
Fairland is mostly renters, but it has lost a quarter or more of its jobs in ten years.
OutdoorsA
In Fairland, 18.3% of the land is conserved
8.7 miles of trail wind through 14 parks and preserves.
#34for trails in MD
18.3%
conserved · 580 of 3,173 acres
8.7 mi
of trails · 1.7 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Fairland Recreational Park | 4.7 mi | 157 |
| 2. Upper Paint Branch Stream Valley Park | 1.7 mi | 134 |
| 3. Paint Branch Stream Valley Park | 0.4 mi | 121 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
SchoolsB+
Fairland’s public schools outperform 72% of Maryland districts
The largest public high school is Paint Branch High, with 2,038 students. Public schools: the Montgomery County Public Schools. Of its 7 schools, two are listed below, each with the reason.
72%of MD districts it outscoresB+School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| JoAnn Leleck at Broad Acres ElementaryLargest public elementary schoolGrades PK–5 | Grades PK–5 | 756 | C− |
| Paint Branch HighLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 2,038 | A |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within MD on state tests and graduation
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade A+
Natural hazards: very low risk in Fairland, mostly inland flooding
55% of Fairland’s expected losses from natural hazards come from inland flooding, followed by heat waves at 11%. Compared with 96% of U.S. communities, expected storm and flood damage locally is lower. Paid flood insurance claims here since 1985: 7.
4risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingHeat wavesHurricanes
7
paid flood claims since 1985
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
HealthA−
Fairland earns an A− for health
In Fairland, 17% of adults have been diagnosed with depression, and 37% feel lonely. CDC measures, 32 in all: Fairland beats Maryland on 7 and trails on 4. Also worth knowing: just over a tenth of Fairland adults binge drink.
80%healthier than U.S. townsA−Health Grade
| Fairland | Maryland towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 12% | 14% | 16% |
| Depression (CDC PLACES) | 17% | 20% | 23% |
| Feel lonely (CDC PLACES) | 37% | 34% | 33% |
| Smoke cigarettes (CDC PLACES) | 9% | 11% | 14% |
32 measures vs. Maryland
7 better21 too close to call4 worse
| What stands out | Fairland | MD |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults who have had cancer | 5.1% | 7.6% |
| Fewer adults with COPD | 4.5% | 5.9% |
| More adults facing housing insecurity | 17.2% | 13.5% |
Adventist Healthcare White Oak Medical Center
1.8 mi away · emergency room
None
primary care, dental or mental-health shortage
63rd
percentile among MD towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Work & commuteJobs & income grade B+
Most of Fairland’s workers head elsewhere: there are 0.4 jobs for each of them
Jobs based here fell from 5,981 in 2013 to 4,496.
Half commute less than 12 miles. Since 2013, Fairland has lost 1,485 jobs, to 4,496 in 2023. Just 2% of the town’s working residents have a job in town. For Fairland, the typical journey to work is 35 minutes.
2%work in town
| Fairland | Maryland towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip to work | 35 minutes | 32 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Median household income | $99,000 | $113,000 | $80,000 |
| Work from home | 18% | 18% | 11% |
| Below the poverty line | 10% | 7% | 9.6% |
Where working residents work
In Fairland2%
Washington18%
Rockville6%
Bethesda4%
Columbia4%
12 mi
median commute distance
4,496
jobs based in Fairland
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
A
Walkability grade: more walkable than 95% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Climate
In Fairland, expect four seasons and pleasant summers
The range runs from 26° on a January night to 87° on a July afternoon, with about 16 inches of snow a winter.
16″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter27–45°
Spring43–65°
Summer65–85°
Fall47–67°
Nov 1
typical first frost
Apr 10
typical last frost
+1.7°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Who lives here
A typical Maryland spread of ages in Fairland
Only 46% of households own their home, against 67.6% across Maryland.
By age, Fairland looks like Maryland: each broad group is within 4 points. In Fairland, 46% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree or more. The town’s age of the median resident comes in at 38.5 years.
38.5median age · MD 39.4
| Fairland | Maryland towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 46% | 42% | 29% |
| Aged 65 or older | 14% | 16% | 18% |
| Median age | 38.5 years | 39.4 years | 40.5 years |
FairlandMarylandUnited States
Ages · share of residents
16%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma12%
High school20%
Some college17%
Associate’s5%
Bachelor’s27%
Graduate19%
Women and men · all residents
53% women, 47% men
About 90 men for every 100 women (the survey’s margin: ±1.6 points). Across Maryland, 51.3% of residents are women. Median age: women 40.0, men 37.7.
| Fairland | MD | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 12.8% | 11.9% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 10.2% | 10.3% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 8.8% | 8.5% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 12.6% | 13.2% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 16.1% | 13.6% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 11.9% | 12.6% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 13.9% | 13.3% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 10.7% | 9.9% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 3% | 6.8% | 7% |
| No diploma | 11.6% | 8.9% | 10.4% |
| High school | 20.3% | 23.4% | 26% |
| Some college | 16.6% | 17.4% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 5.1% | 6.8% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 27% | 22.7% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 19.4% | 20.8% | 14.1% |
U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
HousingCost of living grade C
Homes in Fairland sell for about $470K
In Fairland, the typical rent is $1,894 a month. The share of households in Fairland who are owner-occupiers: 46%. Homes sold in Fairland spent a median 42 days on the market.
$470Kmedian sale price
| Fairland | Maryland towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 46% | 74% | 73% |
| Median rent | $1,894 a month | $1,809 a month | $1,185 a month |
Market temperature
42
days on market
100.4%
sale-to-list price
12
homes sold in May
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Fairland
17pages on Fairland
The big questions
Out and about
Day to day
After high school
Colleges nearby
31 within 15 miles of the center of Fairland
Yeshiva College of the Nations CapitalUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Silver Spring5 mi$11,500 tuitionUniversity of Maryland-College ParkUniversity or college · Public · College Park6.5 mi$11,809 in-state tuitionHoward Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · Columbia10 mi$4,080 in-state tuition
About 8 of every 100 Fairland residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Maryland.
A commuter town
98% of working residents leave Fairland for work
Where Fairland’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
4,496jobs based in Fairland
2%of working residents work in town
12 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
About Fairland
Census-designated place in Maryland, United States
Fairland is a census-designated place and an unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It had a population of 25,396 per the 2020 census.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 5.0 sq mi
- Elevation
- 413 ft
- Area code
- 301, 240
Fairland’s neighbors
6 towns share a border with Fairland.
BurtonsvilleColesvilleCalvertonCloverlyWhite OakKonterraFairland
How the neighbors grade
| Town | MD rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairland | #72 | A− | C | — | B+ | A− |
| Burtonsville | #38 | A | C | — | B+ | A |
| Colesville | #29 | A | C− | — | B+ | A |
| Calverton | #159 | B− | C− | — | C | B+ |
| Cloverly | #73 | A− | C− | — | B+ | A |
| White Oak | #125 | B+ | C− | — | B+ | B+ |
| Konterra | #213 | C | C− | — | D | B+ |
Fairland, Burtonsville, Colesville, Calverton, Cloverly, White Oak and Konterra report no FBI crime data of their own. Compare Fairland with a neighbor →
Questions about Fairland
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Fairland, MD a good place to live?
By most measures, yes. Fairland grades A− overall, better than 85% of U.S. towns and #72 of 259 in Maryland. It grades A− for health and B+ for schools.
Is Fairland, MD expensive?
The typical home is worth about $477,000, 12% above the Maryland typical home. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades C.