Aspen Hill residents don't need a local government or community association to encourage them to gather. Rather than organized communitywide events, this Maryland suburb 7 miles north of Washington, D.C., thrives on hyperlocal events. For example, resident Molly Carter has put up flyers on her street for years, inviting neighbors to what she calls front yard parties. When the weather is nice, she throws together pop-up events, which can be happy hour socials for adults or s'mores roasting for kids. "Instead of hiding in our backyard, we get people out to the front yards," says Carter, a Realtor at Long & Foster Real Estate. Aspen Hill isn't a city; it's a collection of subdivisions and shopping centers in Montgomery County. Still, Carter says residents take it upon themselves to create a feeling of community. "If you're having car trouble, three people will stop. It's nice to belong to a community that's in tune with each other."
According to the U.S. Census, Aspen Hill's population grew from a little over 48,000 in 2011 to just over 54,000 in 2022. Montgomery County is well known as a bioscience industry hub, with major government and private employers lining Interstate 270, also called the BioHealth Capital Region. Residents of Aspen Hill are 6 miles from the highway and can access jobs at the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration headquarters, or esteemed hospitals like Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Aspen Hill can also be a convenient bedroom community for federal employees seeking a decent commute to D.C. by car or Metro.
Flower Valley is a small, mostly residential neighborhood in Montgomery County, MD.
Aspen Hill is a great place to try something new, or stick to something familiar!
Rockville is home to many life science employers along interstate 270.
While lacking a metro stop of its own, the Glenmont Metro Station serves most of Aspen Hill.
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Midcentury housing styles on landscaped lawns
Aspen Hill subdivisions are full of Cape Cods, Traditional-style houses and ramblers sitting on compact lots. Many homes don't have garages, so homeowners park in their driveways or on the curb. The population is a mix of decades-long residents and newcomers. "[There are] many multi-generational families spread throughout the community; parents, kids and their children pass the houses down or buy ones nearby," says Lisa Johnson, an Aspen Hill resident for over 20 years and a Realtor with Weichert.
Prices vary from about $450,000 for midcentury three-bedroom homes to around $1 million for four-bedroom new builds. The median home price of $520,000 is roughly in the middle of the median prices in the five neighborhoods surrounding Aspen Hill. Prices may run higher in Manor Park because it hosts the upscale Manor Country Club. Condo communities are grouped together in neighborhoods like Hermitage Park . One-bedroom units start at $135,000, while newly remodeled two-bedroom condos can fetch $350,000.
A few houses in Flower Valley and near Matthew Henson State Park are in a federally designated flood zone, so buyers there may want to research flood insurance options. Carter says that neighbors often interact on Aspen Hill-focused Facebook pages, which rarely devolve into online bickering. "It's much gentler than some of the Facebook pages I see in other communities."
According to data from the Montgomery County Public Safety Committee, the county experienced an overall drop in crime from 2023 to 2024. Violent and property crime rates remain above pre-pandemic levels, but the county's rates are below national rates.
Picturesque Cape Cod homes that boast Aspen Hill's charm.
A charming row of spacious split level homes on a quiet street in Flower Valley.
Colonial style homes make up most of the market in Flower Valley.
Stunning modern colonial home with beautiful architectural details in Manor Park.
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Bordered by two large parks
Other suburban communities surround Aspen Hill, but it's partially separated from the traffic and sprawl by two parks: Rock Creek Stream Valley Park and Matthew Henson State Park. To the west of the neighborhood, Rock Creek Stream Valley Park spans 1,800 acres from Maryland to the District of Columbia. Cyclists and pedestrians can access the mile-long Twinbrook Connector Trail and the 19-mile Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail in this park. The latter trail runs past Aspen Hill Local Park, which can host soccer and softball games. On the east side, a 4-mile trail at Matthew Henson State Park includes half a mile of boardwalks. Aspen Hill has a mild climate and four distinct seasons, with annual rainfall of about 43 inches, slightly above the national average of 38 inches.
Locals enjoy cycling through Matthew Henson State Park.
Your pups will love long walks around the Lake Bernard Frank Trail.
Hermitage Park teems with commuter convenience and pocket parks at the heart of Aspen Hill.
Cyclists rave over the paved Rock Creek Trail found in Aspen Hill Local Park.
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Pupusas and Korean groceries on Veirs Mill Road
Residents don't have to leave the neighborhood to do basic shopping. Johnson says locals usually head to Leisure World Plaza or the Safeway on Valor Drive to get groceries. Aspen Hill Shopping Center and Northgate Plaza sit on both sides of Aspen Hill Road and host a Giant Food supermarket, Kohl's and CVS, while The Home Depot is down the street. There's a cluster of international food businesses on Veirs Mill Road; options include Korean Korner supermarket and food trucks selling pupusas and carne asada. Rockville Town Center is less than 5 miles west of home and has a variety of upscale diners to explore on a night out.
Giant foods is the closest grocery store in the area, located in Aspen Hill Shopping Center.
Korean Korner has provided Aspen Hill with groceries, goods & prepared meals since 1966.
Tacos Don Perez offers authentic Mexican food and exciting to the Aspen Hill area.
Hermitage Park is just a few short miles from Rockville Town Center.
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Parkland Magnet School offers an aerospace program
Aspen Hill is within the Montgomery County Public Schools district, which gets an A from Niche and is ranked as the No. 2 best school district in the state. The district assigns eighth graders to one of five local high schools. The nearest option is A-rated Wheaton High School. For more than 60 years, St. Jude Regional Catholic School has provided a private education option in the neighborhood.
Brookhaven Elementary School boasts a B+ from Niche.com.
The entrance to Argyle Middle School, established in 1971, located in Layhill.
Wheaton High School prepares students for a bright future.
St Jude Regional Catholic School is a great choice for a secular based education.
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Events in Aspen Hill
Neighbors are active in their communities and often host get-togethers with each other, while neighborhood associations host seasonal events for the Fourth of July and Halloween. Johnson mentions several events in Manor Park, like trunk-or-treat and Great Oaktoberfest in the fall. The Annual Antique & Custom Car Show has been an Aspen Hill tradition for 25 years, turning the Aspen Hill Shopping Center into a showroom for vintage Corvettes and Thunderbirds. Bigger celebrations take place 5 miles away in Rockville, including the Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade, a city tradition since World War II.
Reaching D.C. by road, train or trail
Residents will likely need a car to access retail, parks and events in the region, but there are options for public transit. Johnson mentions that three Metro stations—Rockville, Twinbrook, and Glenmont — are popular commute options for residents, and all offer Red Line access through D.C. and Maryland. Drivers can take Georgia Avenue or Connecticut Avenue 13 miles straight to Washington, taking anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes, depending on rush hour traffic. The 19-mile Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail begins northwest of Aspen Hill, winding through Rock Creek Village into the district and offering an alternative way to reach the city. "I see commuters on the trails when I walk my dogs in the morning," Carter says.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
