Rockville’s commercial expansion led to a population surge
Rockville is the seat of Montgomery County and the fourth-largest city in Maryland, named for its proximity to Rock Creek, a 32-mile tributary and regional park that runs south from Derwood, Maryland, to the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. The city was connected to the vital Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in the early 19th century, but today, that same rail line shuttles commuters to and from the nation’s capital on the MARC train. According to city government statistics, Rockville’s population growth was spurred by the post-World War II housing boom, with the number of residents increasing from around 6,900 in 1950 to nearly 45,000 in 1980. The 2020 census calculated that there are around 68,000 residents in the city. Even more growth is expected in the coming years, considering the dense commercial corridor along Rockville Pike and the city’s proximity to Washington, as well as the many life science employers along Interstate 270.
You'll find many young fitness enthusiasts running through Rock Creek Park.
Rockville was connected to the B&O Railroad in the 19th century, and still services commuters.
Rockville is home to many life science employers along interstate 270.
Croydon Park is a small neighborhood located on the east side of Rockville proper.
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The city's namesake Rock Creek Park
Rock Creek Regional Park encompasses 1,800 acres and includes 75-acre Lake Needwood and 55-acre Lake Frank. Residents can easily spend an entire day at the park, canoeing, picnicking, fishing or hiking along 13 miles of woodland trails. Boats can be rented on Lake Needwood, and guests can take lake tours on a pontoon boat called the Needwood Queen. Needwood Golf Course offers an 18-hole and an executive 9-hole course. Kids and climbing fans enjoy Go Ape, a 6-acre treetop ropes course with five zip lines. Neighborhood parks include 37-acre Woodley Gardens Park, with a climbing playground, nature trails and walking paths. It also offers tennis, volleyball and basketball courts. The 33-acre Welsh Park has tennis courts, ball fields, picnic space, a skate park and a playground. It also features nature trails, walking paths and notable public art. Rockville is home to several established country clubs, including Woodmont, Lakewood, and Manor country clubs, all notable for their amenities, including golf and tennis.
Mountain bikers and cyclists can rejoice over bike friendly trails at Rock Creek Park.
Your pups will love long walks around the Lake Bernard Frank Trail.
Practice your swing at the golf course in Derwood.
The 33-acre Welsh Park has tennis courts, a skatepark & a playground in the heart of Rockville.
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A competitive market of midcentury homes
With its desirable location and limited inventory, it’s no wonder many recent homes sold in Rockville were on the market for less than 10 days. Realtor Jonathan Layne, a real estate agent with Compass, Inc. and Layne Residential Group for nearly 20 years, says, “There simply is no new housing available in Rockville. We’re effectively landlocked here. Bidding wars are a normal thing every day. I tell buyers that they must be prepared to make million-dollar decisions in less than five minutes. That may sound crazy, but I recently put a home under contract that was shown 93 times between Friday and Monday!” In Rockville, condominiums range from about $200,000 to $500,000, while townhouses range from $700,00 to $900,000, depending on the homes’ age and location. Single-family split-level homes from the 1960s have recently sold for about $800,000, while five-bedroom brick colonial-style homes have recently sold for around $1.2 million. Older homes that have been recently torn down and rebuilt can easily sell for $1 million to $1.5 million. “If you can’t afford Bethesda or Potomac, Rockville is your best shot to have that [similar] prestige," says Juan Umanzor, a 28-year Montgomery County local and real estate agent with Long & Foster. "It’s a desirable market, and compared to Gaithersburg, you got bigger homes and communities, and it’s more expensive."
Croydon Park is known for inviting homes on serene and quiet streets.
From ranch-style to cape cods, the architectural styles found in Croydon Park are endless.
Example of modern architecture in Rockville, MD
Colorful historic homes can be seen throughout Central Rockville's neighborhoods.
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Rockville Town Square and Rockville Pike host dining and retail
More than 50 restaurants, retail shops, and modern condominiums are clustered around Rockville Town Square. This 12-acre urban plaza links historic streets to the city's dynamic core of businesses and outlets. there are new developments going on in town like “Rockville Town Square is essentially the downtown area,” says Umanzor. “It’s the hotspot for people to gather and a huge development from the last ten years.” In the winter, a large lawn with a splash fountain transforms into an ice-skating rink open seven days a week. Across the street is Rockville Metro Plaza, a highly desirable 11-story commercial property adjacent to the Rockville Metro Station and the Montgomery County Courthouse Historic District. There are also a wide variety of supermarkets and restaurants down Rockville Pike, or Maryland Route 355. Upscale chains like Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Summer House North Bethesda recommend reservations every day of the week. Locals enjoy pasta and pizza at refined and family-owned Il Pizzico, while La Limena offers authentic Peruvian cuisine. Rockville also has numerous Asian, Greek and South American restaurants.
At Rockville Town Center, the splash fountain & lawn turn into an ice skating rink every fall.
Rockville Town Center is a great place to tucker out the tikes, minutes from Croydon Park.
121 Rockville Pike
Rockville restaurants like Summer House recommend reservations every day of the week.
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Rockville is home to close to major performing arts centers
The Music Center at Strathmore in nearby North Bethesda is known for its world-class performances with the National Philharmonic, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. Fans of old homes, new art and history enjoy Glenview Mansion, a 1926 Neo-Classical Revival-style house on 65 acres of landscaped grounds shared with the Rockville Civic Center. An onsite art gallery features four salons with rotating exhibitions. The mansion can be rented for meetings, seminars and classes. The F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre is a highly respected destination with 428 seats and over 100 yearly performances. It welcomes many local ensembles, including the Rockville Civic Ballet, the Victorian Lyric Opera Company, and the Rockville Little Theatre.
Live From The Lawn
Live From The Lawn
Rockville Civic Center Park is host to the historic Glenview Mansion.
Rockville's F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre in is a highly valued venue with over 100 shows yearly.
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Public and private education options in Rockville
Students in Rockville attend Montgomery County Public Schools, which earn an overall A rating from Niche. The district does have larger class sizes, so many families consider private schools as well. There are highly rated private options like Christ Episcopal School and Fusion Academy Rockville in town. Layne says, “It’s not uncommon for homebuyers to adjust their price range based on their education budget. At the same time, many families are devoted to Montgomery County schools.”
Maryvale Elementary is Croydon Park's nurturing hub for quality education and growth.
Earl B. Wood Middle School makes education fun.
Rockville High School prepares students for bright futures.
The Fusion Academy in Central Rockville is a personalized private school 6-12
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Commuting by car, MARC or Metro train
Residents living in Rockville's urban core can walk or bike to the Rockville Metro station, which provides Metrorail and Metrobus service across the metro area. Locals will drive when not using public transportation. Either way, Rockville residents understand that highway and secondary road traffic is variable and subject to congestion at peak travel times. Many opt for adjusted work schedules to ensure access to parking at nearby Metro stations, and ride-sharing is common. Layne adds, “I tell clients that one of the smartest things they can do when settling into a new home in this area is to get comfortable checking apps like Waze every morning and evening. Avoiding a traffic jam or an accident makes life much easier and reduces stress.” Interstate 270 runs right through Rockville, connecting drivers to Interstate 495 and 395 for connections to Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, and other Maryland communities. Ronald Reagan Washington International Airport is about 23 miles south of Rockville, but drivers are encouraged to allow an hour or longer to deal with traffic and parking.
Lower crime rates in Rockville than state and national averages
In the last few years, Rockville has experienced a decrease in crimes against people and crimes against society. A report from the Rockville City Police Department revealed a 10.6% decrease in violent crime from 2022 to 2023 and a 1.7% increase in property crime. Rockville’s violent and property crime rates are both lower than the national average, according to Bestplaces.net. Rockville has four defined seasons and a mildly subtropical climate, with summer highs in the mid-90s and high humidity or winter lows in the mid-20s. Rockville also receives around the national average for rain and snowfall every year.
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.
