# Burtonsville, Maryland

Burtonsville is a census-designated place and an unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It is situated in the northeast corner of Montgomery County, right on the border of both Howard and Prince George's counties. It is considered a suburban town in the Washington D.C. Metro Area.
It is 20 miles southwest of downtown Baltimore, 16 miles north of downtown Washington D.C., and 25 miles from Annapolis. Burtonsville recorded a population of 9,498 as of the 2020 census.

## History

In colonial times, the area was referred to as the Patuxent Hundred and later the Eastern Branch Hundred, a community comprising approximately 100 inhabitants. Prince George's County Court recorded that on September 27, 1699, Thomas Wells and Thomas Pindell were appointed to be the overseers of Patuxant Hundred.
Among some of the earliest land grants are Maiden's Fancy, a 580-acre (2.3 km$^2$) tract surveyed for Neal Clark in 1700, and Bear Bacon nearby, a 600-acre (2.4 km$^2$) tract of land surveyed in 1703 for a Mark Richardson. Another prominent land holder was Richard Snowden, an iron master, who held various land patents in the area, including Snowdens Manor (surveyed 1715) consisting of an impressive 9,265 acres (37.49 km$^2$) and Snowdens Mill (surveyed 1723) occupying an additional 546 acres (2.21 km$^2$). From these larger tracts, among others, were carved smaller tracts of land which were either rented or sold off to planters and the like.
The community of Burtonsville, originally called Burton's, takes its name from Isaac Burton, who in 1825 bought out his siblings' shares of his father's land and became the major landowner in the area. He and his wife Keturah had 17 children, many of whom stayed in the area as adults. The community itself grew around the intersection of Old Columbia Pike and the road to Sandy Spring. In the 1850s Isaac Burton became the first postmaster of the newly established post office in the vicinity, which operated out of his store at the intersection. Burtonsville's core area today continues to center around the intersection of Maryland Route 198 and U.S. Route 29.

## Geography

As an unincorporated area, Burtonsville's boundaries are not officially defined. Burtonsville is, however, recognized by the United States Census Bureau and by the United States Geological Survey as a census-designated place.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the place has a total area of 8.0 square miles (21 km$^2$), of which 7.8 square miles (20 km$^2$) is land and 0.2 square mile (0.4 km$^2$, or 1.88%) is water.

## Demographics

As of the census of 2020, there were 9,498 people, and 3,082 households in the area. The population density was 1,211.9 inhabitants per square mile (467.9/km$^2$).
The racial makeup of the area was 24.7% White, 37.5% African American, 0.7% Native American, 25.6% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, and 7.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.2% of the population.
In 2020, There were 3,082 households, 75% were married couples living together, 12% had a female householder with no husband present, and 9% were non-families. 16.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 3.34.
In the area, the population was 23.2% under the age of 18, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. Females make up 46.4% of the population.
The median income for a household in the area was $138,416, and the median income for a family was $94,991. The per capita income for the area was $48,711. About 3.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.

## Transportation

Burtonsville is a public transport friendly town. It has over 10 Metro bus stops throughout the town. Residents take advantage of this bus service frequently. The town is also home to the Burtonsville Park & Ride, a large Metro and Charter bus stop/parking lot conveniently located right off of U.S. Route 29 going southbound.

### Nearby airports

There are 3 major airports located within one hour driving:
* Baltimore–Washington International Airport (BWI), 18 miles
* Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (Reagan), 28 miles
* Washington Dulles International Airport (Dulles), 37 miles

### Major highways & roads

* Intercounty Connector (MD 200)
* U.S. Route 29
* Maryland Route 198
* Maryland Route 28, westbound toward Rockville, MD
* Interstate 95, 4 miles east
* Interstate 495 (Capital Beltway), 9 miles via U.S. Route 29 South

## Neighborhoods

Burtonsville is broken up into many distinct neighborhoods:
* McKnew (McKnew Road, right off of Maryland Route 198)
* Blackburn (right off of U.S. Route 29)
* Greencastle
* Country Place
* Briarcliff
* Lion's Den
* Dustin Road
* Perrywood Estates
* Peach Orchard
* Riding Stable
* Kruhm Road
* Dino Drive

## Culture

Burtonsville holds an annual "Burtonsville Day", a celebration that includes a parade, festival, craft fair, games for children, live bands, entertainment, and food. The event involves many small social gatherings at different places, with activities such as petting zoos and various games. Burtonsville Cars and Coffee, dubbed "The Church Of The Holy Donut" is an informal gathering of car enthusiasts who meet every Sunday to display all types of vehicles from classic cars to current, stylized automobiles. One prominent society is the Burtonsville Lions Club, an international group that is a focal point for community service in Burtonsville and surrounding communities.

## Education

Burtonsville has three public schools that are part of the Montgomery County Public Schools System. All three schools are located on the same road, Old Columbia Pike.
* Paint Branch High School
* Benjamin Banneker Middle School
* Burtonsville Elementary School