Bethesda, MD Demographics

A map of Bethesda's Population by Race

Bethesda, Maryland has an estimated population of 69,397, a slight increase from the 68,056 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 65.7% White, 12.7% Asian, 9.6% Hispanic, 6.3% Black, 5.0% Multiracial, and 0.8% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Bethesda, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Bethesda has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Maryland overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Bethesda, that probability was 50.9% in 2020 and 53.7% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Bethesda is ranked the 10th most populous place in Maryland, out of 536 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Bethesda was ranked the 10th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Bethesda's White Population

45,580 residents of Bethesda, or 65.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Bethesda is significantly higher than in Maryland overall, where 46.6% of the population is White. Bethesda ranks 309th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 536 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bethesda's White population has declined by an estimated 1.5%. White residents' share of Bethesda's population has decreased from 68.0% to 65.7%.

Bethesda is more White than neighboring Friendship Heights Village (58.7% White). Bethesda is less White than neighboring Glen Echo (80.4% White), Somerset (81.3% White), Brookmont (82.9% White), and Chevy Chase (81% White).

Bethesda's Black Population

4,361 residents of Bethesda, or 6.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Bethesda is significantly lower than in Maryland overall, where 28.9% of the population is Black. Bethesda ranks 332nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 536 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bethesda's Black population has grown by an estimated 42.6%. Black residents' share of Bethesda's population has increased from 4.5% to 6.3%.

Bethesda is more Black than neighboring Glen Echo (0.4% Black), Somerset (1.9% Black), Brookmont (4.5% Black), and Chevy Chase (0.2% Black). Bethesda is less Black than neighboring Friendship Heights Village (6.6% Black).

Bethesda's Asian Population

8,790 residents of Bethesda, or 12.7% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Bethesda is higher than in Maryland overall, where 6.5% of the population is Asian. Bethesda ranks 41st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 536 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bethesda's Asian population has grown by an estimated 5.6%. Asian residents' share of Bethesda's population has increased from 12.2% to 12.7%.

Bethesda is more Asian than neighboring Glen Echo (8% Asian), Somerset (4.3% Asian), Brookmont (6.7% Asian), Chevy Chase (4.7% Asian), and Friendship Heights Village (10.5% Asian).

Bethesda's Hispanic Population

6,678 residents of Bethesda, or 9.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Bethesda is slightly lower than in Maryland overall, where 12.5% of the population is Hispanic. Bethesda ranks 147th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 536 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bethesda's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 6.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Bethesda's population has remained roughly unchanged at 9.6%.

Bethesda is more Hispanic than neighboring Glen Echo (9.1% Hispanic), Somerset (6.2% Hispanic), Brookmont (2.3% Hispanic), and Chevy Chase (4.4% Hispanic). Bethesda is less Hispanic than neighboring Friendship Heights Village (18.2% Hispanic).

Bethesda's Native American/Other Population

529 residents of Bethesda, or 0.8% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Bethesda is comparable to the share in Maryland overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Bethesda ranks 191st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 536 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bethesda's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 5.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Bethesda's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Bethesda is more Native American/Other than neighboring Glen Echo (0% Native American/Other), Somerset (0.7% Native American/Other), and Friendship Heights Village (0% Native American/Other). Bethesda is less Native American/Other than neighboring Brookmont (1.1% Native American/Other), and Chevy Chase (1.2% Native American/Other).

Bethesda's Multiracial Population

3,459 residents of Bethesda, or 5.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Bethesda is comparable to the share in Maryland overall, where 4.6% of the population is Multiracial. Bethesda ranks 145th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 536 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bethesda's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 3.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Bethesda's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.0%.

Bethesda is more Multiracial than neighboring Glen Echo (2.2% Multiracial), and Brookmont (2.5% Multiracial). Bethesda is less Multiracial than neighboring Somerset (5.5% Multiracial), Chevy Chase (8.4% Multiracial), and Friendship Heights Village (6% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.