Since when did Olney become an affluent suburb? (Silver Spring, Gaithersburg: lawyers, houses)

[BigCityDreamer]

Ever since the ICC opened, I've been driving to Olney for different reasons. I noticed that it looks and feels more affluent than areas to its south and southeast. I looked up some stats and learned that the median household income there is around $116K. That's not Potomac wealthy, but it's still not bad for this area.

I remember when Olney used to be more middle class. So when did this change happen?

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by BigCityDreamer

I remember when Olney used to be more middle class. So when did this change happen?

As I remember, starting in the late 1980's, the dairy farms were sold, and turned into developments with move-up houses. Many move-up houses were sold in the 1990's. Around 2002, I visited a doctor's house in Olney, and the next I knew the family had a million-dollar house in Potomac. So, it has happened gradually, especially as people moved out of smaller, older houses in Silver Spring. Opening the Red Line to Glenmont probably also helped encourage people to move further out.

[diplomat74]

Large Mcmansions were built on open farm land and Olney has all the basics for safe, friendly suburb within commuting distance of Fort Meade, DC and the I-270 Corridor. Alot of professionals with alot of money and looking to start a family have settled down in that area. See article it states Olney is 16th richest community in the DC Area, which is the wealthiest region in the country. MontCo has region's richest communities | WashingtonExaminer.com

[Lubina]

Affluent? The move of Good Counsel high school has no doubt added some cache and newer areas leading away from Olney proper towards Brookeville, Montgomery Village and Gaithersburg have newer bigger homes, but the older sections that have been around for 25 or so years are still solidly middle class.

[badchad]

Originally Posted by Lubina

Affluent? The move of Good Counsel high school has no doubt added some cache and newer areas leading away from Olney proper towards Brookeville, Montgomery Village and Gaithersburg have newer bigger homes, but the older sections that have been around for 25 or so years are still solidly middle class.

Agreed. I'd still characterize Olney as solidly middle class.

[BKmachine]

Olney is racist

[Fiasco22]

Olney isn't racist, my brother lives there an just this week he had an event at his house and 99.9% of his neighbors are Caucasian and they were very welcoming when we had to park on there lawns and even engaged us in conversation as we left. When I say we I mean african american males.

Ever since I was a little boy living in Silver Spring on Bel Pre Rd, Olney has ALWAYS been an affluent suburb. Many doctors, lawyers and I think some politicians live in Olney