Fort Washington, Maryland | |
|---|---|
 Fort Washington Park's main gate in October 2004 | |
 Location of Fort Washington inMaryland | |
| Coordinates:38°44′37″N77°0′37″W / 38.74361°N 77.01028°W /38.74361; -77.01028 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Maryland |
| County |  Prince George's |
| Area | |
• Total | 16.57 sq mi (42.92 km2) |
| • Land | 13.80 sq mi (35.73 km2) |
| • Water | 2.78 sq mi (7.19 km2) |
| Elevation | 105 ft (32 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 24,261 |
| • Density | 1,758.8/sq mi (679.08/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 20744, 20749 |
| Area codes | 301, 240 |
| FIPS code | 24-29525 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0598313 |
Fort Washington is anunincorporated area andcensus-designated place inPrince George's County,Maryland, United States. It borders thePotomac River, situated 20 miles south of downtown Washington, D.C.[3][dubious –discuss] As of the2020 census, it had a population of 24,261.[4] The Fort Washington community is located west ofMaryland Route 210, with some additional area to the east of the highway.
The community is named forFort Washington. The first Fort Washington was completed in 1809, and it was the only defensive fort protectingWashington, D.C. until theAmerican Civil War.[5] It consisted of a small earthwork near the shore of the Potomac River. The failure of that fort to stop a British fleet from invading the national capital during the War of 1812 led to the construction of the current, larger, stone fortification. In 1844, a cannon exploded on theUSSPrinceton as it was passing Fort Washington.[6] DuringWorld War II, the US Army'sAdjutant General's School was located at the fort, and had billeting for 362 officers and 2,526 enlisted persons.[7]
The site is now part of a park with views of the Potomac River and hiking paths.
During theWar of 1812 Fort Washington, built to protect the capital from enemy advances on thePotomac River, was captured by the British under the command of Admiral Gordon, three days after theburning of the capital.[8]
Upon the outbreak of theAmerican Civil War, fearing for the safety of Washington in case of attack,Secretary of the NavyIsaac Toucey ordered a detachment ofUS Marines to garrison the fort.
In May 1865 Secretary of the NavyGideon Welles ordered thePotomac Flotilla reduced to half strength due to cessation of hostilities. This included the removal of the Marines from Fort Washington.[9]
Near the fort are many riverfront homes, twomarinas, two community pools, and National Golf Club. The area wasrural until about 1960, when suburban growth began.[citation needed] Until the founding of theOxon Hill post office about 1960, the Fort Washington area generally used the mailing addressWashington, D.C., except for the few years thatFriendly had a post office. In 1980, thepostal service split the Fort Washington area fromOxon Hill, defining it as a separate town name. At that time, to make mail sorting easier, they drew the boundary between the two communities to conform to already existing zip code boundaries. The end result sometimes confuses people, since the northern end of the Fort Washington postal area (near the Beltway) identifies more with the communities of Oxon Hill orTemple Hills /Camp Springs but still uses a Fort Washington mailing address.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 16.57 square miles (42.9 km2), of which 13.79 square miles (35.7 km2) is land and 2.78 square miles (7.2 km2), or 16.8%, is water.[10]
First-time visitors are often confused by the several "Livingston Roads", which repeatedly crossRoute 210, as well as by the two separate "Old Fort Roads", causing them to make wrong turns off ofMaryland Route 210. Eventually, all roads intersecting Route 210 in the Fort Washington area (from the Beltway as far south as the Highway 210 curve atPiscataway Creek) will be upgraded to controlled-access interchanges (eliminating all traffic signals) gradually during the 2020s.
The fort's land originally included 347 acres, which was last surveyed in June 1944.[7]
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) maintains the Harmony Hall Regional Center[1], including the John Addison Concert Hall, site of community theater ("Tantallon Community Players"), art shows, frequent concerts, and a variety of classes for all ages. AYMCA fitness center operated from 2005 until 2016, and a community center facility opened in 2013 in Fort Washington Forest.
The 12,000-member Ebenezer A.M.E. Church is a large nursery/landscaping business and a popular motorcycle shop. There is a small 50-bed hospital (Fort Washington Hospital).
Prince George's County Police Department District 7 Station in Fort Washington CDP serves the community.[11][12]
TheU.S. Postal Service operates the Fort Washington Post Office in Fort Washington CDP.[13]
TheInteragency Training Center, a training center for theNational Security Agency, is based in Fort Washington CDP.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 24,032 | — | |
| 2000 | 23,845 | −0.8% | |
| 2010 | 23,717 | −0.5% | |
| 2020 | 24,261 | 2.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[14] 2010[15] 2020[16] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2010[15] | Pop 2020[16] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 2,690 | 2,170 | 11.34% | 8.94% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 16,576 | 15,334 | 69.89% | 63.20% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 51 | 32 | 0.22% | 0.13% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 2,154 | 2,227 | 9.08% | 9.18% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 8 | 17 | 0.03% | 0.07% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 56 | 179 | 0.24% | 0.74% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 617 | 828 | 2.60% | 3.41% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1,565 | 3,474 | 6.60% | 14.32% |
| Total | 23,717 | 24,261 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Per the2020 census, the population was 24,261.[4]
As of thecensus of 2010,[17] there were 23,717 people, 8,135 households, and 6,319 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,719.8 inhabitants per square mile (664.0/km2). There were 8,681 housing units at an average density of 523.0 per square mile (201.9/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 70.6%African American, 13.40%White, 9.2%Asian (mostlyFilipino), 0.2%Native American, 0.00%Pacific Islander, 3.3% fromother races, and 2.38% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 6.6% of the population.
There were 8,135 households, out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.9% were married couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.3% were non-families. 18.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.24.
In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 21.7% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 20 to 24, 21.9% from 25 to 44, 32.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.3 males.
According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the CDP was $105,475, and the median income for a family was $111,227.[18] In 2000, males had a median income of $46,656 versus $42,450 for females. Theper capita income for the CDP was $30,871. About 2.8% of families and 3.7% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 5.0% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over. By the end of 2020, the CDP ranks # 5 among top 10 richest black communities in US, with an average family income of $114,234.[19][better source needed]
Potomac Airfield is inFriendly CDP, with a Fort Washington address.[20][21] Formerly Several Metrobus routes served the area, which were P17, P18 and, P19. After the Better Bus Network was launched on June 29, 2025, the three routes were combined to create P97, Prince George’s County Transit: TheBus Route P95 also serves the area, P95 was formerly known as Route 35S. Fort Washington also has a Park and Ride which has the Metrobus P97 serving it currently.
Fort Washington is under thePrince George's County Public Schools district.[12]
Zoned elementary schools serving the CDP are:[22]
Zoned middle schools serving the CDP are:[24]
Zoned high schools serving the CDP are:[25]
The following private schools are located in Fort Washington
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