Damascus, Maryland

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Damascus, Maryland
|settlement_type          = [[Census-designated place]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = 
|named_for                = [[Damascus]], [[Syria]]

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Damascus watertower sign Damascus MD 2023-10-08 16-46-55.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = 
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map = Montgomery_County_Maryland_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Damascus_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250x200px
|map_caption              = Location of Damascus, Maryland
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             =

<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type        = Country
| subdivision_type1       = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_type2       = [[List of counties in Maryland|County]]
| subdivision_name        = [[United States]]
| subdivision_name1       = [[Maryland (U.S. state)|Maryland]]
| subdivision_name2       = [[Montgomery County, Maryland|Montgomery]]
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = 
|established_date         =

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_24.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=April 26, 2022}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 36.95
|area_land_km2            = 36.89
|area_water_km2           = 0.06
|area_total_sq_mi         = 14.27
|area_land_sq_mi          = 14.24
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.02

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
|population_total         = 17224
|population_density_sq_mi = 1209.30
|population_density_km2   = 466.92

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset               = &minus;5
|timezone_DST             = EDT
|utc_offset_DST           = &minus;4
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 712
|coordinates              = {{coord|39|15|18|N|77|11|43|W|region:US-MD_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 20872
|area_code                = [[Area codes 301 and 240|301, 240]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 24-21475
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2389391<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2389391}}</ref>
|website                  = 
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Damascus''' is a [[census-designated place]] and an unincorporated area in [[Montgomery County, Maryland|Montgomery County]], [[Maryland]], United States. In the early 20th century, there existed an incorporated municipality lasting a quarter century. It had a population of 17,224 as of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="QuickFacts">{{cite web |title=QuickFacts: Damascus CDP, Maryland |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/damascuscdpmaryland/POP010220 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=17 August 2021}}</ref> Damascus is located at the intersection of two major roads in upper [[Montgomery County, Maryland|Montgomery County]]: Ridge Road (currently [[Maryland Route 27|Rt. 27]]) and Damascus Road (currently [[Maryland Route 108|Rt. 108]]).

==Etymology==
The name was first used in an official document in 1816, when the [[United States Congress]] approved a postal route through the area, operated by Edward Hughes.

== History ==
The area currently known as Damascus was granted by the new U.S. state of Maryland to Nathaniel Pigman in 1783. On February 14, 1819, [[War of 1812]] veteran Edward Hughes bought a {{convert|40|acre|m2|adj=on}} section of the grant and began subdividing lots for sale. [[James Madison]], the fourth U.S. president, appointed Hughes postmaster of the developing community of Damascus in 1816.<ref name="Offutt">{{cite book   | last = Offutt | first = William |author2=Sween, Jane | title = Montgomery County: Centuries of Change | publisher = American Historical Press | year = 1999 | pages = 165}}</ref> Hughes received permission from Congress for a [[Post road|postal route]] through the town. Hughes called his town "The Pleasant Plains of Damascus" after [[Damascus|Damascus, Syria]]. A newspaper in [[Frederick, Maryland|Frederick]] wrote of Hughes's growing town: "There is at this place an extensive opening for mechanics of all the different kinds, and it bids fair to improve very fast; ... There is at present two blacksmith shops, a saddler's shop and a store in the place -- a tailor, a wheel wright, and a shoemaker are much wanted, and would meet with great encouragement." This was the Damascus of 1816. The new township drew settlers from [[Anne Arundel County, Maryland|Anne Arundel County]] as well as from Montgomery County. On September 12, 1862, U.S. Army troops marched through the "village" of Damascus via what is now Route 27 on their way to the town of [[Sharpsburg, Maryland|Sharpsburg]], where they engaged Confederate troops commanded by General [[Robert E. Lee]] at the [[Battle of Antietam]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2009}}

The town was incorporated from 1890 until 1914, when the townspeople requested the incorporation be withdrawn so that Old Quaker Road, used since [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary]] times and before, could be paved into a state highway. The town remains a commercial center for rural communities like Clagettsville, Browningsville, Cedar Grove, Woodfield, King's Valley, Purdum, and Lewisdale, although it is more developed today.<ref name="Offutt"/>

In spite of spiraling population growth and encroaching urban development, old-timers feel like Damascus retains its rural, small-town character. The Damascus Community Fair—a fully agricultural fair that has been in operation since 1940—attracts thousands of visitors annually in the first weekend of September. [[4-H]] clubs and equestrian centers have retained their popularity in the area.{{Citation needed|date=May 2009}}

November 17, 2009 marked the grand opening of the Damascus Heritage Society Museum.{{Citation needed|date=November 2010}}

Damascus was Maryland's last [[dry county|dry town]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://wtop.com/news/2012/03/damascus-mds-last-dry-town-may-get-a-drink/|title=Damascus, Md.’s last dry town, may get a drink|date=March 16, 2012|work=WTOP}}</ref> until 2013, when townspeople passed a bill by referendum to allow the sale of beer and wine.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hendrix|first=Steve|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/in-montgomery-dry-damascus-prepares-to-embrace-beer-and-wine/2013/01/06/a362a1ac-447e-11e2-8e70-e1993528222d_story.html|title=In Montgomery, dry Damascus prepares to embrace beer and wine|date=January 6, 2013|work=The Washington Post}}</ref>

In 2017, Damascus parents and teachers raised funds to paint the town's [[water tower]] with the green-and-gold "D" logo displayed on the high school football helmets, as a way to honor the prestigious football team and turn the formerly plain-looking tower into an iconic town landmark. The tower can be seen from all around Damascus, and from the high school football field. Initially, the organizers planned to use the school's Swarmin' Hornet mascot, but [[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets|Georgia Tech]] did not allow them to because of its similarity to their trademarked yellow-jacket logo.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Trull|first=Armando|url=https://wamu.org/story/17/07/06/georgia-techs-buzz-bests-damascus-high-swarmin-hornets-fight-logo-rights/|title=Georgia Tech’s Buzz Bests Damascus High Swarmin’ Hornets In Fight Over Logo Rights|date=July 6, 2017|work=WAMU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Chason|first=Rachel|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/no-swarmin-hornet-on-damascus-water-tower-but-a-d-will-be-added-to-show-school-spirit/2017/07/08/79c234ae-63f8-11e7-84a1-a26b75ad39fe_story.html|title=No Swarmin’ Hornet on Damascus water tower, but a ‘D’ will be added to show school spirit|date=July 8, 2017|work=The Washington Post}}</ref>

==Geography==
As an unincorporated area, Damascus' boundaries are not officially defined. Damascus is recognized by the [[United States Census Bureau]] as a [[census-designated place]], and by the [[United States Geological Survey]] as a populated place located.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> Damascus proper is a locally high spot at 847&nbsp;ft (258m) above sea level, while other portions of the area described as Damascus are as high as 866&nbsp;ft (264m) above sea level.  However the highest elevation in the county is actually within what is considered Mt. Airy, MD, measuring 883&nbsp;ft (269m) above sea level at the Full Gospel Church.  This peak just southwest of Mt. Airy  is actually the highest elevation in the immediately adjacent Washington D.C. suburbs.

Damascus is west of the fall line between the [[Piedmont (United States)|Piedmont]] of [[Appalachia]] and the [[Atlantic coastal plain]]. Damascus is known for its rural landscape and family-owned farms. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the place has a total area of {{convert|9.6|sqmi|km2}}, all land. 34

The town is located on Parr's Ridge, a low shale ridge that rises about 300 feet above the surrounding Piedmont.  Open hilltops in the area afford pisquerias vistas of the Appalachian Mountains to the southwest, west, and northwest.  These ridges include Sugarloaf Mountain and South Mountain, MD, Catoctin Mountain, in MD and PA, and the Blue Ridge of VA.  On very clear days, two 4,000 foot plus peaks in the Shenandoah National Park of VA can be seen 75 miles to the southwest.

===Climate===
The climate in this area is characterized by warm, humid summers and generally cool winters. According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Damascus has a [[humid subtropical climate]], abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=593626&cityname=Damascus,+Maryland,+United+States+of+America&units=|title=Damascus, Maryland Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase}}</ref>

Due to its higher elevation,rural landscape, and northernmost location in Montgomery County, its 32-inch average snowfall is the highest in the county and the immediately adjacent Washington D.C. suburbs.  In the record-breaking winter of 2009-2010, 98.4 inches of snow fell and a maximum depth of 37 inches was recorded, the greatest snow depth in the area's history.  Occasionally intense blizzards fed by coastal waters can paralyze the area.  In average winters, snow-covered ground comes and goes.  In severe winters, ponds may stay frozen and the ground will remain snow-covered for a month or two.

Rainfall is usually plentiful and well distributed throughout the year.  In an average year, about 46 inches is recorded. Thunderstorms are quite common during June to August.  Sometimes they produce hail and damaging winds, but tornadoes are rare.

Temperatures are moderate.  January's average monthly temperature is 31&nbsp;°F, and July's is 74&nbsp;°F.  Occasionally, frigid Arctic outbreaks from Canada can drive minimum temperatures below {{convert|0|F|C}} for a morning or two.  During the summer months, heat waves can produce a week or two of 90&nbsp;°F or higher afternoon days.  Summer morning temperatures are usually pleasant, averaging in the mid-60s.

{{Weather box
|location = Damascus, Maryland, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1973–present
|single line = Yes

|Jan record high F = 73
|Feb record high F = 78
|Mar record high F = 86
|Apr record high F = 91
|May record high F = 93
|Jun record high F = 97
|Jul record high F = 101
|Aug record high F = 102
|Sep record high F = 97
|Oct record high F = 90
|Nov record high F = 81
|Dec record high F = 75

|Jan avg record high F = 61.3
|Feb avg record high F = 63.3
|Mar avg record high F = 73.8
|Apr avg record high F = 83.7
|May avg record high F = 88.1
|Jun avg record high F = 90.9
|Jul avg record high F = 93.2
|Aug avg record high F = 91.7
|Sep avg record high F = 87.8
|Oct avg record high F = 80.2
|Nov avg record high F = 71.4
|Dec avg record high F = 62.6
|year avg record high F = 93.0

|Jan high F = 39.1
|Feb high F = 42.6
|Mar high F = 51.6
|Apr high F = 63.9
|May high F = 72.5
|Jun high F = 80.2
|Jul high F = 84.3
|Aug high F = 82.6
|Sep high F = 75.7
|Oct high F = 64.5
|Nov high F = 53.3
|Dec high F = 43.5
|year high F = 

|Jan mean F = 31.8
|Feb mean F = 34.4
|Mar mean F = 42.4
|Apr mean F = 53.4
|May mean F = 62.6
|Jun mean F = 70.9
|Jul mean F = 75.1
|Aug mean F = 73.6
|Sep mean F = 66.7
|Oct mean F = 55.5
|Nov mean F = 44.9
|Dec mean F = 36.5
|year mean F = 

|Jan low F = 24.5
|Feb low F = 26.1
|Mar low F = 33.1
|Apr low F = 42.9
|May low F = 52.8
|Jun low F = 61.5
|Jul low F = 66.0
|Aug low F = 64.6
|Sep low F = 57.6
|Oct low F = 46.5
|Nov low F = 36.4
|Dec low F = 29.5
|year low F = 

|Jan avg record low F = 5.4
|Feb avg record low F = 9.9
|Mar avg record low F = 16.0
|Apr avg record low F = 28.1
|May avg record low F = 36.7
|Jun avg record low F = 47.4
|Jul avg record low F = 55.3
|Aug avg record low F = 53.4
|Sep avg record low F = 43.1
|Oct avg record low F = 31.3
|Nov avg record low F = 21.9
|Dec avg record low F = 14.3
|year avg record low F = 3.8

|Jan record low F = -12
|Feb record low F = -9
|Mar record low F = 3
|Apr record low F = 18
|May record low F = 28
|Jun record low F = 38
|Jul record low F = 45
|Aug record low F = 41
|Sep record low F = 35
|Oct record low F = 21
|Nov record low F = 9
|Dec record low F = -5

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 3.41
|Feb precipitation inch = 2.98
|Mar precipitation inch = 4.04
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.62
|May precipitation inch = 4.35
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.67
|Jul precipitation inch = 4.49
|Aug precipitation inch = 4.18
|Sep precipitation inch = 4.76
|Oct precipitation inch = 4.01
|Nov precipitation inch = 3.49
|Dec precipitation inch = 3.89
|year precipitation inch = 

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 10.4
|Feb precipitation days = 9.8
|Mar precipitation days = 10.1
|Apr precipitation days = 11.1
|May precipitation days = 11.4
|Jun precipitation days = 11.1
|Jul precipitation days = 9.8
|Aug precipitation days = 9.5
|Sep precipitation days = 9.0
|Oct precipitation days = 8.8
|Nov precipitation days = 8.2
|Dec precipitation days = 10.0

|Jan snow inch = 9.4
|Feb snow inch = 11.1
|Mar snow inch = 4.8
|Apr snow inch = 0.2
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.0
|Nov snow inch = 0.8
|Dec snow inch = 5.1
|year snow inch = 

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 5.3
|Feb snow days = 4.7
|Mar snow days = 2.5
|Apr snow days = 0.3
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.0
|Nov snow days = 0.6
|Dec snow days = 2.9

|Jan snow depth inch = 
|Feb snow depth inch = 
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|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00182336&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Damascus 3 SSW, MD
|access-date = January 31, 2024
}}
</ref><ref name = NOWData>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=lwx
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Baltimore
|access-date = January 31, 2024
}}
</ref><ref name = XMACIS2>
{{cite web
|url = https://xmacis.rcc-acis.org/
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = xmACIS2
|access-date = January 31, 2024
}}
</ref>
}}

==Education and athletics==
[[Damascus High School]] (DHS) is well-known regionally and nationally for its championship athletic teams, known as the Swarmin' Hornets. DHS is one of the few remaining schools in the state to still hold its graduation ceremonies on the school's football field. A rite of passage for many graduating seniors is to walk on the field and receive their diploma not only in front of family and friends in the stands, but also the several hundred townspeople who gather outside the fences to watch the ceremony. In the case of inclement weather, the graduation ceremony is held in the high school's auditorium.

Former [[U.S. Secretary of State]] and former [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]] General [[Colin Powell]] was the speaker for Damascus High School's Class of 2000 commencement ceremony at the high school's football stadium. [[Billy Ripken]], brother of Oriole baseball player [[Cal Ripken Jr.]], was the speaker for the 2013 commencement, which also took place at the Damascus High School football stadium.

==Civic groups==
The [[American Legion]] is active in the community.  Since Damascus Post 171 was founded after [[World War II]], it has engaged in charitable and civic endeavors, ranging from installing Christmas decorations downtown to sponsoring high school scholarships. Post 171 is host to annual ceremonies commemorating Memorial Day and Veterans Day on the grounds of the Post home.  Post 171 also sponsors an American Junior Legion baseball team, which is a perennial champion.

[[Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service|Montgomery County Fire & Rescue]] Company 13, with headquarters in Damascus, is one of the oldest companies in the Montgomery County fire service.  Originating in 1940 as an all-Volunteer force, the [[Damascus Volunteer Fire Department-Company 13]] [http://www.damascusvfd.com] transitioned to a mix of full-time professionals and volunteers since the late 1980s.  Today the company is responsible for a fast growing residential and downtown area.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|2000= 11430
|2010= 15257
|2020= 17224
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 12, 2014 }}</ref><br />2000–2020<ref name="QuickFacts"/>
}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=Census.gov }}</ref> of 2000, there were 11,430 people, 3,710 households, and 3,079 families residing in the area. The population density was {{convert|1,187.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 3,773 housing units at an average density of {{convert|392.0|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The ethnic makeup of the area was 89.66% [[White (U.S. Census)|white]], 6.63% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.24% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.21% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.28% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.95% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 4.31% of the population.

There were 3,710 households, of which 52.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.0% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.0% were non-families. 13.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.08 and the average family size was 3.38.

There are 34.0% of the population under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 33.6% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 5.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.6 males.

The median income for a household in the community was $71,447, and the median income for a family was $76,462. Males had a median income of $51,590 versus $38,731 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the area was $26,659. About 4.2% of families and 5.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 0.9% of those age 65 or over.

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{commons category-inline|Damascus, Maryland}}

{{Montgomery County, Maryland}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:1819 establishments in Maryland]]
[[Category:1890 establishments in Maryland]]
[[Category:1914 disestablishments in Maryland]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Maryland]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Montgomery County, Maryland]]
[[Category:Populated places disestablished in 1914]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1819]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1890]]