Olney is a Maryland suburb of Washington, DC, located about 20 miles due north of the U.S. Capitol, in the north east portion of Montgomery County.
Olney is an unincorporated town. That means that while we have a strong sense of community, we do not have a local government, mayor, council, planning board, police department, etc. Rather, we receive those services from the county government.
The 2003 Census Update lists a population of 39,260 residing in 12,110 households. Thirty percent of our population is age 17 and under, and the average age is 34.7. The 2002 median household income was just under $105,000.
Olney is proud of its excellent schools, well-maintained neighborhoods, and strong community spirit.
History
For a much more detailed history, please visit the Sandy Spring Museum.
- 1720
- Original land grant of 2,550 acres from King George II of England
- 1760
- Area known as Fair Hill after first house built
- 1800
- Olney House built and named after Olney, England
- 1826
- Mechanicsville Post Office established at Fair Hill, then a Quaker school.
- 1849
- Toll gates here on the Brookeville-Washington Turnpike
- 1851
- Olney Post Office established by the U.S. Postal Service
- 1864
- Rebel and Union soldiers passed through
- 1873
- Olney Grange Hall #7 built on this site
- 1875
- Olney public school located west of present St. John’s Church
- 1880
- Population of Olney 80 persons
- 1978
- Crossroads of Routes 97 and 108 demolished for widening of intersection
- 1980
- Greater Olney population at 15,300
- 1994
- Greater Olney population over 29,500
- 1994
- Brookeville celebrated its Bicentennial
- 1995
- Montgomery General Hospital celebrated its 75th anniversary
- 1999
- Sandy Spring Volunteer Fire Department celebrated its 75th anniversary
- 2000
- Greater Olney population over 40,000