Is Kemp Mill Safe, Pros and cons of living in Kemp Mill

Kemp Mill, Maryland, offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and convenient access to urban amenities, making it an appealing option for those seeking a balanced lifestyle. Located in Montgomery County, this community is known for its tree-lined streets, parks, and a strong sense of community. Its proximity to Washington D.C. provides residents with abundant opportunities for employment, cultural enrichment, and recreation, all while maintaining a peaceful residential atmosphere.

The area is characterized by its diverse population and a welcoming environment, which is further enhanced by its well-regarded schools and generally safe surroundings. Kemp Mill provides a comfortable living experience, with a variety of housing options and a cost of living that, while higher than the national average, is often justified by its desirable attributes and location.

Is it Safe to Live in Kemp Mill?

Kemp Mill generally presents a safe environment for its residents, with crime rates that are lower than the national average. The overall crime rate is reported to be 12.24 incidents per 1,000 residents annually, positioning it as safer than 90% of U.S. cities (as reported by Wikipedia). This statistic is further supported by data indicating that Kemp Mill has a lower crime rate than many of its surrounding neighborhoods, including Four Corners, White Oak, Woodside, and Wheaton (as reported by Wikipedia).

Violent crime in Kemp Mill is notably low, with a rate of 1.56 per 1,000 residents. Property crime, while less common, occurs at a rate of 6.91 per 1,000 residents. Residents often consider the eastern parts of the city to be the safest, with a significantly lower chance of being a victim of crime compared to the western neighborhoods (as reported by CrimeGrade.org and Wikipedia). Despite the overall safety, it’s always advisable for residents to remain aware of their surroundings, particularly in the evenings (as reported by DoorProfit).

Housing Market and Cost of Living

The housing market in Kemp Mill is competitive, with a median home price that is above both the Maryland and national averages. As of March 2026, the median home price was $580,000, showing a slight increase of 2.1% compared to the previous year (as reported by Redfin). Homes in Kemp Mill typically sell within an average of 31 days on the market (as reported by Redfin).

For those considering renting, the median rent for all bedroom types in Kemp Mill was approximately $2,240 as of April 2026, which is 16% higher than the national average (as reported by Zumper). Monthly rents for apartments can range from around $1,715 for a studio to $2,290 for a two-bedroom unit, while houses for rent average about $2,950 per month (as reported by Zumper). The cost of living in Kemp Mill is generally higher than the national average, attributed in part to its desirable location and housing costs (as reported by LivingInMaryland.com).

Job Market and Economic Outlook

Kemp Mill supports an active civilian workforce of 7,309 people, with a significant majority, 89.1%, employed in professional or administrative positions (as reported by Point2Homes). The unemployment rate in Kemp Mill is reported at 7.2% (as reported by Point2Homes). This figure is higher than the state unemployment rate for Maryland, which was 4.3% in February 2026 (as reported by USAFacts).

The average salary for a Production Supervisor in Kemp Mill is approximately $69,822 per year (as reported by Indeed). For Software Engineers, the estimated average salary is around $108,068 per year (as reported by Indeed). The median household income in Kemp Mill is reported at $146,354 (as reported by World Population Review), which helps to offset the higher cost of living and makes a comfortable lifestyle achievable for many residents.

Climate and Weather

Kemp Mill experiences a humid subtropical climate, characterized by distinct seasons. Summers are warm and humid, with average high temperatures in July reaching around 87°F, while winter temperatures are mild but can occasionally drop below freezing (as reported by Wikipedia). The area receives an average of 44 inches of rain annually, which is more than the U.S. average (as reported by Wikipedia).

Snowfall is relatively light, averaging about 14 inches per year, which is less than the national average (as reported by Wikipedia). The muggiest period typically occurs from May through September, with July being the most humid month. Comfortable temperatures, with highs between 70°F and 85°F, are generally experienced in September, May, and June (as reported by Wikipedia).

Education and Schools

Kemp Mill is served by Montgomery County Public Schools, a highly-rated district within Maryland. Local schools include Kemp Mill Elementary School, Odessa Shannon Middle School, and Northwood High School (as reported by Wikipedia). Kemp Mill Elementary School has a student-teacher ratio of 10:1 and serves students in grades Pre-K-5 (as reported by Homes.com).

While Kemp Mill is considered a highly educated community, with 92.5% of the population holding a high-school diploma or higher and 60.2% possessing a bachelor’s degree or higher (as reported by Wikipedia), the performance of Kemp Mill Elementary School has received mixed reviews. It holds a Niche grade of B- and a GreatSchools rating of 2 out of 10 (as reported by Homes.com). SchoolDigger reports that Kemp Mill Elementary consistently ranks in the bottom half of Maryland elementary schools, with significantly lower academic performance than district and state averages (as reported by SchoolDigger).

Demographics and Community

As of the 2020 census, Kemp Mill had a population of 13,378 residents (as reported by Wikipedia). The median age is approximately 38.3 years (as reported by Wikipedia), with a nearly even split between males and females. The racial makeup of Kemp Mill is diverse, with approximately 59.5% identifying as White, 18.1% as Black or African American, and 8.3% as Asian (as reported by Wikipedia). The community is also home to a significant Orthodox Jewish population, often referred to as a “shtetl” (as reported by Wikipedia).

The community is composed of multiple subdivisions, including Kemp Mill Estates, Kemp Mill Farms, Kemp Mill Forest, and Springbrook Forest (as reported by Wikipedia). Housing in these areas includes a mix of midcentury split-level homes, 1980s colonials, and ramblers, set amidst mature oak trees (as reported by Wikipedia). The median household income in Kemp Mill is reported at $146,354 (as reported by World Population Review), contributing to the community’s overall appeal and stability.

Pros and Cons of Living in Kemp Mill

Kemp Mill offers numerous advantages, including its relatively low crime rates, which are below both the national and many local averages (as reported by Wikipedia and CrimeGrade.org). The community boasts excellent educational options within the Montgomery County Public Schools system, and a highly educated populace (as reported by Wikipedia). Its proximity to Washington D.C. provides significant career and lifestyle opportunities, while the suburban atmosphere offers a peaceful environment with access to parks and recreational areas (as reported by LivingInMaryland.com).

However, Kemp Mill also presents some challenges. The cost of living, particularly housing prices and rent, is higher than the national average (as reported by Redfin and Zumper). While the community is generally safe, specific neighborhoods may have slightly higher crime rates than others (as reported by Wikipedia). Furthermore, some local schools, such as Kemp Mill Elementary, may not meet the academic performance benchmarks of the broader district or state (as reported by SchoolDigger).