Economy & Job Market

The city of Bethesda was named after a biblical place of salutary waters and some of the best known institutions in the city are medical in nature: the National Institutes of Health, the National Library of Medicine and the National Naval Medical Center. Bethesda features world-class research facilities, educational institutions, technology corporations and federal laboratories and agencies. The service industry is the largest employer followed by retail trade and finance, insurance and real estate. Some well-known employers are Bell Atlantic, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of the national Capital Area, Marriott International, Inc, IBM, Citibank, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and Sprint PCS.

Attractions & Points of Interest

Approximately 97,000 people live within a three-mile radius of downtown Bethesda, a population that enjoys touring historic homes, strolling through the spectacular McCrillis Gardens, riding antique trolley cars or taking in the flavor of local festivals, such as Taste of Bethesda and Imagination Bethesda. Other festivals and events include the annual Literary Festival Thursday held every April, and Art Walk Fridays, held the second Friday of every month.

For the art enthusiast, experience downtown Bethesda's unique and inspiring art galleries. Fabulous works of art created locally, nationally and internationally adorn the walls of Bethesda's fascinating gallery community. Spend a Friday evening after work or dinner or take an entire day to delight in the paintings, sculpture, photography, pottery, jewelry and mixed media. Dozens of entertainment venues, such as the Round House Theatre, Dave & Busters, the Imagination Stage, Strathmore Hall Arts Center and the Dennis and Phillip Ratner Museum, delight residents and visitors alike. A free trolley service makes getting around downtown even easier. In addition, the Bethesda region offers a wide choice of transportation options for business, sightseeing, or commuting needs and is a short drive away from three major airports, Dulles International (IAD), Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) and Baltimore-Washington International (BWI).

Bethesda is home to a wealth of Leisure-time and cultural activities are abundant in Bethesda. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy 27,000 acres of parkland preserved for hiking, biking and horseback riding, as well as exciting canoe trips down the Potomac River. Walking through Bethesda is like strolling through a huge contemporary art gallery. Three immense sculptures, Rainbow Forest, Girl with a Hoop, and Neptune, are on permanent public display in the busy urban center.