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Mount Rainier, MD

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Mount Rainier, MD

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Demographics

DiverseSimpson's Diversity Index: 65
Population8,235
Foreign Born17.3%
Population Density12,926people per mi²
Median Age40.0 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
StableSince 2010, this city has held a relatively stable population and racial composition.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
B+
Good

Above-average quality of iife. The area offers a reasonable cost of living, decent mobility, and a mix of neighborhood amenities.

Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.

Cost of Living

148/100

48% above national average

B-

The Real Cost of Living in Mount Rainier, Maryland

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $23k$43k
Comfortable $71k$105k
Luxury $104k+$162k+
Elite (Top 5%) $123k+$190k+
Affordability Ratio

65%

The Hood Index™

A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.

A-
Hood Index scan area
Premium Lean75%
RisksNeutralGrowth
Premium
40
Positive
40
Poor
10
Negative
28

Groceries

8 within 10 miles

0.6mi

Gas

20 within 10 miles

0.5mi

Hospital

20 within 20 miles

0.9mi

Airport

DCA — Ronald Reagan Washington National

7.4mi

Post Office

USPS — Mount Rainier, MD

0.5mi

Critical Amenities

Golf7Nearest 2.7 mi
Camping20Nearest 0.4 mi
Marina13Nearest 4.4 mi
Winery3Nearest 2.2 mi
Ice Rink3Nearest 3.2 mi
Gun Range5Nearest 6.4 mi

Affluence Level

Overall Affluence Grade
C+
Average

A middle-class area roughly in line with national averages across income, home values, education, and employment.

Median HHI
$68k+6.4%
9% below US avg
Est. Avg Net Worth
$1.1M
67% above US avg
College Educated
34.7%
1% below US avg
WFH
16.8%
17% above US avg
Homeownership
24.3%
63% below US avg
Median Home
$522k
85% above US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
C-
Elevated

Higher crime rates than 57% of comparable U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
21.7
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
+74.4%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr+42.7%
Homicide*
0.05 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Robbery*
0.84 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Aggravated Assault*
2.34 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg

Property Crime

5yr+106.0%
Burglary*
1.64 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Larceny-Theft*
13.30 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Motor Vehicle Theft*
3.15 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025* = State-level data substituted where local agency has not published figures

Political Climate

Cook PVI: D+39Solidly Liberal

District shown is the primary district for this city’s centroid. Cities may span multiple districts.

Presidential Voting Trends for Mount Rainier, Maryland
Dem Rep
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%2000200420082012201620202024

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
B-
Self-Reliant

Viable for self-reliance. Generally workable, though some barriers may limit total independence.

State Policy

Tax Burden
D+
Poor11.3% of income
Property Rights
D
WeakIJ Grade D
Firearm Rights
F
PoorFPC Grade F
Homeschooling
A-
GoodLow regulation

Energy independence: Importer (8% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
F
ProhibitedIllegal
Gambling Laws
A
Broadly OpenCasinos · Poker · Sportsbetting
Marijuana Laws
A+
Fully LegalRecreational

Homesteading

Growing Season228 days293 frost-free
Annual Rainfall61.9"
Elevation92 ft

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
D
Vulnerable

Multiple tactical vulnerabilities. Population density, target proximity, or disaster risk are likely compounding. A retreat property and exit planning is required.

Strategic Pillars

City Proximity
F
Poor4.6 mi to nearest major city
Pop. Density
F
Poor12,926/sq mi
Fallout Danger
C
Weak27 within ~30 mi
Natural Disaster
F
PoorInland Flooding, Heat Wave, Tornado, Hurricane, Earthquake
Border / Coast
A+
Greatborder 296 mi · coast 102 mi
FEMA Expected Loss$121.8M/yrfor the county

Key Distances

Nearest Major CityWashington690k people are 4.6 mi away
Nearest Major AirportDCA7.4 mi away
Distance to State Capital26 miAnnapolis, MD
Nearest Prison4.1 mi7 within 25 mi

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-22T02:58:03.000Z

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