Ashton is an

unincorporated community An unincorporated area is a region that is not governed by a local municipal corporation. Widespread unincorporated communities and areas are a distinguishing feature of the United States and Canada. Most other countries of the world either have ...

in Montgomery County,

Maryland Maryland ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean to ...

, United States. The commercial center of Ashton lies at the junction of Route 108 (Ashton Road) and

New Hampshire Avenue New Hampshire Avenue is a diagonal street in Washington, D.C., beginning at the Kennedy Center and extending northeast for about 5 miles (8 km) and then continuing into Maryland where it is designated Maryland Route 650. New Hampshire Avenue ...

( Route 650). The etymology of Ashton is unclear, as some longtime residents claim that it comes from reference to a large ash tree that stood at the junction of routes 108 and 650. Others have stated that it is a portmanteau of the names of two Thomas family homes, Ashland and Clifton, each located one mile from the junction. The

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...

combines Ashton with the nearby community of

Sandy Spring Sandy Spring is an Unincorporated area, unincorporated community in Montgomery County, Maryland, Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. Geography Sandy Spring's boundaries are roughly defined as Brooke Road and Dr. Bird Road to the north ...

to form the

census-designated place A census-designated place (CDP) is a concentration of population defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes only. CDPs have been used in each decennial census since 1980 as the counterparts of incorporated places, such ...

of Ashton-Sandy Spring, and all census data are tabulated for this combined entity.

Development

The "Ashton Master Plan" (1998) contains a vision "to preserve the character of Sandy Spring/Ashton as an historic rural community." However, this goal is in conflict with the trend towards development of the area. The plan itself notes that "reliance on a zoning strategy that permitted large-lot, low-density development pattern and clustering around the village centers has not been as effective in maintaining the rural character, as originally envisioned." In 2020, significant development efforts have begun pursuant to the Ashton Village Center Sector Plan. Several projects are underway: (se
Development Projects in Montgomery County, MD
* CVS Ashton (2014) - complete * Ashton Market (2019) - in progress * Olive Branch Community Church - in progress

References

{{authority control Unincorporated communities in Maryland Unincorporated communities in Montgomery County, Maryland Outer Silver Spring, Maryland