Hyattsville, Maryland

Hyattsville, Maryland is a city located in Prince George's County, near Washington, D.C., and is home to University of Maryland students and faculty, as well as employees of the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration. The city is also close to Arlington, Virginia, Alexandria, Virginia, and Silver Spring, Maryland, making it a popular destination for those who work in the Pentagon, National Institutes of Health, or other nearby institutions, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Hyattsville is situated near the Anacostia River and is part of the Washington metropolitan area, which includes Fairfax County, Virginia, Montgomery County, Maryland, and Arlington County, Virginia. The city is also close to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Gallaudet University, and Howard University.

Geography

Hyattsville is located at 38.9573°N 76.9458°W, near the Anacostia River, which flows into the Potomac River and is close to the Chesapeake Bay. The city is situated in the Atlantic coastal plain and is near the Fall Line, which marks the transition from the Piedmont region to the Atlantic coastal plain. Hyattsville is also close to the Patuxent Research Refuge, the Patuxent River, and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, which is a National Historic Park. The city's geography is similar to that of nearby College Park, Maryland, Greenbelt, Maryland, and Takoma Park, Maryland, which are all located in the Washington metropolitan area. Hyattsville is also near the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, which connects Baltimore, Maryland to Washington, D.C., and is close to the Interstate 95 and Interstate 495 highways.

History

Hyattsville was founded in 1845 and was named after Columbus O'Donnell, a local landowner, and Christopher Hyatt, a United States Postal Service employee. The city was originally a small farming community and was later developed into a streetcar suburb of Washington, D.C., with the help of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Electric Railway. Hyattsville was also home to the Hyattsville Armory, which was built in 1918 and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The city has a rich history, with many notable residents, including Thurgood Marshall, who attended Lincoln University (Pennsylvania), and Kevin Durant, who attended University of Texas and played for the Washington Wizards and the Golden State Warriors. Hyattsville is also close to the National Archives, the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian Institution, which are all located in Washington, D.C..

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of Hyattsville was 18,057, with a diverse population of residents from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, including African Americans, Hispanic and Latino Americans, Asian Americans, and White Americans. The city has a high percentage of residents with a Bachelor's degree or higher, with many attending nearby institutions, such as the University of Maryland, Catholic University of America, and Gallaudet University. Hyattsville is also home to many families, with a high percentage of households with children, and is close to the National Children's Museum and the National Zoo. The city has a mix of old and new housing, with many historic homes and new developments, such as the Arts District Hyattsville, which is a mixed-use development with housing, retail, and office space.

Economy

Hyattsville has a diverse economy, with many residents employed in the federal government, including agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The city is also home to many businesses, including University of Maryland-related businesses, such as the University of Maryland Medical System and the University of Maryland-affiliated Institute for Systems Research. Hyattsville is also close to the Fort Meade military base, which is home to the National Security Agency and the United States Cyber Command. The city has a thriving arts scene, with many galleries and studios, including the Hyattsville Community Arts Center and the Brentwood Arts Exchange, which is a partnership between the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and the Prince George's County government.

Education

Hyattsville is served by the Prince George's County Public Schools system, which includes schools such as Hyattsville Middle School and Northwestern High School (Hyattsville, Maryland). The city is also home to many private schools, including DeMatha Catholic High School and Elizabeth Seton High School. Hyattsville is close to many institutions of higher education, including the University of Maryland, Catholic University of America, and Gallaudet University, which are all located in the Washington metropolitan area. The city is also near the University of the District of Columbia and the Corcoran College of Art and Design, which are both located in Washington, D.C.. Hyattsville residents also have access to the Prince George's County Memorial Library System, which includes the Hyattsville Branch Library.

Transportation

Hyattsville is located near several major highways, including Interstate 95 and Interstate 495, which provide access to Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Maryland, and other nearby cities. The city is also served by the Washington Metro, with the West Hyattsville station and the Prince George's Plaza station located nearby. Hyattsville is close to the Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, which provide access to domestic and international flights. The city is also served by the Maryland Transit Administration and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, which provide bus and rail service to nearby cities and suburbs, including College Park, Maryland, Greenbelt, Maryland, and Takoma Park, Maryland. Hyattsville is also close to the Capital Crescent Trail and the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, which provide opportunities for walking and biking.