District Heights, Maryland

District Heights is an incorporated city in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States, located near Maryland Route 4. The population was 5,837 at the 2010 United States Census. For more information, see the separate articles on Forestville and Suitland.

District Heights is located  from central Washington.

Geography
District Heights is located at  (38.859545, −76.889139).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.

History

District Heights was originally farmland owned by Major Leander P. Williams, purchased as four patented Lord Baltimore tracts known as: "Good Luck," "Magruder's Plains Enlarged," "the Levels," and "Offutt's Adventure." Under grants issued to Lord Baltimore by King Charles I of Great Britain, the tracts belonged to Colonel Ninian Beall, Benjamin Berry, and Alexander Magruder. District Heights evolved from one of the four patents. In 1925, land was purchased and formed into District Heights Company by Joseph Tepper, David L. Blanken, Henry Oxenberg, Gilbert Leventhal, Simon Gordon, and Simon Gerber. The land was farmed by Walter and Al Dustin, whose farmhouse stood at 7116 Foster Street. By 1925, streets laid out first three blocks of Halleck Street and Aztec. By 1936, the city had approximately 25 homes built, two businesses, a grocery store and filling station, a pump house and water tower to furnish the water and pressure for the City, a sewage system and a free Model T bus service to 17th and Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E.

Adjacent areas
 Walker Mill (north)
 Forestville (southeast)
 Capitol Heights (northwest)
 Morningside (south)

Demographics

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 5,837 people, 2,050 households, and 1,505 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 2,212 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 6.0% White, 90.1% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.7% of the population.

There were 2,050 households of which 40.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.0% were married couples living together, 32.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 26.6% were non-families. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.31.

The median age in the city was 35.8 years. 26.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.5% were from 25 to 44; 28.3% were from 45 to 64; and 10% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.0% male and 54.0% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,958 people, 2,070 households, and 1,538 families residing in the city. The population density was 6,649.1 people per square mile (2,556.0/km²). There were 2,170 housing units at an average density of 2,421.7 per square mile (930.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 9.20% White, 87.95% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.86% Asian, 0.20% from other races, and 1.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.49% of the population.

There were 2,070 households out of which 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.6% were married couples living together, 28.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.7% were non-families. 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.36.

In the city, the population was spread out with 30.8% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $52,331, and the median income for a family was $61,220. Males had a median income of $37,129 versus $32,443 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,190. About 4.5% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.0% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people
Lloyd R. Woodson, arrested in 2010 with military-grade illegal weapons he intended to use in  a violent crime, and a detailed map of the Fort Drum military installation.
 NaVorro Bowman, former outside linebacker at Penn State University and current inside linebacker for the Oakland Raiders was born and attended high school in Forestville.
 East Coast Rapist, Aaron H. Thomas, lived in District Heights/Forestville from June 1994 to August 2006. 
 LaTonya Swann, winner of BET's Born To Dance, was born and raised in District Heights.

Government
The city is governed by a mayor and city commission elected every 4 years.
The current elected mayor and city commission are: 
Mayor Eddie L. Martin;
Commissioner Cynthia Miller (Ward 1);
Commissioner Johnathan Medlock (Ward 1);
Commissioner Harryette Irving (Ward 2);
Commissioner Carol M. Blake (Ward 2)

In June 2019, Mayor Martin was charged with misdemeanor misconduct in office for helping a friend buy $50,000 in fireworks only available to cities and those with a federal explosive license by asserting on city letterhead that they were for the city's Fourth of July celebration rather than for private use.

The U.S. Postal Service operates the District Heights Post Office in an unincorporated area next to the city limits.

Law enforcement
The District Heights Police Department (DHPD) is the primary law enforcement agency for the City of District Heights which is located in Prince George's County, Maryland. An agreement exists with Prince George's County Police Department and the Prince George's County Sheriff's Office that outlines mutual aid assistance. Assistance is also provided by neighboring municipal agencies.

Officers serve the City Commission and the citizens who reside in and around the Municipal Corporation of District Heights. District Heights is located within the 3rd District of the Prince George's County Police Department. The two agencies work closely together responding to calls for service as well as solving crimes. Although the crime rate as reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation is twenty~two percent higher than the national average, this number represents both the non-corporate and corporate portions of District Heights.

The District Heights Police Department began in 1936. Over the years, it has seen many different officers. In 2012, Chief Michael March (Ret) retired, sparking the City Commission to temporarily appoint Chief (Fmr) Yolanda Alexander. Chief Alexander served as acting Chief for more than a year until she was fully sworn in as Chief of Police in October 2013. Her contract as Chief for the District Heights Police Department was not renewed after May 2014 City Mayoral and Commission elections. Several members stated a difference of opinion. Chief Elliott Gibson, was hired in May 2014, as Police Chief.  Chief Gibson had a long history and experience in law enforcement. He was terminated by the City Commission after new Commissioners were elected in May 2019. The current Acting Chief of Police is Troy Harrison. Acting Chief Harrison has been a member of the agency for over ten years. Also in Acting positions are Acting Captain Kinsey Weems and two Police Sergeants.  The current chain of command is made up of one Chief, one Deputy Chief, one Lieutenant, two Sergeants, and four Police Officers.  Permanent positions must be voted on by the Mayor and Commission.

Prince George's County Police Department District 8 Station in Upper Marlboro CDP serves the community.

Education
The city is served by the Prince George's County Public Schools and District 7 of the County's Board of Education.

Elementary schools that serve the city include:
 District Heights Elementary School
 Formerly included District Heights Parkway Elementary, whose building makes up half the current school, and which fed primary grades to District Heights Elementary following 2nd or 3rd grade
 North Forestville Elementary School

Middle schools that serve the city include:
 Drew-Freeman Middle School (7-8)
 Walker Mill Middle School

High schools that serve the city include:
 Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School
 Suitland High School

Francis Scott Key Elementary School is neither in the city, nor serves the city, but has a District Heights postal address. The district previously operated Berkshire Elementary School in what is now Suitland CDP, near District Heights. Berkshire Elementary closed in 2009.

Public libraries
The Prince George's County Memorial Library System operates the Spauldings Branch Library near District Heights.

Transportation

The only highway passing directly through District Heights is Maryland Route 458. MD 458 connects southwest to Maryland Route 5, which provides access to Washington, D.C. and Interstate 95/Interstate 495 (Capital Beltway).

References

External links

 
 Maryland State Archives District Heights site

Category:Cities in Maryland
Category:Washington metropolitan area
Category:Cities in Prince George's County, Maryland
Category:Populated places established in 1925
Category:1925 establishments in Maryland