Montgomery County residents are “thriving” at the regional rate, even after federal job cuts or furloughs hurt most households.
That’s one finding from the 2026 VoicesDMV Community Insights survey. The Greater Washington Community Foundation and Gallup released the report.
The survey found 52% of county residents rate their lives highly enough to count as thriving. That matches the regional average and tops the 48% national rate. Meanwhile, 57% of county households said federal job cuts or furloughs hurt them over the past year.
Gallup collected 2,801 responses by mail from households across the region between Feb. 9 and April 6, 2026.
Federal job cuts reached most households
Montgomery County’s economy has long relied on federal jobs and contracts. The survey asked residents about the previous 12 months, a period shaped by the 2025 federal workforce reductions.
Share of households saying federal job cuts or furloughs hurt them:
- Montgomery County: 57%
- Regional average: 55%
- The District: 66%
- Arlington and Alexandria: 62%
Some families turned to help for the first time. In the county, 13% of residents said someone in their household used social services for the first time in the past year. Those services include food banks, job placement support and other government or nonprofit programs. The regional rate was 14%.
Housing costs remain the biggest pressure
Only 12% of county residents rate the availability of affordable housing in the area as excellent or good. About a third, 32%, worry about paying their rent or mortgage.
For renters, the county’s rent stabilization allowance caps increases at 5.2%. That limit took effect July 1, 2026.
For homeowners, the state’s 2026 reassessment found a 12.6% increase in residential values for the county properties it reviewed. Higher assessments can raise property tax bills. Maryland reassesses a third of properties each year and phases in increases over three years.
Immigration enforcement impact matches the region
About a third of county residents, 33.6%, are foreign born. Their neighbors reported the same level of harm from immigration enforcement as the region overall.
Share of county residents saying increased immigration enforcement hurt their household:
- Montgomery County: 24%
- Regional average: 24%
- The District: 38%
- Arlington and Alexandria: 33%
The report notes the direct impact may run deeper than these numbers show. Residents facing the most risk may avoid responding to surveys.
In July, after the survey closed, Montgomery County launched a portal for residents to report and track enforcement activity.
Residents favor social investment to address crime
Most county residents, 81%, said more money and effort should go to problems such as drug addiction, homelessness and mental health. Another 19% said it should go to strengthening law enforcement. Those figures match the regional results.
About 17% of Montgomery County residents say they have moderate influence over local government decisions. The regional figure is 15%.
Stretched thin but resilient
Housing worries and the effects of federal job cuts have not gone away. Still, Montgomery County residents rate their lives as “thriving” at the same rate as the region and above the nation.
