A North Potomac, Maryland Community Since 1971
Source: Bright MLS, 2025 closed sales across all Dufief communities as of March 2026. Detached homes only.
The Dufief communities encompass four interconnected neighborhoods in North Potomac, Maryland: Dufief, Dufief Mill, Dufief Mill Brook, and Dufief Mill Estates. Built between 1971 and 1990, these neighborhoods together form one of the largest residential areas in the 20878 ZIP code. Homes range from 1,200 to over 6,000 finished square feet, with architectural styles spanning contemporary, colonial, rambler, craftsman, and traditional designs. Lot sizes range from about a fifth of an acre to over half an acre, and most homes include two-car garages.
What unites all four sections is their location within the Thomas S. Wootton High School district and their proximity to Dufief Local Park, Muddy Branch Greenway trails, and the shops and dining of Kentlands, Lakelands, and Downtown Crown. The original Dufief section features many contemporary-style homes from the early 1970s with cathedral ceilings and wooded lots, while the newer Mill, Mill Brook, and Mill Estates sections offer larger colonials built in the mid-to-late 1980s on more manicured lots. Many homes across all sections have been extensively renovated, with updated kitchens, finished basements, and expanded floor plans. A Realtor familiar with these communities can help buyers understand the distinct character of each section.
The Dufief communities sit along Dufief Drive and its surrounding streets, bordered by Travilah Road to the south and Muddy Branch Road to the west. Residents enjoy quick access to I-270, I-370, and the Intercounty Connector (ICC/MD-200), along with proximity to Shady Grove Metro, Trader Joe’s, Target, and Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. The Muddy Branch Greenway trail — a 9-mile path for walking, running, and biking — passes through the area, and Dufief Local Park offers playgrounds, tennis courts, and athletic fields.
All four Dufief communities feed into Thomas S. Wootton High School. Elementary and middle school assignments vary by section: the original Dufief and Mill Brook sections are zoned for Dufief Elementary and Robert Frost Middle, while Dufief Mill and Mill Estates are generally zoned for Stone Mill Elementary and Cabin John Middle. Some addresses in Mill Estates are zoned for Travilah Elementary.
For current school assignments, visit the MCPS School Assignment Tool.
School assignments vary by address — always verify with MCPS.
Dufief is the original section, built primarily in the early 1970s. Homes here are often contemporary in style with dramatic cathedral ceilings, exposed wood beams, vaulted spaces, and large windows overlooking wooded lots. Many have been fully renovated, and lot sizes tend to be generous — a quarter-acre to over half an acre. The section includes a mix of three- and four-bedroom homes, some with finished basements and screened porches.
Dufief Mill was built in the mid-1980s and features predominantly colonial-style homes on lots of roughly a quarter- to a third-acre. Homes typically offer four to five bedrooms, two-car garages, and finished lower levels. The section is anchored by streets like Rolling Green Way, Lake Breeze Drive, and Settlers Landing Way, and many homes back to open green space or wooded common areas.
Dufief Mill Brook is a smaller enclave within the broader Dufief area, built in the mid-to-late 1980s. The homes here are generally larger colonials with four to five bedrooms and three to four levels of finished living space. The section is notable for its tree-lined cul-de-sacs and proximity to the Muddy Branch trail system.
Dufief Mill Estates features some of the largest homes in the Dufief area, built from the mid-1980s to around 1990. These are predominantly brick-front colonials on lots ranging from a quarter-acre to nearly half an acre, with four to seven bedrooms and three to five bathrooms. Several homes exceed 4,000 square feet of finished space, and many have been updated with modern kitchens, spa-like bathrooms, and extensive outdoor living areas.
Each Dufief section has its own HOA with separate dues and guidelines. Fees vary by section and may change from year to year — confirm current dues with the relevant HOA before relying on them. Some sections also have community pool and recreation amenities available through the Potomac Farm community association.
Whether you're looking to buy or sell in the Dufief communities, we know these neighborhoods inside and out. As your local North Potomac real estate agent, we'll help you navigate the market and achieve your goals.
Information herein is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Market data sourced from Bright MLS; figures reflect closed sales for the calendar year indicated. School assignments are subject to change — verify current boundaries with MCPS. Neighborhood descriptions and boundaries are approximate.