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Howard County, Maryland (MD)

County population in 2014: 309,284 (91% urban, 9% rural); it was 247,842 in 2000
County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2010: 64,175
County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2010: 13,018
County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 66,414
Renter-occupied apartments: 27,556 (it was 23,629 in 2000)
% of renters here:

26%
State:

32%

Land area: 252 sq. mi.

Water area: 1.5 sq. mi.

Population density: 1227 people per square mile   (very high).

Mar. 2016 cost of living index in Howard County: 108.5 (more than average, U.S. average is 100)

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Industries providing employment: Professional, scientific, management, administrative, and waste management services (42.5%), Educational, health and social services (14.9%).

Type of workers:

  • Private wage or salary: 71%
  • Government: 6%
  • Self-employed, not incorporated: 22%
  • Unpaid family work: 0%
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Howard County races chart

Races in Howard County, Maryland:

  • White Non-Hispanic Alone (59.2%)
  • Black Non-Hispanic Alone (17.1%)
  • Asian alone (14.3%)
  • Hispanic or Latino (5.8%)
  • Two or more races (3.1%)
Median resident age:  38.0 years
Maryland median age:  38.0 years
Males: 151,464  (49.0%)
Females: 157,820  (51.0%)
Howard County, MD forum
Recent posts about Howard County, Maryland on our local forum with over 2,000,000 registered users. Howard County is mentioned 3,839 times on our forum:
Carroll county vs Howard county - Real estate question  (11 replies)
Howard County Public Schools vs Montgomery County Public Schools  (5 replies)
Areas in Howard County for townhome purchase  (1 reply)
Carroll County vs Howard County - Real Estate question  (5 replies)
Thoughts about living in Howard County  (10 replies)
Moving to Maryland for Navy Yard Position  (21 replies)

Howard County,MD real estate house value trend

Average household size:
Howard County:

2.0 people
Maryland:

3 people
Estimated median household income in 2015: $110,892 ($74,167 in 1999)

This county:

$110,892
Maryland:

$75,847

Median contract rent in 2015 for apartments: $1,473 (lower quartile is $1,159, upper quartile is $1,857)
This county:

$1473
State:

$1133


Estimated median house or condo value in 2015: $441,000 (it was $198,600 in 2000)
Howard:

$441,000
Maryland:

$299,800
Lower value quartile - upper value quartile: $320,200 - $622,800

Mean price in 2015:

Detached houses: $548,480
Here:

$548,480
State:

$405,490

Townhouses or other attached units: $320,546
Here:

$320,546
State:

$240,612

In 2-unit structures: $402,988
Here:

$402,988
State:

$254,133

In 3-to-4-unit structures: $277,687
Here:

$277,687
State:

$250,406

In 5-or-more-unit structures: $211,924
Here:

$211,924
State:

$254,809

Mobile homes: $39,144
Here:

$39,144
State:

$83,775
Median monthly housing costs for homes and condos with a mortgage: $2,387
Median monthly housing costs for units without a mortgage: $831

Institutionalized population: 1,818

Crime in 2005 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):

  • Murders: 0
  • Rapes: 0
  • Robberies: 0
  • Assaults: 2
  • Burglaries: 0
  • Thefts: 0
  • Auto thefts: 0

Crime in 2004 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):

  • Murders: 0
  • Rapes: 0
  • Robberies: 0
  • Assaults: 0
  • Burglaries: 0
  • Thefts: 0
  • Auto thefts: 0
Howard County, MD map from a distance

Health of residents in Howard County based on CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Questionnaires from 2003 to 2012:

General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) is 3.8. This is significantly better than average.
84.5% of residents exercised in the past month. This is more than average.
35.7% of residents smoked 100+ cigarettes in their lives. This is less than average.
98.8% of adult residents drank alcohol in the past 30 days. This is more than average.
83.0% of residents visited a dentist within the past year. This is more than average.
Average weight of males is 194 pounds. This is about average.
Average weight of females is 154 pounds. This is less than average.

Single-family new house construction building permits:

  • 2000: 1631 buildings, average cost: $130,200
  • 2001: 1327 buildings, average cost: $134,000
  • 2002: 1341 buildings, average cost: $150,600
  • 2003: 1010 buildings, average cost: $176,800
  • 2004: 1284 buildings, average cost: $180,600
  • 2005: 1340 buildings, average cost: $209,000
  • 2006: 1040 buildings, average cost: $193,600
  • 2007: 1113 buildings, average cost: $224,700
  • 2008: 681 buildings, average cost: $243,800
  • 2009: 890 buildings, average cost: $216,700
  • 2010: 936 buildings, average cost: $209,400
  • 2011: 991 buildings, average cost: $234,200
  • 2012: 938 buildings, average cost: $222,200
  • 2013: 1235 buildings, average cost: $223,500
  • 2014: 931 buildings, average cost: $222,600

Number of permits per 10,000 residents

Average cost (in $1000s)

Presidential Elections Results

1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016

1996 Presidential Elections Results

2000 Presidential Elections Results

2004 Presidential Elections Results

2008 Presidential Elections Results

2012 Presidential Elections Results

2016 Presidential Elections Results

Graphs represent county-level data. Detailed 2008 Election Results

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2015: $5,239 (1.2%)
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2015: $5,422 (1.2%)

Howard County household income distribution in 2009 Howard County home values distribution Howard County contract rent distribution in 2009
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2015: 4.5%
(2.3% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 9.5% for Black residents, 12.3% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 1.3% for American Indian residents, 13.0% for other race residents, 7.4% for two or more races residents)

Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2015: 4.5%
Howard County:

4.5%
Maryland:

9.7%
(2.3% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 9.5% for Black residents, 12.4% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 1.3% for American Indian residents, 12.3% for other race residents, 6.3% for two or more races residents)

Median age of residents in 2015: 38 years old
(Males: 37 years old, Females: 39 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 44 years old, Black residents: 37 years old, American Indian residents: 37 years old, Asian residents: 37 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 27 years old, Other race residents: 19 years old)

Area name: Baltimore-Towson, MD HUD Metro FMR Area
Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Howard County is $791 a month.
Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $950 a month.
Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $1220 a month.

Cities in this county include: Columbia, Ellicott City, Scaggsville, Ilchester, Elkridge, North Laurel, Savage-Guilford, Savage, Fulton, Highland.

Howard County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Highest Potential

Click to draw/clear Howard County borders

Neighboring counties: Brown County, Illinois , Lincoln County, Nevada , Mesa County, Colorado , Jefferson County, Missouri , Lincoln County, Kansas , Ross County, Ohio , Sullivan County, Indiana .

Unemployment in September 2015:
Here:

4.0%
Maryland:

5.0%

Unemployment by year (%)

County total employment by year

County average yearly wages by year ($)

Current college students: 16,025
People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 93.1%
People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 52.9%

Number of foreign born residents: 28,113 (52% naturalized citizens)

Howard County:

11.3%
Whole state:

9.8%

Year of entry for the foreign-born population

  • 1995 to March 2000: 6,793
  • 1990 to 1994: 4,579
  • 1985 to 1989: 4,308
  • 1980 to 1984: 3,864
  • 1975 to 1979: 2,839
  • 1970 to 1974: 2,176
  • 1970 to 1974: 1,364
  • 1965 to 1969: 2,190
Note: State values scaled to Howard County population

Mean travel time to work (commute): 30.2 minutes

Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 38.0%

Howard County marital status for males Howard County marital status for females

Housing units in structures:

  • One, detached: 49,894
  • One, attached: 19,419
  • Two: 424
  • 3 or 4: 1,103
  • 5 to 9: 5,899
  • 10 to 19: 9,739
  • 20 or more: 4,499
  • Mobile homes: 1,803
  • Boats, RVs, vans, etc.: 38

Housing units in Howard County with a mortgage: 50,867 (6,999 second mortgage, 7,530 home equity loan, 253 both second mortgage and home equity loan)
Houses without a mortgage: 7,691

Here:

86.9% with mortgage
State:

77.7% with mortgage

Religion statistics for Howard County

ReligionAdherentsCongregations
Catholic54,0588
Evangelical Protestant33,40398
Mainline Protestant24,57158
Other8,16323
Black Protestant2,33211
Orthodox1,0653
None163,493-
Howard County Religion Details
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.

Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores: 42
Howard County:

1.54 / 10,000 pop.
State:

1.96 / 10,000 pop.

Number of supercenters and club stores: 2
Here:

0.07 / 10,000 pop.
Maryland:

0.07 / 10,000 pop.

Number of convenience stores (no gas): 19
This county:

0.70 / 10,000 pop.
Maryland:

1.22 / 10,000 pop.

Number of convenience stores (with gas): 52
Howard County:

1.91 / 10,000 pop.
Maryland:

2.05 / 10,000 pop.

Number of full-service restaurants: 150
This county:

5.50 / 10,000 pop.
State:

5.40 / 10,000 pop.

Adult diabetes rate:
Howard County:

7.5%
Maryland:

9.1%

Adult obesity rate:
Howard County:

23.9%
State:

26.7%

Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Here:

16.4%
State:

15.5%

Agriculture in Howard County:

Average size of farms: 109 acres
Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $62,603
Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $796.31
The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 53.26%
The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 24.19%
Average total farm production expenses per farm: $64,315
Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 54.87%
Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $62,954
The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 84.39%
Average age of principal farm operators: 57 years
Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 11.35
Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 21.03%
Corn for grain: 7162 harvested acres
All wheat for grain: 1942 harvested acres
Soybeans for beans: 4234 harvested acres
Vegetables: 131 harvested acres
Land in orchards: 122 acres

Earthquake activity:

Howard County-area historical earthquake activity is near Maryland state average. It is 85% smaller than the overall U.S. average.

On 1/16/1994 at 01:49:16, a magnitude 4.6 (4.6 MB, 4.6 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 88.4 miles away from Howard County center
On 9/25/1998 at 19:52:52, a magnitude 5.2 (4.8 MB, 4.3 MS, 5.2 LG, 4.5 MW, Depth: 3.1 mi, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 243.7 miles away from the county center
On 12/9/2003 at 20:59:14, a magnitude 4.5 (4.5 MB, 4.5 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 126.3 miles away from the county center
On 1/16/1994 at 00:42:43, a magnitude 4.2 (4.2 MB, 4.0 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 89.0 miles away from the county center
On 1/31/1986 at 16:46:43, a magnitude 5.0 (5.0 MB) earthquake occurred 280.0 miles away from Howard County center
On 10/7/1983 at 10:18:46, a magnitude 5.3 (5.1 MB, 5.3 LG, 5.1 ML) earthquake occurred 352.3 miles away from the county center
Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), local magnitude (ML), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Most recent natural disasters:

  • Maryland Severe Storm and Flooding, Incident Period: July 30, 2016 to July 31, 2016, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4279: September 16, 2016, FEMA Id: 4279, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
  • Maryland Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm, Incident Period: January 22, 2016 to January 23, 2016, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4261: March 04, 2016, FEMA Id: 4261, Natural disaster type: Snowstorm, Winter Storm
  • Maryland Snow Storm, Incident Period: February 12, 2014 to February 13, 2014, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4170: April 10, 2014, FEMA Id: 4170, Natural disaster type: Storm, Snow
  • Maryland Hurricane Sandy, Incident Period: October 26, 2012 to November 08, 2012, Emergency Declared EM-3349: October 28, 2012, FEMA Id: 3349, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
  • Maryland Hurricane Sandy, Incident Period: October 26, 2012 to November 04, 2012, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4091: November 20, 2012, FEMA Id: 4091, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
  • Maryland Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee, Incident Period: September 06, 2011 to September 09, 2011, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4038: October 05, 2011, FEMA Id: 4038, Natural disaster type: Tropical Storm
  • Maryland Hurricane Irene, Incident Period: August 26, 2011 to September 05, 2011, Emergency Declared EM-3335: August 27, 2011, FEMA Id: 3335, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
  • Maryland Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms, Incident Period: February 05, 2010 to February 11, 2010, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1910: May 06, 2010, FEMA Id: 1910, Natural disaster type: Snowstorm, Winter Storm
  • Maryland Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm, Incident Period: December 18, 2009 to December 20, 2009, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1875: February 19, 2010, FEMA Id: 1875, Natural disaster type: Snowstorm, Winter Storm
  • Maryland Hurricane Katrina Evacuation, Incident Period: August 29, 2005 to October 01, 2005, Emergency Declared EM-3251: September 13, 2005, FEMA Id: 3251, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
  • 8 other natural disasters have been reported since 1953.

The number of natural disasters in Howard County (18) is greater than the US average (13).
Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 13
Emergencies Declared: 5

Causes of natural disasters: Hurricanes: 5, Winter Storms: 5, Snowstorms: 4, Floods: 3, Storms: 3, Tropical Storms: 2, Blizzard: 1, Heavy Rain: 1, Snow: 1, Snowfall: 1 (Note: Some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).

Class of Workers

Most common industries in 2015 (%)
Males Females
  • Health care and social assistance (17%)
  • Educational services (15%)
  • Public administration (11%)
  • Professional, scientific, and technical services (10%)
  • Retail trade (7%)
  • Accommodation and food services (5%)
  • Finance and insurance (5%)
  • Health care and social assistance (19%)
  • Educational services (17%)
  • Public administration (12%)
  • Professional, scientific, and technical services (11%)
  • Retail trade (8%)
  • Accommodation and food services (6%)
  • Finance and insurance (5%)
Most common occupations in 2015 (%)
Males Females
  • Management occupations (15%)
  • Computer and mathematical occupations (13%)
  • Sales and related occupations (9%)
  • Architecture and engineering occupations (9%)
  • Office and administrative support occupations (5%)
  • Business and financial operations occupations (5%)
  • Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (4%)
  • Office and administrative support occupations (15%)
  • Management occupations (15%)
  • Education, training, and library occupations (12%)
  • Sales and related occupations (9%)
  • Business and financial operations occupations (8%)
  • Health diagnosing and treating practitioners and other technical occupations (7%)
  • Computer and mathematical occupations (6%)

Most common places of birth for the foreign-born residents (%):

  • Korea (17%)
  • India (11%)
  • China, excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan (6%)
  • Philippines (4%)
  • Mexico (4%)
  • United Kingdom (3%)
  • Germany (3%)

Most common first ancestries reported in Howard County (%):

  • German (15%)
  • Irish (11%)
  • English (9%)
  • Italian (7%)
  • United States or American (6%)
  • Polish (3%)
  • Russian (2%)

Howard County mode of transportation to work chart

Means of transportation to work:

  • Drove a car alone: 110,546 (82%)
  • Carpooled: 12,734 (9%)
  • Bus or trolley bus: 1,265 (1%)
  • Streetcar or trolley car: 20 (0%)
  • Subway or elevated: 920 (1%)
  • Railroad: 981 (1%)
  • Taxi: 247 (0%)
  • Motorcycle: 19 (0%)
  • Bicycle: 75 (0%)
  • Walked: 1,520 (1%)
  • Other means: 540 (0%)
  • Worked at home: 6,125 (5%)

Owners and renters by unit type in %

Breakdown of mean house values by ages of householders ($)


People in group quarters in Howard County, Maryland in 2000:

  • 1,185 people in other noninstitutional group quarters
  • 879 people in state prisons
  • 448 people in nursing homes
  • 306 people in mental (psychiatric) hospitals or wards
  • 218 people in local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups)
  • 216 people in other group homes
  • 183 people in homes for the physically handicapped
  • 108 people in homes for the mentally retarded
  • 30 people in religious group quarters
  • 13 people in hospitals/wards and hospices for chronically ill
  • 13 people in hospices or homes for chronically ill
  • 12 people in wards in general hospitals for patients who have no usual home elsewhere
  • 11 people in homes for the mentally ill
  • 5 people in agriculture workers' dormitories on farms
  • 4 people in other nonhousehold living situations

People in group quarters in Howard County, Maryland in 2010:

  • 817 people in state prisons
  • 454 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
  • 245 people in local jails and other municipal confinement facilities
  • 212 people in mental (psychiatric) hospitals and psychiatric units in other hospitals
  • 201 people in group homes intended for adults
  • 148 people in workers' group living quarters and job corps centers
  • 82 people in emergency and transitional shelters (with sleeping facilities) for people experiencing homelessness
  • 58 people in other noninstitutional facilities
  • 52 people in hospitals with patients who have no usual home elsewhere
  • 26 people in group homes for juveniles (non-correctional)
  • 15 people in residential treatment centers for adults
  • 10 people in residential schools for people with disabilities
  • 2 people in correctional residential facilities
Average gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2010 was $105,995.

8.65% of this county's 2011 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2010 ($65,550 average adjusted gross income)

Here:

8.65%
Maryland average:

6.59%


0.14% of residents moved from foreign countries ($1,146 average AGI)
Howard County:

0.14%
Maryland average:

0.09%

5.20% relocated from other counties in Maryland ($38,998 average AGI)
3.31% relocated from other states ($25,407 average AGI)
Howard County:

3.31%
Maryland average:

3.25%

Percentage of residents relocating from other counties or countries


Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2010 and 2011:
from Baltimore County, MD  1.14% ($62,245 average AGI)
from Prince George's County, MD  1.04% ($54,991)
from Anne Arundel County, MD  0.92% ($64,418)
from Montgomery County, MD  0.88% ($81,343)
from Baltimore city, MD  0.65% ($66,418)
from Carroll County, MD  0.19% ($73,281)
from Fairfax County, VA  0.16% ($70,810)


8.52% of this county's 2010 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2011 ($61,152 average adjusted gross income)

Here:

8.52%
Maryland average:

6.66%


0.22% of residents moved to foreign countries ($1,055 average AGI)
Howard County:

0.22%
Maryland average:

0.11%

4.92% relocated to other counties in Maryland ($32,043 average AGI)
3.37% relocated to other states ($28,055 average AGI)
Howard County:

3.37%
Maryland average:

3.30%

Percentage of residents relocating to other counties or countries


Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2010 and 2011:
to Baltimore County, MD  1.11% ($47,565 average AGI)
to Anne Arundel County, MD  1.03% ($58,740)
to Prince George's County, MD  0.78% ($49,638)
to Montgomery County, MD  0.68% ($64,131)
to Baltimore city, MD  0.58% ($50,822)
to Carroll County, MD  0.28% ($75,407)
to Fairfax County, VA  0.23% ($49,711)

Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 15.5
Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 13.3
Births per 1000 population from 2007 to 2014: 11.8

Births per 1000 population in Howard County

Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 4.5
Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 4.6
Deaths per 1000 population from 2007 to 2014: 4.7

Deaths per 1000 population in Howard County

Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 4.1
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2006: 5.5

Infant deaths per 1000 live births in Howard County

Population without health insurance coverage in 2013: 7.7%
Persons under 19 years old without health insurance coverage in 2013: 3.9%
Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in Howard County
All 18-64 40-64 50-64 Under 19

Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in Howard County


Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2007: 25,182 (22,351 aged, 2,831 disabled)
Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2007: 5,112 (7%)

Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)

Aged persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)

Disabled persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)

Most common underlying causes of death in Howard County, Maryland in 1999 - 2014:

  • Bronchus or lung, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (1,208)
  • Atherosclerotic heart disease (1,072)
  • Acute myocardial infarction, unspecified (1,051)
  • Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, so described (1,050)
  • Unspecified dementia (1,048)
  • Stroke, not specified as haemorrhage or infarction (591)
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, unspecified (574)
  • Alzheimer's disease, unspecified (564)
  • Pneumonia, unspecified (485)
  • Breast, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (456)

Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 11%
Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 11%

Short term general hospitals per 100,000 population in 2004: 0.37
Short term general hospital admissions per 100,000 population in 2004: 5,283
Short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004: 76
Emergency room visits per 100,000 population in 2004: 26,306

General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1,248
Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 462
Dentists per 100,000 population in 1998: 16

Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 60
Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 92

Limited-service eating places per 100,000 population in 2005 : 21
Beer, wine & liquor stores per 100,000 population in 2005: 1

Homicides per 1,000,000 population from 2000 to 2006: 27.3. This is less than state average.

Mechanisms of homicide:

Deaths per 1,000,000 population:
  • Firearm - 17.5
  • Other - 9.8

Suicides per 1,000,000 population from 2000 to 2006: 66.2. This is less than state average.

Mechanisms of suicide:

Deaths per 1,000,000 population:
  • Firearm - 25.1
  • Suffocation - 19.7
  • Other - 21.3

Household type by relationship:

Households: 284,763
  • In family households: 249,305 (55,751 male householders, 20,582 female householders)
    61,671 spouses, 91,714 children (86,988 natural, 2,121 adopted, 2,605 stepchildren), 3,486 grandchildren, 2,367 brothers or sisters, 3,020 parents, 3,566 other relatives, 4,925 non-relatives
  • In nonfamily households: 35,458 (12,688 male householders (9,640 living alone)), 15,728 female householders (13,263 living alone)), 7,042 nonrelatives
  • In group quarters: 2,322 (1,818 institutionalized population)

Size of family households: 27,976 2-persons, 18,385 3-persons, 18,432 4-persons, 7,554 5-persons, 2,495 6-persons, 1,491 7-or-more-persons.

Size of nonfamily households: 22,903 1-person, 4,510 2-persons, 681 3-persons, 204 4-persons, 74 5-persons, 25 6-persons, 19 7-or-more-persons.

55,035 married couples with children.
10,772 single-parent households (2,264 men, 8,508 women).

86.0% of residents of Howard County speak English at home.
3.2% of residents speak Spanish at home (63% speak English very well, 15% speak English well, 14% speak English not well, 8% don't speak English at all).
4.7% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (75% speak English very well, 16% speak English well, 6% speak English not well, 2% don't speak English at all).
4.9% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (54% speak English very well, 26% speak English well, 18% speak English not well, 3% don't speak English at all).
1.1% of residents speak other language at home (85% speak English very well, 10% speak English well, 5% speak English not well).

In fiscal year 2004:

Federal Government expenditure: $1,239,365,000 ($4,646 per capita)
Department of Defense expenditure: $366,422,000
Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $468,153,000
Federal other direct payments to individuals: $113,156,000
Federal direct payments not to individuals: $936,000
Federal grants: $122,224,000
Federal procurement contracts: $466,355,000 ($294,013,000 Department of Defense)
Federal salaries and wages: $68,541,000 ($10,387,000 Department of Defense)
Federal Government direct loans: $428,000
Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $230,712,000
Federal Government insurance: $66,218,000

Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:

Births: 18,503
Here:

69 per 1000 residents
State:

71 per 1000 residents

Deaths: 6,914
Here:

26 per 1000 residents
State:

41 per 1000 residents

Net international migration: +5,704
Here:

+21 per 1000 residents
State:

+19 per 1000 residents

Net internal migration: +4,672
Here:

+17 per 1000 residents
State:

+2 per 1000 residents

Population growth in Howard County

Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 0.00 millions of gallons per day (all from surface)

Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:

7.8
State:

6.9

Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:

4.4
State:

4.2

Year house built

  • 2014 or later: 1,455
  • 2010 to 2013: 6,154
  • 2000 to 2009: 18,316
  • 1990 to 1999: 25,590
  • 1980 to 1989: 27,377
  • 1970 to 1979: 21,488
  • 1960 to 1969: 8,762
  • 1950 to 1959: 3,821
  • 1940 to 1949: 1,349
  • 1939 or earlier: 2,318
Note: State values scaled to Howard population
Rooms in houses/apartments in Howard County, Maryland
Owner-occupied Renter-occupied
Note: State values scaled to Howard County population
  • 1 room: 24
  • 2 rooms: 252
  • 3 rooms: 1,170
  • 4 rooms: 2,271
  • 5 rooms: 4,859
  • 6 rooms: 9,183
  • 7 rooms: 11,454
  • 8 rooms: 14,448
  • 9+ rooms: 22,753
  • 1 room: 491
  • 2 rooms: 2,226
  • 3 rooms: 4,073
  • 4 rooms: 5,834
  • 5 rooms: 5,436
  • 6 rooms: 2,538
  • 7 rooms: 1,404
  • 8 rooms: 954
  • 9+ rooms: 673
Bedrooms in houses/apartments in Howard County, Maryland
Owner-occupied Renter-occupied
Note: State values scaled to Howard County population
  • no bedroom: 81
  • 1 bedroom: 1,221
  • 2 bedrooms: 6,448
  • 3 bedrooms: 24,966
  • 4 bedrooms: 26,495
  • 5+ bedrooms: 7,203
  • no bedroom: 600
  • 1 bedroom: 7,571
  • 2 bedrooms: 9,392
  • 3 bedrooms: 4,458
  • 4 bedrooms: 1,369
  • 5+ bedrooms: 239
Cars and other vehicles available in Howard County, Maryland in houses/condos/apartments
Owner-occupied Renter-occupied
Note: State values scaled to Howard County population
  • no vehicle: 1,095
  • 1 vehicle: 12,997
  • 2 vehicles: 34,777
  • 3 vehicles: 13,192
  • 4 vehicles: 3,240
  • 5+ vehicles: 1,113
  • no vehicle: 2,756
  • 1 vehicle: 10,800
  • 2 vehicles: 8,160
  • 3 vehicles: 1,530
  • 4 vehicles: 251
  • 5+ vehicles: 132

54% of Howard County residents lived in the same house 5 years ago.
   Out of people who lived in different houses, 37% lived in this county.
   Out of people who lived in different counties, 57% lived in Maryland.

Howard County:

53.6%
State average:

57.4%

Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:

  • This state: 108,130
  • Northeast: 41,587
  • Midwest: 16,478
  • South: 42,064
  • West: 7,504

Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses in 2000: $172,600


Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities: 0%

Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities: 1%

Year Householders Moved Into Unit

Most commonly used house heating fuel in Howard County
Houses and condos Apartments
  • Electricity (44.7%)
  • Utility gas (39.5%)
  • Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. (12.2%)
  • Bottled, tank, or LP gas (2.8%)
  • Wood (0.5%)
  • Electricity (59.9%)
  • Utility gas (34.0%)
  • Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. (4.6%)
  • Bottled, tank, or LP gas (0.9%)

Private vs. public school enrollment:


Students in private schools in grades 1 to 8 (elementary and middle school): 3,647
Here:

11.2%
Maryland:

14.8%

Students in private schools in grades 9 to 12 (high school): 1,476
Here:

9.9%
Maryland:

13.3%

Students in private undergraduate colleges: 1,728
Here:

16.3%
Maryland:

21.7%

Educational Attainment (%)

School Enrollment by Level of School (%)

Age and Sex of Sensory-Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)

Age and Sex of Physically-Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)

Age and Sex of Mentally-Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)

Age and Sex of Self-Care Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)

Age and Sex of Go-Outside-Home Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)

Age and Sex of Residents with Employment Disability (Noninstitutionalized)

Howard County government finances - Expenditure in 2006:

  • Construction - Elementary and Secondary Education: $96,126,000
    General - Other: $60,686,000
    Other Higher Education: $33,941,000
    Parks and Recreation: $3,863,000
    Regular Highways: $3,558,000
    Solid Waste Management: $380,000
    Local Fire Protection: $28,000
  • Current Operations - Elementary and Secondary Education: $547,732,000
    Police Protection: $60,933,000
    General - Other: $53,486,000
    Other Higher Education: $49,694,000
    Local Fire Protection: $38,619,000
    Sewerage: $29,373,000
    Water Utilities: $25,220,000
    Housing and Community Development: $22,406,000
    Regular Highways: $15,220,000
    Central Staff Services: $14,779,000
    Judicial and Legal Services: $14,120,000
    Solid Waste Management: $12,667,000
    General Public Buildings: $11,952,000
    Libraries: $11,731,000
    Public Welfare - Other: $11,563,000
    Parks and Recreation: $11,198,000
    Correctional Institutions: $11,076,000
    Financial Administration: $8,253,000
    Protective Inspection and Regulation, NEC: $5,854,000
    Transit Utilities: $5,210,000
    Natural Resources - Other: $1,345,000
    Health - Other: $1,031,000
  • General - Interest on Debt: $41,049,000
  • Intergovernmental to Local NEC - Elementary and Secondary Education: $393,000
    General - Other: $249,000
  • Intergovernmental to State - Health - Other: $10,901,000
    Public Welfare: $1,312,000
  • Other Capital Outlay - Regular Highways: $14,933,000
    Elementary and Secondary Education: $8,719,000
    Parks and Recreation: $8,599,000
    General - Other: $5,543,000
    Local Fire Protection: $2,772,000
    Police Protection: $564,000
    Other Higher Education: $540,000
    Judicial and Legal Services: $114,000
    Central Staff Services: $60,000
    Financial Administration: $30,000
    General Public Building: $13,000
    Health - Other: $11,000
    Corrections - Other: $4,000
    Public Welfare - Other: $1,000
  • Total Salaries and Wages: $564,283,000

Howard County government finances - Revenue in 2006:

  • Charges - Higher Education - Other: $23,221,000
    Sewerage: $18,973,000
    Elementary and Secondary Education - Other: $16,971,000
    Solid Waste Management: $15,846,000
    Parks and Recreation: $12,809,000
    All Other: $9,725,000
    Elementary and Secondary Education School Lunch: $7,650,000
    Housing and Community Development: $3,216,000
    Elementary and Secondary Education School Tuition and Transportation: $367,000
    Parking Facilities: $65,000
    Regular Highways: $10,000
  • Federal Intergovernmental - All Other: $5,039,000
    Housing and Community Development: $2,714,000
    Education: $2,543,000
    Health and Hospitals: $726,000
  • Miscellaneous - General Revenue, NEC: $25,571,000
    Interest Earnings: $3,679,000
    Fines and Forfeits: $2,669,000
    Rents: $106,000
    Sale of Property: $15,000
  • Revenue - Water Utilities: $14,342,000
  • State Intergovernmental - Education: $199,464,000
    All Other: $16,367,000
    Highways: $15,196,000
    Housing and Community Development: $13,120,000
    General Local Government Support: $1,262,000
    Health and Hospitals: $194,000
  • Tax - Property: $352,858,000
    Individual Income: $283,005,000
    NEC: $95,971,000
    Other Selective Sales: $5,207,000
    Other License: $4,925,000
    Public Utility License: $3,143,000
    Occupation and Business License, NEC: $2,633,000
    Alcoholic Beverage License: $232,000

Howard County government finances - Debt in 2006:

  • Long Term Debt - Outstanding Unspecified Public Purpose: $759,788,000
    Beginning Outstanding - Unspecified Public Purpose: $712,295,000
    Issue, Unspecified Public Purpose: $100,703,000
    Beginning Outstanding - Public Debt for Private Purpose: $57,637,000
    Retired Unspecified Public Purpose: $53,210,000
    Outstanding Nonguaranteed - Industrial Revenue: $48,827,000
    Retired Nonguaranteed - Public Debt for Private Purpose: $8,810,000
  • Short Term Debt Outstanding - End of Fiscal Year: $100,104,000
    Beginning: $30,662,000

Howard County government finances - Cash and Securities in 2006:

  • Bond Funds - Cash and Securities: $60,458,000
  • Other Funds - Cash and Securities: $195,461,000
  • Sinking Funds - Cash and Securities: $48,827,000

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in 2006:

  • Total number of recipients: 2,293
  • Number of aged recipients: 783
  • Number of blind and disabled recipients: 1,510
  • Number of recipients under 18: 242
  • Number of recipients between 18 and 64: 1,064
  • Number of recipients older than 64: 987
  • Number of recipients also receiving OASDI: 585
  • Amount of payments (thousands of dollars): 1,038
Howard County Fatal accident statistics for 1975 - 1994
Count Vehicles DUI Fatalities Persons Pedestrians

Fatal accident count (per 100,000 population)

Howard County Fatal accident statistics for 1995 - 2014
Count Vehicles DUI Fatalities Persons Pedestrians

Fatal accident count (per 100,000 population)

Home Mortgage Disclosure Act Aggregated Statistics For Year 2009
(Based on 41 full tracts)
A) FHA, FSA/RHS & VA
Home Purchase Loans		B) Conventional
Home Purchase Loans		C) Refinancings
D) Home Improvement Loans
E) Loans on Dwellings For 5+ Families
F) Non-occupant Loans on
< 5 Family Dwellings (A B C & D)		G) Loans On Manufactured
Home Dwelling (A B C & D)
NumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage Value
LOANS ORIGINATED1,478$316,7021,974$341,47510,832$298,026417$189,6264$10,582,250306$223,94427$64,926
APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED48$352,458152$411,539744$308,07855$102,9090$020$260,95013$71,231
APPLICATIONS DENIED121$314,612224$334,5632,500$320,733166$105,4461$18,000141$216,73047$71,447
APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN164$310,994287$344,3801,959$317,95659$220,1361$2,600,00077$249,5714$95,500
FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS15$324,40055$341,200437$314,30230$158,1670$021$242,5717$76,714
Choose year:  2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999
Private Mortgage Insurance Companies Aggregated Statistics For Year 2009
(Based on 41 full tracts)
A) Conventional
Home Purchase Loans		B) Refinancings
C) Non-occupant Loans on
< 5 Family Dwellings (A & B)
NumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage Value
LOANS ORIGINATED241$326,266155$326,3683$334,667
APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED74$346,37863$321,9210$0
APPLICATIONS DENIED46$369,56557$332,2810$0
APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN24$361,58318$366,6110$0
FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS1$584,0001$193,0000$0
Choose year:  2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999

Conventional Home Purchase Loans

Conventional Home Purchase Loans - Value

Most common first names in Howard County, MD among deceased individuals
NameCountLived (average)
Mary60780.2 years
John53275.7 years
William48675.3 years
James38171.4 years
Margaret32880.7 years
Charles31974.6 years
Robert29671.1 years
Helen27382.8 years
Joseph26475.5 years
Dorothy24580.6 years
Most common last names in Howard County, MD among deceased individuals
Last nameCountLived (average)
Smith16475.5 years
Johnson12973.9 years
Brown11675.6 years
Jones10975.7 years
Miller10179.6 years
Wilson7576.7 years
Williams6974.6 years
Taylor6980.9 years
Anderson6975.7 years
Davis6676.5 years
Businesses in Howard County, MD
NameCountNameCount
7-Eleven7JCPenney1
ALDO3JoS. A. Bank2
AT&T8Johnny Rockets1
Abercrombie & Fitch1Jones New York3
Abercrombie Kids1Journeys2
Ace Hardware1Justice2
Advance Auto Parts3KFC2
Aeropostale2Knights Inn1
Aerosoles1Kroger1
American Eagle Outfitters3La Quinta1
Ann Taylor2La-Z-Boy1
Apple Store1Lane Bryant2
Applebee's1Lane Furniture2
Arby's3LensCrafters1
Baja Fresh Mexican Grill2Levi Strauss & Co.1
Bakers1Lowe's1
Banana Republic2Macy's1
Baskin-Robbins8Marriott5
Bath & Body Works2Marshalls1
Bebe1MasterBrand Cabinets27
Bed Bath & Beyond2McDonald's17
Best Western1Men's Wearhouse3
Blockbuster2Motherhood Maternity3
Brookstone1New Balance10
Brunswick Bowling & Billiards1New York & Co1
Budget Car Rental1Nike24
Burger King7Nissan1
CVS3Nordstrom1
Cache1Office Depot1
CarMax1Old Navy2
Casual Male XL1Olive Garden2
Catherines1On The Border1
Charlotte Russe1Pac Sun2
Chevrolet2Panda Express1
Chick-Fil-A5Panera Bread3
Chico's1Papa John's Pizza4
Chipotle3Payless2
Cinnabon 2Penske2
Clarks2PetSmart2
Cold Stone Creamery1Pier 1 Imports1
Coldwater Creek1Pizza Hut7
Comfort Inn1Qdoba Mexican Grill2
Comfort Suites1Quiznos6
Costco2RadioShack3
Cricket Wireless3Ramada1
Curves4Red Lobster2
DHL3Red Robin1
Dairy Queen1Red Roof Inn2
Days Inn1Rite Aid3
Decora Cabinetry8Ruby Tuesday2
Dennys1Rue211
Domino's Pizza3SAS Shoes1
DressBarn1Safeway4
Dressbarn1Sears4
Dunkin Donuts12Sephora2
Econo Lodge2Sheraton1
Eddie Bauer2Skechers USA1
Express1Sleep Inn2
Extended Stay America2Spencer Gifts2
Extended Stay Deluxe1Sprint Nextel4
Famous Footwear1Staples3
FedEx48Starbucks16
Finish Line2Studio Plus Deluxe Studios1
Firestone Complete Auto Care1Subway15
Foot Locker2Super 82
Ford1T-Mobile7
Forever 212T.G.I. Driday's2
GNC3T.J.Maxx1
GameStop5Taco Bell4
Gap2Talbots2
Giant5Target1
Goodwill6The Cheesecake Factory1
Gymboree2The Limited2
H&M2The Room Place2
H&R Block5Toyota1
Hardee's1Toys"R"Us2
Havertys Furniture1Trader Joe's1
Hilton5U-Haul5
Hobby Lobby1UPS55
Holiday Inn4Vans7
Hollister Co.1Verizon Wireless2
Home Depot2Victoria's Secret2
Hot Topic2Vons4
Houlihan's1Walgreens1
Hyundai1Walmart2
J. Jill1Wendy's6
J.Crew2Wet Seal1

Howard County on our top lists:

  • #3 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the best general health status score of residents (1-5), 3 years of data"
  • #4 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest percentage of residents that exercised in the past month"
  • #11 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the largest number of children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000 (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #13 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest percentage of residents that visited a dentist within the past year"
  • #13 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest percentage of residents that smoked 100+ cigarettes in their lives"
  • #26 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest number of deaths per 1000 residents 2007-2013 (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #35 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest average weight of females"
  • #44 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the largest number of people without health insurance coverage in 2000 (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #57 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the largest number of children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000"
  • #67 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest percentage of residents relocating to foreign countries in 2011 (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #73 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest number of deaths per 1000 residents 2007-2013"
  • #89 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the largest decrease in the number of births per 1000 residents 2000-2006 to 2007-2013 (pop 50,000+)"
  • #93 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest percentage of residents relocating from foreign countries between 2010 and 2011 (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #97 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest percentage of residents that drank alcohol in the past 30 days"
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