County population in 2012: 299,430 (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: 1163 people per square mile
(very high).
Mar. 2012 cost of living index in Howard County: 108.3 (more than average, U.S. average is 100)
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Estimated median household income in 2009: $101,940 ($74,167 in 1999)
This county:
$101940
Maryland:
$69272
Median contract rent in 2009 for apartments: $1,155 (lower quartile is $936, upper quartile is $1,469)
This county:
$1155
State:
$941
Estimated median house or condo value in 2009: $452,800 (it was $198,600 in 2000)
Howard County:
$452,800
Maryland:
$318,600
Lower value quartile - upper value quartile: $337,200 - $635,600
Mean price in 2009:
Detached houses: $524,899
Here:
$524,899
State:
$429,019
Townhouses or other attached units: $293,420
Here:
$293,420
State:
$253,007
In 2-unit structures: $303,926
Here:
$303,926
State:
$238,355
In 3-to-4-unit structures: $429,362
Here:
$429,362
State:
$262,276
In 5-or-more-unit structures: $195,869
Here:
$195,869
State:
$264,630
Mobile homes: $79,016
Here:
$79,016
State:
$45,619
Occupied boats, RVs, vans, etc.: $196,695
Here:
$196,695
State:
$147,374
Median monthly housing costs for homes and condos with a mortgage: $2,565 Median monthly housing costs for units without a mortgage: $739
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
Health of residents in Howard County based on CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Questionnaires from 2003 to 2009:
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) is 3.9. This is significantly better than average. 85.2% of residents exercised in the past month. This is more than average. 34.8% of residents smoked 100+ cigarettes in their lives. This is less than average. 98.7% of adult residents drank alcohol in the past 30 days. This is more than average. 81.6% 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 about average.
Single-family new house construction building permits:
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2009: $4,600 (1.0%) Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2009: $4,476 (1.0%)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2009: 3.9%
(2.0% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 9.9% for Black residents)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2009: 3.9%
Howard County:
3.9%
Maryland:
9.1%
(2.0% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 9.9% for Black residents)
Median age of residents in 2010: 38 years old
(Males: 37 years old, Females: 39 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 42 years old, Black residents: 34 years old, American Indian residents: 32 years old, Asian residents: 35 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 28 years old, Other race residents: 27 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.
Notable locations in this county outside city limits:
Notable locations in Howard County: Dorsey Business Center (A), Dorsey Run Industrial Park (B), Route 94 Business Center (C), Hopkins Applied Physics Lab (D), Cissel Farm (E), Port Capital Center Industrial Park (F), Kalmia Farms (G), Route 100 Industrial Park (H), Corridor Industrial Park (I), Turf Valley Country Club (J), University of Maryland Central Farm (K), Waverly (L), Junction Industrial Park (M), Woodbine Campground (N), Woodcamp Farm (O), Howard County Landfill (P), Maple Lawn Farms (Q), Greenwood Farm (R), Maryland Wholesale Food Center (S), Days End Farm Horse Rescue (T). Display/hide their locations on the map
Churches in Howard County include: Dayton Four Square Gospel Church (A), Asbury United Methodist Church (B), Hopkins United Methodist Church (C), Linthicum Chapel (D), Saint Louis Roman Catholic Church (E), Saint Pauls Evangelical Lutheran Church (F), Wearon Rolling Hills Church (G), Cedars Baptist Church (H), Dorsey Emanuel United Methodist Church (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Cemeteries: Rosa Bonheur Pet Cemetery (1), Trinity Cemetery (2), Saint Johns Cemetery (3), Saint Louis Cemetery (4), Zion Cemetery (5), Saint Marks Cemetery (6), Hopkins Cemetery (7). Display/hide their locations on the map
Reservoirs: Bernstein Farm Pond (A), General Electric Retention Pond (B), Warfields Pond (C), Rigga Farm Pond (D), Johns Hopkins Pond (E). Display/hide their locations on the map
Streams, rivers, and creeks: Benson Branch (A), Cabin Branch (B), Cattail Creek (C), Lisbons Little Creek (D), Dorsey Branch (E), Terrapin Branch (F), Hay Meadow Branch (G), Piney Run (H). Display/hide their locations on the map
Parks in Howard County include: Schooley Mill Park (1), Patuxent River State Park (2), Carrs Mill Park (3), Glenwood Park (4), Cedar-Villa Heights Park (5), Howard County Fairground (6), Hugh Thomas Wildlife Management Area (7), Lisbon Park (8), Pfefferkorn Natural Environmental Area (9). Display/hide their locations on the map
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
Mean travel time to work (commute): 30.2 minutes
Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 38.0%
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:
Percentage of population affiliated with a religious congregations: 49.34%
Here
49.3%
USA
50.2%
Total adherents: 122,290 Total congregations: 133
Adherents
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregations
Name
Catholic Church
United Methodist Church
Jewish
Southern Baptist Convention
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Adherents
66,119 (54.1%)
12,174 (10.0%)
10,000 (8.2%)
7,409 (6.1%)
6,050 (4.9%)
Congregations
9 (6.8%)
30 (22.6%)
5 (3.8%)
22 (16.5%)
9 (6.8%)
Name
Episcopal Church
Presbyterian Church (USA)
LDS (Mormon) Church
Muslim Estimate
Other
Adherents
5,211 (4.3%)
2,323 (1.9%)
2,147 (1.8%)
1,891 (1.5%)
8,966 (7.3%)
Congregations
8 (6.0%)
4 (3.0%)
5 (3.8%)
1 (0.8%)
40 (30.1%)
Source: Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.
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
Tornado activity:
Howard County historical area-adjusted tornado activity is slightly above Maryland state average. It is 1.7 times above overall U.S. average. Tornadoes in this county have caused 2 fatalities and 57 injuries recorded between 1950 and 2004. On 9/24/2001, a category 3 (max. wind speeds 158-206 mph) tornado killed 2 people and injured 55 people and caused $101 million in damages.
Earthquake activity:
Howard County-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Maryland state average. It is 78% 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 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 10/23/1990 at 01:34:48, a magnitude 3.2 (2.9 LG, 3.2 MD, Depth: 6.2 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 75.2 miles away from the county center On 11/14/1997 at 03:44:11, a magnitude 3.0 (3.0 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 71.8 miles away from Howard County center Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), duration magnitude (MD)
Most recent natural disasters:
Maryland Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms, Incident Period: February 5, 2010 to February 11, 2010, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1910): May 6, 2010, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-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: FEMA-DR-1875, Natural disaster type: Snowstorm, Winter Storm
Maryland Hurricane Katrina Evacuation, Incident Period: August 29, 2005 to October 1, 2005, Emergency Declared (EM-3251): September 13, 2005, FEMA Id: FEMA-EM-3251, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
Maryland Hurricane Isabel, Incident Period: September 18, 2003 to September 29, 2003, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1492): September 19, 2003, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1492, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
Maryland Snowstorm, Incident Period: February 14, 2003 to February 23, 2003, Emergency Declared (EM-3179): March 14, 2003, FEMA Id: FEMA-EM-3179, Natural disaster type: Snowstorm
Maryland Winter Storm, Incident Period: January 25, 2000 to January 30, 2000, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1324): April 10, 2000, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1324, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm
Maryland Blizzard, Incident Period: January 6, 1996 to January 12, 1996, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1081): January 11, 1996, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1081, Natural disaster type: Blizzard
Maryland Severe Snowfall and Winter Storm, Incident Period: March 13, 1993 to March 17, 1993, Emergency Declared (EM-3100): March 16, 1993, FEMA Id: FEMA-EM-3100, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm, Snowfall
Maryland Heavy Rains, Flooding, Incident Period: October 4, 1975, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-489): October 4, 1975, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-489, Natural disaster type: Flood, Heavy Rain
Maryland Tropical Storm Agnes, Incident Period: June 23, 1972, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-341): June 23, 1972, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-341, Natural disaster type: Tropical Storm
1 other natural disasters have been reported since 1953.
The number of natural disasters in Howard County (11) is near the US average (12). Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 8 Emergencies Declared: 3
Causes of natural disasters: Snowstorms: 3, Winter Storms: 2, Hurricanes: 2, Winter Storms: 2, Flood: 1, Heavy Rain: 1, Snowfall: 1, Blizzard: 1, Flood: 1, Storm: 1, Tropical Storm: 1 (Note: Some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 15.5 Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 13.3
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 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
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2003: 17,918 (16,192 aged, 1,726 disabled) 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: 5282.710 Short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004: 76.48 Emergency room visits per 100,000 population in 2004: 26305.59
General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1248.440 Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 461.670 Dentists per 100,000 population in 1998: 15.59
Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 60.07 Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 92.04
Limited-service eating places per 100,000 population in 2005 : 20.78 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.
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 ($4646 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
2005 or later: 3,839
2000 to 2004: 9,165
1990 to 1999: 24,228
1980 to 1989: 28,597
1970 to 1979: 21,506
1960 to 1969: 8,819
1950 to 1959: 3,642
1940 to 1949: 1,190
1939 or earlier: 2,914
Rooms in houses/apartments in Howard County, Maryland
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: 108130
Northeast: 41587
Midwest: 16478
South: 42064
West: 7504
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
#10 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most short term general hospitals per 100,000 population in 2004"
#10 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most short term general hospitals per 100,000 population in 2004 (pop. 50,000+)"
#21 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005 (pop. 50,000+)"
#24 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest number of deaths per 1000 residents 2000-2003 (pop. 50,000+)"
#30 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004 (pop. 50,000+)"
#48 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005"
#51 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the largest increase in the number of infant deaths per 1000 residents 1990-1999 to 2000-2003 (pop. 50,000+)"
#64 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest number of deaths per 1000 residents 2000-2003"
#77 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest percentage of residents relocating to other counties in 2006 (pop. 50,000+)"
#88 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004"
#96 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Muslim Estimate adherents (pop. 50,000+)"
#98 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most short term general hospital admissions per 100,000 population in 2004 (pop. 50,000+)"
38.0 years
38.0 years
(42.4%)
(57.6%)
, Baltimore County 
, Carroll County 
, Frederick County 
, Montgomery County 
, Prince George's County 
.
