Howard County Questions (Baltimore, Columbia, Ellicott City: how much, schools, living in)

[bluecountry]

I had a couple of questions about Howard County for those familiar with the area.

1) Is this county rural/suburban, or both?
-If rural...how much in jeopardy is it...and really how could it be rural?
I would have thought since it lies right smack between DC and BAL you might see it be very built up as a middle ground.
-If suburban...how much is it growing?

2) What city does this county identify with more, DC or BAL?
-What is the split?
-Does it vary by location, if so where?
-Is it shifting to one?

3) Which sports teams does this area identify with most?
-In the NFL, Redskins or Ravens?
-In MLB, Orioles or Nationals?

Thanks.

[mariecug]

Sure...

1. It's basically suburban here. There are rural areas but I wouldn't say the people living there are rural (if that makes sense)? You might find a PhD living in a farmhouse. I would say it's growing but it's not over-populated in my opinion. Not compared to DC, anyway.

2. Good question - it depends on the person! I'm a DC person myself. We get both DC and Balt TV stations. Traffic is covered mostly by Balt radio stations. I think it's technically considered a Balt suburb.

3. Again, it depends on the person.

That's one of the best things about it here is that you are close to 2 cities. Obviously, the negative thing is the cost.

[gumbo31]

1. Suburban
2. Baltimore
3. Both

[TuborgP]

Hope this helps

Howard County Maryland - info, facts, communities on Key to the City

Demographics of Howard County Maryland (broken link)

This shows the impact of perception with the county being located between Baltimore and DC. It would appear there are a lot of murders but when you zoom in you see the relative isolation of dispite the general area data.

Murders in Maryland and D.C., 2007

[newhart]

1. Howard county is growing VERY quickly. There have been so many new schools built, they can't seem to catch up. It's mostly suburban but the western sections still have quite a few rural parts with a lot of 3-acre mcmansion properties scattered around.

2. Both. I would say the Ellicott City area, Elkridge and parts of Columbia probably identify more with Baltimore. But the southern parts of Columbia and down towards Laurel and Montgomery County might be more Washington-oriented.

3. For football, it might be the same as above. It's hard to say for baseball because Washington hasn't had a team for very long and the entire area was behind the O's for a long time. Most of the people I know are still Orioles fans.

[jessy0780]

Newhart's got it right
I for one live in Howard, and I'm a Redskins fan!!!

[bboyneko]

Howard County is arguably one of the most if not the most desirable counties to live in MD.

[Ravensrule1980]

I work in Howard county (In Columiba) and everyone here lives in Baltimore county/ city and is a Ravens fan. Howard co is considered a Baltimore suburb as it should be since it is closer to Baltimore. I recieve alot more Baltimore area stations on the radio than DC as well.

[evilhomer1]

1) Depends on the area. Howard County has both rural and suburban areas. South of Columbia is rather rural, yet Laurel is rather suburban.

2) It really depends on the person. Lots of people drive south each morning to work in the DC area. Lots of people drive north each morning to work in the Baltimore area. And a good number of people stay put and work in Columbia. Personal preference and background over-ride the area.

3) Again this follows the person.

[Rmx Christina]

orioles all the way =)