Howard County, Maryland
Howard County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 39°15′N 76°56′W / 39.25°N 76.93°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Maryland |
Founded | 1838 |
Named for | John Eager Howard |
Seat | Ellicott City |
Area | |
• Total | 253.55 sq mi (656.7 km2) |
• Land | 252.04 sq mi (652.8 km2) |
• Water | 1.51 sq mi (3.9 km2) 0.60% |
Population (2010) | |
• Total | 287,085 |
• Density | 1,139/sq mi (439.6/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
Congressional districts | 3, 7 |
Website | www |
Howard County is a county located in the central part of the U.S. state of Maryland, between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. It is considered part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Ellicott City. As of the 2010 census, the population was 287,085.[1] The center of population of Maryland is located in the Howard County town of Jessup.[2]
Due to the proximity of Howard County's population centers to Baltimore, the county has traditionally been considered a part of the Baltimore Metropolitan Area. Recent development in the south of the county has led to some realignment towards the Washington, D.C. media and employment markets. The county is also home to Columbia, a major planned community of approximately 100,000 founded by developer James Rouse in 1967.
Howard County is frequently cited for its affluence, quality of life, and excellent schools. For 2011, it was ranked the third wealthiest county by median household income in the United States by the U.S. Census Bureau. Many of the most affluent communities in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area, such as Clarksville, Dayton, Glenelg, Glenwood and West Friendship, are located along the Route 32 corridor in Howard County. The main population center of Columbia/Ellicott City was named 2nd among Money magazine's 2010 survey of "America's Best Places to Live."[3] Howard County's schools frequently rank first in Maryland as measured by standardized test scores and graduation rates.[4]
History
In 1652, the Susquehannock tribes signed a peace treaty with Maryland, giving up their provence over the territory that is now Howard County.[5] In 1800, the mean center of U.S. population as calculated by the US Census Bureau was found in what is now Howard County.[6]
The name of the county honors Colonel John Eager Howard, an officer in the "Maryland Line" of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War, commander notably at the Battle of Cowpens in South Carolina in 1781 among others. He became the fifth Governor of Maryland whose home was the mansion "Belvedere". The mansion was located at the intersection of East Chase and North Calvert Streets, north of Baltimore Town, an area also called "Howard's Woods" where the Washington Monument was later erected and the tomey neighborhood Mount Vernon, Baltimore was developed in the 1820s.[7] The area of western Anne Arundel County was designated the Howard District when Anne Arundel County was divided in 1839. The Howard District had the same status as a county except that it was not separately represented in the Maryland General Assembly. In 1841 The county built its first courthouse in Ellicott City.[8] In 1851, the district became erected officially as Howard County.
The county has a number of properties on the National Register of Historic Places.[9]
Geography
Howard County is located in the Piedmont Plateau region, with rolling hills making up most of the landscape. It is bounded on the north and northeast by the Patapsco River, on the southwest by the Patuxent River, and on the southeast by a land border with Anne Arundel County. Both the Patapsco and Patuxent run largely through publicly accessible parkland along the county borders. The Patuxent border includes the Triadelphia and Rocky Gorge reservoirs.
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 253.55 square miles (656.7 km2), the smallest county in Maryland, of which 252.04 square miles (652.8 km2) (or 99.40%) is land and 1.51 square miles (3.9 km2) (or 0.60%) is water.[10]
Adjacent counties
- Anne Arundel County (southeast)
- Baltimore County (northeast)
- Carroll County (north)
- Frederick County (northwest)
- Montgomery County (west)
- Prince George's County (south)
Climate
Howard County lies in the humid subtropical climate zone. As one travels west in the county away from the Baltimore area, the winter temperatures get lower and winter snow is more common. Annual rainfall is about 45 inches (1,100 mm) throughout the county.[11] Over a 50 year period from 1950 to 2010, there were 394 National Climatic Data Center reportable events causing 617 injuries, and 99 fatalities. There were 9 reported tornadoes, reaching a maximum of F2 with no recorded fatalities.[12]
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1860 | 13,338 | — | |
1870 | 14,150 | 6.1% | |
1880 | 16,140 | 14.1% | |
1890 | 16,269 | 0.8% | |
1900 | 16,715 | 2.7% | |
1910 | 16,106 | −3.6% | |
1920 | 15,826 | −1.7% | |
1930 | 16,169 | 2.2% | |
1940 | 17,175 | 6.2% | |
1950 | 23,119 | 34.6% | |
1960 | 36,152 | 56.4% | |
1970 | 61,911 | 71.3% | |
1980 | 118,572 | 91.5% | |
1990 | 187,328 | 58.0% | |
2000 | 247,842 | 32.3% | |
2010 | 287,085 | 15.8% | |
2012 (est.) | 299,430 | 4.3% | |
2012 Estimate[14] |
2010
The ethnic makeup of the county according to the 2010 U.S. Census:
- 62.2% White
- 17.5% Black
- 0.3% Native American
- 14.4% Asian
- 0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
- 3.6% Two or more races
- 2.0% Other races
- 5.8% Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
2000
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 247,842 people, 90,043 households, and 65,821 families residing in the county. The population density was 983 people per square mile (380/km²). There were 92,818 housing units at an average density of 368 per square mile (142/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 74.33% White, 14.42% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 7.68% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.11% from other races, and 2.19% from two or more races. 3.02% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 15.1% were of German, 11.0% Irish, 9.3% English, 6.6% Italian and 5.7% American ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 90,043 households out of which 40.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.50% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.90% were non-families. 20.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the county the population was spread out with 28.10% under the age of 18, 6.30% from 18 to 24, 34.40% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 7.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $101,003, and the median income for a family was $117,186 in 2009.[15] The per capita income was $44,120. About 2.70% of families and 4.00% of the population were below the poverty line.
Population history
The following is a population history for Howard County from the U.S. Census Bureau.[16] The ranking compares the population of Howard County to those of the other 23 Maryland counties and Baltimore City.[17][18]
- 1860.......13,338......(2,862 listed as slaves)[19]
- 1870.......14,150......19th
- 1900.......16,715......22nd (Calvert and Caroline fewer)
- 1910.......16,106......23rd (Calvert fewer)
- 1920.......15,826......22nd (Calvert and Kent fewer)
- 1930.......16,169......19th (Calvert, Charles, Kent, Queen Anne's, St. Mary's fewer)
- 1940.......17,175......20th (Calvert, Kent, Queen Anne's, St. Mary's fewer)
- 1950.......23,119......18th (Calvert, Caroline, Garrett, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot fewer)
- 1960.......36,152......14th (Calvert, Caroline, Charles, Dorchester, Garrett, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Worcester fewer)
- 1970.......61,911......11th (Howard passing Cecil, St. Mary's, Wicomico in population)
- 1980......118,572......7th (after only Anne Arundel, Baltimore County and City, Harford, Montgomery, Prince George's)
- 1990......187,328......6th (passing Harford)
- 2000......247,842......6th
- 2004......266,738......6th
- 2008......274,995
Education and public library
The Howard County Public School System manages 71 schools and serves approximately 49,000 students. The graduation rate from this school district is an above-average 92%, and the county's schools are ranked among the best in the state. Student test scores consistently top the list for all Maryland school districts. Public school construction has kept pace with the county’s growth in recent years in an effort to safeguard against crowded classrooms.[citation needed] Howard High School is currently the largest school in the county with over 1,600 students.
Since 2005, Howard County Library has consistently been ranked among the top 5 libraries in its size category by HAPLR (Hennen's American Public Library Ratings). (Under the library's sponsorship, a campaign called "Choose Civility" started in Howard County in 2006. According to its website, "Choose Civility is an ongoing community-wide initiative, led by Howard County Library, to position Howard County as a model of civility. The project intends to enhance respect, empathy, consideration and tolerance in Howard County." The campaign's distinctive green bumper stickers are often seen in Howard County and neighboring areas.)
Politics and government
Year | GOP | Dem | Others |
---|---|---|---|
2012 | 37.88% 57,758 | 59.94% 91,393 | 2.18% 3,334 |
2008 | 38.14% 55,393 | 59.99% 87,120 | 1.87% 2,720 |
2004 | 44.69% 59,724 | 54.07% 72,257 | 1.25% 1,666 |
2000 | 44.17% 49,809 | 51.92% 58,556 | 3.91% 4,411 |
1996 | 42.77% 40,849 | 49.81% 47,569 | 7.42% 7,090 |
1992 | 38.67% 38,594 | 44.85% 44,763 | 16.47% 16,441 |
1988 | 56.22% 44,153 | 43.30% 34,007 | 0.47% 370 |
Howard County has developed a reputation for being reliably Democratic. However, it is slightly more moderate than Baltimore, Montgomery County, and Prince George's County. Howard County usually supports Democrats at the state and federal level, though it voted for Republican Bob Ehrlich in the 2002 gubernatorial election over Democrat Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. The last time that Howard County voted for a Republican candidate for President was 1988.
Starting in 1914, Howard County was governed by a system of three elected commissioners with four year terms.[20] Senator James Clark proposed a five person County Council and a County Executive in 1965.[21] The County Council serves as the County's Legislative Branch, they provide Constituient Service and sit as members of the Zoning Board and Liquor Board. The current Howard County Executive is Kenneth Ulman, who was initially elected in 2006. Most of the county is in Maryland's 7th congressional district, represented by Democrat Elijah Cummings. A small portion is in Maryland's 3rd congressional district, represented by Democrat John Sarbanes.
County Commissioners:
County Executives and Council Members:
Name | Affiliation | Term | Council | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Omar J. Jones | Democrat | 1969–1973 | Alva S. Baker, Edward L. Cochran, J. Hugh Nichols, Charles E. Miller | |
Edward L. Cochran | Democrat | 1974–1978 | Richard Anderson, Ruth Keeton, Lloyd Kowles, Virginia Thomas, Thomas Yeager[23] | |
J. Hugh Nichols | Democrat | 1978–1982 | Ruth Keeton, Liz Bobo | |
William E. Eakle | Democrat | 1982-1986 | C. Vernon Gray, Ruth Keeton, Liz Bobo | |
Elizabeth Bobo | Democrat | 1986–1990 | Angela Beltram, C. Vernon Gray, Shane Pendergrass, Ruth Keeton, Charles Feaga | |
Template:American politics/party colors/Republican| | Charles I. Ecker[24] | Republican | 1990–1994 | Darrel E. Drown, C. Vernon Gray, Shane Pendergrass, Paul R. Farragut, Charles Feaga |
Template:American politics/party colors/Republican| | Charles I. Ecker | Republican | 1994–1998 | Darrel E. Drown, C. Vernon Gray, Dennis R. Schrader, Mary C. Lorsung, Charles Feaga |
James N. Robey[25] | Democrat | 1998–2002 | Christopher J. Merdon, C. Vernon Gray, Guy Guzzone, Mary C. Lorsung, Allan H. Kittleman | |
James N. Robey | Democrat | 2002–2006 | Christopher J. Merdon, David A. Rakes (Calvin Ball-appointed), Guy Guzzone, Ken Ulman, Allan H. Kittleman (Charles C. Feaga-appointed)[26][27] | |
Kenneth Ulman | Democrat | 2006 – 2010 | Courtney Watson, Calvin Ball, Jen Terrasa, Mary Kay Sigaty, Greg Fox | |
Kenneth Ulman | Democrat | 2010 – 2014 | Courtney Watson, Calvin Ball, Jen Terrasa, Mary Kay Sigaty, Greg Fox |
Economy
Employment
Statistics for November 2012 indicate that Howard County’s unemployment rate decreased to 4.6 percent from 4.7 percent in October, the lowest in Maryland. The County has consistently maintained the lowest rates of unemployment in the state and remains nearly 2 percent lower than the State-wide unemployment rate of 6.4 for the same time period.
The top ten private sector employers in Howard County are as follows:[28]
# | Employer | # of Employees |
---|---|---|
1 | Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory | 4,700 |
2 | Verizon Wireless | 2,028 |
3 | Lorien Health Systems | 2,000 |
4 | Howard County General Hospital | 1,728 |
5 | Howard Community College | 1,290 |
6 | SAIC | 1,060 |
7 | Giant Food | 1,050 |
8 | The Columbia Association | 900 |
9 | Wells Fargo | 842 |
10 | MICROS Systems | 815 |
Awards
Numerous national publications and experts continuously rank Howard County among the most affluent, advanced and educated communities in the United States. Recognized as an exceptional place to live, work and play, Howard County offers immediate access to leading educational and health care institutions, upscale retail, and outstanding recreation and entertainment.
2013
- We Can! Community by the National Institutes of Health[29] National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [30] – Howard County was named a “We Can!” Community by the National Institutes of Health and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition) is a national movement designed to give parents, caregivers and entire communities a way to help children 8 to 13 years old stay at a healthy weight.
- Preserve America Community by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation[31] – Howard County was designated one the latest Preserve America Communities [32] by the federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) and confirmed with a letter and certificate by First Lady Michelle Obama. Howard County is among 16 communities in Maryland with Preserve America recognition and 887 communities nationally.
- Library of the Year by the Library Journal[33] and Gale Cengage Learning – The Howard County Library System (HCLS) was named the Library of the Year by the Library Journal and Gale Cengage Learning.[34] HCLS was singled out from among 21,000 public and academic libraries in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and recognized as a key component of the educational system in the county, ensuring that every child who enrolls in the county’s top-ranked schools is also issued a library card.
- Healthiest Maryland County by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute[35][36] and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation[37] – Howard County was ranked the healthiest county in Maryland by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute for the fourth year in a row. All Maryland counties were ranked on health outcomes and a series of health determinants (including, but not limited to, tobacco use, diet and exercise, access to and quality of care, education,employment and income, and air quality).
- #1 School System – For the fifth year in a row, Maryland schools ranked number one in Education Week[38] annual ranking of the nation's school systems, "Quality Counts 2013." Howard County Public School System consistently ranks among Maryland's top school districts based on student performance on the Maryland School Assessments.
- Venues that Rock[39] by Rolling Stone– Columbia's Merriweather Post Pavilion was named the fourth-best outdoor venue in the United States, and tops on the East Coast. Merriweather is featured in the July 4–18 print edition of Rolling Stone, which says “The Frank Gehry-designed outdoor theater – which has hosted everyone from Phish to Led Zeppelin since opening in 1967 – is a huge wooden slab that seems to float over a hillside near Baltimore.”
2012
- Best Park/Playground by Maryland Family Magazine – Howard County’s Centennial Park was named “Best Park/Playground” by Maryland Family Magazine’s Readers Choice Awards. The 337-acre park features four playgrounds,nine picnic pavilions, a Park Ranger Station and a spectacular 54-acre,man-made lake stocked by the State Department of Fisheries. Additionally, the County’s Meadowbrook Park received an honorable mention.
- Healthiest Maryland County by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation – Howard County was ranked the healthiest county in Maryland by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute for the third year in a row. All Maryland counties were ranked on health outcomes and a series of health determinants (including, but not limited to, tobacco use, diet and exercise, access to and quality of care, education,employment and income, and air quality).
- Heart Safe Community of the Year by the International Association of Fire Chiefs and Physio-Control, Inc. – Howard County’s Department of Fire and Rescue Services was selected as the 2012 Heart Safe Community of the Year. This prestigious award recognizes fire-service-based emergency medical service organizations that have used creative approaches to implement or maintain public access defibrillation programs within the communities they serve.
- Best Place to Live by CNN/Money Magazine – Ellicott City/Columbia together ranked #8 on CNN/Money Magazine's annual ranking of "Best Places to Live in America." The magazine sited a diverse population, reasonable housing costs, terrific schools, miles of hiking trails, and a new development, Blandair Park, which will include 200 acres of forest, wetlands, meadows, and a historic farm complex as key factors in their selection process.
- Tree City Community by the Arbor Day Foundation – Howard County was named a Tree City Community for the 22nd year in a row for its ongoing commitment to urban forestry. The County has placed a major emphasis on tree plantings in the last six years. During this time, well over 50,000 trees were planted through a variety of County programs. These programs include efforts to improve stream buffers, conserve forests, educate residents, and maintain the County’s award-winning park system.
- Top Outdoor Concert Venue by Pollstar – Merriweather Post Pavilion named one of the top 5 outdoor concert venues in the country by Pollstar, a music industry magazine and website.
2011
- Healthiest Maryland County by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation – Howard County was ranked the healthiest county in Maryland by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute for the second year in a row. All Maryland counties were ranked on health outcomes and a series of health determinants (including, but not limited to, tobacco use, diet and exercise, access to and quality of care, education,employment and income, and air quality).
2010
- Best Place to Live by Money Magazine – Ellicott City/Columbia together ranked #2 on Money Magazine’s list of“Best Places to Live in America.” The magazine looked at communities with populations between 50,000 and 300,000 and ranked them based on quality ofschools, fiscal strength, public safety, employment opportunities, housing,parks, diversity and community spirit.
- Healthiest Maryland County by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute – Howard County was ranked the healthiest county in Maryland by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. All Maryland counties were ranked on health outcomes and a series of health determinants (including, but not limited to, tobacco use, diet and exercise, access to and quality of care, education, employment and income, and air quality). Howard County was ranked the healthiest place to live in both Health Outcomes and Health Determinants categories.
2009
- Best American Values by Newsmax Magazine – Ellicott City in Howard County ranked 17th place in Newsmax Magazine's annual list of "Top 25 Cities with the “Best American Values." The magazine commissioned Peter Greenberg, best-selling author and travel editor of NBC’s Today Show, to compile a list of the nation’s most “uniquely American communities.” Greenberg looked for cities that embody America’s core values and based his ranking on nine different categories including hospitality, culture,scenic beauty and business friendliness.
- Best Place to Live for Pet Lovers by U.S. News & World Report – Ellicott City was voted one of the top ten places in U.S. News &World Report's annual ranking of "Best Places to Live for Pet Lovers," the only community in Maryland to receive this honor. The magazine focused on weather, population density, and the availability of green space. Pet experts were also interviewed on the most animal-friendly towns and Ellicott City was selected because of its ideal location – “an easy drive from Baltimore’s animal shelters and also offers more than 100 square miles of green space within 15 miles of the city.”
2008
- Best Place to Live by Money Magazine – Ellicott City and Columbia together ranked 8th place in Money Magazine's annual ranking of "Best Places to Live," the only county in Maryland to receive this honor. The magazine sited plentiful jobs, excellent schools,and affordable housing as key factors in their selection process.
- Best Place to Raise a Family by Forbes Magazine – Howard County was ranked 17th in the nation by Forbes Magazine in their survey of "Best Places to Raise a Family,” and again the only county in Maryland to receive this honor. According to the Forbes' survey: "Howard County is one of the smartest counties in the country. Its average SAT score of 1,113 trails only Marin County, Calif., on our list, and Howard's public library system holds the top spot in Hennen's American Public Library Ratings."
- Great Public Library Systems by Hennen's American Public Library Ratings – Howard County was ranked 1st in the nation among great public libraries,based on an index of 15 factors including circulation, visits, staffing,materials, reference service, and funding levels.
2006
- Best Place to Live by Money Magazine – Ellicott City and Columbia together ranked 4th place in Money Magazine's annual "Best Places to Live" survey. The magazine looked for small livable cities that had the best possible blend of good jobs, low crime,quality schools, plenty of open space, rational home prices and lots to do.
- Technologically Advanced Community by USA Today – Howard County was ranked the 2nd most technologically advanced community in the United States.
- Good Sports Community of the Year by Sports Illustrated – In partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association, Sports Illustrated chose Howard County as one of only eight communities nationwide to receive this award based on its ability to promote values such as sportsmanship, fair play, skill development, helpful parent involvement and positive coaching methods.
2005
- Great Public Library Systems by Hennen's American Public Library Ratings – Howard County was ranked 1st in the nation among great public libraries,based on an index of 15 factors including circulation, visits, staffing,materials, reference service, and funding levels.
- 100 Best Communities for Young People by the America's Promise Alliance – This annual competition which recognizes outstanding community-wide efforts that improve the well-being of youth. Winning communities are chosen because they found innovative ways to solve problems that will improve the lives of children and young people, and demonstrated a willingness to work together within their communities to make a difference.
2004
- Best Quality of Life, "Top 20 Counties in the U.S." by the American City Business Journals – Howard County was ranked 9th out of 3,141 counties and independent cities across the nation, based on 20 statistical categories that included job opportunities, racial diversity, low unemployment, median income, and education.
- Best Educated (Adults over 25) by the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey – Advanced Degree (28%) ranked 2nd in nation and Bachelor's Degree (56%) ranked 4th in the nation
2003
- Maryland "Sports Town" by Sports Illustrated – As part of Sports Illustrated's 50th anniversary issue, Howard County was named Maryland's "Sports Town," based on a variety of criteria demonstrating the community's involvement in facilitating and enhancing quality sports. Categories included youth development strategies, innovations for community development, and the commitment to parks and recreation resources.
2001
- All-America City Award "Winning Community" by the National Civic League – The oldest and most respected community recognition program in the nation, the All-America City Award recognizes communities whose citizens work together to identify and tackle community-wide challenges and achieve uncommon results, exemplifying the true American spirit at work.
Culture and attractions
- Ballet Royale Institute of Maryland
- Blandair, an open space preserve
- Bollman Truss Railroad Bridge
- The Chesapeake Shakespeare Company
- Clark's Elioak Farm
- The Columbia Orchestra
- Ellicott City Station
- The Enchanted Forest (Closed - Some features relocated to Clark's Elioak Farm)
- Historic Ellicott City Main Street
- Howard County Center for the Arts
- Howard County Library
- Larriland Pick-Your-Own Farm
- Merriweather Post Pavilion
- Rep Stage
- Robinson Nature Center
- Savage Mill
- Shrine of St. Anthony
- Toby's Dinner Theatre
Unincorporated census-designated places
Howard County has no incorporated municipalities.
Unincorporated areas are considered as towns by many people and listed in many collections of towns, but they lack local governments or elected leaders. Various organizations, such as the United States Census Bureau, the United States Postal Service, and local chambers of commerce, define the communities they wish to recognize differently, and since they are not incorporated, their boundaries have no official status outside the organizations in question. The Census Bureau recognizes the following census-designated places in the county:
- Columbia
- Elkridge
- Ellicott City
- Jessup (a portion is also in Anne Arundel County)
- North Laurel
- Savage-Guilford (a combination of the communities of Savage and Guilford recognized as a unit by the Census Bureau)
Other entities, such as the United States Postal Service, use a different selection of local place names. In all these cases, since the places are unincorporated, the boundaries are determined by the classifying authority. Unincorporated places not listed as Census-Designated Places but known in the area include:
- Clarksville
- Cooksville
- Daniels
- Dayton
- Dorsey
- Fulton
- Glenelg
- Glenwood
- Granite
- Hanover (a portion is also in Anne Arundel County)
- Henryton (primarily in Carroll County)
- Highland
- Ilchester
- Lisbon
- Marriottsville (a portion is also in Carroll County and Baltimore County)
- Mount Airy (a portion is also in Carroll County and Frederick County)
- Scaggsville
- Simpsonville
- Sykesville (primarily in Carroll County)
- West Friendship
- Woodbine
- Woodstock
Transportation
Airports
Howard County does not have any public or commercial airport facilities. There are two privately owned airstrips, Glenair in Glenwood, Maryland, and Haysfield Airport in Ellicott City, Maryland.[40] Commercial air service is provided at the nearby BWI Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and Washington Dulles International Airport.
Public transportation
Bus routes that operate in Howard County are managed by multiple services, including Howard Transit, Connect a Ride, The Maryland Transit Administration, Commuter Solutions of Howard County, and Neighbor Ride.[41]
Roads
Howard County contains two primary Interstate highways: Interstate 70 which runs east-west across the northern portion of the county and Interstate 95 which enters the county in Elkridge and runs north-south to North Laurel, then crossing into Prince Georges County.
Other major routes include U.S. Route 29, which runs from its northern terminus at MD 99 in Ellicott City into Montgomery County, Maryland Route 100 which provides quick access to BWI Airport from Ellicott City and Columbia, and Maryland Route 32 links the northwest suburbs of West Friendship, Glenelg, and Clarksville with Columbia and Fort Meade.
Departments
Notable residents and natives
- Stephen Amidon, author, whose 2000 novel, The New City, is set in a fictionalized Columbia in the 1970s.
- Catherine Asaro, science fiction author, Hugo and Nebula winner, creator of the Skolian Empire series
- Desmond Armstrong, member of US 1990 FIFA World Cup soccer team
- Benjamin Banneker, African-American self-educated scientist, astronomer, inventor, writer, and antislavery publicist, born in Ellicott's Mills, November 9, 1731
- Florence Riefle Bahr, artist and activist
- Leonard Marion Bahr, portrait painter
- Jordan Thomas Bonardi, ex-Spartan patrol leader
- Michael Benton, U.S. diplomat to Denmark
- Jayson Blair, disgraced former New York Times reporter
- Beatrice Capra, amateur tennis player who won several rounds at the US Open in 2010
- Kenneth Catania, MacArthur Foundation Fellow and Professor of Biology at Vanderbilt University
- Michael Chabon, Pulitzer Prize winning author
- Frank Cho, creator of Liberty Meadows comic strip
- Frank J. Christensen, American Labor Leader
- James A. Clark, president of the Maryland State Senate from 1979 to 1983
- George Colligan, New York–based jazz pianist
- Cristeta Comerford, White House Executive Chef
- D'Monroe, Broadway and Off-Broadway Actor
- The Dangerous Summer (band), alternative rock band from Ellicott City
- Divine, actor who briefly rented an apartment in Ellicott City as a young adult in the summer of 1968
- Brenda Frese Coach of the 2006 National Champion University of Maryland Terrapins Women's Basketball team
- Willie Germany, NFL defensive back
- Mary Downing Hahn, award winning author of young adult literature
- Greg Hawkes, keyboardist for new wave band [The Cars]
- Mantle Hood, American ethnomusicologist, died in Ellicott City
- Stephen Hunter, Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic and author
- Ian Jones-Quartey, creator of the webcomic RPG World
- JJ Kincaid, New York City radio personality, got his start DJing at the Columbia Ice Rink.
- Kerry G. Johnson, award winning caricaturist, cartoonist and humorous illustrator
- Thomas Watkins Ligon, 30th Governor of Maryland; died in Ellicott City in 1881 and is buried at St. John's Cemetery
- Laura Lippman, award winning mystery author
- John MacTavish, British Consul to Maryland in the 1840s
- Suzanne Malveaux, CNN Reporter, went to high school in Ellicott City
- Aaron Maybin, American football defensive end for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. Went to high school in Ellicott City
- Aaron McGruder, animator and cartoonist. Creator of The Boondocks
- Brendan Mundorf, professional lacrosse player for the Denver Outlaws
- Edward Norton, Academy Award–nominated actor and grandson of Columbia founder James Rouse, made his professional debut at age 8 at Toby's Dinner Theatre in the Town Center.
- Saint John Neumann, pastor of Saint Augustine Church in Elkridge, 1849–1851
- Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of reddit, went to high school in Ellicott City
- Randy Pausch, professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University, author of The Last Lecture
- Elise Ray, Olympic gymnast
- Ryan Pinkston, MTV's Punk'd
- James W. Rouse, urban planner, real estate developer and philanthropist. Also grandfather of famous actor and fellow Columbian Edward Norton
- Babe Ruth, baseball player; married at St. Paul's Church in [Ellicott City] to Helen Woodford on October 17, 1914
- SR-71 (band), many of the band's members were from Ellicott City
- Christian Siriano, fashion designer and winner of the fourth season of Project Runway (born in Columbia)
- Linda Tripp, central figure in the Monica Lewinsky scandal
- Terry Virts, astronaut
- Jonathan Ward, actor (Charles in Charge, Mac and Me)
- Air Commodore Sir Frank Whittle, OM, KBE inventor of the jet engine
- Wayne Wilson, NFL running back
- Void (band), punk band on Dischord Records
See also
References
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- ^ "Population and Population Centers by State: 2000". Retrieved 2008-02-08.
- ^ "CNN Money Magazine: 2010 Best Places To Live". Retrieved 2010-08-04.
- ^ "APL Environment". Retrieved 2008-02-08. [dead link]
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- ^ "Mean Center of Population of the United States" (PDF). Retrieved 6 October 2010.
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- ^ "Howard County Buildings" (PDF). Retrieved 7 April 2013.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
- ^ "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Counties". United States Census. Retrieved 2011-02-13.
- ^ "CLARKSVILLE 3 NNE, HOWARD COUNTY, MARYLAND USA". Retrieved 14 March 2011.
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- ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Census.gov. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
- ^ "Howard County, Maryland - Fact Sheet - American FactFinder". US Census Bureau. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
- ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". Retrieved 2008-02-08.
- ^ Howard County - Planning and Zoning. Co.ho.md.us. Retrieved on 2013-07-15.
- ^ https://jscholarship.library.jhu.edu/bitstream/handle/1774.2/32620/Distance%20Table.jpg?sequence=14
- ^ Joseph R. Mitchell, David Stebenne. New City Upon a Hill: A History of Columbia, Maryland. p. 21.
- ^ C.M. Holland. Old homes and families of Howard County, Maryland: with consideration of various additional points of interest. p. 50.
- ^ "Clark Airs Howard Plan". Morning Sun. 12 Feb 1965.
- ^ The founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland.
- ^ "Ruth U. Keeton Dies at 78; Led Howard County Council". The Washington Post. 16 November 1997.
- ^ "HOWARD COUNTY; Ecker Reelected; Republicans to Control Council". The Washington Post. 9 November 1994.
- ^ "Howard County; Democrat Robey Wins Executive Contest". The Washington Post. 14 November 1998.
- ^ "Howard County Council". Washington Post. 22 April 2004.
- ^ "Howard County Council". Washington Post. 27 April 2006.
- ^ Howard County Economic Development Authority
- ^ "NIH". Retrieved 23 August 2013.
- ^ "National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute". Retrieved 22 August 2013.
- ^ "Advisory Council on Historic Preservation". Retrieved 23 August 2013.
- ^ "Preserve America". Retrieved 23August 2013.
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- ^ "UWPHI". Retrieved 23 August 2013.
- ^ "Robert Wood Johnson Foundation". Retrieved 23 August 2013.
- ^ "Education Week". Retrieved 22 August 2013.
- ^ "Venues that Rock".
- ^ "NASR Airports".
- ^ "Transit Services". Retrieved 6 October 2010.