Howard County, Maryland is located in the central part of the state and is part of the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. It covers an area of 311 square miles and has a population of over 320,000 people as of 2019. The county is bordered by Montgomery, Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Carroll, and Frederick counties. Howard County’s geography includes rolling hills and valleys, wetlands and forests, rural farmland and suburban neighborhoods. See BEST-MEDICAL-SCHOOLS for rivers and lakes in Maryland.
The climate in Howard County is warm-summer humid continental with hot summers and cold winters. Average temperatures range from highs in the mid-80s Fahrenheit (low 30s Celsius) during the summer months to lows around 20°F (-7°C) during winter. Average annual precipitation is 39 inches (99 cm), with most rainfall occurring during late spring through early fall. Snowfall averages 22 inches (56 cm) annually in Howard County.
Howard County has a diverse population that reflects its location within the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. As of 2019, nearly two thirds of Howard County residents were white non-Hispanic; 16% were African American; 13% were Asian; 5% were Hispanic or Latino; 1% was American Indian or Alaskan Native; and 2% were two or more races or other race not specified. The median household income in Howard County was $111,824 as of 2019 while the median home value was $480,500 that same year.
Howard County has experienced rapid growth since 2000 due to its proximity to Washington D.C., Baltimore City, and other major cities along I-95 corridor such as Philadelphia and New York City as well as its strong public school system which consistently ranks among the best in Maryland State education rankings each year making it an attractive place to live for families looking for quality educational options for their children.
Economy of Howard County, Maryland
Howard County, Maryland has a strong and diverse economy that reflects its location within the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. The county’s economic base is primarily comprised of technology, healthcare, government, education, and retail. As of 2019, the county’s unemployment rate was 3.3%, well below the national average.
The largest industry in Howard County is technology. Major employers in this sector include Northrop Grumman Corporation, Verizon Wireless, and Lockheed Martin Corporation. These companies employ thousands of people in Howard County as well as providing numerous contract opportunities for local businesses and entrepreneurs.
Healthcare is the second largest industry in Howard County with major employers such as Johns Hopkins Medicine and Kaiser Permanente employing thousands of people each year in both direct patient care roles as well as administrative positions.
Government and education are also major economic drivers in Howard County with employers such as the Department of Defense, U.S. Postal Service, Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC), and University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) providing many jobs to local residents each year.
Retail is also an important part of Howard County’s economy with shopping centers such as The Mall in Columbia providing employment opportunities to thousands of people each year from sales associates to management positions. Additionally, there are numerous small businesses throughout the county that provide goods and services to local residents while also employing many locals themselves.
Howard County has a strong economy that provides a variety of job opportunities to its residents while also attracting new businesses from all around the country due to its central location along the I-95 corridor between Washington D.C., Baltimore City, Philadelphia, and New York City enabling companies to easily access these major cities for business purposes if needed.
Libraries in Howard County, Maryland
According to babyinger, Howard County, Maryland has a rich library system that serves the needs of its residents. The library system includes five branch libraries and one central library located in Ellicott City. Each branch library is unique and offers a variety of services to meet the needs of the community.
The five branch libraries are located in Columbia, Elkridge, Glenwood, Savage and West Friendship. Each branch library offers books for all ages, periodicals, magazines, audio books, DVDs and CDs. In addition to materials for borrowing, each branch has computers with internet access available for public use as well as meeting rooms for public events such as story times or book clubs.
The central library in Ellicott City is the largest of the Howard County Libraries and features a large collection of books with an emphasis on local history and genealogy resources. The central library also houses a café with seating areas where patrons can relax while enjoying their favorite beverage or snack while they work or study.
In addition to traditional print materials, Howard County Libraries offer digital services such as eBooks, downloadable audiobooks and streaming video services through Overdrive/Libby and Hoopla Digital platforms. These digital services allow patrons to access their favorite books anytime from anywhere at no cost.
Howard County Libraries also offer programs for both children and adults that range from storytimes for toddlers to book clubs for adults. These programs provide an opportunity for community members to come together around shared interests such as reading or learning about local history while also providing an opportunity to meet new people in the community.
Finally, Howard County Libraries offer technology classes which are designed to help patrons learn how to use computers more effectively or learn new software programs such as Microsoft Office Suite or Adobe Creative Suite products. These classes are offered both at the branches as well as online through webinars so that patrons can learn at their own pace from home if they prefer not to attend classes in person.
Howard County’s library system provides its residents with a wide variety of services ranging from traditional print materials to digital resources that can be accessed anytime from anywhere at no cost. In addition to these resources, there are also many programs available both at the branches or online so that patrons can get involved in their community by attending storytimes or book clubs while also learning something new through technology classes if they choose.
Landmarks in Howard County, Maryland
Howard County, Maryland is a beautiful area located between Baltimore and Washington D.C., filled with a variety of landmarks that provide visitors with plenty of things to explore. From historic sites to natural wonders, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Howard County.
One of the most popular landmarks in Howard County is the Ellicott City Historic District. This district includes many buildings that were constructed in the late 18th and 19th centuries, providing visitors with an insight into the history of this charming town. Notable buildings within the district include Ellicott’s Mills, which was built by John Ellicott in 1790 and was used as a flour-milling center until 1941; St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, which was built in 1817; and Oella Mill, which dates back to 1808 and is one of the oldest operating mills in America.
Another popular landmark in Howard County is Centennial Park. Located just outside of Ellicott City, this park offers something for everyone including trails for walking or biking, playgrounds for children, picnic areas, and more. The park also features monuments dedicated to local heroes such as John Hanson Thomas who served during the American Revolutionary War as well as monuments honoring veterans from World War I and II.
If you are looking for a more natural landmark to explore while visiting Howard County then be sure to check out Patapsco Valley State Park. This park offers visitors miles of trails perfect for hiking or horseback riding as well as fishing opportunities along the Patapsco River. The park also features scenic views from its many overlooks including Avalon Visitor Center at Bloede Dam where visitors can learn about the history of hydroelectric power generation on the river or visit Daniels Area where they can view remains from an old mill town dating back to 1763.
Finally, no trip to Howard County would be complete without visiting Merriweather Post Pavilion located on Symphony Woods Road near Columbia Town Center Mall. This amphitheater has been hosting concerts since 1967 when it opened its doors with performances by legendary acts such as The Who and Led Zeppelin. Today, it continues to host some of today’s most popular musicians such as Bruno Mars and Halsey while also providing a venue for community events such as festivals or movie nights throughout the year.
There are many fantastic landmarks throughout Howard County that offer something special for everyone who visits. From historical sites like Ellicott City Historic District and Centennial Park to natural wonders like Patapsco Valley State Park or Merriweather Post Pavilion – there’s always something new and exciting waiting around every corner.