Population 263,757 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Harford County
Household size in Harford County
| Period | Harford County | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.72 | 2.61 | 2.68 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.73 | 2.65 | 2.73 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.69 | 2.65 | 2.74 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.65 | 2.59 | 2.68 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.08 | −0.02 | +0.01 | −0.03 |
At 2.65 people per household, Harford County sits right at the national average. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 2.72, mirroring the country. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the north.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Harford County
| Period | Harford County | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.7 | 38.7 | 38.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 40.7 | 39.5 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.6 | 40.2 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 41.7 | 40.3 | 40.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.1 | +1.6 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Harford County is 41.7 years old, a bit older than the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 39.7 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. The youngest areas are in the south, the oldest in the northeast.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Harford County
| Period | Harford County | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.2% | 12.6% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.7% | 12.3% | 12.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.5% | 11.6% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.6% | 11.5% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.6 pts | −1.1 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are less common in Harford County than nationally: 9.6%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share has edged down 0.6 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Harford County
Renters in Harford County
| Period | Harford County | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.4% | 32.0% | 31.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.9% | 33.5% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.3% | 33.5% | 33.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 20.3% | 33.1% | 32.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.9 pts | +1.1 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
Harford County is largely a place of homeowners: only 20.3% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About three in ten owners (30.6%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has risen 1.9 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Harford County
| Period | Harford County | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.9% | 9.3% | 9.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 6.8% | 9.3% | 8.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.8% | 9.4% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 4.6% | 7.2% | 7.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.3 pts | −2.1 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Only 4.6% of homes in Harford County are vacant, far below the national rate of 9.6%, which usually means strong demand for housing. Vacancy is down 2.3 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only one other Maryland county has a lower vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Harford County
| Period | Harford County | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1982 | 1971 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1983 | 1972 | 1975 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1984 | 1973 | 1976 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1986 | 1975 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in Harford County is a little younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1986, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1982 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Harford County
| Period | Harford County | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,124 | $1,179 | $1,249 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,227 | $1,293 | $1,363 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,364 | $1,477 | $1,576 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,682 | $1,778 | $1,869 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$557 | +$599 | +$620 | +$606 |
The median renter in Harford County pays $1,682 a month for rent and utilities, above the national median of $1,571. Still, rents here are lower than in the Baltimore area overall ($1,778). Rents are up $557 a month from 2006–10, a 50% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 31.8% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Harford County
Bachelor's degrees in Harford County
| Period | Harford County | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.0% | 35.6% | 36.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 33.5% | 37.3% | 37.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 36.7% | 40.8% | 40.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 40.4% | 44.1% | 43.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +9.4 pts | +8.5 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
About four in ten adults 25 and older in Harford County (40.4%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, a bit above the national share of 35.6%. Even so, the share is lower than in the wider Baltimore area (44.1%). The share with a degree is up 9.4 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Harford County
| Period | Harford County | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 91.1% | 87.8% | 88.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 93.0% | 89.5% | 89.1% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 92.7% | 91.1% | 90.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.2% | 92.1% | 90.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.1 pts | +4.3 pts | +2.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Harford County: 95.2% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 4.1 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only one other Maryland county has a higher share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Harford County
| Period | Harford County | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.5% | 6.6% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.2% | 8.3% | 8.1% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.2% | 5.2% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.9% | 4.8% | 5.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Harford County runs below the national rate: 3.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment is down 1.6 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Harford County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harford County | 2.65 | 41.7 | 9.6% | 20.3% | 4.6% | 1986 | $1,682 | 40.4% | 95.2% | 3.9% |
| Cecil County | 2.58 | 42.4 | 11.4% | 24.7% | 8.4% | 1986 | $1,403 | 27.8% | 91.7% | 5.9% |
| Carroll County | 2.71 | 42.3 | 8.1% | 15.7% | 4.8% | 1982 | $1,567 | 40.9% | 95.3% | 3.6% |
| New Castle County | 2.61 | 41.0 | 13.1% | 31.0% | 6.1% | 1976 | $1,596 | 39.9% | 92.6% | 4.8% |
| Salem County | 2.60 | 42.0 | 12.2% | 29.0% | 10.7% | 1963 | $1,279 | 25.0% | 90.1% | 7.8% |
| Frederick County | 2.78 | 39.9 | 10.2% | 23.0% | 5.4% | 1991 | $1,932 | 47.0% | 93.5% | 3.2% |
| Cumberland County | 2.81 | 37.9 | 16.7% | 33.5% | 7.0% | 1969 | $1,302 | 18.3% | 80.6% | 7.0% |
| Washington County | 2.55 | 41.2 | 13.5% | 33.2% | 7.6% | 1976 | $1,207 | 24.3% | 88.6% | 4.4% |
| Berkeley County | 2.58 | 39.9 | 14.1% | 24.0% | 6.5% | 1994 | $1,304 | 25.5% | 90.7% | 4.7% |
| Atlantic County | 2.59 | 42.3 | 12.3% | 31.3% | 10.8% | 1977 | $1,538 | 31.0% | 89.4% | 8.9% |
| Morgan County | 2.36 | 49.3 | 9.8% | 15.9% | 18.8% | 1986 | $876 | 18.2% | 88.9% | 3.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Trumbull County, OH · Brown County, WI · Buncombe County, NC · Butte County, CA · Washington County, PA · Caddo Parish, LA · Calcasieu Parish, LA · Washington County, AR · Warren County, OH · Union County, NC
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Harford County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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