Population 336,328 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Howard County
Household size in Howard County
| Period | Howard County | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.77 | 2.61 | 2.68 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.83 | 2.65 | 2.73 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.82 | 2.65 | 2.74 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.84 | 2.59 | 2.68 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.07 | −0.02 | +0.01 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Howard County holds 2.84 people, more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has crept up from 2.77 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the southwest and smallest in the center.
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 Howard County
| Period | Howard County | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.3 | 38.7 | 38.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 39.4 | 39.5 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.2 | 40.2 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 40.6 | 40.3 | 40.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.3 | +1.6 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
At 40.6, the median age in Howard County is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 38.3, mirroring the country. Residents skew youngest in the southeast and oldest in the north.
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 Howard County
| Period | Howard County | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.6% | 12.6% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.9% | 12.3% | 12.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.5% | 11.6% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.1% | 11.5% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.4 pts | −1.1 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in twelve households in Howard County (9.1%), below the national share of 11.6%. Howard County has a lower share of single-parent households than the great majority of Maryland counties.
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 Howard County
Renters in Howard County
| Period | Howard County | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.3% | 32.0% | 31.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 26.7% | 33.5% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 26.8% | 33.5% | 33.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 28.5% | 33.1% | 32.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.3 pts | +1.1 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Howard County own their homes; 28.5% rent, a little below the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 27.4% have no mortgage at all, well below the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the southeast; owners are most common in the southwest. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 3.3 points, in line with the national trend.
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 Howard County
| Period | Howard County | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.9% | 9.3% | 9.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 4.9% | 9.3% | 8.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.2% | 9.4% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 4.4% | 7.2% | 7.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.4 pts | −2.1 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in Howard County: just 4.4% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. Vacancy is down 1.4 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. No 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 Howard County
| Period | Howard County | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1987 | 1971 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1988 | 1972 | 1975 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1988 | 1973 | 1976 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1991 | 1975 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Howard County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1991, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1987 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the southeast, the oldest in the center. Of Maryland's 24 counties, only two have newer homes.
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 Howard County
| Period | Howard County | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,471 | $1,179 | $1,249 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,601 | $1,293 | $1,363 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,922 | $1,477 | $1,576 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,257 | $1,778 | $1,869 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$785 | +$599 | +$620 | +$606 |
Rent in Howard County runs $2,257 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $785 a month since 2006–10, up 53%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 31.4% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Only one other Maryland county has higher rents.
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 Howard County
Bachelor's degrees in Howard County
| Period | Howard County | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 58.0% | 35.6% | 36.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 60.0% | 37.3% | 37.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 62.6% | 40.8% | 40.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 64.5% | 44.1% | 43.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.5 pts | +8.5 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
Howard County is highly educated: nearly two-thirds of adults 25 and older (64.5%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 6.5 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Howard County has the highest share of college graduates of any Maryland county.
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 Howard County
| Period | Howard County | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 94.5% | 87.8% | 88.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 95.2% | 89.5% | 89.1% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.4% | 91.1% | 90.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.8% | 92.1% | 90.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.3 pts | +4.3 pts | +2.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Howard County: 94.8% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Howard County has a higher share of high school graduates than the great majority of Maryland counties.
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 Howard County
| Period | Howard County | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.0% | 6.6% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.1% | 8.3% | 8.1% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.7% | 5.2% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.6% | 4.8% | 5.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.4 pts | −1.8 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Howard County runs below the national rate: 3.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Howard County has lower unemployment than the great majority of Maryland counties. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's 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).
Howard 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howard County | 2.84 | 40.6 | 9.1% | 28.5% | 4.4% | 1991 | $2,257 | 64.5% | 94.8% | 3.6% |
| Baltimore City | 2.29 | 37.6 | 15.8% | 52.5% | 13.4% | 1953 | $1,395 | 36.4% | 87.1% | 7.3% |
| Baltimore County | 2.59 | 40.9 | 11.9% | 33.6% | 6.4% | 1973 | $1,680 | 42.2% | 91.6% | 4.9% |
| Kent County | 2.15 | 47.2 | 12.0% | 27.5% | 18.6% | 1977 | $1,310 | 38.7% | 91.2% | 2.9% |
| Jefferson County | 2.59 | 41.7 | 11.0% | 19.7% | 8.4% | 1991 | $1,157 | 34.3% | 89.8% | 3.8% |
| Clarke County | 2.60 | 48.2 | 5.9% | 18.5% | 10.7% | 1981 | $1,307 | 40.1% | 92.9% | 2.5% |
| Kent County | 2.65 | 39.3 | 13.3% | 27.5% | 7.5% | 1992 | $1,378 | 27.4% | 91.1% | 5.9% |
| Winchester City | 2.39 | 38.5 | 13.7% | 56.4% | 10.3% | 1967 | $1,411 | 29.6% | 87.1% | 7.0% |
| Frederick County | 2.70 | 42.7 | 10.8% | 20.7% | 6.5% | 1996 | $1,700 | 32.6% | 90.1% | 4.0% |
| Hampshire County | 2.80 | 45.8 | 11.9% | 17.3% | 31.8% | 1986 | $816 | 19.6% | 88.9% | 8.6% |
| Tucker County | 2.34 | 51.5 | 5.0% | 19.1% | 30.1% | 1974 | $678 | 23.8% | 90.5% | 6.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Washtenaw County, MI · St. Charles County, MO · Lucas County, OH · Stark County, OH · Sussex County, DE · Thurston County, WA · Union County, NC · Warren County, OH · Lehigh County, PA · Larimer County, CO
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 Howard 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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