District 15
RANK #697 / 996 NAT · #7 / 18 MD · POP 850,737
1YR FORECAST: -0.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +19%
Towson, the county seat, offers a bustling downtown with shops, restaurants, and Towson University. Baltimore County, Maryland, partly surrounds but does not include Baltimore City, providing a blend of suburban and rural environments. Commuting to Baltimore City is feasible, with options like I-695, I-95, and I-83, as well as MARC train and Light Rail services. The county features diverse communities, from waterfront areas to rolling hills and farmland, with abundant parks, trails, and green spaces like Loch Raven Reservoir for outdoor recreation.
Life in Baltimore County appeals to families and young professionals, with highly-rated public schools. The county's economy is diversified, with major sectors including education, government, and healthcare. Recent economic developments show investment in areas such as data centers, energy, and manufacturing. While residents express concerns about housing costs and utility bills, the county maintains a competitive transportation network and access to global markets.
Below national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.6x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Data Center in Woodlawn (Proposed)
Undisclosed
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
US Wind Offshore Wind Component Manufacturing Facility at Sparrows Point
US Wind
|
$400M | Under Construction |
|
Northeast - Riverside 230 kV Battery Project
Undisclosed
|
$189M | Planned |
|
Hernwood Landfill Solar Project
Undisclosed
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 29/100, Baltimore County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $88,157 combined with job growth of +2.0% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Baltimore County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $310,800 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $1,479/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Baltimore County are hiring — job growth of +2.0% — but the population is close to flat (0.0% YoY). Home values moved +1.1% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.77% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Baltimore County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.