RANK #734 / 1001 NAT · #9 / 18 MD · POP 263,757
1YR FORECAST: +1.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +15%
Harford County, Maryland, offers a blend of suburban and rural landscapes, with Havre de Grace standing out as a notable waterfront city where the Susquehanna River meets the Chesapeake Bay. Located about 30 miles northeast of Baltimore, the county provides convenient access to major urban centers like Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. Commute times average around 30 minutes, with public transportation options including the MARC Train and commuter buses. The community offers a mix of historic charm and natural beauty, with numerous parks and waterways like Rocks State Park and the Ma & Pa Heritage Trail providing opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Life in Harford County is characterized by a family-friendly atmosphere, with highly rated public schools and a variety of recreational sports for both children and adults. The economy is diverse, driven by sectors such as defense, technology, manufacturing, and logistics. Aberdeen Proving Ground, a major U.S. Army facility, is a significant employer and has attracted numerous defense contractors to the area. Recent economic developments include investments in technology and research, with a focus on workforce development and supporting local businesses.
Harford County is one of 110 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +1.0% runs below the profile's typical +2.4%.
See all 110 Educated Suburban Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 15.4x — home prices are high 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Harford County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Constellation Natural Gas Plant (larger facility)
Constellation Energy
|
$800M | Proposed |
|
Oystercatcher Energy Storage
Cardinal Energy Storage East, LLC
|
$500M | Planned |
|
New University of Maryland hospital in Aberdeen
University of Maryland
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Fairview Farms Solar
Madison Energy Investments LLC
|
$30M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 26/100, Harford County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $112,265 combined with job growth of +1.0% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Harford County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $386,400 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.29, with rents averaging $1,586/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Harford County are both close to flat — population +0.5% YoY and jobs +1.0%. Home values shifted +1.0% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.61% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Harford County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.