RANK #472 / 996 · POP 332,011 · MD
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.8%
Historic Ellicott City, with its distinctive Main Street of 18th-century architecture, offers a glimpse into Howard County's past as a mill town. Located in central Maryland, the county sits between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., providing commuter access to both major cities via routes like I-70, I-95, and public transit options including MARC train and commuter buses. The community blends suburban and rural landscapes, with over 30,000 acres of parkland and more than 100 miles of trails, including portions of Patapsco Valley State Park. This offers residents opportunities for hiking, biking, and enjoying natural scenery.
Life in Howard County is characterized by a focus on quality of life, often attracting families. The Howard County Public School System is a draw for many residents. The local economy is driven by sectors such as business services, education, and healthcare, with ongoing investments in these areas. The county also supports local businesses and entrepreneurs through initiatives like the Maryland Innovation Center and an Enterprise Zone in Eastern Howard County, which offers incentives for businesses to invest and grow employment.
Above national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Prices detached from rents
Housing is fairly valued at 6.0x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Howard County Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for FY2026
Howard County Government
|
$365M | Planned |
|
Howard County Public School System Capital Improvements
Howard County Government
|
$117M | Planned |
|
Howard County Solar Portfolio (10 projects, 29 MW)
CleanCapital
|
$71M | Completed |
|
Bioenergy Devco Anaerobic Digester
Bioenergy Devco
|
$35M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Howard County has a Boom Town Index score of 53/100, ranking #472 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.2% and a median household income of $140,971, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Howard County is $551,300 with median rent at $1,920/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2557, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.8% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.2%. Home values changed -0.3% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.94% of Howard County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.