People in Howard County have the best of both worlds! We enjoy both the exciting atmosphere of Washington, D.C., and the down-to-earth charms of Baltimore. Howard County is conveniently situated between Baltimore, Washington and Annapolis and easily accessible to Routes 95, 32, 29, 70 and the Baltimore Beltway.

Howard County may look like just another suburb until you take a closer look. We now number 223,297 residents. Because of our unique location, Howard County is noted as the fourth fastest growing county in the nation. You'll find a mixture of farmland, historical mill and port communities, such as Ellicott City and Elkridge, and one of the country's most innovative planned towns, Columbia.

The county's first community flourished in Elkridge where some of the buildings from that period of time still remain. The Ellicott brothers, who arrived here in 1772, convinced local farmers to turn their fields from tobacco to wheat. The Ellicotts then milled the wheat, using the force of the Patapsco River to turn their grinding stones. Over the years, Historic Ellicott City has evolved into an art and antiques shopping district. Although the city and local agriculture have changed, the county's farmers still work the land.

In 1967, James Rouse purchased 14,000 acres of local farmland to build his dream -- Columbia. His unique approach to creating a city brought people from across the country, searching for the kind of open community that Rouse promised.

Schools

A great community deserves great schools! Howard County Public School System is a recognized source of local pride.  The county combined score on the Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT) in 1998 was 1084 - 70 points higher than the state average and 67 points above the national average.

Statistically, Howard County students score above the national averages on standardized tests and over 85% of graduates continue their education beyond high school.

Local Travel

Just a short trip down Rt. 29 S, our nation's capital, Washington, D.C., offers a multitude of history and entertainment. Going north on Rt. 29 you'll come to Baltimore, a one-time industrial center which has developed into a true tourist Mecca inspired by the renewed Inner Harbor, a model of successful urban redevelopment.

Located directly at the harbor, you'll  find The National Aquarium and Marine Mammal Pavilion, the Columbus Center, the Maryland Science Center, the Hard Rock Cafe, the Pier 6 Pavilion, and many fine dining and shopping opportunities.

Maryland's capital, Annapolis, is a charming and well-preserved port that's about 30 minutes away. Tour the state Capitol, visit a number of 18th century houses, walk along the city dock, visit the U.S. Naval Academy - whatever your preference, you'll find it there!