County · Maryland
Howard County, Maryland
Howard County, Maryland. Howard County had 339,183 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.1% since 2020, faster than Maryland (+1.4%). It holds 11 places (11 census-designated) and 59 census tracts. GEOID 24027.
Howard County is one of the 7 counties of the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
339,183
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 332,317 · ACS 2020-2024: 336,328
Median household income
$149,763
±$3,158 (90% margin)
Maryland: $103,678
Median home value
$597,900
±$6,060 (90% margin)
Maryland: $419,900
Median gross rent
$2,099
±$33 (90% margin)
Maryland: $1,705
How many people live in Howard County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 332,317 residents in Howard County. The Census Bureau estimates 339,183 for July 1, 2025, up 2.1% since 2020, faster than Maryland (+1.4%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 336,328 over 251 square miles of land.
| Measure | Howard County | Maryland | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 336,328 | 6,206,011 | +17,473 |
| Households | 121,065±625 | 2,362,928 | +6,895 |
| Average household size | 2.76±0.01 | 2.57 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 125,286±105 | 2,560,784 | +5,792 |
Howard County's population since 2000
From 247,842 in 2000 to 339,183 in 2025: up 36.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Howard County?
Howard County holds 11 places: 11 census-designated places. The largest is Columbia with 104,338 residents (2020-2024). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Columbia | 104,681 | $131,490 |
|---|---|---|
| Ellicott City | 75,947 | $156,964 |
| Ilchester | 26,824 | $152,103 |
| North Laurel | 25,379 | $122,949 |
| Elkridge | 25,171 | $139,913 |
| Scaggsville | 9,217 | $207,220 |
| Savage | 7,542 | $116,895 |
| Fulton | 5,916 | $222,039 |
| Jessup | 10,535 | $128,851 |
| HighlandGEOID 2438475 | 1,133 | $250,000 or more |
| LisbonGEOID 2447250 | 282 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Howard County?
The median resident of Howard County is 39.8 years old; 23.8% are under 18 and 15.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 45.9%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 19.7%. 22.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Howard County | Maryland | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.8±0.3 | 39.4 | +1.0 |
| Under 18 years | 23.8%±0.1 pts | 22.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.2%±0.1 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 8.7% | 12.5% | +1.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 45.9%±0.2 pts | 46.6% | −6.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 19.7%±0.3 pts | 28.9% | +1.2 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 19.2%±0.5 pts | 6.5% | +1.2 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.7%±0.6 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 22.8%±0.8 pts | 16.6% | +1.7 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 28.3%±0.8 pts | 21.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.0%±0.4 pts | 6.8% | – |
| With a disability | 8.7%±0.4 pts | 11.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.2%±0.5 pts | 6.3% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.0%±0.5 pts | 91.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 64.5%±0.9 pts | 43.4% | +1.9 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 34.1%±0.9 pts | 20.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.9%±0.3 pts | 2.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Howard County earn?
Half of Howard County's 121,065 households earn less than $149,763 a year (±$3,158), against $103,678 in Maryland. In 2015-2019 it was $149,111 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 5.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Howard County | Maryland | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $149,763±$3,158 | $103,678 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $184,243±$3,425 | $136,642 | – |
| Per capita income | $67,501±$1,195 | $52,979 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 5.2%±0.6 pts | 9.4% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 5.5%±1.1 pts | 11.5% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 5.6%±0.6 pts | 11.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 96.6%±0.6 pts | 92.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Howard County?
Owners occupy 71.5% of Howard County's occupied homes and renters 28.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $597,900 by its owner (±$6,060). The median renter pays $2,099 a month including utilities, and 38.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Howard County | Maryland | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $597,900±$6,060 | $419,900 | +$37,073 |
| Median gross rent | $2,099±$33 | $1,705 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.7%±2.4 pts | 42.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,021±$43 | $2,347 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 71.5%±1.0 pts | 67.6% | −1.7 pts |
| Housing units | 125,286±105 | 2,560,784 | +5,792 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.3%±1.4 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 50.1%±0.9 pts | 51.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.7%±0.2 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.5%±0.2 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 1.9%±0.3 pts | 10.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Howard County building?
Builders took permits for 728 new housing units across Howard County in 2025 (329 single-family), 2.1 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Howard County get to work?
64.9% of Howard County's workers drive alone and 26.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.5%.
| Measure | Howard County | Maryland | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 69.4%±0.5 pts | 67.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.5%±0.4 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 64.9%±1.0 pts | 64.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.4%±0.5 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.5%±0.3 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Walked | 0.9%±0.2 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 26.0%±1.0 pts | 19.3% | +19.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 28.5 min±0.6 | 31.1 min | −2.7 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Howard County's census tracts?
Howard County is divided into 59 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $74,777 (Tract 6011.07) to $250,000 or more (Tract 6055.05).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Howard County compare with Maryland's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 6th of 24 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 12th of 24 |
| Residents per square mile | 6th of 24 |
| Median household income | 1st of 24 |
| Median home value | 2nd of 24 |
| Median gross rent | 1st of 24 |
| Poverty rate | 22nd of 24 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1st of 24 |
| Median age | 15th of 24 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Howard County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.