Baltimore County is a suburban county located in the northern portion of U.S. state of Maryland.

As of 2000, the population is 754,292. Its county seat is Towson. The name of the county was derived from the barony of the Proprietor of the Maryland colony, in County Longford, Ireland. It should be noted that Baltimore County does not include the City of Baltimore, which was split off as an independent city in 1851.

This county is a part of the Washington_Baltimore Metropolitan Area.

History

The origin of Baltimore County is not known but it definitely existed by January 12, 1659/60, when a writ was issued to its sheriff.

In 1674, a portion of Baltimore County, as well as a portion of Kent County, was split off to form Cecil County. In 1748, a portion of Baltimore County, as well as a portion of Prince George's County, was split off to form Frederick County. In 1773, Harford County was split off from Baltimore County. In 1837 a part of Baltimore County was combined with a part of Frederick County to form Carroll County. As mentioned above, in 1851 the city of Baltimore was detached from Baltimore County.

Law and government

Baltimore County was granted a charter form of government in 1956.

Transportation

The Maryland Transit Administration operates two rail systems __ one light rail and one heavy rail -- in the Baltimore area; both systems have stations in Baltimore County. The heavy-rail Metro subway runs north and west of the city to Owings Mills; the Light Rail system runs due north of the city to Hunt Valley.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,766 km² (682 mi²). 1,550 km² (599 mi²) of it is land and 216 km² (83 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 12.23% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 754,292 people, 299,877 households, and 198,518 families residing in the county. The population density is 487/km² (1,260/mi²). There are 313,734 housing units at an average density of 202/km² (524/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 74.39% White, 20.10% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 3.17% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. 1.83% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 299,877 households out of which 30.20% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.40% are married couples living together, 12.80% have a female householder with no husband present, and 33.80% are non-families. 27.30% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.10% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.46 and the average family size is 3.00.

In the county the population is spread out with 23.60% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 29.80% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 90.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $50,667, and the median income for a family is $59,998. Males have a median income of $41,048 versus $31,426 for females. The per capita income for the county is $26,167. 6.50% of the population and 4.50% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 7.20% of those under the age of 18 and 6.50% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Colleges and universities

The University System of Maryland has a branch campus in Baltimore County, in the Arbutus community. (known as UMBC - University of Maryland, Baltimore County).

Also located in the county:

• Goucher College (in Towson)
• Towson University (formerly known as Towson State University, and before that Towson State Teachers' College) (in Towson)
• Villa Julie College (campuses in Stevenson and Owings Mills)

The county also as a Community College system know as Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), with campuses in Catonsville, Essex, and Dundalk

Cities and towns

Baltimore County has no incorporated municipalities, yet contains many unicorporated areas of local distinction.

Unincorporated areas are also considered as towns by many people and listed in many collections of towns, but they lack local government. Various organizations, such as the United States Census Bureau, the United States Postal Service, and local chambers of commerce, define the communities they wish to recognize differently, and since they are not incorporated, their boundaries have no official status outside the organizations in question. The Census Bureau recognizes the following census_designated places in the county:

1. Arbutus
2. Bowleys Quarters
3. Carney
4. Catonsville
5. Cockeysville
6. Dundalk
7. Edgemere
8. Essex
9. Garrison
10. Hampton
11. Kingsville
12. Lansdowne-Baltimore Highlands (a combination of the communities of Lansdowne and Baltimore Highlands recognized as a unit by the Census Bureau)
13. Lochearn
14. Lutherville-Timonium (a combination of the communities of Lutherville and Timonium recognized as a unit by the Census Bureau)
15. Mays Chapel
16. Middle River
17. Milford Mill
18. Overlea
19. Owings Mills
20. Parkville
21. Perry Hall
22. Pikesville
23. Randallstown
24. Reisterstown
25. Rosedale
26. Rossville
27. Towson
28. White Marsh
29. Woodlawn (Note: this is also the name of a CDP in Prince George's County!)

Other unincorporated places not listed as Census_Designated Places but known in the area include:

• Germantown

Notable Persons

• Spiro Agnew, former Vice President of the United States, former County Executive
• David Byrne, lead singer Talking Heads
• Emily Spencer Hayden, photograhper
• Harvey Ladew, desinger of Ladew Topiary Gardens
• Michael Phelps, Olympic swimmer

External links

• Baltimore County Government (http://www.co.ba.md.us/)
• Baltimore County Public Library system (http://www.bcplonline.org)
• Baltimore Co. Public Schools (http://www.bcps.org)