Baltimore County, Maryland
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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. Template:US County infobox
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History
The origin of Baltimore County is not known, the earilest know record of the county politicaly is January 12, 1659, when a writ was issued to its sheriff. Previously Baltimore County was more know as a geographical entity more than a political one, with its territorial limits consisting of the present day Baltimore City, Cecil and Harford Counties, as well as parts of Carroll, Anne Arundel, Frederick, Howard and Kent Counties.
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 has had a charter government since 1956. The government consists of a County Executive and a seven-member County Council. The County Exectuvie and Councilmen are elected in years it gubernatorial elections, and may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.
County Executives
See Also: Baltimore County Executive
The County Executive, oversees the executive branch of the County government that consists of a number of offices and departments. The executive branch is charged with implementing County law and overseeing the operation of the County government. The current County Executive is Jim Smith, who comes up for relection in 2006.
2006 Baltimore County Executive Election
County Council
The County Council, as the legislative branch, adopts ordinances and resolutions, and has all of the County's legislative powers.
The current members of the County Council are:
| District | Name | Party |
|---|---|---|
| District 1 | Samuel Moxley | Democrat |
| District 2 | Kevin B. Kamenetz | Democrat |
| District 3 | T. Bryan McIntire | Republican |
| District 4 | Kenneth M. Oliver | Democrat |
| District 5 | Vincent J. Gardina | Democrat |
| District 6 | Joseph Bartenfelder | Democrat |
| District 7 | John A. Olszewski, Sr. | Democrat |
Councilman Bartenfelder is the current Chairman.
Transportation
Road
Several major interstate highways run through the county, including I-95, I-83, and I-70; the latter has its terminus in the county. The majority of the McKeldin Beltway, I-695, is contained within the county as well.
Transit
The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) operates two rail systems -- one light rail and one urban 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. The MTA also operates its bus service into the county, providing links to communities within the county and surrounding areas.
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 maintains two universities in Baltimore County:
There are also two private schools in Baltimore County:
- Goucher College (in Towson)
- Villa Julie College (campuses in Stevenson and Owings Mills)
Finally, there is 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:
- Arbutus
- Bowleys Quarters
- Carney
- Catonsville
- Cockeysville
- Dundalk
- Edgemere
- Essex
- Garrison
- Hampton
- Kingsville
- Lansdowne-Baltimore Highlands (a combination of the communities of Lansdowne and Baltimore Highlands recognized as a unit by the Census Bureau)
- Lochearn
- Lutherville-Timonium (a combination of the communities of Lutherville and Timonium recognized as a unit by the Census Bureau)
- Mays Chapel
- Middle River
- Milford Mill
- Overlea
- Owings Mills
- Parkville
- Perry Hall
- Pikesville
- Randallstown
- Reisterstown
- Rosedale
- Rossville
- Towson
- White Marsh
- 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:
Notable Persons
- Spiro Agnew, former Vice President of the United States, former Baltimore 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)
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State of Maryland |
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| State Capital: | |
| Regions: |
Western | Southern | Eastern Shore | Baltimore-Washington Metro Area | Chesapeake | Delaware Valley |
| Notable Cities: | Baltimore | Bowie | College Park | Cumberland | Frederick | Gaithersburg | Greenbelt | Hagerstown | Laurel | Rockville | Salisbury | Takoma Park | Westminster |
| Counties: |
Allegany | Anne Arundel | Baltimore City | Baltimore County | Calvert | Caroline | Carroll | Cecil | Charles | Dorchester | Frederick | Garrett | Harford | Howard | Kent | Montgomery | Prince George's | Queen Anne's | St. Mary's | Somerset | Talbot | Washington | Wicomico | Worcester |