Carroll County, Maryland
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Carroll County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland.
As of 2000, the population is 150,897. It was named for Charles Carroll of Carrollton (1737-1832), signer of the American Declaration of Independence. Its county seat is Westminster.
This county is a part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area.
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History
Carroll County was created in 1837 from parts of Baltimore and Frederick Counties see Hundred (division).
The first settlers included 3,700 Germans and their impact may still be seen today in the attitudes of its residents.
Law and government
Carroll County is governed by three county commissioners, the traditional form of county government in Maryland.
Several times in the past, Carroll County voters have rejected charter amendments that would call for a government consisting of a County Exexutive and a County Council.
In 2004 Carroll County voters approved legislation that will expand the number of County Commissioners from three to five. The five Commissioners will be elected from five Commissioner districts, as opposed to three Commissioners elected at-large. This change will occur beginning with the 2006 elections.
The current commisioners are:
- Julia Walsh Gouge, President of the Commission, former mayor of Hampstead
- Dean L. Minnich, from Westminster
- Perry L. Jones, Jr., former mayor of Union Bridge
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,172 km² (452 mi²). 1,163 km² (449 mi²) of it is land and 8 km² (3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.72% water.
Demographics
CarrollCountyMD.jpg
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 150,897 people, 52,503 households, and 41,109 families residing in the county. The population density is 130/km² (336/mi²). There are 54,260 housing units at an average density of 47/km² (121/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 95.69% White, 2.28% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. 0.99% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 52,503 households out of which 39.70% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.50% are married couples living together, 8.30% have a female householder with no husband present, and 21.70% are non-families. 17.50% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.40% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.81 and the average family size is 3.18.
In the county the population is spread out with 27.70% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 30.60% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 10.80% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $60,021, and the median income for a family is $66,430. Males have a median income of $44,191 versus $30,599 for females. The per capita income for the county is $23,829. 3.80% of the population and 2.70% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 4.00% of those under the age of 18 and 4.90% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Cities and towns
This county contains the following incorporated municipalities:
- 2 Cities:
- Taneytown (incorporated 1836)
- Westminster (incorporated 1818)
- 7 Towns:
- Hampstead (incorporated 1888)
- Manchester (incorporated 1833)
- Mount Airy (incorporated 1894) (This town is partly in Carroll County and partly in Frederick County.)
- New Windsor (incorporated 1843)
- Sykesville (incorporated 1904)
- Union Bridge (incorporated 1872)
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:
Public schools
The Carroll County Public School system is the ninth largest in the state of Maryland. More than 28,000 students are enrolled in the county's public schools. The school system includes 21 elementary schools, nine middle schools, seven high schools, two career and technology centers and an alternative school.
In testing, the schools typically score slightly above the state and national averages. For example, in the 2003-04 school year, Carroll County students scored 522 on the SAT verbal section and 515 in math, compared to 515 verbal and 511 math statewide and 518 verbal and 508 math nationwide.[1] (http://ccpl.carr.org/ccps/instruction/researchaccount/powerpoints/sat.mht!sat_files/frame.htm)
The schools are administered by a superintendent of schools, Charles "Chuck" Ecker. Ecker started a four-year term in the position on July 1, 2002 and will serve as Superintendent through June 30, 2006. He is assisted by a five-member elected Board of Education; as of 2005, the members are Gary W. Bauer, Laura K. Rhodes, Cynthia L. Foley, Thomas G. Hiltz and C. Scott Stone.
External links
- Carroll County Government (http://ccgov.carr.org)
- Carroll County Public Schools (http://www.carrollk12.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 |