Harford County, Maryland
Harford County | |
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UTC−4 (EDT) | |
Congressional district | 1st |
Website | www |
Harford County is located in the U.S. state of Maryland. As of the 2020 census, the population was 260,924.[1] Its county seat is Bel Air.[2] Harford County is included in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA Combined Statistical Area.
History
In 1608 the area was inhabited by
Harford County was formed on March 22, 1774, from the eastern part of Baltimore County with a population of 13,000 people.[3]: 13, 60 On March 22, 1775, Harford County hosted the signers of the Bush Declaration, a precursor document to the American Revolution.[3]: 102 On January 22, 1782, Bel Air became the county seat.[3]: 67
During the 1900s the Bata Shoe Company employed numerous Eastern European
In 2011 the Office of National Drug Control Policy deemed Harford County a designated High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.[12]
The county was named for Henry Harford (c. 1759–1834), the illegitimate son of Frederick Calvert, 6th Baron Baltimore. Henry Harford was born to Calvert's mistress, Hester Whelan, whose residence still stands as part of a private residence on Jarretsville Pike, in Phoenix, Maryland. Harford served as the last Proprietary Governor of Maryland but, because of his illegitimacy, did not inherit his father's title.[3]: 53 There are 79 properties and districts listed on the National Register in the county, including one National Historic Landmark called Sion Hill.[13]
Environmental history
Harford County has environmental issues in three major areas:
As the county sits at the headwaters of the
Harford County has been burdened by soil contamination and groundwater contamination since the creation of the
Aberdeen Proving Ground contains three
Harford County also faces controversy from residents living near Scarboro Landfill and Harford Waste Disposal Center, the only municipal landfill. The landfill, approved to triple in size in 2007, is the subject of complaints by neighbors of operating violations, such as large areas of open trash and blown litter; leachate breaks which contaminate area residential wells and flow into Deer Creek, a tributary of the Susquehanna River; and increased health problems.[citation needed]
Geography
According to the
Harford County straddles the border between the rolling hills of the
Adjacent counties
- York County, Pennsylvania (north)
- Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (northeast)
- Cecil County (east)
- Kent County (south)
- Baltimore County (west)
National protected area
Communities
Cities
Town
- Bel Air (county seat)
Unincorporated communities
- Aldino
- Benson
- Berkley
- Cardiff
- Castleton
- Churchville
- Clayton
- Constant Friendship
- Creswell
- Dublin
- Darlington
- Emmorton
- Fairview
- Forest Hill
- Fountain Green
- Glenwood
- Hess
- Hickory
- Hopewell Village
- Joppa
- Kalmia
- Level
- Madonna
- Norrisville
- Shawsville
- Street
- Taylor
- Whiteford
Census-designated places
Census-designated places- Aberdeen Proving Ground
- Abingdon
- Bel Air North
- Bel Air South
- Darlington
- Edgewood
- Fallston
- Jarrettsville
- Joppatowne
- Perryman
- Pleasant Hills
- Pylesville
- Riverside (Belcamp)
Populated places
Climate
The January freezing isotherm runs across the northern part of the county and divides it into a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) and a hot-summer humid continental climate (Dfa.) Average monthly temperatures in Bel Air range from 32.6 °F in January to 76.6 °F in July, while in Aberdeen they range from 33.5 °F in January to 77.2 °F in July.[20]
Politics and government
Voter registration and party enrollment as of March 2024[21] | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 80,499 | 41.69% | |||
Democratic | 64,422 | 33.36% | |||
Unaffiliated | 44,691 | 23.14% | |||
Libertarian | 1,254 | 0.65% | |||
Other parties | 2,241 | 1.16% | |||
Total | 193,107 | 100% |
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 80,930 | 54.61% | 63,095 | 42.58% | 4,161 | 2.81% |
2016 | 77,860 | 58.25% | 47,077 | 35.22% | 8,735 | 6.53% |
2012 | 72,911 | 57.89% | 49,729 | 39.48% | 3,314 | 2.63% |
2008 | 71,751 | 58.19% | 48,552 | 39.38% | 2,992 | 2.43% |
2004 | 71,565 | 63.48% | 39,685 | 35.20% | 1,478 | 1.31% |
2000 | 52,862 | 57.82% | 35,665 | 39.01% | 2,897 | 3.17% |
1996 | 39,686 | 50.76% | 29,779 | 38.08% | 8,726 | 11.16% |
1992 | 36,350 | 45.05% | 27,164 | 33.67% | 17,173 | 21.28% |
1988 | 38,493 | 65.73% | 19,803 | 33.81% | 270 | 0.46% |
1984 | 37,382 | 68.41% | 17,133 | 31.36% | 127 | 0.23% |
1980 | 26,713 | 52.44% | 20,042 | 39.34% | 4,186 | 8.22% |
1976 | 24,309 | 55.00% | 19,890 | 45.00% | 0 | 0.00% |
1972 | 25,141 | 73.16% | 8,737 | 25.42% | 488 | 1.42% |
1968 | 15,799 | 51.48% | 9,914 | 32.30% | 4,978 | 16.22% |
1964 | 9,968 | 42.38% | 13,550 | 57.62% | 0 | 0.00% |
1960 | 12,090 | 56.54% | 9,293 | 43.46% | 0 | 0.00% |
1956 | 12,657 | 65.77% | 6,588 | 34.23% | 0 | 0.00% |
1952 | 10,770 | 60.99% | 6,809 | 38.56% | 80 | 0.45% |
1948 | 6,168 | 52.49% | 5,494 | 46.76% | 88 | 0.75% |
1944 | 6,751 | 58.25% | 4,839 | 41.75% | 0 | 0.00% |
1940 | 6,501 | 53.91% | 5,500 | 45.61% | 59 | 0.49% |
1936 | 5,327 | 46.20% | 6,165 | 53.46% | 39 | 0.34% |
1932 | 3,954 | 39.02% | 6,073 | 59.93% | 107 | 1.06% |
1928 | 6,479 | 64.53% | 3,506 | 34.92% | 55 | 0.55% |
1924 | 3,545 | 45.69% | 3,841 | 49.51% | 372 | 4.80% |
1920 | 4,175 | 49.86% | 4,134 | 49.37% | 65 | 0.78% |
1916 | 2,302 | 40.16% | 3,345 | 58.36% | 85 | 1.48% |
1912 | 1,737 | 30.40% | 3,064 | 53.63% | 912 | 15.96% |
1908 | 2,742 | 45.91% | 3,148 | 52.71% | 82 | 1.37% |
1904 | 2,561 | 43.91% | 3,151 | 54.02% | 121 | 2.07% |
1900 | 3,145 | 45.42% | 3,509 | 50.67% | 271 | 3.91% |
1896 | 3,374 | 47.49% | 3,360 | 47.29% | 371 | 5.22% |
1892 | 2,449 | 40.67% | 3,309 | 54.95% | 264 | 4.38% |
Harford County is, like the
Harford County was granted a charter form of government in 1972. This means that the county is run by a County Executive and Council President, both elected at large, as well as Council Members, elected from districts. Currently, there are six districts in Harford County. Also elected at large is the Sheriff, who runs the Harford County Sheriff's Office, the State's Attorney, who prosecutes all crimes in the county, the Register of Wills, and the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Executive
The Harford County Executive is
Council
Patrick Vincenti is the council president. Dion F. Guthrie represents district A which includes Joppa and Edgewood. Aaron David Penman represents district B which includes Abingdon and Fallston. Tony "G" Giangiordano represents district C which includes Bel Air and Forest Hill. James Reilly represents district D which includes Jarrettsville, Street, and Darlington. Jessica Boyle-Tsottles represents district E which includes Churchville and Aberdeen. Jacob D. Bennett represents district F which includes Belcamp and Havre de Grace.
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1790 | 14,976 | — | |
1800 | 17,626 | 17.7% | |
1810 | 21,258 | 20.6% | |
1820 | 15,924 | −25.1% | |
1830 | 16,319 | 2.5% | |
1840 | 17,120 | 4.9% | |
1850 | 19,356 | 13.1% | |
1860 | 23,415 | 21.0% | |
1870 | 22,605 | −3.5% | |
1880 | 28,042 | 24.1% | |
1890 | 28,993 | 3.4% | |
1900 | 28,269 | −2.5% | |
1910 | 27,965 | −1.1% | |
1920 | 29,291 | 4.7% | |
1930 | 31,603 | 7.9% | |
1940 | 35,060 | 10.9% | |
1950 | 51,782 | 47.7% | |
1960 | 76,722 | 48.2% | |
1970 | 115,378 | 50.4% | |
1980 | 145,930 | 26.5% | |
1990 | 182,132 | 24.8% | |
2000 | 218,590 | 20.0% | |
2010 | 244,826 | 12.0% | |
2020 | 260,924 | 6.6% | |
2023 (est.) | 264,644 | [26] | 1.4% |
U.S. Decennial Census[27] 1790–1960[28] 1900–1990[29] 1990–2000[30] 2010–2020[1] |
2000 census
As of the
By 2006 the population of Harford County had risen 10.4% to 241,402.[32]
The 2005 report on race and ethnicity indicated the county's population was 82.8% non-Hispanic whites. The proportion of African-Americans in the county had risen to 11.5%. Hispanics were now 2.4% of the total population.[32]
In 2000 there were 79,667 households, out of which 38.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.90% were married couples living together, 10.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.20% were non-families. 19.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the county, the age distribution of the population shows 27.90% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 31.60% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 10.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 96.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $57,234, and the median income for a family was $63,868. Males had a median income of $43,612 versus $30,741 for females. The
2010 census
As of the
Of the 90,218 households, 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.9% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 26.5% were non-families, and 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.13. The median age was 39.4 years.[33]
The median income for a household in the county was $77,010 and the median income for a family was $88,370. Males had a median income of $59,734 versus $44,706 for females. The per capita income for the county was $33,559. About 4.0% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the
Economy
According to the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, the following were the top employers in Harford County:
Employer | # of Employees Nov. 2014[37] |
# of Employees Dec. 2011[38] |
---|---|---|
Aberdeen Proving Ground | 16,797 | 15,582 |
Upper Chesapeake Health | 3,129 | 2,900 |
Rite Aid (Mid-Atlantic Customer Support Center) |
1,300 | 1,500 |
Kohl's | 1,255 | NA |
Harford Community College | 1,029 | 982 |
Klein's ShopRite of Maryland
|
1,000 | 800 |
Wal-Mart
|
900 | 497 |
Jacobs Technology
|
865 | 787 |
Home Depot | 500 | NA |
Target Corporation | 500 | 495 |
Wegmans Food Markets
|
499 | 525 |
BSC America | 475 | 250 |
American Infrastructure | 445 | 352 |
Macy's | 431 | NA |
Booz Allen Hamilton | 430 | NA |
McDonald's | 420 | NA |
Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) | 410 | 415 |
Frito-Lay | 379 | 435 |
Sephora USA | 378 | 454 |
Leidos (formerly SAIC) |
370 | 607 |
Independent Can | 350 | NA |
Saks Fifth Avenue | 320 | 525 |
CACI | 313 | 292 |
APG Federal Credit Union | 305 | NA |
SafeNet | 300 | NA |
Areas USA | 251 | NA |
Citizens Care & Rehabilitation Center | 250 | 250 |
Dixie Construction | 250 | NA |
Jones Junction Auto Group | 250 | NA |
Northrop Grumman | 250 | 250 |
Redner's Markets | 250 | 250 |
Wawa
|
250 | 252 |
Giant Food
|
249 | 378 |
Mars Super Markets | 249 | NA |
L-3 Communications
|
NA | 400 |
Alcore | NA | 350 |
Blue Dot of Maryland | NA | 330 |
Custom Direct | NA | 295 |
Weis Markets | NA | 290 |
Constar | NA | 251 |
Arc of Harford County | NA | 250 |
Culture
The Susquehanna Symphony Orchestra, formerly the Harford Community Orchestra, is an orchestra that is based in Harford County. The group is made up of 70 musicians from many professions.[39]
The Havre De Grace Decoy Museum is a museum dedicated to working and decorative decoys used on the Chesapeake Bay.[40]
Harford Community College hosts many cultural spots. The Student Center hosts the Chesapeake Gallery, a collection of artwork from established artists, as well as students and faculty, and the Chesapeake Theater, a theater venue used by the Phoenix Festival Theater Company, a student run theater group.[41]
Harford Community College also has the Joppa Hall, which houses the Blackbox Theatre, an additional theater venue used by the Harford Dance Theater Company and the HCC Actors Guild. The Joppa Hall also houses the Joppa Recital Halls, a venue for musical performances.[42]
Also at HCC is the Hays-Heighe House, a museum dedicated to the history of Harford County.[43]
The Historical Society of Harford County, one of the oldest county historical societies in Maryland, was established in 1885 to preserve, promote, and interpret the history of the county and its people. Today, it is headquartered on Main Street in downtown Bel Air in the historic 1936 Old Bel Air Post Office Building, where it maintains an archive, exhibit space, and research library.[44]
Sports
No major league sports teams are based in Harford County. The list of sports teams and organizations are shown below:
Program | Colors | Conference | League | Facilities | Level |
Aberdeen IronBirds | North Division | South Atlantic League | Ripken Stadium
|
High-A Minor League Baseball | |
Harford Community College Fighting Owls |
MD JUCO | NJCAA | Harford Sports Complex
|
College
| |
Aberdeen Eagles
|
Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference |
MPSSAA | Various | High School | |
Bel Air Bobcats | |||||
C. Milton Wright Mustangs | |||||
Edgewood Rams
|
|||||
Fallston Cougars | |||||
Harford Technical Cobras | |||||
Havre De Grace Warriors
|
|||||
Joppatowne Mariners | |||||
North Harford Hawks | |||||
Patterson Mill Huskies
|
|||||
Harford Christian Eagles | N/A | MACSAC | |||
John Carroll Patriots | MIAA -B (Boys) IAAM (Girls) Baltimore Catholic League (Basketball) |
Harford County is the hometown of many sports icons, including
Infrastructure
The Conowingo Dam is on the eastern border of Harford County.
Transportation
Major highways
Mass transportation
Buses are run by the county-owned Harford Transit. The state-operated MARC Penn Line serves Edgewood and Aberdeen.
Airport
The Harford County Airport is a small airport in Churchville. Its available for recreational pilots & flight training, as well as sight seeing, balloon rides, hang gliding and sky diving.
Health
Health services are provided by
Education
Primary and secondary education
Harford County Public Schools
The Harford County Public Schools system is the public school system serving the residents of Harford County. It includes thirty-two elementary schools, nine middle schools, ten high schools and one charter school.
Private schools
- Harford Christian School, a Christian school for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
- The John Carroll School, a Catholic school for 9th through 12th grade.
- Lutheranschool for pre-kindergarten through 8th grade.
- Harford Day School, a private school for Kindergarten through 8th grades.
- Quakerschool for Kindergarten through 8th grades.
- Saint Margaret School, a Catholic school for pre-kindergarten through 8th grade.
- Grace Classical Academy, formerly Oak Grove Classical Christian School, is a Classical Christian school for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.[45]
- The Highlands School is a private, independent, AIMS accredited, K-12 program designed for students with dyslexia, ADHD, and language-based learning differences.[46]
Colleges
Harford Community College, located in Churchville, offers 2-year associate degrees and vocational programs. Recently, Harford County Community College has entered into several partnerships with local four-year colleges for enhanced offerings, for credit at those institutions, to be taught on campus and at the surrounding buildings. Towson University Harford Campus, located across from Harford Community College, offers a select amount of four-year degrees that students can obtain after completing the required credits at Harford Community College.
Media
The newspaper of record is provides local TV. It shows local government events, high school and Fighting Owl sporting events and religious programming, among others.
References
- ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Preston, Walter Wilkes (1901). History of Harford County, Maryland: From 1608 (the Year of Smith's Expedition) to the Close of the War of 1812. Sun. pp. 360.
- ^ Sturgill, Erika Quesenbery (December 23, 2015). "Havre de Grace came close to the capital 224 years ago". Cecil Daily. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
- ^ Dougherty, Wayne H. (March 2004). Comprehensive Plan (PDF). City of Havre De Grace, Maryland. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
- ^ Vought, Allan (March 31, 2017). "Super horse Man o' War had many ties to Harford County and to Maryland". Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on April 25, 2017. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ Bates, Bill (2005). Harford County. Arcadia. p. 96.
- ^ Lake Straus: "Baltimore Speeds Scout Camp Work". Washington Post. July 22, 1947.: B1Healey, David (September 18, 2012). Great Storms of the Chesapeake. Arcadia. p. 160.
- ^ Flooding:"Flash floods kill 4 in Maryland; thousands stranded in Virginia". The Evening Capital. Annapolis, Maryland. June 22, 1972. Retrieved November 15, 2016.Healey, David (September 18, 2012). Great Storms of the Chesapeake. Arcadia. p. 160.
- ^ "among Maryland's 23 counties and Baltimore City"
- ^ Anderson, David (April 5, 2017). "Not-so-healthy Harford slips in Maryland rankings". Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on May 19, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
Prior to the 2016 report ... Harford's yearly rankings typically fell between ninth and 10th place, primarily because of the percentage of county residents who were obese or who smoked.
- ^ "8 counties deemed drug trafficking areas". UPI.com. June 20, 2011. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Philadelphia. "Aberdeen Proving Ground (Edgewood Area Site) – Current Site Information." EPA Superfund Site ID No. MD2210020036. May 2008.
- ^ EPA. "Aberdeen Proving Ground (Michaelsville Landfill) – Current Site Information." EPA Superfund Site ID No. MD3210021355. May 2008.
- ^ Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). Baltimore. "Fact Sheet – Drinking Water Well Impact: Fallston Presbyterian Church/Fallston Pre-Kindergarten, 600 Fallston Road, Fallston, Maryland."[permanent dead link] August 27, 2004.
- ^ MDE. "Fact Sheet – Drinking Water Well Impact: Fallston Service Center, 602 Fallston Road, Fallston, Harford County, Maryland 21047." Archived October 30, 2005, at the Wayback Machine MDE Case No. 9-0816HA. December 1, 2004.
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 13, 2014. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
- ^ "Susquehanna River National Wildlife Refuge: Overview". Cambridge, Maryland: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Archived from the original on January 11, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
- ^ "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University".
- ^ "Maryland Board of Elections Voter Registration Activity Report March 2024" (PDF). Maryland Board of Elections. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
- JSTOR 2129537.
- ^ 11 fire departments, one EMS department. All are volunteer companies.
- ^ "Association Leadership | Harford Co. Volunteer Fire & EMS, MD". Archived from the original on August 17, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
- ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
- ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ a b Harford County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau Archived June 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
- ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
- ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
- ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
- ^ Major Employers in Harford County, Maryland, Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (Nov. 2014 data).
- ^ Major Employers in Harford County, Maryland, Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (Dec. 2011 data).
- ^ Klingman, Mike (August 19, 2022). "Conductor Sheldon Bair and his community ensemble keep the music playing in Harford". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
For 46 years Bair has led the SSO, a Harford County ensemble composed of 70 accomplished musicians from 18 to 80, many of whom offset the stress of their regular jobs by tooting their own horns. Some attend evening rehearsals straight from work, like the police officer who arrived wearing her body armor. It's an eclectic bunch including doctors, nurses, teachers and stay-at-home moms.
- ^ "Decoy Museum Havre de Grace". Main Street Maryland. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
The Decoy Museum houses the most extensive collection of working and decorative Chesapeake Decoys.
- ^ "Arts & Culture". www.visitharford.com. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ "Musical Performances at Harford Community College". www.harford.edu. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ "Hays-Heighe House". www.harford.edu. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ "About Us". The Historical Society of Harford County. June 13, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ "Home". Grace Classical Academy. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
- ^ "ABOUT | The Highlands School | United States". highlands-school. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
- ^ Harford Cable Network
External links
- Media related to Harford County, Maryland at Wikimedia Commons