Howard County

Howard County is an administrative area in Maryland that sits between Baltimore and the nation's capital. Rolling hills and two main rivers run through the territory, where developed neighborhoods mix with open land and wooded corridors.

The area became a separate administrative unit in the first half of the 19th century after being carved from a larger neighboring territory. Its name honors an officer who fought in the Revolutionary War and later managed land holdings in the region.

The Howard County Public School System operates 71 educational institutions, serving 49,000 students and maintaining Maryland's highest-rated school district status.

Several major highways cross the area and connect it to the two closest large cities. Visitors will find communities with shops and restaurants along the main roads.

Unlike most areas in the region, this territory chose not to grant official status to any of its towns. Instead, a historic settlement serves as the administrative seat without having its own municipal government.

Location: Maryland

Inception: 1838

Capital city: Ellicott City

Part of: Baltimore metropolitan area

Shares border with: Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Prince George's County, Montgomery County

Website: http://howardcountymd.gov

GPS coordinates: 39.25000,-76.93000

Latest update: December 13, 2025 16:00