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Howard County, Maryland is located in the central part of the state between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. In 2006, it was ranked the third wealthiest county in the country based on median household income. It is frequently cited for its wealth, quality of life and excellent schools. In fact, the schools rank first in the state when it comes to standardized test scores and graduation rates. As of 2000, the population was slightly less than 250,000.
The Howard County Public School System manages 71 schools and serves almost 50,000 students. The largest high school is Howard High with over 1,600 students. The graduation rate is over 92% and student test scores are almost always near the top. The  Howard County Public School System, breaks down to 39 elementary schools, 1 pre-k to 8, 18 middle schools, 12 high schools, and 2 special schools. Howard County employs more than 4,500 teachers with 61% holding a masters degree or above. In 2007, Forbes Magazine listed the Howard County Public Schools among the top 10 school districts in the country when it comes to providing the best education for the price. More than 90% of students continue their education after graduation with 64% attending four-year colleges and universities. In 2008, there were 31 National Merit finalists. For more information, view: "FACTS about the Howard County Public School system"
Mall in Columbia |
There are several upscale shopping centers and malls located in Howard County. The Mall in Columbia boasts about 150 stores and is anchored by Lord and Taylor, Macys, JC Penney, and Sears. For a complete list of stores view the Mall in Columbia Directory. The mall is located on Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia, Maryland. Click here for a  Map and Directions.
Other shopping centers include Chatham Shopping Center with a Home Depot, Sears and Grant. Dobbin Shopping Center is where you can find a Havertys plus a mix of local stores. Savage Mill also contains a mixture of stores including antique, art, wedding, and crafts.
It is easy to get around Howard County using Howard Transit, use their interactive map of the routes, showing Connect-A-Ride Routes and Howard Transit Routes. One way fares are $1.50, but can vary with age and passes. The Howard Transit Website offers more complete information about Howard Transit Fares. The Howard Transit website also has detailed information on routes, prices and specific maps .
Two interstates run through Howard County and they are I-70 and I-95. There are numerous companies providing transportation services. This includes TAM or the Transportation Association of Maryland. This statewide organization is committed to improving mobility for all Maryland residents. In 2008, TAM provided over 194 million passenger trips to connect people with jobs, medical services, education facilities and recreation centers.
There are many things to do in Howard County. One is to visit the Ballet Royal. Located in Columbia, classes are available in both classical ballet and contemporary dance. If dance is not your thing, but Shakespeare is then you need to visit the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company . The company was formed in 2002 and has both indoor and outdoor stages in Ellicott City. If you enjoy more classical music, then you must visit the Columbia Orchestra. The orchestra started in 1977 and now features over 100 musicians who hold concerts throughout the year.
There are many museums located throughout Howard County including the B&O Railway Museum in Ellicott City. The museum is located in the oldest railway station in America. Cost is $5 for adults.
Other things to do including a look at antebellum homes can be found on the Howard County website in the Museums and Historic Sites section.
There are numerous parks located throughout Howard County. For more information on the parks, go to the Howard County Website where you can find a list of Howard County parks and trails. A map of Howard County Parks can be accessed and printed.
If sports are your thing, there is no shortage of classes and teams to sign up for. For more information, visit the Howard County Recreation and Sports site.
And if history is interesting, Howard County is home to numerous historical sites including the B&O Railroad museum, Thomas Isaac Log Cabin, Waverly Mansion and more. Visit the Howard County Historical Sites Web Site.
For an overview of this to do list and upcoming Howard County events, see this section of the Howard County web site that includes holiday happenings, seasonal activities, recreational activities and a variety of other programs
There is a great list of 50 free things to do in Howard County including Day Trips, History and Heritage, fun things for kids and more.
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Howard County Cities and Towns
Alpha
Annapolis Rock
Carrs Mill
Clarksville
Columbia
Daisy
Dayton
Elioak
Elkridge
Ellicott City
Florence
Fulton
Gary
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Glenelg
Glenmar
Glenwood
Gray
Guilford
Hanover
Harwood Park
High Ridge
Highland
Hipsleys Mill
Ilchester
Inwood
Ivory
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Jonestown
Knollwood
Lisbon
Long Corner
Marriottsville
Mayfield
Mountview
North Laurel
Oakland Mills
Pfeiffer Corners
Pine Orchard
Poplar Springs
Rockland
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Roxbury Mills
Saint Johns Manor
Saint Johns Village
Savage
Scaggsville
Simpsonville
Waterloo
Watersville
Wesley Grove
West Elkridge
West Friendship
Woodstock
Worthington
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Howard County Neighborhoods and Subdivisions
Aladdin Village
Aladdin Village Trailer Park
Albeth Heights
Allenford
Allnut Farms Estates
Allview Estates
Annandale
Annetta Gardens
Arrowhead
Asbury Woods
Aspenwood
Autumn Hill
Autumn Woods
Barrington Woods
Beaufort Park
Beech Creek
Beech Crest Mobile Estates
Benson
Berndell Estates
Bethany Manor
Bethgate
Bethwood
Bonnie Acres
Bonnie Brae
Braebrooke
Braeburn
Brampton Hills
Brantly
Breezewood Farms
Brentwood Manor
Briar Hill
Briaridge
Brightfield
Brighton Farm Estates
Brighton Pines
Brinkleigh
Brinkleigh Manor
Brittany
Broadwater Estates
Brosenne
Bryant Woods
Buckskin Woods
Burleigh Manor
Burnt Woods
Bushy Park Estates
Buttercup Estates
Cabin Hill
Cabin River Farms
Cameron Tract
Campbell
Canbury Woods
Canterbury Riding
Capitol Mobile Park
Cardinal Forest
Carriage Hills
Cedar Acres
Cedar Woods
Cedars
Centennial Lake
Centennial Manor
Chamberlea
Chapel Woods
Chapelview
Chase Eden
Chateau Ridge
Chateau Valley
Chatham
Chatham Gardens
Chelsea Estates
Chestnut Farms
Chestnut Hill
Chestnut Hill Estates
Chris Mar Estates
Chriswood Manor
Clarkson
Clarksville Meadows
Clarksville Ridge
Clarys Forest
Clemens Crossing
Columbia Hills
Cooksville
Coon Manor
Corridor North
Country View
Countryside
Crest Acres
Crestleigh
Crowder
Daisy Hill Estates
Daisy Meadows
Daisy Woods
Dasher Green
Dayton Meadows
Deep Run Park
Deep Run Park
Dendor Mar Estates
Dickinson
Dill
Dogwood
Donghoregan
Donleigh
Dorsey Hall
Driver
Dunfretten Estates
Dunloggin
Dunmoor Woods
Eagles Loft
Elkhorn
Elkridge Heights
Elkridge MH Park
Ellicott Hills
Evemar MH Park
Evergreen Valley Estates
Everlea
Eyre View
Fairway Hill
Farside
Faulkner Ridge
Flamewood
Florence Estates
Florence Farms
Florence Manor
Font Hill
Font Hill Manor
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Font Hill Village
Forest Hills
Fort George G Mead Junction
Fox Den Farms
Fox Hill
Fox Pause
Foxhall Villas
Friendship Manor
Gaither Farm Estates
Garrian Orchards
Gerber Knoll
Glen Brook
Glen Court
Glen Cove Estates
Glen Oaks
Glenmont
Glenshire Towne
Glenwood Estates
Graeloch Woods
Gray Rock
Gray Rock Farms
Green Henge
Green Hill Manor
Green Meadows
Greene Fields
Greenwood Farms
Guilford Downs
Guilford Gardens
Guilford Square
Gwenlee Estates
Hall Shop Estates
Hallmark
Hammond Hills
Hammond Park
Hammond Village
Hammonds Promise
Harpers Choice
Haviland Hills
Hawthorn
Hawthorn North
Heatherwood
Hemlock Hill
Henryton Heights
Heritage Farms
Heritage Heights
Heritage Woods
High View Estates
Highland Acres
Highland Lake
Hillcrest Heights
Hilltop
Hobbits Glen
Holiday Hills
Holly House
Hopewell
Hopkins Mead
Howard Heights
Howard Hills
Hunt Club Estates
Hunt Country Estates
Huntington
Huntington East
Indian Hill
Ivy Hill
Jaycox
Jeffers Hill
Jennings Chapel Woods
Jocelyn Acres
Justifiable
Karinwood
Keywaydin
Kindler Estates
Kings Manor
Kings Meade
Kingston
Knollview
La Isla
Lakeview
Lawyers Hill
Leishear Knolls
Leishear Village
Lennox Park
Lillys Addition
Lime Kiln Valley
Linden Chapel Hills
Linden Chapel Woods
Linwood
Lisbon Acres
Lisbon Manor
Lisbon Meadows
Locust Manor
Locust Park
Locust Ridge
Long Reach
Longfellow
MacGills Common
Maple Trailer Park
Maplewood
Marble Hill
Market Square North
Market Square South
Marshalee Estates
Marydell
Mauck Farm Estates
Mayfield Manor
McAlpine
McKenzies Discovery
Midway MH Park
Mill Green
Millys Delight
Mission Heights
Montgomery Knolls
Montgomery Manor
Montgomery Run
Montgomery Woods
Mooresfield
Mount Augustine
Mount Hebron
Murray Hill
Nob Hill
Nordeau
Normandy Heights
Normandy Woods
North Farm
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North Laurel Park
North Ridge
Northgate Woods
Nursery View
Oak Lea
Oak View Village
Oak West
Oakwood Overlook
O'Donnell
Owen Brown
Patapsco Overlook
Patapsco Park Estates
Patuxent Hills
Pembroke Knolls
Peter Harmond Acres
Pfister MH Park
Phelps Luck
Pine Valley
Pleasant Grove
Pleasant View
Point of Homewood
Quail Ridge
Raintree Estates
Red Lion Inn Estates
Ridgeways
Ritz Estates
River Farms
River Island
River Mills
River Park Estates
River Plantations
Riverside
Riverside Estates
Robinsons Promise
Rockburn Commons
Rolling Acres
Rolling Ridge
Rose Mary Estates
Rosemont
Rover Mill Estates
Roxbury
Running Brook
Saint Johns Green
Salopha
Sand Hill Acres
Sandy Hill
Saybrook
Scott Acres
Sebring
Settlers Landing
Sewells Orchard
Shaffers Mill Estates
Sharewood Acres
Shepherds Glen
Simpson Woods
Sky View
Slacks Corner
Somerset
Southview
Stevens Forest
Stonebrook
Stonecrest Hills
Swann Hills
Swansfield
Sycamore Springs
Sylvan Hill
Talbott Springs
The Birches
The Chase
The Corners
The Fairways
The Heritage
The Oaks
The Orchards
The Pines
The Willows
Thompsons Purchase
Thornbrook
Thunder Hill
Timber Run
Timberleigh
Timberleigh Village
Timberview
Toll House
Tower Acres
Town and Country West
Triadelphia Woods
Turf Valley
Turf Valley Overlook
Twelve Hills
Twin Maples
Twin Oaks
Twist and Turn Estates
Valley Anne Estates
Valley Meade
Valley View
Vantage Point
Villa Heights
Villa Monticello
Village of Deep Run
Village of Dorseys Search
Wardens Landing
Warfield Estates
Warfields Range
Washington Manor
Washington Manor Park
Waterford
Waverly Woods
Wayside Estates
Wellington Estates
Westcliffe Manor
Wheatfield Way
White Oak Estates
Whitehurst
Williams Contrivance Estates
Wilton Farm Acres
Wood Ridge
Woodland Village
Woodleigh
Woodmark
Woodside Estates
Woodvalley
Wynfield |
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