Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD

Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA)

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2024 Population
103,920
US Senator
Chris Van Hollen
Democratic Party
US Senator
Angela Alsobrooks
Democratic Party
2024 Median Age
39.4
0.767% 1-year increase
2024 Poverty Rate
7.53%
1.01% 1-year increase
2024 Median Household Income
$132,420
2.16% 1-year growth
2024 Median Property Value
$498,400
3.62% 1-year growth
2023 Employed Population
56,204
1.96% 1-year growth

About

25.7% of the households in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

92.7% of the residents in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD are Howard Community College (1,243 degrees awarded in 2023) and Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia (611 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD was $498,400, and the homeownership rate was 64.8%.

Most people in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 27.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD was 2 cars per household.

United StatesMaryland

Population & Diversity

Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD is home to a population of 104k people, from which 92.7% are citizens. As of 2024, 20.7% of Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD residents were born outside of the country (21.5k people).

In 2024, there were 1.53 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (44.2k people) in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD than any other race or ethnicity. There were 28.9k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 12.3k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

The most common non-English languages spoken as the primary language in households in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD are Spanish (7,028 households), Chinese (Incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) (2,719 households), and French (Incl. Cajun) (1,683 households).

Population & Diversity

Residents by Gender and Age

RACE/ETHNICITY
54,861
Women
51.9%
50,806
Men
48.1%

The resident population of United States in 2023 was 105,667 inhabitants, with 48.1% men, and 51.9% women.

The visualization shows the distribution of the residents by gender and age in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD.

With the upper buttons you can add a filter by race.

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Citizenship

92.7%
2024 Citizenship
92.3%
2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 92.7% of Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD was 92.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD
  1. White (Non-Hispanic)
    44.2k ± 1.56k
  2. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
    28.9k ± 1.56k
  3. Asian (Non-Hispanic)
    12.3k ± 1.3k
10.1%
Hispanic Population
10.5k people

In 2024, there were 1.53 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (44.2k people) in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD than any other race or ethnicity. There were 28.9k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 12.3k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

10.1% of the people in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD are hispanic (10.5k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD as a share of the total population.

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Global Diversity

Most Common Origin
  1. India
    2,669 ± 1,252 people
  2. Korea
    1,781 ± 1,027 people
  3. China
    1,724 ± 1,011 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD was India, the natal country of 2,669 Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD residents, followed by Korea with 1,781 and China with 1,724.

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Foreign-Born Population

20.7%
2024 Foreign-Born Population
21.5k people
20.7%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
21.8k people

As of 2024, 20.7% of Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD residents (21.5k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD was 20.7%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Non-English Households

Most Common Non-English Languages
  1. Spanish
    7,028 households (7.16%)
  2. Chinese (Incl. Mandarin, Cantonese)
    2,719 households (2.77%)
  3. French (Incl. Cajun)
    1,683 households (1.72%)

25.7% of the households in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language, which is higher than the national average of 22.3%. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

In 2024, the most common non-English language spoken in households in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD was Spanish. 7.16% of the households in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD reported speaking Spanish at home as the primary shared language between all members living in the household.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Gulf War (2001-)
    1,975 ± 396
  2. Gulf War (1990s)
    1,267 ± 366
  3. Vietnam
    1,264 ± 214

Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.56 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD.

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Economy

The economy of Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD employs 56.2k people. In 2023, the largest industries in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD were Elementary & secondary schools (3,663 people), Computer Systems Design (3,342 people), and General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (3,111 people), and the highest paying industries were Automotive repair & maintenance ($330,397), Business, professional, political, & similar organizations ($169,193), and Computer Systems Design ($154,232).

Males in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD have an average income that is 1.26 times higher than the average income of females, which is $93,630. The income inequality in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD (measured using the Gini index) is 0.432, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Workforce Diversity

Measure
RACE/ETHNICITY
27,693
Women
49.3%
28,511
Men
50.7%

The workforce of Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD in 2023 was 56,204 people, with 49.3% woman, and 50.7% men.

The visualization shows the distribution of the workforce by gender and age in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD.

With the upper buttons you can see the distribution of the average salary and add a filter by race.

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Occupations

56.2k
2023 Value
1.96%
1 Year growth
± 1.96%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD grew at a rate of 1.96%, from 55.1k employees to 56.2k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD, are Software developers (2,328 people), Other managers (2,084 people), and Cashiers (1,305 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Maryland.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Maryland (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

56.2k
2023 Value
1.96%
1 Year growth
± 1.96%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD grew at a rate of 1.96%, from 55.1k employees to 56.2k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD, are Elementary & secondary schools (3,663 people), Computer Systems Design (3,342 people), and General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (3,111 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD, though some of these residents may live in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Median Earnings by Industry

$87,440
Median earning men ± $5,443
$64,088
Median earning women ± $4,417

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($128,750), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($116,952), and Information ($97,135).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($108,618), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($91,100), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($86,000).

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Maryland.
Y-Axis
0.617%
Year-over-year growth
Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 2.69M people employed in Maryland. This represents a 0.617% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 13.9%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Maryland.

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Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Maryland went to Kamala Harris with 62.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (34.1%), followed by Jill Stein (1.09%).

Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks are the senators currently representing the state of Maryland. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Maryland is currently represented by 8 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Voting results are not available for Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD. Showing the available data for Maryland.
2024 Election Results
  1. Kamala Harris (62.6%)
    Democratic Party
  2. Donald J. Trump (34.1%)
    Republican Party
  3. Jill Stein (1.09%)
    Green Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Maryland went to Kamala Harris with 62.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (34.1%), followed by Jill Stein (1.09%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Maryland for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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Senator Elections

US Senators from Maryland

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Maryland.
Chris Van Hollen
Senator from Maryland3
Assumed office on January 3, 2017
Angela Alsobrooks
Senator from Maryland1
Assumed office on January 3, 2025

Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks are the senators currently representing Maryland.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Maryland over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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Education

In 2023, universities in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD awarded 1,854 degrees. The student population of Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 4,521 male students and 5,094 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD are Black or African American (593 and 33.5%), White (493 and 27.8%), Hispanic or Latino (313 and 17.7%), and Asian (198 and 11.2%).

The largest universities in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD by number of degrees awarded are Howard Community College (1,243 and 67%) and Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia (611 and 33%).

The most popular majors in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD are General Studies (516 and 27.8%), Automobile Mechanics Technology (190 and 10.2%), and HVAC & Refrigeration Engineering Technology (158 and 8.52%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2023 there were 9,615 students enrolled in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD, 47% men and 53% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Black or African American with 2,946 records, of which 55.4% were women and 44.6% men.

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Completions

Concentrations

Most Common
  1. General Studies
    516 degrees awarded
  2. Registered Nursing
    151 degrees awarded
  3. Liberal Arts & Sciences
    149 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD was General Studies with 516 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD according to their major.

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Universities

Gender
Race
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
  1. Howard Community College
    1,243 degrees awarded
  2. Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia
    611 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Howard Community College with 1,243 degrees awarded.

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Student Diversity

In 2023, 1,014 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD, which is 1.21 times more than the 840 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Black or African American students. These 593 degrees mean that there were 1.2 times more degrees awarded to Black or African American students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 493 degrees awarded.

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Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

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Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 2-year ($7,155) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($765) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($2,400) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

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Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Measure

In 2023, 0.49% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 1.01% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

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Educational Attainment

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population of Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD in 2023 were Bachelors Degree (24.8k), Graduate Degree (24.4k), and Some college (13.1k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD was $498,400 in 2024, which is 1.5 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $481,000 to $498,400, a 3.62% increase. The homeownership rate in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD is 64.8%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD have an average commute time of 27.9 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$498,400
Median Property Value 2024
±$10,540
$26,558
Median Property Taxes
±$1,065

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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Rent vs Own

64.8%
Homeownership
2024
69%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2024

In 2024, 64.8% of the housing units in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 64.9%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$132,420
Median Household Income
± $5,735
41k
Number of Households
± 1,681

In 2024, the median household income of the 41k households in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD grew to $132,420 from the previous year's value of $129,623.

The following chart displays the households in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $200k+ range.

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Wage Distribution

0.432
2023 Wage GINI in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD
0.437
2022 Wage GINI in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD

In 2023, the income inequality in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD was 0.432 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 1.08% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024
  1. Drove Alone (65.4%)
  2. Worked At Home (24.8%)
  3. Carpooled (5.17%)

In 2024, 65.4% of workers in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (24.8%) and those who carpooled to work (5.17%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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Commute Time

27.9 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD have a longer commute time (27.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.36% of the workforce in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Car Ownership

2 cars
Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD have 2 cars.

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Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

7.53% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD (7.78k out of 103k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 18 - 24, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 35 - 44.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD is Black, followed by White and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Health

95.4% of the population of Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD has health coverage, with 58.4% on employee plans, 11.6% on Medicaid, 11.3% on Medicare, 13% on non-group plans, and 1.13% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Maryland see 1,179 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,179 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1238 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 273 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.2% were men and 51.8% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Maryland.
1,179 to 1
Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Maryland

Primary care physicians in Maryland see an average of 1,179 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,179 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Maryland in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

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Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.6% under 18 years, 21% between 18 and 34 years, 39.2% between 35 and 64 years, and 17.3% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.2% were men and 51.8% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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Uninsured People

4.59%
Uninsured
58.4%
Employer Coverage
11.6%
Medicaid
11.3%
Medicare
13%
Non-Group
1.13%
Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD declined by 1.04% from 4.64% to 4.59%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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