Howard County, MD

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Population

323,196

0.649% growth

Median Age

39.2


Median Household Income

$116,984

4.94% growth

Poverty Rate

5.16%


Number of Employees

171,541

0.139% decline

Median Property Value

$476,600

7.22% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2018, Howard County, MD had a population of 323k people with a median age of 39.2 and a median household income of $116,984. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Howard County, MD grew from 321,113 to 323,196, a 0.649% increase and its median household income grew from $111,473 to $116,984, a 4.94% increase.

The population of Howard County, MD is 50.6% White Alone, 19.3% Black or African American Alone, and 18.3% Asian Alone. N/A% of the people in Howard County, MD speak a non-English language, and 91.1% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Howard County, MD are Howard Community College (1,306 degrees awarded in 2017), Maryland University of Integrative Health (387 degrees), and Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia (351 degrees).

The median property value in Howard County, MD is $476,600, and the homeownership rate is 71.5%. Most people in Howard County, MD commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 29.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Howard County, MD is 2 cars per household.

About the photo: Historic Ellicott City, MD

Photo by Joe Haupt

United StatesMarylandBaltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

Economy

The economy of Howard County, MD employs 172k people. The largest industries in Howard County, MD are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (31,045 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (23,759 people), and Educational Services (19,585 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($129,327), Public Administration ($105,406), and Finance & Insurance ($102,346).

Median household income in Howard County, MD is $116,984. Males in Howard County, MD have an average income that is 1.27 times higher than the average income of females, which is $64,257. The income inequality in Howard County, MD (measured using the Gini index) is 0.461, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$116,984

2018 value

± $5,415

4.94%

1 Year Growth

± 4.96%

Households in Howard County, MD have a median annual income of $116,984, which is more than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $111,473 in 2017, which represents a 4.94% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Howard County, MD compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Maryland.

$81,550

Average Male Salary

± $1,701

$64,257

Average Female Salary

± $1,255

In 2018, full-time male employees in Maryland made 1.27 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Maryland by number of full-time employees.

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Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Maryland.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity

  1. Asian

    $73,898 ± $4,155

  2. White

    $72,025 ± $1,476

  3. Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander

    $67,828 ± $52,050

In 2018 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Maryland workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.03 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Maryland by number of full-time employees.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Howard County, MD is from Maryland.

0.461

2018 Wage GINI

0.461

2017 Wage GINI

In 2018, the income inequality in Maryland was 0.461 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0831% growth from 2017 to 2018, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even.

The 2018 the GINI for Maryland was lower than than the national average of 0.479. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Maryland in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Maryland across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 6051.04

  2. Census Tract 6055.04

  3. Census Tract 6030.04

In 2017, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Howard County, MD was Census Tract 6051.04 with a value of $205,259, followed by Census Tract 6055.04 and Census Tract 6030.04, with respective values of $201,250 and $195,573.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Howard County, MD colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

5.16% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Howard County, MD (16k out of 310k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 18 - 24.

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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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. White

    6,010 ± 581

  2. Black

    5,896 ± 643

  3. Asian

    2,969 ± 394

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

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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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

172k

2018 Value

± 6,826

-0.139%

1 Year decline

± 5.58%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Howard County, MD declined at a rate of -0.139%, from 172k employees to 172k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Howard County, MD, are Management Occupations (24,643 people), Computer & Mathematical Occupations (17,988 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (16,861 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Howard County, MD.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Howard County, MD, by number of employees, are Management Occupations (24,643 people), Computer & Mathematical Occupations (17,988 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (16,861 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Howard County, MD has an unusually high number of residents working as Computer & Mathematical Occupations (3.16 times higher than expected), Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations (2.83 times), and Architecture & Engineering Occupations (1.64 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Howard County, MD, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($122,955), Management Occupations ($111,799), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($101,920).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

172k

2018 Value

± 6,826

-0.139%

1 Year decline

± 5.58%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Howard County, MD declined at a rate of -0.139%, from 172k employees to 172k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Howard County, MD, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (31,045 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (23,759 people), and Educational Services (19,585 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Howard County, MD, though some of these residents may live in Howard County, MD and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Most Common

The most common industries in Howard County, MD, by number of employees, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (31,045 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (23,759 people), and Educational Services (19,585 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Howard County, MD has an unusually high number of Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (2.4 times higher than expected), Public Administration (2.31 times), and Educational Services (1.24 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Howard County, MD, by median earnings, are Utilities ($129,327), Public Administration ($105,406), and Finance & Insurance ($102,346).

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Maryland to other states, or from other states to Maryland.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

  1. Textiles/leather

    $21.7B

  2. Mixed freight

    $19B

  3. Electronics

    $16.2B

In 2015, the top outbound Maryland product (by dollars) was Textiles/leather with $21.7B, followed by Mixed freight ($19B) and Electronics ($16.2B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Maryland products.

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Maryland state.

$190B

2020 Value

$243B

Projected 2045 Value

27.8% growth

In 2020, total outbound Maryland trade was $190B. This is expected to increase 27.8% to $243B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Maryland trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

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Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Maryland to other states, or from other states to Maryland.

Most Common Trade Partners

  1. Virginia

    $24.4B

  2. Pennsylvania

    $19.5B

  3. New York

    $7.24B

In 2015, the top outbound Maryland domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Virginia with $24.4B, followed by Pennsylvania with $19.5B and New York and $7.24B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Maryland shares with each state (excluding itself).

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Health

97% of the population of Howard County, MD has health coverage, with 63.6% on employee plans, 10.4% on Medicaid, 8.74% on Medicare, 13.1% on non-group plans, and 1.24% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the county of Howard County, MD was $8,602 in 2014. This is a 4.27% increase from the previous year ($8,250).

Primary care physicians in Howard County, MD see 506 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.589% decrease from the previous year (509 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1206 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 397 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Dorchester County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (15.8%). Additionally, Somerset County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (44.7%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

506 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio

Primary care physicians in Howard County, MD see an average of 506 patients per year. This represents a 0.589% decrease from the previous year (509 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Howard County, MD in comparison to neighboring states.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. New Hampshire

    7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. Louisiana

    17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

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Health Care Spending

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

$8,602

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care 

$4,343

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,677

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$12,000

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Maryland (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4.27%, from $8,250 to $8,602.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

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Health Care Coverage

2.96%

Uninsured

63.6%

Employer Coverage

10.4%

Medicaid

8.74%

Medicare

13.1%

Non-Group

1.24%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Howard County, MD declined by 25.5% from 3.97% to 2.96%.

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

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Dorchester County

    15.8% prevalence

  2. Allegany County

    13.7% prevalence

  3. Somerset County

    13.4% prevalence

Dorchester County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Maryland, at 15.8%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in Maryland by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

Howard County, MD is home to a population of 323k people, from which 91.1% are citizens. As of 2017, 20.2% of Howard County, MD residents were born outside of the country (64.8k people).

The ethnic composition of the population of Howard County, MD is composed of 164k White Alone residents (50.6%), 62.4k Black or African American Alone residents (19.3%), 59.2k Asian Alone residents (18.3%), 23.1k Hispanic or Latino residents (7.15%), 11.4k Two or More Races residents (3.54%), 3.11k Some Other Race Alone residents (0.961%), 294 American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.091%), and 130 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0.0402%).

Age

Age by Nativity

36

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.6

44

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.9

In 2018, the median age of all people in Howard County, MD was 39.2. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 36, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 44. But people in Howard County, MD are getting getting older. In 2017, the average age of all Howard County, MD residents was 39.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

20.2%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

64.8k people

19.3%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

61.3k people

As of 2017, 20.2% of Howard County, MD residents (64.8k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Howard County, MD was 19.3%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Maryland.

Most Common Origin

  1. El Salvador

    99,066 ± 7,664 people

  2. India

    54,426 ± 5,702 people

  3. China

    46,221 ± 5,258 people

In 2018, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Maryland was El Salvador, the natal country of 99,066 Maryland residents, followed by India with 54,426 and China with 46,221.

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Citizenship

91.1%

2018 Citizenship

93%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 91.1% of Howard County, MD residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in Howard County, MD was 93%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. White Alone

    164k ± 1.29k

  2. Black or African American Alone

    62.4k ± 1.78k

  3. Asian Alone

    59.2k ± 2.14k

In 2018, there were 2.62 times more White Alone residents (164k people) in Howard County, MD than any other race or ethnicity. There were 62.4k Black or African American Alone and 59.2k Asian Alone residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

The following bar chart shows the 8 races and ethnicities represented in Howard County, MD as a share of the total population.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    5,548 ± 978

  2. Gulf War (2001-)

    4,762 ± 1,397

  3. Gulf War (1990s)

    1,785 ± 544

Howard County, MD has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.17 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2017, universities in Howard County, MD awarded 2,208 degrees. The student population of Howard County, MD is skewed towards women, with 4,878 male students and 6,523 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Howard County, MD are White (933 and 44%), followed by Black or African American (594 and 28%), Hispanic or Latino (209 and 9.86%), and Asian (192 and 9.06%).

The largest universities in Howard County, MD by number of degrees awarded are Howard Community College (1,306 and 59.1%), Maryland University of Integrative Health (387 and 17.5%), and Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia (351 and 15.9%).

The most popular majors in Howard County, MD are General Studies (533 and 24.1%), Liberal Arts & Sciences (232 and 10.5%), and Automobile Mechanics Technology (153 and 6.93%).

The median tuition costs in Howard County, MD are $N/A for private four year colleges, and $N/A and $N/A respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

  1. General Studies

    533 degrees awarded

  2. Liberal Arts & Sciences

    232 degrees awarded

  3. Registered Nursing

    136 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Howard County, MD was General Studies with 533 degrees awarded.

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

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Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

  1. Howard Community College

    1,306 degrees awarded

  2. Maryland University of Integrative Health

    387 degrees awarded

  3. Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia

    351 degrees awarded

$N/A

Median In-State Public

$N/A

Median Private

In 2017, the Howard County, MD institution with the largest number of graduating students was Howard Community College with 1,306 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

961

Degrees Awarded to Men

1,247

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 961 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Howard County, MD, which is 0.771 times less than the 1,247 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the institutions in Howard County, MD by degrees awarded.

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. White

    933 degrees awarded

  2. Black or African American

    594 degrees awarded

  3. Hispanic or Latino

    209 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Howard County, MD were to White students. These 933 degrees mean that there were 1.57 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 594 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Howard County, MD was $476,600 in 2018, which is 2.07 times larger than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $444,500 to $476,600, a 7.22% increase. The homeownership rate in Howard County, MD is 71.5%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Howard County, MD have an average commute time of 29.8 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Howard County, MD is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$476,600

2018 Median

± $11,970

$444,500

2017 Median

± $9,942

In 2018, the median property value in Howard County, MD grew to to $476,600 from the previous year's value of $444,500.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Howard County, MD compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Howard County, MD the largest share of households have a property value in the $500k - $750k range.

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Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$116,984

Median Household Income

± $5,415

117k

Number of Households

± 5,213

In 2018, the median household income of the 117k households in Howard County, MD grew to $116,984 from the previous year's value of $111,473.

The following chart displays the households in Howard County, 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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Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Howard County, MD distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Howard County, MD the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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Rent vs Own

71.5%

2018 Homeownership

74.9%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 71.5% of the housing units in Howard County, MD were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 74.9%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Howard County, MD compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Commute Time

29.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Howard County, MD have a longer commute time (29.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.7 minutes). Additionally, 3.93% of the workforce in Howard County, MD have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    79.6%

  2. Carpooled

    7.77%

  3. Worked At Home

    6.43%

In 2018, the most common method of travel for workers in Howard County, MD was Drove Alone (79.6%), followed by those who Carpooled (7.77%) and those who Worked At Home (6.43%).

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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Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Howard County, MD distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Howard County, MD have 2 cars, followed by 3 cars.

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