Howard County, MD

County

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2020 Population

322,407

1.11% 1-year growth

US Senator

Ben Cardin

Democratic Party

US Senator

Chris Van Hollen

Democratic Party

2020 Median Age

38.7

0.258% 1-year decrease

2020 Poverty Rate

5.11%

2.34% 1-year increase

2020 Median Household Income

$124,042

2.38% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$464,500

1.93% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

170,492

0.102% 1-year growth

About

In 2020, Howard County, MD had a population of 322k people with a median age of 38.7 and a median household income of $124,042. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Howard County, MD grew from 318,855 to 322,407, a 1.11% increase and its median household income grew from $121,160 to $124,042, a 2.38% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Howard County, MD are White (Non-Hispanic) (50.7%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (18.8%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (18.4%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (4.36%), and White (Hispanic) (4.15%).

None of the households in Howard County, 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.

92.2% of the residents in Howard County, MD are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Howard County, MD are Howard Community College (1,438 degrees awarded in 2020), Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia (396 degrees), and Maryland University of Integrative Health (358 degrees).

In 2020, the median property value in Howard County, MD was $464,500, and the homeownership rate was 72.7%. Most people in Howard County, MD drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 31.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Howard County, MD was 2 cars per household.

Howard County, MD borders Anne Arundel County, MD, Baltimore County, MD, Carroll County, MD, Frederick County, MD, Montgomery County, MD, and Prince George's County, MD.

About the photo: Historic Ellicott City, MD

Photo by Joe Haupt

United States Maryland Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

Diversity

Howard County, MD is home to a population of 322k people, from which 92.2% are citizens. As of 2020, 21.2% of Howard County, MD residents were born outside of the country (68.2k people).

In 2020, there were 2.7 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (163k people) in Howard County, MD than any other race or ethnicity. There were 60.5k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 59.4k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Howard County, MD

White (Non-Hispanic)
163k ± 598
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
60.5k ± 881
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
59.4k ± 1.29k

7.04%

Hispanic Population

22.7k people

7.04% of the people in Howard County, MD are hispanic (22.7k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Howard County, MD as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

21.2%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

68.2k people

21.1%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

67.4k people

As of 2020, 21.2% of Howard County, MD residents (68.2k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Howard County, MD was 21.1%, 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.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.2

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.6

In 2020, the median age of all people in Howard County, MD was 38.7. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 35, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 45. But people in Howard County, MD are getting getting younger. In 2019, the average age of all Howard County, MD residents was 39.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

El Salvador
106,672 ± 7,947 people
India
60,671 ± 6,017 people
China
43,639 ± 5,110 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Maryland was El Salvador, the natal country of 106,672 Maryland residents, followed by India with 60,671 and China with 43,639.

Citizenship

92.2%

2020 Citizenship

91.8%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 92.2% of Howard County, MD residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Howard County, MD was 91.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
5,284 ± 595
Vietnam
4,345 ± 424
Gulf War (1990s)
3,307 ± 498

Howard County, MD has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.22 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Maryland. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Maryland, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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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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Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in Maryland. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

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

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Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Maryland across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in Howard County, MD is $124,042. In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Howard County, MD was Census Tract 6055.05 with a value of $228,342, followed by Census Tract 6051.04 and Census Tract 6055.04, with respective values of $214,875 and $211,442.

Males in Maryland have an average income that is 1.25 times higher than the average income of females, which is $67,182. The income inequality in Maryland (measured using the Gini index) is 0.457, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Howard County, MD employs 170k people. The largest industries in Howard County, MD are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (30,282 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (22,410 people), and Educational Services (20,438 people), and the highest paying industries are Public Administration ($110,310), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($101,828), and Finance & Insurance ($100,464).

Wages

Median Household Income

$124,042

2020 value

± $3,448

2.38%

1 Year Growth

± 3.23%

Households in Howard County, MD have a median annual income of $124,042, which is more than the median annual income of $64,994 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $121,160 in 2019, which represents a 2.38% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Howard County, MD compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

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

$84,190

Average Male Salary in Maryland

± $1,749

$67,182

Average Female Salary in Maryland

± $1,324

In 2020, full-time male employees in Maryland made 1.25 times more than female employees.

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

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 in Maryland

Asian
$76,835 ± $4,304
White
$74,484 ± $1,528
American Indian
$63,630 ± $21,128

In 2020 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 in Maryland.

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

Wage Distribution

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

0.457

2020 Wage GINI in Maryland

0.461

2019 Wage GINI in Maryland

In 2020, the income inequality in Maryland was 0.457 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.855% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Maryland was lower than than the national average of 0.478. 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.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 6055.05
Census Tract 6051.04
Census Tract 6055.04

In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Howard County, MD was Census Tract 6055.05 with a value of $228,342, followed by Census Tract 6051.04 and Census Tract 6055.04, with respective values of $214,875 and $211,442.

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

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

5.11% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Howard County, MD (16.3k out of 319k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 35 - 44.

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.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

Black
6,465 ± 753
White
5,606 ± 596
Asian
3,088 ± 514

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

170k

2020 Value

± 3,362

0.102%

1 Year growth

± 2.61%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Howard County, MD grew at a rate of 0.102%, from 170k employees to 170k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Howard County, MD, are Management Occupations (25,982 people), Computer & Mathematical Occupations (18,786 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (14,686 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Howard County, MD.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Howard County, MD, by number of employees, are Management Occupations (25,982 people), Computer & Mathematical Occupations (18,786 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (14,686 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Howard County, MD has an unusually high number of residents working as Computer & Mathematical Occupations (3.39 times higher than expected), Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations (3.02 times), and Architecture & Engineering Occupations (1.97 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Howard County, MD, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($117,618), Management Occupations ($113,038), and Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($110,347).

Industries

Employment by Industries

170k

2020 Value

± 3,362

0.102%

1 Year growth

± 2.61%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Howard County, MD grew at a rate of 0.102%, from 170k employees to 170k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Howard County, MD, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (30,282 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (22,410 people), and Educational Services (20,438 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.

Most Common

The most common industries in Howard County, MD, by number of employees, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (30,282 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (22,410 people), and Educational Services (20,438 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Howard County, MD has an unusually high number of Public Administration (2.54 times higher than expected), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (2.39 times), and Educational Services (1.29 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Howard County, MD, by median earnings, are Public Administration ($110,310), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($101,828), and Finance & Insurance ($100,464).

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

In 2020, the top outbound Maryland product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $29.2B, followed by Mixed freight ($23.2B) and Electronics ($20.6B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Maryland.

$217B

2020 Value in Maryland

$445B

Projected 2050 Value in Maryland

105% growth

In 2020, total outbound Maryland trade was $217B. This is expected to increase 105% to $445B by 2050.

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

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

Virginia
$21.2B
Pennsylvania
$18.1B
New York
$10.1B

In 2020, the top outbound Maryland domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Virginia with $21.2B, followed by Pennsylvania with $18.1B and New York and $10.1B.

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

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Howard County, MD went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 70.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (26.4%), followed by Other (1.51%). The most partisan county was Prince George's County, MD with 89.3% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen 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 Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (70.7%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (26.4%)
Republican Party
Other (1.51%)
Green and Other Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Howard County, MD went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 70.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (26.4%), followed by Other (1.51%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Howard County, MD for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Maryland.

Joseph R Biden Jr.

Popular Vote for Howard County, MD

70.7% for the Democratic Party

Most Partisan Counties in Maryland

Prince George's County, MD
89.3% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Baltimore City, MD
87.3% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Montgomery County, MD
78.6% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in Maryland was Prince George's County, MD with 89.3% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

The following map shows the counties in Maryland colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from Maryland

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Maryland.

Ben Cardin

Senator from Maryland

Assumed office on January 3, 2007

Chris Van Hollen

Senator from Maryland

Assumed office on January 3, 2017

Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen 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.

US Representatives from Maryland

Maryland is currently represented by 8 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Maryland have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in Howard County, MD awarded 2,260 degrees. The student population of Howard County, MD is skewed towards women, with 4,771 male students and 6,618 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Howard County, MD are White (858 and 40%), followed by Black or African American (659 and 30.8%), Hispanic or Latino (241 and 11.2%), and Asian (198 and 9.24%).

The largest universities in Howard County, MD by number of degrees awarded are Howard Community College (1,438 and 63.6%), Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia (396 and 17.5%), and Maryland University of Integrative Health (358 and 15.8%).

The most popular majors in Howard County, MD are General Studies (590 and 26.1%), Liberal Arts & Sciences (221 and 9.78%), and Registered Nursing (164 and 7.26%).

Concentrations

Most Common

General Studies
590 degree-majorss awarded
Liberal Arts & Sciences
221 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
164 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Howard County, MD was General Studies with 590 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Howard Community College
1,438 degrees awarded
Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia
396 degrees awarded
Maryland University of Integrative Health
358 degrees awarded

In 2020, the Howard County, MD institution with the largest number of graduating students was Howard Community College with 1,438 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

965

Degrees Awarded to Men

1,295

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 965 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Howard County, MD, which is 0.745 times less than the 1,295 female students who received degrees in the same year.

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

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
858 degrees awarded
Black or African American
659 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
241 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Howard County, MD was White students. These 858 degrees mean that there were 1.3 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 659 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Howard County, MD was $464,500 in 2020, which is 2.02 times larger than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $455,700 to $464,500, a 1.93% increase. The homeownership rate in Howard County, MD is 72.7%, which is higher than the national average of 64.4%. People in Howard County, MD have an average commute time of 31.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. 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

$464,500

2020 Median

± $5,552

$455,700

2019 Median

± $4,218

In 2020, the median property value in Howard County, MD grew to to $464,500 from the previous year's value of $455,700.

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.

Household Income

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

$124,042

Median Household Income

± $3,448

116k

Number of Households

± 2,526

In 2020, the median household income of the 116k households in Howard County, MD grew to $124,042 from the previous year's value of $121,160.

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.

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.

Rent vs Own

72.7%

2020 Homeownership

73.2%

2019 Homeownership

In 2020, 72.7% of the housing units in Howard County, MD were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 73.2%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 64.4%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Howard County, MD compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

31.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Howard County, MD have a longer commute time (31.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 3.63% 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.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (77.2%)
Worked At Home (11%)
Carpooled (6.53%)

In 2020, 77.2% of workers in Howard County, MD drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (11%) and those who carpooled to work (6.53%).

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.

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 false.

Health

96.3% of the population of Howard County, MD has health coverage, with 63.9% on employee plans, 8.9% on Medicaid, 9.39% on Medicare, 12.6% on non-group plans, and 1.44% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Maryland 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 521 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.774% increase from the previous year (517 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1172 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 324 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Dorchester County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (18.9%). Additionally, Somerset County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (41.9%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

521 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Howard County, MD

Primary care physicians in Howard County, MD see an average of 521 patients per year. This represents a 0.774% increase from the previous year (517 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 its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
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.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
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.

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 in Maryland

$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.

Health Care Coverage

3.75%

Uninsured

63.9%

Employer Coverage

8.9%

Medicaid

9.39%

Medicare

12.6%

Non-Group

1.44%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Howard County, MD declined by 3.53% from 3.88% to 3.75%.

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.