Howard County, MD

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Population

321,113

1.22% growth

Median Age

38.6


Median Household Income

$111,473

7.83% decline

Poverty Rate

5.16%


Number of Employees

171,780

0.699% decline

Median Property Value

$444,500

0.202% decline

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, Howard County, MD had a population of 321k people with a median age of 38.6 and a median household income of $111,473. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Howard County, MD grew from 317,233 to 321,113, a 1.22% increase and its median household income declined from $120,941 to $111,473, a -7.83% decrease.

The population of Howard County, MD is 51.6% White Alone, 18.5% Asian Alone, and 18% Black or African American Alone. N/A% of the people in Howard County, MD speak a non-English language, and 93% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Howard County, MD are Howard Community College (1,249 degrees awarded in 2016), Maryland University of Integrative Health (311 degrees), and Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia (284 degrees).

The median property value in Howard County, MD is $444,500, and the homeownership rate is 74.9%. Most people in Howard County, MD commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 29.6 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 (27,837 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (23,336 people), and Educational Services (22,075 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($106,208), Public Administration ($101,104), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($92,989).

Median household income in Howard County, MD is $111,473. Males in Howard County, MD have an average income that is 1.23 times higher than the average income of females, which is $63,795. 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

$111,473

2017 value

± $2,666

-7.83%

1 Year Growth

± 5.26%

Households in Howard County, MD have a median annual income of $111,473, which is more than the median annual income of $60,336 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $120,941 in 2016, which represents a -7.83% 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.

$78,518

Average Male Salary

± $1,626

$63,795

Average Female Salary

± $1,278

In 2017, full-time male employees in Howard County, MD made 1.23 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Howard County, MD 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. American Indian and Alaska Native tribes specified; or American Indian or Alaska Native, not specified and no other races

    $79,497 ± $72,116

  2. Asian

    $72,023 ± $4,094

  3. White

    $70,393 ± $1,419

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Howard County, MD workers was American Indian and Alaska Native tribes specified; or American Indian or Alaska Native, not specified and no other races. These workers were paid 1.1 times more than Asian 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 Howard County, MD 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

2017 Wage GINI

0.461

2016 Wage GINI

In 2017, the income inequality in Maryland was 0.461 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0789% growth from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even.

The 2017 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 6055.04

  2. Census Tract 6051.04

  3. Census Tract 6030.04

In 2017, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Howard County, MD was Census Tract 6055.04 with a value of $196,307, followed by Census Tract 6051.04 and Census Tract 6030.04, with respective values of $187,270 and $184,765.

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 13.4%. 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

2017 Value

± 7,085

-0.699%

1 Year decline

± 5.91%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Howard County, MD declined at a rate of -0.699%, from 173k employees to 172k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Howard County, MD, are Other Management Occupations Except Farmers, Ranchers, & Other Agricultural Managers (16,213 people), Software Developers & Programmers (7,165 people), and Other Business Operations Specialists (5,816 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 Other Management Occupations Except Farmers, Ranchers, & Other Agricultural Managers (16,213 people), Software Developers & Programmers (7,165 people), and Other Business Operations Specialists (5,816 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Howard County, MD has an unusually high number of residents working as Mathematical Science Occupations (6.9 times higher than expected), Computer & Information Research Scientists & Analysts (4.78 times), and Life & Physical Scientists (3.24 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Howard County, MD, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($111,571), Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($104,858), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($101,416).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

172k

2017 Value

± 7,085

-0.699%

1 Year decline

± 5.91%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Howard County, MD declined at a rate of -0.699%, from 173k employees to 172k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Howard County, MD, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (27,837 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (23,336 people), and Educational Services (22,075 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 (27,837 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (23,336 people), and Educational Services (22,075 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Howard County, MD has an unusually high number of Public Administration (2.47 times higher than expected), Management of Companies & Enterprises (2.26 times), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (2.17 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Howard County, MD, by median earnings, are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($106,208), Public Administration ($101,104), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($92,989).

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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

    $24.1B

  2. Mixed freight

    $17.7B

  3. Electronics

    $14.2B

In 2015, the top outbound Maryland product (by dollars) was Textiles/leather with $24.1B, followed by Mixed freight with $17.7B and Electronics and $14.2B.

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.

$180B

2015 Value

$243B

Projected 2045 Value

35.1% growth

In 2015, total outbound Maryland trade was $180B. This is expected to increase 35.1% 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

    $24B

  2. Pennsylvania

    $18.2B

  3. New York

    $6.71B

In 2015, the top outbound Maryland domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Virginia with $24B, followed by Pennsylvania with $18.2B and New York and $6.71B.

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 321k people, from which 93% are citizens. As of 2017, 20.2% of Howard County, MD residents were born outside of the country.

The ethnic composition of the population of Howard County, MD is composed of 166k White Alone residents (51.6%), 59.5k Asian Alone residents (18.5%), 57.9k Black or African American Alone residents (18%), 22k Hispanic or Latino residents (6.84%), 13k Two or More Races residents (4.06%), 2.19k Some Other Race Alone residents (0.682%), 951 American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.296%), and 0 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0%).

The most common foreign languages spoken in Howard County, MD are N/A.

Age

Age by Nativity

35

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.5

45

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.8

In 2017, the median age of all people in Howard County, MD was 38.6. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 35, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 45. But people in Howard County, MD are getting staying the same age. In 2016, 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

19.3%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

As of 2017, 20.2% of Howard County, MD residents 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

Most Common Origin

  1. El Salvador

    103,048 ± 7,814 people

  2. India

    59,523 ± 5,960 people

  3. China

    45,415 ± 5,212 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Howard County, MD was El Salvador, the natal country of 103,048 Howard County, MD residents, followed by India with 59,523 and China with 45,415.

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Citizenship

93%

2017 Citizenship

91.5%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 93% of Howard County, MD residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.1%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in Howard County, MD was 91.5%, 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.

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. White Alone

    166k ± 1.01k

  2. Asian Alone

    59.5k ± 1.31k

  3. Black or African American Alone

    57.9k ± 2.24k

In 2017, there were 2.78 times more White Alone residents (166k people) in Howard County, MD than any other race or ethnicity. There were 59.5k Asian Alone and 57.9k Black or African American 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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Non-English Speakers

Most Common Languages

  1. N/A

    N/A speakers (N/A%)

  2. N/A

    N/A speakers (N/A%)

  3. N/A

    N/A speakers (N/A%)

N/A% of Howard County, MD citizens are speakers of a non-English language, which is approximately the same as the national average of 21.5%. In N/A, the most common non-English language spoken in Howard County, MD was N/A. N/A% of the overall population of Howard County, MD are native N/A speakers. N/A% speak N/A and N/A% speak N/A, the next two most common languages.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Gulf War (2001-)

    5,122 ± 1,378

  2. Vietnam

    5,014 ± 892

  3. Gulf War (1990s)

    3,724 ± 1,006

Howard County, MD has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.02 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2016, universities in Howard County, MD awarded 2,022 degrees. The student population of Howard County, MD is skewed towards women, with 5,015 male students and 6,639 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Howard County, MD are White (918 and 47.6%), followed by Black or African American (496 and 25.7%), Asian (181 and 9.39%), and Hispanic or Latino (169 and 8.77%).

The largest universities in Howard County, MD by number of degrees awarded are Howard Community College (1,249 and 61.8%), Maryland University of Integrative Health (311 and 15.4%), and Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia (284 and 14%).

The most popular majors in Howard County, MD are General Studies (461 and 22.8%), Liberal Arts & Sciences (231 and 11.4%), and Registered Nursing (145 and 7.17%).

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

    461 degrees awarded

  2. Liberal Arts & Sciences

    231 degrees awarded

  3. Registered Nursing

    145 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Howard County, MD was General Studies with 461 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

    1,249 degrees awarded

  2. Maryland University of Integrative Health

    311 degrees awarded

  3. Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia

    284 degrees awarded

$N/A

Median In-State Public

$N/A

Median Private

In 2016, the Howard County, MD institution with the largest number of graduating students was Howard Community College with 1,249 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

848

Degrees Awarded to Men

1,174

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2016, 848 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Howard County, MD, which is 0.722 times less than the 1,174 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the top 5 institutions in Howard County, MD by degrees awarded.

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. White

    918 degrees awarded

  2. Black or African American

    496 degrees awarded

  3. Asian

    181 degrees awarded

In 2016 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Howard County, MD were to White students. These 918 degrees mean that there were 1.85 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 496 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Howard County, MD was $444,500 in 2017, which is 2.04 times larger than the national average of $217,600. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $445,400 to $444,500, a 0.202% decrease. The homeownership rate in Howard County, MD is 74.9%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Howard County, MD have an average commute time of 29.6 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.

Income

Household Income

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

$111,473

Median Household Income

± $2,666

115k

Number of Households

± 5,223

In 2017, the median household income of the 115k households in Howard County, MD declined from $111,473 from the previous year's value of $120,941.

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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Housing

Property Value

$444,500

2017 Median

± $9,942

$445,400

2016 Median

± $10,039

In 2017, the median property value in Howard County, MD declined from to $444,500 from the previous year's value of $445,400.

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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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

74.9%

2017 Homeownership

72.8%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 74.9% of the housing units in Howard County, MD were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 72.8%.

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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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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Commute Time

29.6 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Howard County, MD have a longer commute time (29.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 4.48% 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

    81.5%

  2. Worked At Home

    7.01%

  3. Carpooled

    6.11%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Howard County, MD was Drove Alone, followed by those who Worked At Home and those who Carpooled.

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