Baltimore County, Maryland

Introduction

Baltimore County, Maryland is a suburban county in the northern portion of the State of Maryland. Its county seat is Towson. The name of the county was derived from the barony of the Proprietor of the Maryland colony, in County Longford, Ireland. It should be noted that Baltimore County does not include the City of Baltimore, which was split off as an independent city in 1851.

Geography

Baltimore County has no incorporated municipalities except that a small portion of the town of Hampstead (most of which is in Carroll County) extends into the county.

Unincorporated areas are also considered as towns by many people, but they lack local government. The United States Census Bureau recognizes the following Census-Designated Places in Baltimore County:

Arbutus
Carney
Catonsville
Cockeysville
Dundalk
Edgemere
Essex
Garrison
Hampton
Kingsville
Lansdowne-Baltimore Highlands
Lutherville-Timonium
Mays Chapel
Middle River
Milford Mill
Overlea
Owings Mills
Parkville
Perry Hall
Pikeville
Randallstown
Reisterstown
Rosedale
Rossville
Towson
White Marsh
Woodlawn (Note: this is also the name of a CDP in Prince George's County!)

Demography

The population as of the 2000 census was 754,292.

Economy

Law/Government

Baltimore County was granted a charter form of government in 1956.

County Executive

Legislative body

History

The origin of Baltimore County is not known but it definitely existed by January 12, 1659/60, when a writ was issued to its sheriff. In 1748, a portion of Baltimore County, as well as a portion of Prince George's County, was split off to form Frederick County. As mentioned above, in 1851 the city of Baltimore was detached from Baltimore County.

Colleges/Universities in county

The University of Maryland has a branch campus in Baltimore County (known as UMBC - University of Maryland in Baltimore County).

Also located in the county:

Goucher College (in Towson)
Towson State University (formerly known as Towson State Teachers' College) (in Towson)