Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 14 h 56 min5:41 am – 8:37 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 25 min7:23 am – 4:47 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People15,608 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 37.36,165 householdsMedian household income $127,813Median home value $479,500Median rent $2,131 a month65% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $5,704 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting2.7% unemployment rate71% of adults are in the labour force, 8,641 employedMain industries: education and health care 25%, professional and business services 23%, public administration 11%Average commute 24 minutes71% drive alone, 5% car-pool, 1% take public transport, 3% walk or cycle, 19% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages62% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher98% finished high school, 33% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 82%, Spanish 5%, other languages 4%, other Indo-European languages 4%5% speak English less than very wellSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 89°F, lows 69°FColdest month January: highs 43°F, lows 26°F48 in of rain a year, on about 78 dayswettest month September29 in of snow a year, on about 13 days36 days above 90°F, 86 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Laurel 3 W station, 7 mi away; snow from Columbia 2.3 N
Nearby landmarksLake Elkhornlake · under a mileCentennial Lakelake · 4.8 miMaryland University of Integrative Healthcollege · 2.9 miHoward Community Collegecollege · 3.5 miMiddle Patuxent Riverriver · 2.5 miSymphony Woodswoods · 2.9 miSource: USGS Geographic Names Information System
Parks and public landsHopewell Parkpark · under a mileCounty Open Spacepark · under a milePatuxent Research Refugenational wildlife refuge · 6.0 mi · 12,837 acresPatuxent Oxbow Heritage Conservationstate conservation land · 4.3 miPatapsco Valley Spstate park · 7.0 miPatuxent River Spstate park · 8.8 mi · 335 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
Earthquakes1 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 19700 of magnitude 4+, 0 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 3.6 on 16 Jul 201031 mi away, near Barnesville, MarylandMost recent: magnitude 3.6 on 16 Jul 201031 mi awaySource: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Relatively LowHoward County, MD, compared with all US countiesHigher-risk hazardsWinter weather Relatively HighStrong wind Relatively HighLightning Relatively HighSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality80% of days had good air in 2025293 of 365 days measured72 moderate daysMedian index 33, worst day 78main pollutant: fine particles (PM2.5)Source: US EPA Air Quality Index, Howard County monitors, MD
Internet at home98% of households have a broadband subscription92% have cable, fibre or DSL5% rely on a mobile data plan alone2% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterHoward County D.p.w. Distributionserves 286,158 people from surface water purchasedNo health-based violations since 20211 monitoring or reporting violation since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation369 ft112 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalClifton T Perkins Hospital Center3.2 miPost officeColumbia Post Office1.0 miTown hallLaurel Municipal Center5.1 miPoliceMaryland State Police - Barrack A Waterloo2.9 miFire stationHoward County Fire Department Station 10 - Rivers Park1.7 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
SchoolsWithin 2 mi8 schools4 elementary, 2 middle, 2 highElementaryGuilford Elementary Schoolunder a mileElementaryCradlerock Elementary School1.3 miMiddleLake Elkhorn Middle School1.3 miCollegeMaryland University of Integrative Health2.9 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportBaltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport BWI8.9 miInterstateI-951.3 miUS highwayUS 12.5 miAmtrakBWI Marshall Airport, MD BWI7.7 miRailJESSUP MARC sbMaryland Transit Administration (MTA)3.5 miCoachColumbia, MD (Broken Land Park & Ride, East Lot)OurBusunder a mileTransit63 stops within a mileRegional Transportation Agency (RTA), Maryland Transit Administration (MTA)Sources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 21046 ZIP area.
