Maryland has a lot of interesting places to visit and landmarks, but it also has problems with things like crime, schooling, and the cost of living. SafeWise, a trustworthy website that reviews security products, says that Howard County is the best place for families in Maryland to live.
Howard County is the best because it has the highest median family income, the lowest poverty rate, and the best public schools for counties with more than 25,000 people. It is in the middle of the state, between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. We’ll talk about why Howard County is so great and how that helps the people who live there in this piece.
How SafeWise ranks counties and what factors are used
The 2019 American Community Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau was used to help SafeWise figure out which areas are best for families. The median household income, poverty rate, and public school grade for each county are calculated and then put in order from best to worst. For this platform to work, it only looks at counties with at least 25,000 people and that give the FBI full crime data.
SafeWise says the following about its key metrics:
The median household income is the income level where half of the households make more than the median income and half of the households make less than the median income. It doesn’t count money that comes from outside the home, like investments or government payments.
The poverty rate is the share of people whose income is less than the poverty line, which changes depending on the size and make-up of the family. People who are homeless or in institutions are not included in this measurement.
A public school grade is an overall rating of the quality and success of all the public schools in a county. It is based on things like test scores, graduation rates, teacher quality, student diversity, and reviews from parents. Niche is a website that looks at information about schools and neighborhoods and gives it to SafeWise.
Howard County’s Excellence: What It Means
Howard County is one of the most important areas in Maryland. It has about 329,000 people living in it. It was founded in 1838 and named after a Revolutionary War hero and former governor of Maryland, John Eager Howard. It has a rich historical and cultural heritage, as well as a good quality of life, great schools, and lots of fun things to do.
With an average of $121,496 a year, Howard County’s median family income is higher than that of other Maryland counties and the national average. This is different from Maryland’s $82,400 and the country’s $69,021. In Howard County, more than half of the families make more than $121,496 a year.
Howard County has a much lower poverty rate than other Maryland counties and the whole country. Only 4.3% of the people living in Howard County are living below the poverty line, compared to 14.3% in Maryland and 12.3% across the country.
Howard County is the best when it comes to public schools; it has a coveted A+ grade from Niche. With this score, its public schools are the best in Maryland and one of the top ten in the country. The public schools in the county always have high test scores, graduation rates, teacher quality, student diversity, and parent happiness.
Why living in Howard County is a Good Idea
Howard County is not only the best place in Maryland to raise a family, but it’s also one of the best places in the country to live. There are many perks for residents, such as:
The job market and economy are strong. Howard County has a low unemployment rate of 3.6%, which is lower than the state and national norms. Its economy is very diverse, with jobs in fields like education, healthcare, science, government, and defense.
A safe and healthy place to live: With a crime rate of 10.7 per 1,000 residents, the county is much safer than the state and national norms. The health score from U.S. News & World Report is 90 out of 100. This score is based on things like healthcare access, quality, health results, behaviors, and social determinants.
Howard County has a high variety score of 77 out of 100, which means that people of all races, ethnicities, income levels, ages, genders, and political views live together peacefully and happily. It has a lot of arts, theater, nightlife, restaurants, and festivals, which is why Livability gives it an 80 out of 100 for culture.
A beautiful nature setting: Howard County gets 75 out of 100 for outdoor amenities like parks, trails, lakes, rivers, mountains, and weather. It also gets high marks for its scenery, with an 80 out of 100 score for views, landscapes, landmarks, and buildings.
Conclusion
SafeWise’s ranks based on data show that Howard County is the best place in Maryland for families. It has a strong job market, a safe and healthy environment, a diverse and lively community, and a beautiful natural setting. Its people benefit from a high median household income, low poverty rates, and excellent public schools. Living, working, learning, and having fun are all great things to do in Howard County.