Carroll County, Maryland

U.S. County|

 county  = Carroll County|
 state = Maryland |
 seal = Carroll.gif |
 map = Map of Maryland highlighting Carroll County.svg |
 map size = 225|

founded = 1837| seat = Westminster | area = 1,172 km² (452 mi²) |

 area land  = 1,163 km² (449 mi²) |
 area water = 8 km² (3 mi²) |
 area percentage = 0.72% |
 census yr = 2000|
 pop = 150,897 |
 density = 130|
 web = www.carr.org|}}

Carroll County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland.

As of 2000, the population was 150,897. It was named for Charles Carroll of Carrollton (1737-1832), signer of the American Declaration of Independence. Its county seat is Westminster.

This county is a part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area.

History

Carroll County was created in 1837 from parts of Baltimore and Frederick Counties, see Hundred (division).

The first settlers included 3,700 Germans and their impact may still be seen today in the attitudes of its residents.

Law and government

Carroll County is governed by three county commissioners, the traditional form of county government in Maryland.

Several times in the past, Carroll County voters have rejected charter amendments that would call for a government consisting of a County Executive and a County Council.

In 2004 Carroll County voters approved legislation that will expand the number of County Commissioners from three to five. The five Commissioners will be elected from five Commissioner districts, as opposed to three Commissioners elected at-large. This change will occur beginning with the 2006 elections.

The current commissioners are:
* Julia Walsh Gouge, President of the Commission, former mayor of Hampstead
* Dean L. Minnich, from Westminster
* Perry L. Jones, Jr., former mayor of Union Bridge

Republicans hold every county-wide elected office.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,172 km² (452 mi²). 1,163 km² (449 mi²) of it is land and 8 km² (3 mi²) of it (0.72%) is water.

Adjacent Countes

*York County, Pennsylvania (northeast)
*Baltimore County (east)
*Howard County (south)
*Frederick County (west)
*Adams County, Pennsylvania (northwest)

Demographics

Farm in Carroll County, Maryland

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 150,897 people, 52,503 households, and 41,109 families residing in the county. The population density was 130/km² (336/mi²). There were 54,260 housing units at an average density of 47/km² (121/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.69% White, 2.28% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. 0.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 52,503 households out of which 39.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.50% were married couples living together, 8.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.70% were non-families. 17.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the county the population was spread out with 27.70% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 30.60% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 10.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $60,021, and the median income for a family was $66,430. Males had a median income of $44,191 versus $30,599 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,829. About 2.70% of families and 3.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.00% of those under age 18 and 4.90% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

* 2 Cities:
*#Taneytown (incorporated 1836)
*#Westminster (incorporated 1818)
* 7 Towns:
*#Hampstead (incorporated 1888)
*#Manchester (incorporated 1833)
*#Mount Airy (incorporated 1894) (This town is partly in Carroll County and partly in Frederick County and Montgomery County.)
*#New Windsor (incorporated 1843)
*#Sykesville (incorporated 1904)
*#Union Bridge (incorporated 1872)

There are no CDP's in the county, but there are some areas that are not listed as CDP's. They are the following:

#Carrollton#Carrolltowne#Detour#Eldersburg#Finksburg#Gaither#Greenmount#Henryton#Keymar#Lineboro CPO#Linwood#Marriottsville (a portion is also in Howard County.)#Middleburg#Mills#Patapsco#Silver Run#Union Mills#Uniontown#Woodstock (a portion is also in Howard County.)

There are three areas with no ZIP code that are also not listed as CDP's:
#Gamber#Jasontown#Louisville

Carroll County, Maryland: Encyclopedia BETA

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