Howard County
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Click on the seal to see a larger version

Howard District was created from Anne Arundel County in 1838. Although unrepresented in the General Assembly, the District enjoyed the status of a county. It officially became Maryland's 21st county on July 4, 1851. It is the smallest county in the state. Approximately 25% of the land is farmland.

Important farm products are dairy and livestock, corn and small grains, pasture and hay. Located in Central Maryland, about 90% of Howard County is in the Piedmont Plateau and 10% is in the Atlantic coastal Plain.

Howard County was named for John Eager Howard (1752-1827), Revolutionary War officer, Maryland governor, and statesman. The county seat is Ellicott City.

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Below is some interesting census information about Howard County. Look at the way the county population has changed over the years!

Population Information for Howard County
Population % of MD Population
1790 Census Not yet a county.
1890 Census 16,269 1.6%
1990 Census 187,328 3.9%
2000 Census 247,842 4.7%

© Copyright October 16, 1997, Office of the Secretary of State.
Last Modified September 24, 2002 .
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