Anne Arundel County, Maryland is located in the state’s central region, bordered by Baltimore City and Howard County to the north, Prince George’s County to the east, Calvert County and the Chesapeake Bay to the south, and Carroll and Baltimore Counties to the west. See Countryaah – Counties in Maryland. The county covers an area of 537 square miles with a population of approximately 576,000 people as of 2019.
Anne Arundel County is home to many attractions including historic sites such as Annapolis Historic District and London Town & Gardens; natural wonders such as Annapolis Rock State Park and Jug Bay Natural Area; museums such as Banneker-Douglass Museum; and performing arts venues such as Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts.
The county also offers numerous recreational activities including boating on the Chesapeake Bay; kayaking on Magothy River; camping at Fort Smallwood Park or Point Lookout State Park; fishing at Marley Creek or Downs Park; golfing at Compass Pointe Golf Course or Crofton Country Club; hiking along one of many trails like BWI Trail or Patapsco Valley State Park Trail System; and bird watching at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary.
Anne Arundel County is surrounded by several other counties including Calvert County which lies to its south across the Chesapeake Bay. To its east lies Prince George’s County while Howard County lies to its north separated by Baltimore City. To its west lies Carroll County while Baltimore County sits just beyond that.
Demographics of Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Anne Arundel County, Maryland is located in the state’s central region and covers an area of 537 square miles with a population of approximately 576,000 people as of 2019. The county is made up of a diverse population including racial and ethnic minorities. According to the most recent census data, the population is composed of 60.3 percent white individuals, 29.3 percent African American individuals, 4.1 percent Hispanic or Latino individuals, 3.2 percent Asian individuals, and 1.8 percent from two or more races.
The median household income in Anne Arundel County is $90,389 with 11.4 percent of households living below the poverty line according to 2018 US Census Bureau estimates. The unemployment rate for the county was estimated at 4.4 percent in 2018 which was lower than the national average at that time.
The county also has a high educational attainment rate with 91 percent of adults aged 25 years and over having obtained at least a high school diploma or equivalent while 36 percent have obtained at least a bachelor’s degree or higher according to 2017 estimates from the US Census Bureau American Community Survey Estimates Program (ACS).
Overall, Anne Arundel County has a diverse population with strong educational attainments and relatively low unemployment rates compared to the rest of Maryland and nation as a whole making it an attractive place to live for many people throughout Maryland and beyond.
Places of Interest in Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Anne Arundel County, Maryland offers a wide range of attractions and places of interest for visitors and residents alike. One of the most popular attractions in the county is the United States Naval Academy located in Annapolis. This historic military institution has been educating naval officers since 1845 and is open to visitors year round offering guided tours, museums, and other activities.
Other popular attractions include Sandy Point State Park which offers a variety of outdoor activities including swimming, fishing, boating, camping, and hiking along its 7 miles of shoreline. The park also hosts several events throughout the year including concerts, festivals, and races.
Those looking for a taste of history can find it at Historic London Town & Gardens located on the South River in Edgewater. This 23-acre attraction features a colonial village complete with costumed interpreters as well as gardens and trails that showcase native plants from the region’s past.
The county also has several museums including The B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore which is dedicated to preserving America’s railroad heritage; The Maryland Science Center located in Baltimore which features interactive exhibits on science and technology; The National Electronics Museum located in Linthicum which showcases the history of electronics; and The Annapolis Maritime Museum which focuses on local maritime history through exhibitions and programs.
Finally, Anne Arundel County also has plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking along the Patuxent River Trail System; biking along Quiet Waters Park Trails; kayaking along Chesapeake Ba; and sailing on the Chesapeake Bay. Other popular activities include visiting the Maryland Renaissance Festival, exploring local wineries, and taking in a show at the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. No matter what your interests, Anne Arundel County has something to offer everyone.
Notable People of Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Anne Arundel County, Maryland has been home to many notable people throughout its history. From politicians and military leaders to artists and athletes, the county has produced a number of individuals who have made a lasting mark on the world.
The most famous person from Anne Arundel County is undoubtedly Francis Scott Key, author of the national anthem. Born in 1779 in Frederick County, Key moved to Anne Arundel County as a child and studied law at St. John’s College in Annapolis. He wrote the poem “Defence of Fort M’Henry” in 1814 during the War of 1812 which would become the lyrics for “The Star-Spangled Banner”.
Other notable figures from Anne Arundel County include Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, Pulitzer Prize winning playwright George S. Kaufman, artist John Singer Sargent, Admiral Hyman Rickover who is known as “the father of the nuclear Navy”, and several U.S. Presidents including Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe and William Howard Taft who all attended St. John’s College while it was located in Annapolis before it moved to Santa Fe in 1891.
In addition to politicians and military leaders, Anne Arundel County has also produced some well-known athletes including Hall Of Fame NFL running back Lenny Moore (who attended Annapolis High School), Olympic gold medalist swimmer Katie Hoff (who attended Severna Park High School), and Major League Baseball players such as Boog Powell (who grew up near Baltimore) and Jim Palmer (who attended Severna Park High School).
Anne Arundel County is also home to some notable musicians such as blues guitarist Roy Buchanan (who attended Glen Burnie High School), jazz musician Chick Webb (who grew up near Baltimore), country singer/songwriter Bill Anderson (who grew up near Pasadena) and soul music legend Marvin Gaye (who was born in Washington D.C., but spent much of his childhood living with his grandparents in Anne Arundel County).
Finally, Anne Arundel County has also been home to some highly influential business figures such as former CEO of PepsiCo Indra Nooyi (born in India but raised in Maryland) and founder of Under Armour Kevin Plank (raised near Baltimore).
From its famous authors to its renowned politicians and athletes, Anne Arundel County has produced some of the most influential and noteworthy people in history.