Carroll County, Maryland

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Carroll County, Maryland
Seal of Carroll County, Maryland
Map
Map of Maryland highlighting Carroll County
Location in the state of Maryland
Map of the U.S. highlighting Maryland
Maryland's location in the U.S.
Statistics
Founded 1837
Seat Westminster
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

452 sq mi (1,171 km²)
449 sq mi (1,163 km²)
3 sq mi (8 km²), 0.72%
Population
 - (2000)
 - Density

150,897
337/sq mi (130/km²)
Website: www.carr.org

Carroll County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland. In 2000, its 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. While predominantly rural, the county has become increasingly suburban in recent years.

Contents

[edit] History

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

During the American Civil War, the population of Carroll County was sharply divided between supporters of the Union and the Confederacy. In 1863, there were significant troop movements through the county as part of the Gettysburg campaign. On June 29, 1863, the cavalry skirmish known as Corbit's Charge was fought in the streets of Westminster, when two companies of Delaware cavalry attacked a much larger Confederate force under General J.E.B. Stuart.

Notable citizens of Carroll County include:

[edit] 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 2010 elections. The change was to take effect beginning with the 2006 elections, but the Maryland General Assembly could not agree on the districts.

The incoming commissioners are:

Republicans hold every county-wide elected office.

The current elected Sheriff is Kenneth L. Tregoning.

[edit] Geography

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

Carroll County is bordered on the north by the Mason-Dixon Line. The Patapsco River forms its southern border, and Liberty Reservoir forms part of its eastern border. Carroll County is bordered on the west by the Monacacy River and Sam's Creek. Other major streams include Big Pipe Creek, Little Pipe Creek, Bear Branch, and the headwaters of the Gunpowder River. The Piney Branch Reservoir is in the southern part of the county.

The terrain consists of largely of rolling piedmont hills. The most significant of these is Parrs Ridge, which bisects the county from southwest to northeast. The highest point is in the northeastern part of the county on Dug Hill along Deep Run Road.

There are three separate railroads that transit Carroll County. The old B&O Main Line crosses the southern part of the county, with stations in Sykesville and Mount Airy. The Western Maryland Railroad tracks go through Carrollton, Westminster, New Windsor, and Union Bridge. The old Baltimore and Hanover Line goes through Hampstead, Millers, and Lineboro. All three railroad lines are currently operated by CSX Transportation.

[edit] Adjacent counties

[edit] Demographics

Farm in Carroll County, Maryland
Farm in Carroll County, Maryland

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 150,897 people, 52,503 households, and 41,109 families residing in the county. The population density was 336 people per square mile (130/km²). There were 54,260 housing units at an average density of 121 per square mile (47/km²). 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. 30.5% were of German, 14.0% Irish, 11.1% United States or American, 10.7% English and 7.3% Italian ancestry according to Census 2000.

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.

[edit] Cities and towns

This county contains the following incorporated municipalities:

Unincorporated areas are also considered as towns by many people and listed in many collections of towns, but they lack local government. Various organizations, such as the United States Census Bureau, the United States Postal Service, and local chambers of commerce, define the communities they wish to recognize differently, and since they are not incorporated, their boundaries have no official status outside the organizations in question. The Census Bureau recognizes the following census-designated places in the county:

  1. Eldersburg

Other unincorporated communities include:

  1. Alesia
  2. Carrollton
  3. Carrolltowne
  4. Detour
  5. Finksburg
  6. Frizzelburg
  7. Gamber
  8. Gaither
  9. Greenmount
  10. Harney
  11. Henryton
  12. Jasontown
  13. Keymar
  14. Lineboro
  15. Linwood
  16. Louisville
  17. Marriottsville (a portion is also in Howard County.)
  18. Middleburg
  19. Millers
  20. Patapsco
  21. Silver Run
  22. Union Mills
  23. Uniontown
  24. Woodbine (a portion is also in Howard County.)
  25. Woodstock (a portion is also in Howard County.)

[edit] Public schools

The Carroll County Public Schools School system is the ninth largest school district in the state of Maryland.

[edit] Law Enforcement

Law enforcement services for the county are provided by the Carroll County Sheriff's Office, Maryland State Police, as well as several municipalities having their own police forces. In addition to providing police services, the Sheriff's Office also acts as an agent of the courts: serving warrants, enforcing child support laws, ensuring courthouse security, transporting prisoners, etc. On October 4th, 2007, the County Commissioners voted to create a police department for the county. The police department would handle primary law enforcement duties while the Sheriff's office would continue to act under the arm of the courts. This move would give the Commissioners power to appoint or fire the chief of police instead of having a popularly elected Sheriff being in charge of all law enforcement. This move falls in line with Maryland's more populated counties who have such a dual system of law enforcement (Montgomery, Anne Arundel, Prince George's, Howard and Baltimore Counties), as Carroll County has begun to have a population increase. Municipal departments, such as Westminster Police, would be unaffected by the change. http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2008/01/09/news/local_news/newsstory4.txt

[edit] Miscellaneous

Chris Rock stood in front of North Carroll Middle School during his speech in the movie "Head of State."

[edit] References

  1. ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 39°34′N 77°01′W / 39.57, -77.02