Harford County Information in Maryland

Harford County is located to the northeast of Baltimore City. It is bordered by Pennsylvania to the north, the Susquehanna River and Cecil County to the east, Chesapeake Bay to the south, and Baltimore County to the east.

The county has a population of approximately 240,000, over an area of 527 square miles. It is home to the three major municipalities of Aberdeen, Bel Air (the county seat), and Havre de Grace.

Harford County is located approximately 25 mi (35 mins) northeast of Baltimore City, and 80 mi (1.5 hrs) Southwest of Philadelphia.

There are 3 major routes crossing the county, leading towards Baltimore City: Interstate 95, US-1 and US-40.

Harford County Real Estate

The Harford County real estate market offers home buyers a great alternative to the hustle and bustle of the big city. With its ideal blend of affordable suburban and rural living, and easy access to the Baltimore area, this thriving area is in high demand.

Harford County offers a variety of family-friendly communities, highly-ranked public schools, and convenient amenities. Commuters can access major employers both in the county, and the Baltimore area. It is no wonder that Niche.com ranks the county as one of the Top 5 Best Counties for Families in Maryland.

Real estate in northern Harford County features more rural properties, with farms and acreages centered around smaller villages. The Southern region features more densely populated towns and neighborhoods. Mid-western Harford County’s rural landscape is rapidly growing, with new home construction on the rise.

Homes in Harford County come in a variety of styles, varying from stone farmhouses, to lovingly restored Victorian homes, to brick Colonial homes, to mid-century bungalows. Newer neighborhoods will feature more modern designs, with Colonial and Craftsman influences. A common theme is large lots, with lots of space for families.

There are plenty of condo and townhomes in more suburban areas, often within walking distance of essential amenities. These properties are excellent options for first-time home buyers, and young professionals.

Harford County Attractions

Located just northeast of Baltimore, Harford County is strategically located along the scenic shores of Chesapeake Bay and the Susquehanna River. The vibrant area offers residents and visitors beautiful landscapes, a wonderful mix of bustling urban centers and historic harbor towns, and a variety of cultural and recreational amenities.

The County’s main three municipalities, Aberdeen, Bel Air and Havre de Grace, are only minutes apart, but each has its own unique character. Bel Air, the county seat, is a small town with a city vibe. Its downtown area is full of great restaurants and boutiques, and has great city parks and community events. Havre de Grace is steeped in maritime history, with many museums, and historical sites.

Aberdeen is known as an “All American City”. Established by the military, it has been home to the US Army’s Proving Ground since 1917, and it features the US Army Ordnance Museum, with a collection of historic artillery and tanks from all around the world. Aberdeen is also the birthplace of baseball’s legendary Ripken family. They are proudly immortalized with a museum, baseball camps and a minor-league ballpark, which is home of the IronBirds, a minor-league affiliate of the MLB’s Baltimore Orioles.

Harford County boasts three state parks, where locals can explore any number of outdoor adventures. The Rocks State Park features Kilgore Falls, the state’s second highest vertical falls, and 3.5 miles of hiking trails, fishing, tubing and deer bow hunting. Susquehanna State Park is a favorite for mountain bikers, and features great boating, fishing and camping.

Golfers have their pick of great courses in Harford County. The Bulle Rock Golf Course in Havre de Grace is one of only sixteen 5-star Zagat rated golf courses in the US. Other top-rated local courses include the Winters Run Golf Club, and Woodholme Golf Club.

Harford County’s rich history is proudly celebrated at a variety of museums and historical sites. The Havre de Grace Maritime Museum celebrates the area’s storied maritime history, and the Decoy Museum features over 1200 decorative carvings and hunting decoys. The Steppingstone Museum is a recreation of a working farm from the late 19th century, and the Concord Point Lighthouse is one of the oldest operating lighthouses in the nation.

Harford County features a bevy of agricultural attractions. Residents can enjoy everything from dairy and produce farm stands, to local farmers markets, local wineries and breweries, even an ice cream trail and barn quilt trail.

County residents enjoy a busy festival and community events calendar, with regular events year-round. Some highlights include the Fiore Wine and Jazz Festival, the Bel Air Festival for the Arts, Children’s Art Festival & Art Contest, Darlington Apple Festival, Annual Duck Fair, Fall Harvest Festival, Havre de Grace Bull & Oyster Roast.

Harford County’s location is ideal for those looking to enjoy amenities not only in the Baltimore area, but for road trips along the Eastern Seaboard as well. For longer trips, Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) is only 35 miles away as well.

Harford County History

The area of Harford County was originally settled by the Massawomecks and Susquehannocks. John Smith was the first European to reach the area in 1608, when he travelled up Chesapeake Bay from Jamestown. In 1652, the English and Susquehannocks signed a treaty at what is now Annapolis for the land.

Harford County was officially formed in 1774, from the eastern part of Baltimore County. It was named for Henry Harford, the illegitimate son of Frederick Calvert, 6th Baron Baltimore. Harford served as the last Proprietary Governor of Maryland, but because of his illegitimacy, did not inherit his father’s title.

In 1775, Harford County hosted the signers of the Bush Declaration, a precursor document to the American Revolution. The county seat was established in Bel Air in 1782.

The county city of Havre de Grace, incorporated in 1785, was once under the consideration to be the capital of the United States rather than Washington DC. This was due to its strategic location at the top of Chesapeake Bay, which would facilities trade while being secure in the time of war.

As the county sits at the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay along the Susquehanna River, it plays a key role in controlling sediment and fertilizer runoff into the bay, as well as fostering aquatic vegetation regrowth. The county delicately balances the needs of landowners to practice agriculture and/or pave land, with the effects of runoff into the bay.

Harford County has been featured in movies and television shows like Tuck Everlasting, From Within, and House of Cards.

• Harford County At A Glance
• Ranked in Top 10 on Money Magazine’s list of America’s Best Places to Live
• Easy access to Baltimore and BWI Airport
• One of the best-ranked school districts in Maryland and the U.S.