Towson, Maryland

Towson is an unincorporated community and a census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. The population was 51,793 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Baltimore County. It's also one of the largest unincorporated county seats in the United States.

Birthplaces of United States vice-presidents

History

The community of Towson began about 1750 when two brothers, William and Thomas Towson, emigrated from Pennsylvania and started farming on Satyr's Hill, to the northeast of York and Joppa Roads. In 1768 Thomas' son, Ezekiel built a large tavern at the crossroads, just north of where the Recher Theater is now. A small village called "Towsontown" began to grow around it, serving area farmers who traveled on York, Dulaney Valley, and Joppa Roads.

In 1790, the Ridgely family completed the magnificent Hampton Mansion, then the largest home in America.^* On the estate, other buildings were erected by the Chews, Shealeys, Schmucks, Phipps, Paynes, Lees, Bowens, Wares, and Bosleys. In 1839, Epsom Chapel became the first house of worship for the community. (It was demolished in 1950, making way for Towson Plaza, now Towson Town Center.)

A new era began in 1854 when the Court House construction started and Towson officially became the Baltimore County Seat. Numerous buildings were built in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and styles, giving the community a distinctive 19th Century atmosphere that is still visible.

As the area is adjacent to Baltimore City, some amenities in the City are commonly thought to be part of the Towson area, such as the nearby Senator Theater.

Major neighborhoods in Towson include Anneslie, Rodgers Forge, Stoneleigh, Wiltondale, Southland Hills, Hunt Crest Estates, East Towson, and West Towson. Ruxton, which lies to the west, is sometimes considered a part of Towson.

Geography

Towson is located at (39.392980, -76.609562).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 36.8 km² (14.2 mi²). 36.4 km² (14.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.4 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (1.06%) is water.

The community is located immediately north of Baltimore City, inside the Beltway (I-695), east of I-83 and along York Road. Its census boundaries include Pikesville to the west, Lutherville-Timonium and Hampton to the north, Parkville to the east, and Baltimore to the south.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 51,793 people, 21,063 households, and 11,331 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,424.3/km² (3,688.7/mi²). There were 21,997 housing units at an average density of 604.9/km² (1,566.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 86.94% White, 7.53% African American, 0.10% Native American, 3.74% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.90% of the population.

There were 21,063 households out of which 23.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.2% were non-families. 36.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 17.4% under the age of 18, 17.5% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 20.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 82.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $53,775, and the median income for a family was $75,832. Males had a median income of $49,554 versus $38,172 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $32,502. About 2.5% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.

Towson's Population History

1960....19,090
1970....77,768
1980....51,083
1990....49,445
2000....51,793
Census Boundaries in 1970 extended beyond the community proper.

Shopping and Entertainment

Library

Towson Library

Education

Public Schools

Private Schools

Colleges and universities

Trivia

Elaine Benes, of the 1990s NBC sitcom Seinfeld, is from Towson.
Birthplace of Vice President Spiro Agnew (1969-1973).
In the Splinter Cell novels by Raymond Benson, the character of Sam Fisher resides in a Townhouse in the southern part of Towson.
Harris Glen Milstead, aka Divine, who was made famous by director John Waters in movies such as Pink Flamingos and Hairspray is buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery.
Olympic swimmer (2004) Michael Phelps is from the Rodgers Forge area of Towson.
Famed NBA player, Carmello Anthony attended Towson Catholic High School.
Towson was the last place of residence of artist Jane Frank (1918-1986)

Sources

Historic Towson Inc.

External links

Baltimore County, Maryland | Census-designated places in Maryland | Unincorporated communities in Maryland

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