Howard County, Maryland, is often named one of the best places to live in the United States because it has great schools, hospitals, and job prospects. Still, different parts of the county are not always safe, and some areas have higher crime rates than others.
How Does Howard County Compare to Other Counties in Maryland?
Web searches show that Howard County has lower crime rates than both the state and national averages for Maryland. It also does better than many other counties with similar populations. Still, crime rates can be different in different neighborhoods, with some places being safer than others.
The northwest part of Howard County is the best, while the southeast part is known to have more crime. Howard County is known for more than just its low crime rate. It is also known for its excellent schools, healthcare, and strong economy, making it regularly one of the best places to live in the United States.
Here are the most up-to-date crime rates and maps from several different sources that show which five Howard County areas are thought to be the most dangerous.
| Neighborhood | Population | Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000) | Property Crime Rate (per 1,000) |
| North Laurel | 21,000 | 6.2 | 49.8 |
| Savage | 7,000 | 5.9 | 47.3 |
| Jessup | 7,000.00 | 5 | 46 |
| Elkridge | 16,000.00 | 5 | 44.9 |
| Columbia | 103,000.00 | 4 | 43 |
The North Laurel
North Laurel is a census-designated place (CDP) in the southeast corner of Howard County. It has about 21,000 people living there. There are lines between it and Prince George’s County and Montgomery County. The city of Laurel is close by.
CrimeGrade.org says that North Laurel has the highest rate of violent crime in Howard County, with 6.2 crimes per 1,000 people. Additionally, there is a high rate of property crime in the area, with 49.8 crimes for every 1,000 people. This includes theft, burglary, and car theft.
Read More: Discover the 5 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Bannock County, Idaho!
Savage
The CDP of Savage is in the southeast corner of Howard County and has about 7,000 people living there. It is on the Little Patuxent River and has a long history as a mill town. It is famous for its railroad stop.
Reports from CrimeGrade.org show that 5.9 violent crimes happen for every 1,000 people living in Savage, making it the second-most dangerous city in Howard County. There is also a high rate of property crime in the area, with 47.3 incidents per 1,000 people.
Jessup
Jessup is in the southern part of Howard County and has a population of about 7,000 people. It is close to the border with Anne Arundel County and is home to several state and federal prisons.
CrimeGrade.org says that with 5.1 incidents per 1,000 people, Jessup has the third-highest rate of violent crime in Howard County. In addition, there is a high rate of property crime in the area, with 46.4 incidents per 1,000 people.
The Elkridge
The town of Elkridge is in the eastern part of Howard County and has about 16,000 people living there. It is one of the oldest towns in Howard County and is located on the Patapsco River.
Notably, CrimeGrade.org says that Elkridge has the fourth-highest rate of violent crime in Howard County, with 4.5 crimes for every 1,000 people. Additionally, there is a higher rate of property crime in the area, with 44.9 incidents per 1,000 people.
Columbia
Columbia is the biggest Census-Designated Place (CDP) in Howard County. It is a well-planned community with about 103,000 people living there. The neighborhood is split into 10 separate towns, and each one has its amenities and personality. People praise Columbia for being diverse, culturally rich, and having a high quality of life generally.
Despite this, it has problems with crime rates. With 3.8 violent crimes per 1,000 people, CrimeGrade.org says it has the fifth-highest rate of violent crime in Howard County. The community also has a high rate of property crime, with 43.2 incidents per 1,000 people.
Read More: Discover the 5 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina!
Conclusion
Howard County, Maryland, is mostly a safe and thriving town, but there are some places where crime is more likely to happen. The chart below shows that the five areas listed above have the highest rates of both violent and property crime in the county.
Still, it’s important to remember that crime rates change depending on things like time, place, and situation. People who live in or visit these places should be careful and use good judgment when moving around them. People can still enjoy all of Howard County’s benefits and draws as long as they know about the possible risks and take the necessary precautions.