Towson is a census-designated place located in Baltimore County, Maryland. As of the 2000 census, the CDP had a total population of 51,793. It is the county seat of Baltimore County.

Towson is the site of Hampton, the largest home in the United States when completed in 1790. It is maintained as the Hampton National Historic Site .

Geography

Towson is located at 39°23'35" North, 76°36'34" West (39.392980, -76.609562)¹.

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 is water. The total area is 1.06% water.

The town is located immediately north of Baltimore City, inside the beltway (I-695), along I-83 and York Road. Lutherville-Timonium lies to the north.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 51,793 people, 21,063 households, and 11,331 families residing in the CDP. The population density is 1,424.3/km² (3,688.7/mi²). There are 21,997 housing units at an average density of 604.9/km² (1,566.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP is 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. 1.90% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

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

In the CDP the population is 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 82.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 78.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP is $53,775, and the median income for a family is $75,832. Males have a median income of $49,554 versus $38,172 for females. The per capita income for the CDP is $32,502. 7.7% of the population and 2.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 3.8% of those under the age of 18 and 4.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

History

The communtity of Towson began about 1750 when two brothers, William and Thomas Towson, emigrated from Pennsylvania and started farming on Sater'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 Towson 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 built the magnificent Hampton estate, while 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 what is Towsontown Centre.)

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.

Source: Historic Towson Inc.

Colleges and universities

• Towson University
• Goucher College
• Calvert Hall College

External links

• Towson.com