Our Communities

Columbia, Maryland

Columbia, Maryland claims nearly 28 square miles of MD's heartland in Howard County. Columbia sits just 20 minutes from Baltimore, approximately 40 minutes from MD's capital city, Annapolis, and 40 minutes from Washington, D.C., the nation's capital. Ocean City and numerous other enticing Atlantic coast beaches are all within a two-hour drive. Comprised of 10 self-contained villages, this Baltimore suburb reported a population of 88,254 at the time of the 2000 Census.

While the retail, services, and wholesale industries dominate Columbia's economy, research, development and government agencies also play a vital role. There are several large U.S. Department of Defense installations, such as the National Security Agency at Fort George G. Meade, and numerous R&D facilities that include the Applied Physics Laboratory, which provides a wealth of jobs in the area. Those seeking employment in Columbia also have an array of options in nearby Baltimore. In addition to the various interstate highways, commuters have access to the Baltimore Washington International (BWI) Airport.

Lake Elkhorn, Lake Kittamaqundi, and Wilde Lake surround the scenic park areas in Columbia, creating the ideal setting for boating, fishing, sailing, and swimming. Local museums and historic sites in the area include the B&O Railroad Station Museum, the Firehouse Museum, The James Marlow House, Patapsco Female Institute Historic Park, and the Waverly Mansion. Other popular destinations include Clyde's, the The Mall in Columbia, Sonoma's, and Merriweather Post Pavilion, the area's premier outdoor concert venue. Columbia also has a wide range of public recreational facilities that includes 23 swimming pools, two water slides, an equestrian center, ice and roller rinks, jogging trails, miniature golf, and various athletic fields and tracks.

Columbia features an outstanding selection of clinics and other healthcare facilities. Local hospitals and other health-related facilities include Howard County General Hospital and Kaiser Permanente. Additional hospitals in nearby Baltimore include Johns Hopkins, Maryland General Hospital, Mercy Medical Center, Saint Agnes Hospital, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Union Memorial Hospital, and the University of MD Medical Center. The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene coordinates the various healthcare facilities in Columbia and throughout the state. Those with questions or complaints regarding medical malpractice or negligence in the State of Maryland may contact this department.

Columbia is home to Howard Community College as well as such satellite campuses as the American Career Institute, Loyola University Maryland, and the University of Phoenix. In nearby Baltimore there are several additional post-secondary options. These include the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, Johns Hopkins University, Morgan State University, Sojourner-Douglass College, the University of Baltimore, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore.

Columbia, Maryland, a vibrant mid-sized community, offers an impressive variety of recreational opportunities and unparalleled historic charm. This award-winning city has multiple listings on Money Magazine's "Best Places to Live" list, with an 8^th place ranking in 2008 and a 2^nd place listing in 2010.