The total population of the region reached 2,594,135 in 2004. The largest jurisdictions; ranking third, fourth and fifth in the state are - Baltimore County (780,821), Baltimore City (636,251), and Anne Arundel County (508,572). Carroll is the smallest county in the region (166,159).

From 1990 to 2004 the population of the state and the nation increased by 16.3 percent and 18.1 percent respectively. However, the population in the region increased by only 10.5 percent. The smaller but faster growing counties (Howard, Carroll, and Harford) in the region, coupled with the large and growing Washington, D.C. suburban counties are the key sources of the state’s growth. Population losses in Baltimore City and moderate growth in Baltimore County constrained growth in the region.

During this 15–year period, the greatest rate of population gain in the region occurred in Howard County (42.4 percent). Carroll County was a close second (34.7 percent). However, in absolute numbers, the 88,700 increase in Baltimore County is the largest gain and the 81,400 increase in Anne Arundel County is a close second. Anne Arundel and Howard County, who enjoy the closest proximity to the Washington Capital area, together grew by 160,800 or 65 percent of the total growth of the region.

Baltimore City was the only jurisdiction in the region that lost population from 1990 to 2004. Of the 24 jurisdictions in the State of Maryland, only Baltimore City and Allegany County saw their populations decline. Following many older northeast central cities, the population of Baltimore City continued to decline. Nearly 100,000 people, 13.5 percent of the 1990 population, moved from the city to newer suburban and exurban locations.

However, after a steady stream of increasing population losses in the early 1990’s, Baltimore City saw its population decline at a slower pace from 1999 onward. The slight population rise in 2003 (1.1 percent) followed by the slight decline in 2004 (1.1 percent) may presage a period of greater stability ahead. Supporters of urban lifestyles credit the City’s trendy and growing "urban village" neighborhoods as the attraction that reversed decades of population decline.

Baltimore County, which practically surrounds Baltimore City, grew by 11.4 percent from 1990 to 2004, the slowest pace of any jurisdictions in the region. When the population of the County and the City are combined, the population of this "Greater Baltimore" declined less than 1 percent during this period.

In 2000, the median age for the region (36.1 years) was not significantly higher than that of the state (36.0 years), or the nation (35.3 years). Additionally, the age structure of the region mirrors that of the state and the nation. However, the region is composed of slightly more people over 65 years of age (12 percent) than the state (11.3 percent). Within the region, Baltimore County has the most older residents; 38 percent of its population is over 45 years of age. It also has most young residents, 23.6 percent of its population is under 17 years of age. The median age of the population in the region, consistent with state and national trends, rose by nearly three years in every decade from 1970 to 2000.

The age composition of the region in 2000 shares key characteristics with its 1990 counterpart. With 31 percent of the population, persons 25-44 years of age remain the largest age group. The second largest group, persons 45-64 years of age, is 23 percent of the population.

The number of elderly persons, aging baby boomers, and school aged youth increased. The size of the 5 and under, 18-24 and 25-44 age cohorts decreased. The number of persons 45 years old and over rose 21.3 percent. More changes are ahead as the population of the region ages.

For Baltimore City, its 2000 population was lower than its 1990 population in every age category except one. The 45-64 age group grew by 6.8 percent, still considerably less than other jurisdictions in the region. The largest decline of any cohort, 26.8 percent, was among persons 5 years of age and younger.

At its current rate of growth, the region will reach one million households by the close of 2005. For 2004, the region’s 994,465 households represented an increase of 8,600 households above the previous year. Within the region, Baltimore County ranked number one with 311,525 households. Ranking second was Baltimore City with 254,275 households. Carroll County registered the fewest with 57,550 households.

From 1990 to 2003, the region grew by 118,600 households. This 13.6 percent increase lagged behind the 21 percent national growth rate for the same period. Paralleling the population trends evident in older urban areas of the nation, households in Baltimore City declined from 1990 to 2003. The 7.7 percent drop equaled a loss of 21,300 households.

Howard County enjoyed the largest increase in households among jurisdictions in the region, rising by 41.2 percent--nearly twice the national rate. The remarkable household growth in Howard County is attributed to a number of attractions. The public school system is regarded as one of the best in the state. State and interstate roadway facilities are well planned and in excellent condition. New housing, though expensive, is diverse and available. A variety of upscale retail and commercial activity centers are conveniently accessible. The county is a short drive from the major employment centers that drive the Washington-Baltimore-Northern Virginia Combined Statistical Area (CSA).