The US Census was created to determine representation in Congress, but it also provides enlightening snapshots of who Americans are and where and how we live. Analysis of the 2000 Census data tells us that the population in the Baltimore region is growing larger and more diverse, with more school-aged children than in 1990. However, there are lots of one- and two-person households in the region, and the majority of households have no children under the age of 18. Furthermore, the vast majority of senior citizens is remaining in family or other households. 

The Baltimore region grew to 2,512,000 residents in 2000, representing an increase from 1990 of 7 percent, or 164,000 people. These figures reflect growth throughout the region's suburban jurisdictions. 

Most of the region's growth resulted from striking increases in the number of racial and ethnic minorities. From 1990 to 2000 the number of Hispanic residents surged by 80.1 percent, Asian-Americans increased by 66.7 percent, and the black population grew by 13.9 percent. Meanwhile, the non-Hispanic white population declined from 1,661,000 in 1990 to 1,657,000 in 2000.

The gain in population translated into a gain of 91,000 households during the 1990s. Two-thirds of those gains were in Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties. Baltimore City, which lost population between 1900 and 2000, also lost 18,488 households.

Almost all of the net gain was in owner-occupied household units. Again, the majority of the gains were in Anne Arundel and Baltimore counties, while Baltimore City lost 4,555 owner-occupied units. However, Baltimore City also lost nearly 14,000 rental units. For the first time, a majority of Baltimore City households lived in owner-occupied units.

The number of children in creased by 12.1 percent regionwide, and the under-18 population comprised 25.3 percent of the region's population in 2000, compared to 24.6 percent of the population in 1990. This group grew faster than the overall population throughout the suburban jurisdictions. The regional increase in the number of school-age children reflects the baby boomlet, which began in the early 1980s and peaked in the early 1990s.

However, only 32 percent of households in 2000 reported having children under 18, while 35 percent of families reported no children under 18. Most of the married couples with children under 18 live on the fringes of the region, in western Howard County and eastern Harford County, with smaller pockets in southern Anne Arundel County and part parts of Carroll County.

Meanwhile, a growing percentage of the region's households consists of only one or two persons. More than 60 percent of households in Baltimore City and Baltimore County are one- and two-person households. At least half the households in every jurisdiction in the region consist of one or two persons. The highest concentrations of small households are located in the northern and western parts of Baltimore City, and along the I-795 and I-83 corridors in Baltimore County.

The region's population living in group quarters increased by 10,000 people in the last decade, with 25 percent of that population located in college dormitories and another 25 percent in correctional institutions. Eighteen percent of those living in group quarters are in nursing homes.

However, only 5 percent of the population 65 and older resides in nursing homes or group quarters. Nearly two-thirds of our senior citizens live in family households, while 28 percent are managing to live alone.

Posted: January 24, 2002