(OCTOBER 28, 1997 - Baltimore) -- The Baltimore metropolitan region, which includes Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard Counties, is projected to grow by 316,000 people or 13 percent between 1995 and 2020, according to new forecasts released by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC). Howard County is expected to experience the greatest population gain (83,500). This is just one of the findings of the of the Cooperative Forecasting Group, a technical committee consisting of representatives of the six jurisdictions, the Maryland Office of Planning and BMC staff.

"Population and household forecasts are crucial to economic development and transportation planning," said Howard County Executive Charles I. Ecker, who serves as BMC Chair. "These forecasts incorporate the latest socioeconomic estimates, the latest changes in zoning and any revisions or updates to local government master plans and land use policies."

The Baltimore region is expected to gain more than 208,000 new households by 2020, a 23 percent increase. The greatest rate of household growth is expected in Howard County, with a 51 percent increase between 1995 and 2020. However, Anne Arundel and Baltimore Counties are projected to lead the region in the actual numbers of new households, growing by 54,300 and 45,300 respectively.

There should also be 288,000 new jobs in the region to support all those households. Job growth is expected to increase by more than one-half in Howard County, by one-third in Harford County and one-quarter in Anne Arundel and Baltimore Counties.

Bel Air/Fallston, Laurel and Randallstown are areas with the greatest projected growth of both households and jobs. Each area is expected to gain more than 10,000 jobs. Crofton, Edgewood/Joppa and Perry Hall/White Marsh are also expected to register significant household growth, while Columbia, Elkridge and Reisterstown/Owings Mills are projected to gain more than 10,000 jobs each.

Baltimore City is expected to experience a net decline of 21,500 people over the 25-year period. At the same time, the number of households is expected to increase by 9,900 units, reflecting the city's ability to attract and retain a larger share of one- and two-person households.

The full report, entitled FINAL REPORT, Forecasts of Population, Households, Labor Force and Employment, 1995-2020, is available from BMC's Regional Information Center for $25.00 per copy. Data tables are also available on diskette. For more information contact Mary Logan at 410-333-4881.

"The use of an officially endorsed set of forecasts was specifically mandated in the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) and its companion Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990," stated Paul Farragut, BMC's Executive Director. "The newly released forecasts, which reflect the current policies of our local governments, will be used as a model input in the creation of the 1997 Baltimore Region Long-Range Transportation Plan."

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