Harford County, Maryland: commercial real estate data.
Harford County, Maryland had an estimated 265,514 residents on July 1, 2024, up 1.8 percent since the 2020 census base of 260,932, across 437 square miles. County output reached $17.91 bn in 2024, 5,636 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 288 7(a) approvals worth $105.3 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Harford County
How many people live in Harford County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024263,757
- Households101,795
- Average household size2.59
- Median household income$112,265
- Median age40.5
- Median gross rent$1,586 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$386,400
- Home value to household income3.4 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income17.0 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher40.3 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree17.0 percent
- Adults 25 and over185,051
- Population under 1858,777
- Share under 1822.3 percent
- Population 65 and over46,016
- Share 65 and over17.4 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 64158,964
- Civilian labor force141,590
- Unemployment rate3.8 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over69.1 percent
- Rank by population among Maryland counties8th of 24
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included275th of 3,222
Harford County is the 8th largest of 24 Maryland counties by population. A median home costs 3.4 times median household income, which is moderately unaffordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 22.3 percent against 17.4 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Harford County
Is Harford County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 2024265,514
- Census 2020 base population260,932
- Population change since the 2020 census base1.76 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 2024743
- Births, 20242,595
- Deaths, 20242,448
- Natural change, 2024147
- Net domestic migration, 2024250
- Net international migration, 2024360
- Total net migration, 2024610
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 20243,211
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents1257th of 3,144
The county has grown 1.76 percent since the 2020 census base. The population grew in 2024 from both sources: births exceeded deaths and more people moved in than left.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Harford County
Where are people moving to Harford County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving6,656
- People arriving, from those returns12,055
- Tax returns filed by households leaving6,483
- Net household movement173
- Adjusted gross income arriving$488.3 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$-5.7 m
- Average income of an arriving household$73,369
- Average income of a leaving household$76,203
- Largest single originBaltimore County (2,188 households)
- Largest single destinationBaltimore County (1,463 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore County | 2,188 | 4,098 | $166.4 m |
| Baltimore city | 685 | 1,253 | $45.8 m |
| Cecil County | 351 | 616 | $20.5 m |
| Anne Arundel County | 287 | 541 | $21.6 m |
| York County | 180 | 297 | $10.9 m |
| Howard County | 124 | 241 | $11.8 m |
| Prince George's County | 111 | 190 | $6.0 m |
| Montgomery County | 93 | 150 | $7.6 m |
Households arriving report $2,834 less average income than households leaving, which drains spending power even where headcount holds up. The largest single source of arrivals is Baltimore County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Harford County
What is the Harford County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$17.91 bn
- County GDP, 2023$17.06 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20245.0 percent
- GDP change over five years29.0 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Maryland areas BEA publishes8th of 24
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes287th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$67,887
Output grew 5.0 percent in the latest year and 29.0 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Harford County
Employment by industry in Harford County
- Covered employment, annual average95,188
- Establishments reporting6,155
- Average annual pay$68,533
- Average weekly wage$1,318
- Retail trade, employment11,938
- Retail trade, average annual pay$39,313
- Health care and social assistance, employment11,265
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$59,933
- Accommodation and food services, employment8,114
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$25,013
- Professional, scientific and technical services, employment8,107
- Professional, scientific and technical services, average annual pay$110,013
- Construction, employment6,348
- Transportation and warehousing, employment5,536
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail trade | 11,938 | 663 | $39,313 |
| Health care and social assistance | 11,265 | 690 | $59,933 |
| Accommodation and food services | 8,114 | 424 | $25,013 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 8,107 | 939 | $110,013 |
| Construction | 6,348 | 780 | $73,956 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 5,536 | 197 | $51,110 |
| Manufacturing | 4,840 | 178 | $78,526 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 4,663 | 414 | $51,213 |
Retail trade is the largest private sector at 11,938 jobs, 12.5 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Harford County
How many businesses are in Harford County?
- Establishments, all industries5,636
- Employment at those establishments79,488
- Annual payroll$4.39 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents21.4
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Harford County
Building permits in Harford County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 2024803
- Declared construction value permitted$186.1 m
- Single family units authorized777
- Multifamily units authorized26
- Multifamily share of units3.2 percent
- Average declared value per unit$231,768
- Units authorized per 1,000 households7.9
Single-family homes are 96.8 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Harford County
SBA loans in Harford County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded288
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$105.3 m
- Average 7(a) approval$365,593
- Median 7(a) approval$100,000
- 10th percentile approval$20,000
- 90th percentile approval$1,037,790
- Largest single approval$5,000,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)2,582
- Jobs per approval9.0
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active50
- Distinct industries receiving approvals133
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer5.2 percent
- Loans on real estate terms15
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter253
- Franchise loans34
- Franchise share of approvals11.8 percent
- Leading industry by approval countFull-Service Restaurants (18)
- Most active lenderManufacturers and Traders Trust Company (155)
- 504 approvals recorded37
- 504 gross approval dollars$33.1 m
- Average 504 approval$894,703
- Median 504 approval$564,000
- Distinct CDCs active4
- 504 jobs per approval10.5
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved11.7
- Most active CDCBusiness Finance Group, Inc. (28)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$138.4 m
The average approval of $365,593 sits well above the median of $100,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 5.2 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Harford County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Harford County
Do SBA loans in Harford County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded47
- Paid in full39
- Charged off8
- Charge-off rate on resolved loans17.0 percent
- Status: Paid in full39
- Status: Cancelled45
- Status: Exempt from disclosure184
- Status: Charged off8
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed12
Of the 47 loans that have reached a final outcome, 17.0 percent were charged off. This is computed only over resolved loans, because a loan still running has not yet succeeded or failed and counting it either way would be wrong.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Harford County
SBA lending by place in Harford County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending19
- Bel Air, approvals87
- Abingdon, approvals31
- Forest Hill, approvals28
- Aberdeen, approvals27
- Havre de Grace, approvals26
- Edgewood, approvals26
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Bel Air | 87 | $26,359,600 |
| Abingdon | 31 | $4,945,800 |
| Forest Hill | 28 | $8,968,200 |
| Aberdeen | 27 | $6,996,300 |
| Havre de Grace | 26 | $10,608,900 |
| Edgewood | 26 | $9,267,700 |
| Joppa | 16 | $12,413,900 |
| Pylesville | 8 | $2,231,600 |
| 11 other borrower cities | 39 | $23,498,800 |
Bel Air accounts for 87 approvals against 31 in Abingdon. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Harford County
How large is Harford County?
- Land area437 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Maryland counties11th of 24
- Width, east to west27.2 mi
- Height, north to south28.9 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary4
- Residents per square mile of land604
- Establishments per square mile12.90
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Harford County
Flood risk in Harford County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Harford County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 240040
- Community Rating System class of the county's own communityClass 7
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book4
- Of those, participating in the NFIP4
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Best Community Rating System class in the county A lower CRS class is a larger flood insurance premium discount.Class 6
- Communities carrying a CRS class3
- Radon levels in Harford County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/LZone 1
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Harford County (community 240040), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries Community Rating System class 7, a flood insurance premium discount for policies written there. The EPA places Harford County in radon zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. The best Community Rating System class among the county's communities is 6, which carries a flood insurance premium discount for policies written in that community. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Harford County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Harford County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024263,757
- Households101,795
- Average household size2.59
- Median household income$112,265
- Median age40.5
Common questions
Harford County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Harford County, Maryland?
The Census Bureau estimates 265,514 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 263,757, in 101,795 households, ranking 8th of 24 Maryland counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Harford County's population growing?
The population has grown 1.76 percent since the 2020 census base of 260,932, to 265,514 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 2,595 births against 2,448 deaths, with net migration of 610. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Harford County?
$112,265. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $386,400, which is 3.4 times income, and median gross rent is $1,586 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Harford County?
5,636 establishments, employing 79,488 people with an annual payroll of $4.39 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Harford County?
Retail trade is the largest private sector at 11,938 jobs, 12.5 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 95,188 jobs at an average annual pay of $68,533, or $1,318 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Harford County?
288 7(a) approvals totaling $105.3 m since FY2020, across 50 lenders, with a median approval of $100,000, plus 37 504 approvals worth $33.1 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
Do SBA loans in Harford County get paid back?
Of the 47 loans that have reached a final outcome, 39 were paid in full and 8 charged off, a charge-off rate of 17.0 percent. Loans still running are excluded, because they have not yet succeeded or failed.
How many building permits were issued in Harford County?
803 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $186.1 m. Multifamily was 3.2 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Harford County?
Zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Harford County come from?
The largest single origin is Baltimore County, with 2,188 households. Arriving households report an average income of $73,369 against $76,203 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Harford County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Harford County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Harford County
Cities and places in Harford.
16 Census places lie wholly or partly in Harford County. All 16 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bel Air South | CDP | 58,137 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Bel Air North | CDP | 31,302 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Edgewood | CDP | 24,922 | 26 | Wholly in this county |
| Aberdeen | city | 17,298 | 27 | Wholly in this county |
| Havre de Grace | city | 14,994 | 26 | Wholly in this county |
| Joppatowne | CDP | 14,237 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Bel Air | town | 10,585 | 87 | Wholly in this county |
| Fallston | CDP | 10,013 | 5 | Wholly in this county |
| Riverside | CDP | 6,585 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Abingdon | CDP | 5,019 | 31 | Wholly in this county |
| Pleasant Hills | CDP | 3,836 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Jarrettsville | CDP | 2,560 | 6 | Wholly in this county |
| Aberdeen Proving Ground | CDP | 2,193 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Perryman | CDP | 2,174 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Pylesville | CDP | 933 | 8 | Wholly in this county |
| Darlington | CDP | 353 | 6 | Wholly in this county |
A further 65 of the county's 288 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Harford County, the largest being Forest Hill (28), Joppa (16), Belcamp (7). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.
Nearby