RANK #591 / 996 · POP 173,225 · MD
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.4%
Sykesville, once named "Coolest Small Town in America," offers a glimpse into Carroll County, Maryland's distinctive character. Located in the central part of the state, Carroll County sits between Baltimore and Frederick counties, providing a blend of rural scenery and suburban amenities. Commuting to Baltimore or Washington D.C. is possible via MTA commuter buses, though the average one-way commute of 35.6 minutes is longer than the national average. The county's landscape features rolling hills, deciduous forests, and waterways like the Patapsco River and Piney Run Reservoir, offering opportunities for hiking, fishing, and boating at parks such as Piney Run Park and Hashawha Environmental Center.
Life in Carroll County often appeals to families, with highly rated public schools. The community maintains a traditional, close-knit feel. The local economy is diverse, with a significant presence in manufacturing, transportation, and health and business services. While agriculture remains important, there is also a focus on nurturing bioscience and other emerging enterprises. The county has also invested in broadband infrastructure to support its growing businesses.
Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 9.9x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Blue Crab Solar & Storage LLC
Blue Crab Solar & Storage LLC
|
$125M | Proposed |
|
Knorr Brake Company Expansion
Knorr Brake Company
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Residential Developments (Multiple Communities)
Various Homebuilders (e.g., Keystone Custom Homes, Ryan Homes)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Broadband Infrastructure Expansion (Fiber Optic Network)
Carroll County Government / Internet Service Providers
|
$38M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Carroll County has a Boom Town Index score of 41/100, ranking #591 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.4% and a median household income of $111,672, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Carroll County is $390,200 with median rent at $1,283/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2862, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.6% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.4%. Home values changed +1.4% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.39% of Carroll County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.