1st Advantage MortgageHarford County (263,757 residents) has a $112,265 median household income and $1,586 median rent, by the latest Census five-year survey. Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Harford County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- Harford County in brief
- The Harford County job picture
- What Harford County households earn
- Harford County at the extremes
- Harford County housing compared with Maryland
- Census places in Harford County
- Regional comparison for Harford County
- A Harford County household budget, worked through
- Age, degrees and coverage in Harford County
- What the numbers mean for Harford County borrowers
- Maryland lender licensing
- Steps before you apply in Harford County
- Beyond Harford County
- Frequently asked questions
Harford County in brief
Harford County is home to about 263,757 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 8th most populous of 24 county-level areas in Maryland. Harford County spans 437 square miles; with 263,757 people, that is 603.4 per square mile. Harford County counts toward the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro in the 2023 OMB delineation, so regional figures for Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD include it. Bel Air South (58,137 people) heads the county's list of 16 Census places, 3 incorporated and 13 census-designated.
The Harford County job picture
Education and health care employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; professional and administrative services is next with 15%. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.8% in Harford County. 19% of Harford County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 27% need 45 or more. Households without a car make up 4.4% of the total (8.8% statewide).
| Where residents work | Harford County | Difference from Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.5% | -0.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 15.0% | -1.5 pts |
| Public administration | 11.5% | +0.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.5% | +1.5 pts |
| Construction | 6.8% | -0.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.6% | -0.9 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
What Harford County households earn
At $112,265, the typical Harford County household income is 71% above the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Household income | Harford County | vs Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 13.6% | -2.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 30.1% | -2.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 36.8% | +5.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 19.6% | -0.7 pts |
About 14% of households earn under $35,000, while 56% clear $100,000. 7.1% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 9.4%). Gini index for Harford County: 0.408. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Harford County median.
Harford County at the extremes
Out of every Maryland county, Harford County is most unusual on these measures.
- The housing vacancy rate: 3% in Harford County. Only 1 of 24 Maryland counties are lower. Low vacancy tends to push rents up over time.
- The uninsured rate: 3.6% in Harford County. Only 2 of 24 Maryland counties are lower. Even insured households face deductibles; ask the provider about a payment plan.
Harford County housing compared with Maryland
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,586 in Harford County versus $1,705 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 49% of renter households here. With a median value of $386,400, a typical Harford County house costs 3.4 times what the median household earns in a year. 80% of Harford County households own their home and 20% rent. Nationally, Harford County's $1,586 rent is 81% above the middle county.
| Measure | Harford County | Maryland | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,586/mo | $1,705/mo | 7% lower |
| Median home value | $386,400 | $419,900 | 8% lower |
| Owners | 80% | 68% | +12.1 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 51% | -2.6 pts |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 27% | -3.9 pts |
| Mobile homes | 2.6% | 1.3% | +1.3 pts |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Census places in Harford County
Places, by size: the top 14 of 16. Roughly 22% of Harford County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Incomes vary by place: $173,171 at the median in Pylesville, $35,392 in Perryman. Rent is cheapest in Aberdeen ($1,363) and steepest in Fallston ($2,268). Bel Air South and every other Harford County community use this county guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bel Air South | CDP | 58,137 | $123,653 | $1,757 | 2 mi |
| Bel Air North | CDP | 31,302 | $137,336 | $1,624 | 4 mi |
| Edgewood | CDP | 24,922 | $80,772 | $1,375 | 8 mi |
| Aberdeen | city | 17,298 | $74,826 | $1,363 | 7 mi |
| Havre de Grace | city | 14,994 | $105,817 | $1,416 | 10 mi |
| Joppatowne | CDP | 14,237 | $117,881 | $1,729 | 9 mi |
| Bel Air | town | 10,585 | $74,605 | $1,492 | 2 mi |
| Fallston | CDP | 10,013 | $154,688 | $2,268 | 7 mi |
| Riverside | CDP | 6,585 | $105,785 | $1,898 | 5 mi |
| Abingdon | CDP | 5,019 | $136,833 | $2,083 | 5 mi |
| Pleasant Hills | CDP | 3,836 | $166,339 | $1,875 | 6 mi |
| Jarrettsville | CDP | 2,560 | $146,635 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Aberdeen Proving Ground | CDP | 2,193 | $125,069 | $2,086 | 11 mi |
| Perryman | CDP | 2,174 | $35,392 | n/a | 7 mi |
Regional comparison for Harford County
Baltimore County is closest, 18 miles from center to center; the sixth, York County, is 35 miles off. Harford County's $112,265 median trails 0 of the six and beats 6; the range runs $62,177 (Baltimore city) to $92,007 (Cecil County). The list crosses into Pennsylvania, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harford County | - | $112,265 | $1,586/mo | 80% |
| Baltimore County, MD | 18 mi | $91,768 | $1,627/mo | 66% |
| Cecil County, MD | 19 mi | $92,007 | $1,377/mo | 75% |
| Kent County, MD | 22 mi | $80,147 | $1,209/mo | 73% |
| Baltimore city, MD | 23 mi | $62,177 | $1,331/mo | 48% |
| Lancaster County, PA | 35 mi | $86,959 | $1,357/mo | 70% |
| York County, PA | 35 mi | $84,829 | $1,193/mo | 76% |
A Harford County household budget, worked through
Harford County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $112,265 a year is $9,355 of gross monthly income
- Housing at the median rent of $1,586 uses 17%
- At 36%, room after rent is $1,782 a month
Homeowners in Harford County should swap in their mortgage, taxes and insurance for rent.
Age, degrees and coverage in Harford County
College graduates make up 40% of the adult population. About 4% go without health insurance.
| Harford County | vs Maryland | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work from home | 14.9% | -4.4 pts | +6.2 pts |
| No vehicle | 4.4% | -4.4 pts | -1.0 pts |
| No high school diploma | 4.9% | -4.0 pts | n/a |
| Bachelor's or higher | 40.3% | -3.1 pts | +18.2 pts |
| No health insurance | 3.6% | -2.7 pts | -4.3 pts |
| Poverty rate | 7.1% | -2.3 pts | -6.0 pts |
| Median age | 40.5 | +1.1 yrs | -1.0 yrs |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.8% | -1.1 pts | -0.6 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 18.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 24.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 15.1% |
| 60+ min | 11.9% |
What the numbers mean for Harford County borrowers
A few patterns in the Harford County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Commuter costs. 27% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- 56% at $100,000+. Good credit gets more offers in Harford County; use that to compare, not to borrow more.
- Rent squeeze. 49% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Maryland lender licensing
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Harford County borrowers answers to the Maryland Office of Financial Regulation. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Maryland guide.
Steps before you apply in Harford County
Steps that save money for Harford County residents:
- Price the Harford County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Verify the Maryland license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Beyond Harford County
Next step up from Harford County:
Frequently asked questions
Is $112,265 a good income in Harford County?
It is the county median, so half of Harford County households earn more and half less; 56% earn $100,000 or more.
What do renters pay in Harford County?
$1,586 a month at the median, about 17% of median household income.
What are the biggest places in Harford County?
By population: Bel Air South, Bel Air North, Edgewood, Aberdeen, Havre de Grace. The county has 16 Census places in all.
Does living in Harford County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Harford County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who regulates personal lenders for Harford County residents?
The Maryland Office of Financial Regulation licenses consumer lenders in Maryland; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.