In a recent ranking based on median household income from U.S. Census data for 2008, the results included:
3rd - Howard
10th - Montgomery
13th - Calvert
21st - Charles
Loudoun County, in northern Virginia, ranked first with a median household income of $110,643.
These data show the effect of the federal payroll and that of the so-called beltway bandit firms that feed at the public trough. In Charles County, over half of the work force is employed outside the County. Montgomery County has various government headquarters and agencies -- National Institutes of Health, Atomic Energy Commission, Bethesda Naval Hospital, etc., as well as "think-tanks" and consulting firms, and is the place of choice for many high ranking federal bureaucrats and elected officials to reside. Howard County shares that DC-based residential market and has become a magnet for affluent folks from Baltimore as well. And now things seems to be shifting to the southern Maryland area as the main metro counties have become more fully developed and land costs in those counties have skyrocketed. In addition, both Howard and Montgomery County now have various growth limits that apply.
For more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/30/AR2010033003483_pf.html
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Notice none of them are on the Eastern Shore. No wonder we are always getting the short end of the stick. Got to love those political payoffs.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 1:35 is completely right about the people fleeing Baltimore and PG County and moving to Charles, Charles and Howard Counties.
ReplyDeleteThe question is how do we draw some of these high-tech businesses to the Eastern Shore. A lot of DC politicians own property on the Shore. So does the Federal government (remember when the feds brought Elian Gonzalez to a secret fed farm on the shore).
Wait I know we can buy a big empty lot for the huge shows at the civic center and build a new library. That should bring in millions and we will be this list in no time.
6:42 pm,
ReplyDeleteYou speak so highly of Howard County. You live in Wicomico County. That is funny.
It must be just a coincidence that these counties are where all the government jobs are.
ReplyDelete9:21
ReplyDeleteIm not 6:42 but I also was raised in Howard County. We moved to this area in the 90's. I love both places. Each have their own good and bad. It's very expensive to live up there but you do get paid more. The traffic is also horrible. I used to work 20 miles from work.. and it was at least a 45 minute drive on a good day. There people tend to be snooty and in a hurry all the time. Here people will turn their noses up if they find out you were not born here. We live in the same state why does it matter what county? I miss being close to family that is still in that area and the roll of the hills, other than that we chose to come here and here is where we will stay.
How interesting that they allow all that sprawl in those rich counties, but then the state "planning department" is tryinh to stop it here.
ReplyDeleteIt's the old keep 'em poor and dumb policy.
"It must be just a coincidence that these counties are where all the government jobs are." Actually it is. Look at all counties with the highest median income and you will see that they all near major metro areas. They are in NJ, NY, PA, MD, VA, and CA. They are all suburban counties. Have you heard of economic inertia? Actually, there are only a few government jobs in Howard, Charles, and Calvert. There are plenty in Baltimore (Social Security) and Anne Arundel (Ft Meade and Naval Academy). Per capita, there are probably more government jobs in the Eastern Panhandle of WV and Somerset County, MD. Except for teachers and executive staffs, most government workers don't make more than private industry. That is trade off for job security.
ReplyDeleteAt times the traffic of the Balto area seems better than dealing with the ineptitude of the locals here on the shore. A full day of dealing with genuinely dumb local ppl or a few hours of dealing with traffic. Does anyone around here give a sh*t???
ReplyDelete