Baltimore and Howard counties have experienced big drops in the net number of county residents commuting outside the counties to work, according to analysis of U.S. Census data by the Maryland Department of Planning.
“Of those jurisdictions with continued net out-commutation, there were several jurisdictions which had fairly sizable drops in their net outflows, including Prince George?s, Baltimore and Howard counties,” said Mark Goldstein of the Maryland Department of Planning.
“For Baltimore County, the decline was primarily a function of lower out-commutation to Baltimore City and larger in-commuting from Harford County,” Goldstein said.
“For Howard County, an increase in commuters from Baltimore, Carroll and Harford counties reduced the County?s net outflow total, as Howard County?s strong job growth during the decade made it more of a prime workplace destination for the Baltimore region,” Goldstein said.
The analysis looks at 2000 U.S. Census data and compares 2000 job-to-work patterns to 1990 patterns.
Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce President Joan G. Hatfield said her county “sits in the perfect position” to offer companies from manufacturing to retail the type of work force they need.
“I think there is a consistency of the work force here,” said Hatfield, adding that there is a well-educated work force in the county that appeals to existing and new employers in the county.
“We are continually growing and continually assisting companies coming to the county,” Hatfield said.
In 2000, Baltimore County had a net increase of 9,673 commuters from outside Baltimore County coming into the county to work, according to the analysis. That number included 1,754 fewer Baltimore County residents commuting outside the county to work in 2000 compared to 1990, but the number also includes 7,919 more non-Baltimore County residents coming into the county to work in 2000 compared to 1990.
Howard County had a net increase of 5,849 commuters from outside Howard County coming into the county to work in 2000, according to the data. Although 13,183 more Howard County residents commuted outside the county to work in 2000 than 1990, there were 19,032 more non-Howard County residents coming into the county to work, according to the data.
