Study: Eldersburg Ranks 1st in Maryland For Young Families

By Tim Lemke

If you're a young family in Eldersburg, you're in a great place.

At least, that's what one study recently revealed.

Eldersburg ranked first in a study performed by researchers at NerdWallet, who analyzed towns according to factors that young families find important. 

Towns were ranked based on growth, income level and the quality of public schools and given an overall score. Eldersburg ranked first, followed by Odenton, Ellicott City, Towson and Severna Park. Catonsville, Annapolis, Frederick, Olney and Rockville rounded out the top 10. 

Eldersburg's proximity to both Maryland and Washington, D.C. played in its favor—but primarily because it maintained its small town charm, the study stated.

Schools ranked highly, too, earning a 9 on the GreatSchools rating.

Eldersburg was the only community in Maryland to rank above a 70 on the overall score for young families. The analysis stated that Eldersburg residents averaged a $101,663 household income, with the median home value at $382,700. 

"Maryland in general is wealthier than most states," said Mike Anderson, the author of the report. "It's absolutely a tug-of-war between higher income and affordability."

The growth of cities was considered a positive for young families; all of the cities in NerdWallet's top 10 had growth of more than 30 percent between 1999 and 2011. Anderson acknowledged that some residents may consider growth to be a negative due to increase traffic or other concerns, but that young families prefer denser and more active and wealthier communities. 

"With growth, you also tend to face overcrowding, but in general, young families look for higher income than having more space." 

Anderson said Nerdwallet is performing similar rankings for all 50 states and have completed 15. By year's end, he hopes to publish a national ranking.  

Read: The Best Cities in Maryland for Young Families (on NerdWallet.com)