Baltimore Metropolitan Area
Baltimore, Maryland
City (county-equivalent)
Harbor city of rowhouse neighborhoods and historic waterfront districts
Baltimore is Maryland's largest city and an independent, county-equivalent jurisdiction on the Patapsco River. The Inner Harbor, Fells Point and Camden Yards sit within a few miles of dense rowhouse neighborhoods such as Canton, Hampden and Federal Hill.
History & Local Character
Founded in 1729 as a tobacco port, Baltimore grew into a major shipping and rail center. The city separated from Baltimore County in 1851 and has been county-equivalent ever since.
Housing & Real Estate
Rowhouses dominate, from Canton and Federal Hill to Roland Park's detached homes and new waterfront apartments at Harbor Point.
Restaurants & Shopping
Fells Point and Canton hold waterfront taverns and seafood houses, Little Italy keeps its trattorias, and Hampden's 36th Street is known for cafes and bakeries.
Schools & Education
Baltimore City Public Schools serves the entire city. Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland, Baltimore and Morgan State University anchor higher education.
Parks & Recreation
Druid Hill Park, Patterson Park, Federal Hill Park and the Gwynns Falls trail system give the city an unusually large park network for its size.
Transportation & Accessibility
I-95, I-83, I-695 and MD 295 serve the city. Metro Subway, Light Rail, MARC and Amtrak at Penn Station connect it to the region, and BWI airport is about 15 minutes south.
Local Businesses
Waterfront seafood restaurantsIndependent coffee roastersNeighborhood hardware storesBoutiques in Hampden
Real Estate
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Homesale Realty
1425 Clarkview Rd
Real Estate
Newmark
301 Mission Blvd, Suite 1201
Health & Medical
University of Maryland Medical Center
22 S Greene St
Health & Medical
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
1800 Orleans St
Retail
Housewerks Salvage
1415 Bayard St
Retail
Second Chance Inc.
1700 Ridgely St
Nearby Attractions
- Inner Harbor
- Fort McHenry
- National Aquarium
- Camden Yards
Advantages & Considerations
Advantages
- Walkable historic neighborhoods
- Strong restaurant and arts scene
- Waterfront parks and transit
Considerations
- Property taxes above the national average
- Crime varies sharply by neighborhood
- Aging infrastructure in older blocks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Baltimore City part of Baltimore County?
No. Baltimore City is a separate county-equivalent jurisdiction with its own government and schools. Towson is the Baltimore County seat.
Where is the Inner Harbor?
The Inner Harbor is the waterfront district at the mouth of the Patapsco in downtown Baltimore, home to the National Aquarium and Harborplace.