Howard and Carroll Counties
Columbia, Maryland
Planned community
Planned community of ten villages and a lakefront downtown
Columbia is a planned community and census-designated place in Howard County, developed from 1967 into ten villages around a Town Center and Lake Kittamaqundi. It is one of the largest planned communities in the country.
History & Local Character
Developer James Rouse began Columbia in 1967 as a racially integrated planned community with village centers and open space.
Housing & Real Estate
Townhouses, condos and single-family homes in village clusters, with new apartments downtown.
Restaurants & Shopping
The Mall in Columbia, Merriweather District and village centers hold restaurants from fast-casual to chef-driven.
Schools & Education
Howard County Public Schools serves the community, with several highly rated high schools.
Parks & Recreation
Lake Kittamaqundi, Wilde Lake, Lake Elkhorn and the Patuxent Branch Trail provide extensive green space.
Transportation & Accessibility
US 29, MD 175, MD 32 and I-95 nearby, with MARC's Camden Line at Dorsey and BWI airport minutes away.
Local Businesses
RestaurantsTechnology firmsFitness studiosIndependent shops
No businesses are listed in Columbia yet. Add your business to be the first.
Nearby Attractions
- Lake Kittamaqundi
- Merriweather Post Pavilion
- Centennial Park
- Robinson Nature Center
Advantages & Considerations
Advantages
- Extensive trails and lakes
- Strong schools
- Planned village amenities
Considerations
- High housing costs
- US 29 and MD 175 congestion
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia a city?
No. Columbia is a planned community and census-designated place in Howard County, not an incorporated city. Its ten villages are subdivisions of the community.
How many villages does Columbia have?
Columbia has ten villages: Wilde Lake, Harper's Choice, Owen Brown, Long Reach, Kings Contrivance, Dorsey's Search, Hickory Ridge, Oakland Mills, River Hill and Town Center.