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Living in
Middle River.
Middle River is an unincorporated community in Baltimore County, MD. It has no city government: the county runs it, and the Census counts it as its own place.
About
Life in Middle River
Middle River offers an affordable entry point into the Baltimore County area, with home values and rents well below regional averages and a strong job market reflected in a 4.0% unemployment rate. The neighborhood has genuine staying power — it grew out of practical post-Depression planning to house aerospace workers, and that working-class stability still defines it today. Your commute will average around 29 minutes, which is reasonable for the region, though you'll definitely need a car as the area is entirely urban residential without walkability as a primary feature.
Middle River at a Glance
Population, income, housing and more
Median Age
37.2 yrs
Poverty Rate
14.7%
Foreign-Born
15.1%
Broadband Internet
92.6%
of households
Median household income
Demographics15.1% foreign-born, most often from Philippines
Who lives in Middle River: race and ethnicity, ages, households, languages and countries of origin
In Middle River, the largest foreign-born group is from Philippines (22.1%), and 3.9% of residents speak Other at home.
Under 18
22.7%
of residents
65 and Older
13.6%
of residents
Households with Kids
29.0%
anyone under 18
Living Alone
30.5%
of households
Married Couples
36.2%
of households
Avg Household Size
2.52
people
Race & Ethnicity
Hispanic or Latino of any race; other groups are non-Hispanic
Top countries of origin (foreign-born)
Languages Spoken at Home
Cost of Livingrent about average for MD
Rent, home values, and income in Middle River
In Middle River, home values are 35% below the MD average.
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
Rent Burdened
58.3%
spending 30%+ of income on rent
Severely Rent Burdened
36.0%
spending 50%+
Cost of Living Index
104.5
metro area (BEA) · US avg = 100
Median Property Tax
$3,249
per year, owner-occupied homes
Homeowners
66.4%
of occupied homes are owned
Typical Home Built
1982
median year built
Vacant Homes
6.6%
of housing units
Home Value Trend
Latest: $331,638 (September 2026)
Jobs & Economyunemployment about average for MD
Unemployment in Middle River
Unemployment in Baltimore County, which includes Middle River, is close to the MD average.
Unemployment rate
Middle River: Baltimore County rate (county-wide) · BLS annual average
Unemployment Rate — 10 Year Trend
Baltimore County (county-wide) · Annual averages
Middle River is about 4% of Baltimore County’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
What Middle River Residents Do for Work · share of employed residents by industry
City residents, wherever they work
Commute28.4 min avg
How Middle River residents get to work, and the nearest airports
In Middle River, most residents drive alone to work (72%), and 50% get there in under 30 minutes.
How People Get to Work
Commute Time Distribution
Nearest airports · with airline service
- 16 mi
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Major hub12.3M passengers boarded in 2025
Straight-line distance. Size is the FAA’s hub category, based on passenger traffic: regional airports may have only a few flights a day.
Safetyviolent crime 22% above national average
Crime rates for 2025
Violent crime in the area policed by the Baltimore County Police Department, which covers Middle River, runs 22% above the national average.
Violent Crime Rate
400.9
per 100,000 residents
Above average (329 national, 2025)
Property Crime Rate
2,400.2
per 100,000 residents
Above average (1,552 national, 2025)
Policed by Baltimore County Police Department (county-wide rate)
Natural DisastersThunderstorm Wind most common — 43 events in 2025
Natural hazard risk, storms and earthquakes
FEMA National Risk Index
Relatively Moderate
94.0 / 100
Compares expected losses from natural hazards, social vulnerability and community resilience against every US county (higher = more risk).
Baltimore County, county-wide · FEMA NRI December 2025
In Baltimore County, which includes Middle River, the most common type is thunderstorm wind, with 43 recorded events in 2025.
Most common events:
Storm events by year
| Year | Events | Top Type | Property Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 43 | Thunderstorm Wind | $1.5M |
| 2024 | 33 | Thunderstorm Wind | $15.1M |
| 2023 | 25 | Thunderstorm Wind | $6.4M |
| 2022 | 37 | Thunderstorm Wind | $326,000 |
| 2021 | 51 | Thunderstorm Wind | $1.2M |
| 2020 | 58 | Dense Fog | $333,500 |
| 2019 | 53 | Thunderstorm Wind | $500,000 |
| 2018 | 64 | Flood | $8.6M |
Property damage is the National Weather Service's estimate filed with each event. “None reported” means the events were logged with $0 damage; “Not estimated” means no estimate was filed. Storms covering several counties aren't counted here, since NOAA doesn't split their damage by county.
1 earthquake of magnitude 2.5+ within 100 miles in the past year
Baltimore County, county-wide
Middle River is about 4% of Baltimore County’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
Air Quality45 median AQI — Good
Days by air quality category (2025)
Air quality in Baltimore County, which includes Middle River, is typically good — 236 good-air days per year.
Median AQI
45
Good Days
236
per year
Moderate Days
126
per year
Unhealthy Days
0
per year
Baltimore County, county-wide
Middle River is about 4% of Baltimore County’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
Climate88°F summers, 32°F winters
30-year climate averages (1991–2020) — monthly temperatures and precipitation
Middle River has warm summers (avg high 88°F) and mild winters (avg low 32°F).
Spring (Mar–May)
66°/48°F
avg high / low
Summer (Jun–Aug)
88°/71°F
avg high / low
Fall (Sep–Nov)
69°/53°F
avg high / low
Winter (Dec–Feb)
46°/32°F
avg high / low
Annual Precipitation
48.6"
Annual Snowfall
19.3"
Hot Days/Year
43
days above 90°F
Freeze Days/Year
52
days below 32°F
Rainy Days/Year
119
Average month
Show month-by-month table ↓Hide table ↑
| Month | High | Low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44°F | 30°F | 3.07" |
| Feb | 47°F | 32°F | 2.75" |
| Mar | 55°F | 39°F | 3.93" |
| Apr | 67°F | 48°F | 3.55" |
| May | 76°F | 58°F | 3.39" |
| Jun | 85°F | 68°F | 3.36" |
| Jul | 90°F | 73°F | 4.71" |
| Aug | 87°F | 71°F | 4.35" |
| Sep | 80°F | 65°F | 4.49" |
| Oct | 69°F | 53°F | 3.49" |
| Nov | 58°F | 43°F | 2.98" |
| Dec | 48°F | 35°F | 3.66" |
Healthcare
Hospitals, ratings, and health insurance in Middle River
Uninsured
5.7%
of residents
No hospitals inside Middle River's limits — nearest hospitals · within 15 miles
Medstar Franklin Square Medical Center
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available · 2.5 mi away · Rosedale
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available · 7 mi away · Baltimore
Medstar Good Samaritan Hospital
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available · 8.2 mi away · Baltimore
Adult Health · vs. the typical US place
Share of adults. Modeled estimates, not counted cases. “US” = the typical US place.
Medicare-certified hospitals only. Doesn’t include clinics, urgent care, or freestanding ERs.
Education14.1:1 student/teacher ratio
Schools and degree attainment in Middle River
Middle River's student/teacher ratio is 14.1:1 (lower than the national average of 16:1), and 32.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Public Schools
9
within city limits
Private Schools
0
within city limits
College Degree Rate
32.3%
adults 25+ with bachelor's or higher
Student/Teacher Ratio
14.1:1
National avg 16:1
Schools located within city limits (2023) — school-level metrics change slowly year to year
Colleges Near Middle River (within 15 miles)
Public · 4-year · 16,136 students · in-state tuition $12,186 · 72% graduate · median earnings $70,158 (10 yrs after entry)
Community College of Baltimore County
2.6 mi awayPublic · 2-year · 13,872 students · in-state tuition $4,536 · 19% graduate · median earnings $46,761 (10 yrs after entry)
Public · 4-year · 9,019 students · in-state tuition $8,346 · 53% graduate · median earnings $56,585 (10 yrs after entry)
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 5,693 students · in-state tuition $67,170 · 94% graduate · median earnings $104,590 (10 yrs after entry)
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 3,869 students · in-state tuition $59,150 · 79% graduate · median earnings $90,179 (10 yrs after entry)
Baltimore City Community College
12 mi awayPublic · 2-year · 3,700 students · in-state tuition $3,314 · 33% graduate · median earnings $39,370 (10 yrs after entry)
Degree-granting colleges with 100+ students, placed by campus location (main campuses only — branch campuses are reported under their parent school)
Parks & Recreationclosest: Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, 9 mi
Nearby national parks, recreation areas and public libraries for Middle River
Middle River has 8 nearby national parks or recreation areas, closest being Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine (9 mi away).
Nearby National Parks & Recreation Areas
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
National Monument and Historic Shrine
9 mi awayStar-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
National Historic Trail
9 mi awayHampton National Historic Site
National Historic Site
10 mi awayCaptain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail
National Historic Trail
25 mi awayChesapeake Bay
National Park Site
25 mi awayBaltimore-Washington Parkway
Parkway
31 mi awayGreenbelt Park
Park
34 mi awayKenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens
National Park Site
40 mi awayCities Near Middle River
The closest cities within 60 miles
Planning a move to Middle River?
Read our full moving guide — what it's really like to live here.
Middle River FAQ
Is Middle River, Maryland affordable?⌄
Middle River's median rent is $1,636/month, which is above the national average. The median household income is $78,398/year. Median home value is $271,700.
Is Middle River, Maryland safe?⌄
Middle River is policed by the Baltimore County Police Department, whose violent crime rate across its service area was 401 per 100,000 residents in 2025, which is above the national average of 329/100k that year. Property crime rate is 2400 per 100,000. As with any city, crime rates vary by neighborhood.
What is the job market like in Middle River, Maryland?⌄
Baltimore County, which includes Middle River, has an unemployment rate of 4.0%, which is close to the national average of 4.3%.
What is the cost of living in Middle River, Maryland?⌄
The cost of living in Middle River is primarily driven by housing. Median rent is $1,636/month and median household income is $78,398/year. The median home value is $271,700. About 58% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing.
How is the commute in Middle River, Maryland?⌄
The average commute in Middle River is 28 minutes, which is about average compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Data from the US Census Bureau, BLS, FBI, NOAA, EPA, Zillow Research and other public sources. Where our data comes from