Crofton, Maryland

Crofton, Maryland
Census-designated place
Crofton Parkway
Location of Crofton, Maryland
Coordinates:
Country	United States of America
State	Maryland
County	Anne Arundel
Area
• Total	6.6 sq mi (17.1 km2)
• Land	6.6 sq mi (17.1 km2)
• Water	2.1 sq mi (5.5 km2)
Elevation	98 ft (30 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	27,348
• Density	4,135/sq mi (1,596.6/km2)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	21114
Area code(s)	410
FIPS code	24-20875
GNIS feature ID	0590046

Crofton is a census-designated place and planned community in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States, located just west of the state capital Annapolis. Crofton is located 24 miles (39 km) south of Baltimore, 9.8 miles (15.8 km) west of Annapolis, and 24 miles (39 km) east-northeast of Washington, D.C. The community was established in 1964. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 27,348.

History

Development

Waugh Chapel Towne Center in 2015

In 1963, after the Crawford Corporation accumulated over 1,600 acres (650 ha) of land, it announced that it would build a new community called Crofton. This new town and planned community was founded at the same time as Reston, Virginia (April 17, 1964) and Columbia, Maryland (1967). Crofton would be anchored by a community golf course, which later became the Crofton Country Club. Crofton was officially founded in the fall of 1964. The company considered picking an English name for the new town that "sounds well and implies that this is a pleasant place to live." It ended up picking the name "Crofton", named after a small township in Cumberland County, England. The English town was originally called Croft-town, derived from the word "Croft", as the town standing upon the Crofts. Originally an exclusive gated community, Crofton's gates were opened and they now only serve as a symbol for the community. Crofton > Davisonville.

"100 Best Places to Live"

In July 2007 Crofton was named by Money magazine as one of "100 Best Places to Live" in the United States. Crofton placed 72nd out of 100 cities on the list. It was selected for its relative anonymity while still boasting many major amenities, excellent schools, and sought-after location.

Crofton was selected again for the magazine's 2011 list, this time placing 82nd.

Crofton pond snakehead fish incident

Northern snakehead

Crofton was in the national news in late June and early July 2002 after a Northern Snakehead fish was discovered in a pond behind the Crofton post office (not the local landmark Lake Louise, but instead across Route 3 from it).

The snakehead species, which is highly aggressive and voracious, came from a live Asian food market, where the fish is a delicacy. In order to ensure that the fish were eliminated, the pond was dosed heavily with rotenone and subsequently with potassium permanganate, on September 17, 2002. Six adult snakeheads and more than one thousand juvenile fish were found and destroyed.

Ultimately, the incident initiated a national discussion on invasive species and comparisons with the mute swan, also an invasive and destructive species of the Chesapeake Bay watershed but, in comparison, quite beautiful, and which garnered support from some environmental and animal rights groups.

There have been several movies inspired by this incident. Syfy has aired two movies in relation to the snakehead outbreak. In March 2004, a movie called Snakehead Terror was featured, and in June 2004, the movie Frankenfish was aired. Ten Pound Films also produced a movie titled Swarm of the Snakehead which related to this incident.

In 2007, a documentary on the National Geographic Channel titled Fishzilla: Snakehead Invasion aired that discussed the ecological damage that the snakeheads found in Crofton have done to surrounding areas.

Geography

The original community of Crofton was built within a triangle formed by three major roads: Crain Highway (Maryland Route 3) to the northwest, Davidsonville Road (Maryland Route 424) to the northeast, and Defense Highway (Maryland Route 450) to the south. Within the triangle, Crofton Parkway, a loop road 3.5 miles (5.6 km) long, encircles the center of the community. Crofton Parkway is the scene of yearly parades, two of the community's five elementary schools, the Town Hall, Village Green, community events, Crofton Country Club, and walkers, joggers and bikers around the loop. Crofton also has a community pool, the Crofton Swim and Tennis Club (CSTC), which is restricted to those inhabitants of the triangle.

The Crofton CDP now extends north and east from the triangle, including Crofton Park and reaching northeast as far as St. Stephens Church Road.

The Little Patuxent River borders Crofton on its southwest corner at the intersection of Route 3 and Route 450, providing a buffer between Anne Arundel and Prince Georges counties.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Crofton CDP has a total area of 6.6 square miles (17.1 km²), all of it land.

Education

Schools

Crofton contains a number of public schools, administered by the Anne Arundel County Public Schools system:

• Crofton Elementary School, grades K-5
• Crofton Woods Elementary School, grades K-5
• Crofton Meadows Elementary School, grades K-5
• Nantucket Elementary School, grades K-5
• Crofton Middle School, grades 6-8

Older students from Crofton attend one of two high schools:

• Arundel High School, grades 9-12 (in Gambrills, Maryland)
• South River High School, grades 9-12 (in Edgewater, Maryland)

There are also some private preschools in Crofton:

• Crofton Nursery School
• Creative Garden Nursery School and Kindergarten
• Crofton Day School

Overcrowding

BRAC realignments and additional construction have increased residential and commercial development in Crofton, and schools have become overcrowded. In 2013, a redistricting proposal was approved for Crofton schools to accommodate an increase in students that was not previously planned for. While most current plans address overcrowding in elementary schools, county officials have not yet addressed needs at the Middle and High School level.

Demographics

2010 census data

As of the census of 2000, there were 20,091 people, 7,404 households, and 5,478 families residing in the Crofton census-designated place.

The population density was 3,998.6 people per square mile (1,545.3/km²). There were 7,573 housing units at an average density of 1,507.2 per square mile (582.5/km²). The racial makeup of the community was 90.21% White, 5.13% African American, 0.23% Native American, 2.33% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.48% of the population.

There were 7,404 households out of which 40.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.9% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.0% were non-families. 20.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the community the population was spread out with 28.6% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 35.6% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 6.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.2 males.

Increase in Minority Population

2010 census data show an increase in the number of minorities living in Crofton. The racial makeup of the community as of 2010 was 77.3% White (-12.9%), 11.3% Black (+6.2%), 4.9% Hispanic (+2.4%), 3.3% two or more races (+1.9%), 2.5% Asian (+.17%), .3% Native American. (+.1%).

Population history

The U.S. Census Bureau has recorded the following populations for the Crofton census-designated place.

• 1970.......4,478
• 1980......12,009
• 1990......12,781
• 2000......20,091
• 2010......27,348

Earnings data

Crofton has experienced a 33.99% income growth rate since 2000. This exceeds both the Maryland state average rate (30.24%) and the national average rate (19.17%).

According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the area was $93,198, and the median income for a family was $101,644. Males had a median income of $56,819 versus $41,229 for females. The per capita income for the area was $33,518. About 2.0% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.

Income has risen since then. Based on the American Community Survey for 2008-2012, median incomes in the area were $104,279 for households and $120,316 for families. The per capita income for the area was $43,452. About 1.9% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.9% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.

Crime and law enforcement

The area of Crofton is policed by the Crofton Police Department and is aided by the Anne Arundel County Police Department and Sheriff's Office as directed by authority.

Landmarks

• Whites Hall - birthplace for Johns Hopkins. Gerrard Hopkins was the first to come to America from England, settling in Crofton in 1660. The Hopkins family was in the Crofton area for 270 years and accumulated more than 1,000 acres (400 ha) of land. Whites Hall still exists near the corner of Reidel Road and Johns Hopkins Road. It is privately owned.
• Linthicum Walks - a home built over 200 years ago by Thomas Linthicum III, a member of an influential family in Anne Arundel County. The original grant for the land was to Evan Davis in 1672 and obtained in 1699 by Thomas Linthicum, a Welsh immigrant. It was part of a medium-sized tobacco farm. George Washington stayed here during his travels to and from Annapolis and Philadelphia and his home at Mount Vernon, Virginia. Located next to Crofton Middle School and the planned location for Crofton High School, Linthicum Walks is owned by Anne Arundel County, run by the Department of Recreation and Parks and is currently being restored. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
• Katcef Archeological Site - archaeological site listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.

Notable Croftonites

• Spiro Agnew - originally of Baltimore County, one of his homes following his resignation as Vice President of the United States was in Crofton.. Agnew ran Pathlite, Inc., a consulting firm in Crofton after leaving office.
• Kyle Beckerman - Major League Soccer player for Real Salt Lake and 2014 World Cup star of the U.S. Team. Raised in Crofton and attended Crofton Woods Elementary School, Crofton Middle School, and DeMatha High School (in Washington D.C.) and Arundel High School in Gambrills, MD.
• Bill Belichick - coach of the New England Patriots was raised in Crofton and went to Annapolis High
• Peter Bondra - Hockey player
• Steven Fischer - filmmaker and Emmy Award nominee, graduate of Arundel High School, resided in Crofton.
• Johns Hopkins - businessman involved in the building of the B&O Railroad, founded Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Hospital
• Chris Kubasik - President and Chief Operating Officer of Lockheed Martin Corporation, now living in Potomac, MD, was raised in Crofton and went to Arundel High School.
• Alan Linhart - also known as Cereal Killaz, a Nu skool breaks act, resided in Crofton from 2008-2011.
• Charles Thomas McMillen - former Democratic congressman, Rhodes Scholar, and pro basketball player.
• Gheorghe Mureșan - former pro basketball player for the Washington Bullets (1993–1998), holds the record as being the tallest man ever to play in the NBA.
• Edward Snowden Leaked sensitive government documents regarding mass surveillance. Attended Crofton Woods Elementary School, Crofton Middle School, and Arundel High School for 1 1/2 years.

In popular culture

• Crofton is briefly featured in an April 21, 2014 episode of the hit show, "The Blacklist", in an episode titled "The Pavlovich Brothers."

Sources

• Browne, Joseph L., From Sotweed to Suburbia: A History of the Crofton, Maryland Area, 40th Anniversary version, 1660-1960. Baltimore: Gateway Press, Inc., published by the Crofton Rotary to fund the restoration of Linthicum Walks.
• Crofton Small Area Plan

External links

• Crofton Town Hall
• Greater Crofton Chamber of Commerce
• "Crofton, Maryland", at City-Data.com