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Welcome to Columbia, Maryland.
Columbia is a census-designated place and planned city located in Howard County, Maryland. It began with the idea that a city could enhance its residents' quality of life. Creator and developer James W. Rouse saw the new community in terms of human values, not just in terms of economics and engineering.
Opened in 1967, Columbia was designed to not only eliminate the inconveniences of then-current subdivision design, but also eliminate racial, religious, and income segregation.
Today, Columbia has a population of about 90,000, and is largely built-out. By the early 2000s, the town had inexorably acquired many of the characteristics of other contemporary U.S. suburbs, such as increasingly large private homes standing somewhat aloof on large parcels, and "big-box" retail stores accessible mostly by automobile. However, Rouse's ethos remains a strong influence upon the physical and political development of Columbia.
The People Tree statue has become a symbol of Columbia, Maryland.
Columbia is a 14,000-acre community located midway between Baltimore and Washington, DC. Begun in 1967, this award-winning community is being developed by The Howard Research & Development Corporation, an affiliate of The Rouse Company.
Today more than 88,000 people call Columbia home. They enjoy a community filled with social and cultural outlets, jobs, quality education, 5300 acres of open space, and abundant recreation opportunities.
Columbia is located midway between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. in Howard County. Its proximity to both cities makes it an easy commute to either area. Downtown Baltimore is 20-30 minutes away, while Washington is a 30-40 minute drive. Columbia also offers commuters alternatives to the car, such as commuter bus services as well as easy access to the nearby MARC commuter rail system.
After more than three decades of growth, Columbia is much more than a well planned city. It's a place where families can spend a Sunday afternoon enjoying a festival. Or go for a walk along a lake in the heart of downtown. It's a city that has realized its goals of being "a garden for the growing of people." Columbia is a community engaged and engaging.
From its inception, its founders wanted to ensure that Columbia would be a community of diversity, built on a more human scale, with abundant open space available to all. To achieve these goals, the city's master plan called for a series of self-contained villages, around which day-to-day life would revolve. Today, nine such villages are comprised of several neighborhoods, schools, a shopping center, community and recreational facilities, and homes.
Overlaying the 14,000 acres that make up Columbia are wooded areas, parks, lakes and streams. More than 5,300 acres have been designated as permanent open space for the enjoyment of Columbia's residents. More than 80 miles of pathways allow you to jog, bike, walk, or run all over the community. There are 23 outdoor and four indoor pools, plus 53 indoor and outdoor tennis courts, two golf courses, a horse center, a sports park, ice rink and three athletic clubs with nearly every kind of amenity and workout.
Columbia has always placed a great deal of emphasis on its children. That's why you will find 14 elementary, five middle and eight high schools located in the city. And why, for the past seven years, Howard County's school system, of which Columbia is a part, has been rated the best in Maryland. Graduate, undergraduate and continuing studies can be pursued through Loyola College, Johns Hopkins University and Howard Community College.
You can shop The Mall in Columbia's 230+ stores. Or take advantage of the eight village shopping centers, as well as other convenient retail centers. With more than 120 restaurants and eateries, you'll find everything from formal dining to casual family fare. Of course, when you have to cook, there are eight major supermarkets from which to choose. You'll find cinemas, concerts and theatre in Columbia.
Because Columbia is so community focused, it's host to a multitude of festivals, performances and events year-round. Venues like Town Center Lakefront, Symphony Woods, and other locations throughout the city are home to a wine festival, antique shows, the Columbia Festival of the Arts, an international equestrian event, the Columbia birthday celebration, the Lakefront Summer Concert Series, and a multitude of other events.
From cinema to dinner theatre, internationally known performers to local favorites, you'll find Columbia constantly entertaining. Enjoy world-class performers each season at Merriweather Post Pavilion of Music. Or take in a production at Toby's Dinner Theatre, the Jim Rouse Theatre for the Performing Arts, or the Smith Theatre at Howard Community College.
Columbia, like all new communities, began with a promise. But, where other communities have yet to deliver on theirs, Columbia has turned vision into reality.
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Local daily news in Columbia:
Firefighters in Columbia discover woman's body, injured man
Firefighters who rushed to a fire at a Columbia condominium apartment found a woman dead and a man critically injured inside, but not due to the furiously burning fire.
Woman Killed in Columbia Fire
One person has died in a fire at 6007 Majors Lane in Columbia, Md. One person has died in a fire at 6007 Majors Lane in Columbia, Md.
Fire causes heavy damage to home in West Columbia, but resident escapes
A pre-dawn house fire Tuesday in West Columbia's Hickory Ridge village heavily damaged a home, but the sleeping resident escaped unharmed, Howard County fire officials said.
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Places of interest:
Savage-Guilford, MD (4.7 miles), North Laurel, MD (4.8 miles), Ellicott City, MD (4.9 miles), West Laurel, MD (7.0 miles), Jessup, MD (7.2 miles), Laurel, MD (7.3 miles), Elkridge, MD (7.3 miles), Maryland City, MD (8.1 miles).
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