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Where is Anne Arundel County? 

Anne Arundel County is located in central Maryland. It is the fifth-most populated county in Maryland and is conveniently located between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Anne Arundel County is directly bordered by Baltimore to the north, and many residents commute into the city for work. 

The eastern border of Anne Arundel County is the Chesapeake Bay. The Patuxent River defines the county’s southwestern border, while the Patapsco River defines the county’s northwestern border. Zip codes in Anne Arundel County range from 20701 to 21412. I-97 runs directly through Anne Arundel County and it is also home to Baltimore-Washington Thurgood International Airport. 

What Cities are in Anne Arundel County? 

Annapolis, Maryland’s capital city, is situated in Anne Arundel County. Annapolis is located on the eastern end of Anne Arundel County along the Severn River. It is known for its rich history, with buildings dating back to the 18th century.

This area is also home to many of Baltimore’s largest suburbs. One of these is Glen Burnie, which is a popular shopping and dining destination. Other notable Baltimore suburbs Anne Arundel County include Pasadena, Severn and Crofton. 

How far is Anne Arundel County from Washington, D.C. and Baltimore? 

Anne Arundel County is centrally located between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Baltimore borders the county to the north, which makes for a quick drive or train ride into the city. Commutes from Anne Arundel County to Baltimore generally range from 20 to 45 minutes. 

The center of Anne Arundel County is approximately 30 miles from Washington, D.C. Driving between the two can take anywhere from 40 to 90 minutes, depending on your destination and the traffic conditions. 

There are many transit options in Anne Arundel County that connect to Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The Baltimore Light Raillink stops in Glen Burnie, and the MARC commuter rail has stations at Odenton and BWI Airport. There are also bus routes from downtown Annapolis to both cities.

How Many Public Schools Are In Anne Arundel County, Maryland? 

Anne Arundel County has an extensive public school system, and most of the public schools in the area are highly rated. There are approximately 80 public elementary schools in Anne Arundel County, with most neighborhoods and small towns having a local school of their own. These feed into 22 public middle schools, which feed into 12 high schools. Additionally, Anne Arundel County schools run a STEM-focused charter school that serves both middle- and high-school students. 

How Many High Schools Are In Anne Arundel County? 

Anne Arundel County public school district includes 12 traditional high schools. All offer Advanced Placement classes and exam opportunities to prepare students for college. The county also offers evening high school and other alternative education options. 

Are Anne Arundel County’s Public Schools Good? 

In general, Anne Arundel County’s public school system is rated above average. Across the entire district, Anne Arundel County schools have a graduation rate of 88%, with 50% proficiency in reading and 41 percent proficiency in math. The student body is very diverse, with children from different backgrounds and cultures. 

Since Anne Arundel County is such a large public school district, every student will have a unique experience. Families moving to the area may want to visit a few potential schools to see what option will best meet their needs. 

How Many Private Schools Are In Anne Arundel County? 

Anne Arundel County is home to several private schools in addition its public schools. There are a total of 88 private schools in Anne Arundel County, including elementary, middle and high schools. Many of the private schools in the area are highly rated. Roughly half of the private schools in Anne Arundel County have religious affiliations, while the other half is a mix of special education and college preparatory schools.

Anne Arundel County is named after Lady Anne Arundell, a 17th-century English noblewoman from Cornwall, England. She was married to Cecil Calvert, Lord Baltimore, who was appointed the first proprietor of Maryland in 1633, and the couple used their wealth to fund the colony. However, they continued to live in England and did not visit the colony they funded. 

Although their marriage was arranged, Cecil was devastated when Anne passed away at the age of 34 in 1649. In 1650, the Maryland General Assembly created a new county and named it in her honor. 

A Brief History of Anne Arundel County, Maryland

Anne Arundel County’s history dates back prior to the Revolutionary War. The colony of Maryland was originally founded as a place where British members of the Roman Catholic Church could come to avoid religious conflict. Anne Arundel County was founded in 1650 and was one of the first counties in Maryland. 

Anne Arundel County was the site of the Battle of the Severn in 1655. This battle was fought between English Commonwealth supporters and Lord Baltimore’s supporters as an extension of English Civil War conflicts. It is often cited as the first naval battle to take place in the US colonies. 

Anne Arundel County mainly consisted of farmland early on, although Annapolis grew rapidly during the Revolutionary War period. During the war, Anne Arundel County provided troops for three regiments in the Continental Army. After the war ended, the city served as the temporary capital of the United States for a year. Annapolis-area troops also served as part of the Union Army during the Civil War era. 

The county was much larger when it was founded than it is today. The western section of the county later became Howard County after the B&O Railroad was built. This was the first major passenger railroad in the United States and ran straight through the center of Anne Arundel County’s at the time. While the B&O railroad is no longer in service, some parts of the MARC commuter rail run on the same tracks and it is a crucial part of the history of Anne Arundel County.  

Farming and fishing continued to be key industries in Anne Arundel County throughout the 19th century. However, developers also started to open resorts in the area during this period, and it became a relaxed summer holiday destination. After World War II, the Baltimore area boomed. Areas that had formerly been farming communities transformed into suburbs, which remain in the area today. It was also around this time that Baltimore-Washington International Airport opened and many new businesses moved into the area.