Baltimore: Maryland's Largest City

Baltimore is Maryland's most populous city, with ~602,000 residents (2020 Census).

Key Facts

• Location: Central Maryland, 40 miles NE of Washington, DC, on Patapsco River estuary → Chesapeake Bay.
• Metro Area: 2.8M (21st US); includes Columbia, Towson, Dundalk.
• History: Founded 1729; key War of 1812 (Fort McHenry → Star-Spangled Banner); major immigration port (2nd to Ellis Island).
• Economy: Johns Hopkins (hospital/university), Under Armour, T. Rowe Price, Port of Baltimore (autos, bulk), growing tech/bio.
• Culture: Inner Harbor, National Aquarium, Walters Art Museum, BMA, Hippodrome, Orioles (MLB), Ravens (NFL), Preakness Stakes (Pimlico).
• Challenges: Population decline since 1950 (950k peak), crime, poverty, vacancy—revitalization efforts ongoing.

Not to be confused with Montgomery County (largest county, 1.05M) or Frederick (fastest-growing city).