Editing Crofton, Maryland

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Crofton, Maryland
| settlement_type          = [[Census-designated place]]
| image_skyline            = Crofton Parkway spring.JPG
| imagesize                = 300px
| image_caption            = Crofton Parkway
| image_flag               = 
| image_seal               = 
<!-- Maps -->
| nickname                 = 
| motto                    = 
<!-- Images -->
| image_map                = Anne_Arundel_County_Maryland_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Crofton_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize                  = 250x200px
| map_caption              = Location of Crofton, Maryland
| image_map1               = 
| mapsize1                 = 
| map_caption1             = 
| coordinates              = {{coord|39|0|15|N|76|41|18|W|region:US-MD_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = {{Flagu|United States|size=23px}}
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Maryland|County]]
| subdivision_name1        = {{flag|Maryland|size=23px}}
| subdivision_name2        = {{flagicon image|Flag of Anne Arundel County, Maryland.png|size=23px}} [[Anne Arundel County, Maryland|Anne Arundel]]
| established_title        = Founded
| established_date         = 1964

<!-- Area -->
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = [[Town Hall]]
| leader_title             = Mayor
| leader_name1             = Alexander Wolsky
| unit_pref                = Imperial
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_24.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=April 26, 2022}}</ref>
| area_magnitude           = 
| area_total_km2           = 17.12
| area_total_sq_mi         = 6.61
| area_land_km2            = 17.12
| area_land_sq_mi          = 6.61
| area_water_km2           = 0.00
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
<!-- Population -->
| elevation_footnotes      = 
| elevation_m              = 30
| elevation_ft             = 98
| population_total         = 29641
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_density_km2   = 1731.01
| population_density_sq_mi = 4483.59
<!-- General information -->
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code              = 21114
| area_code                = [[Area codes 410, 443, and 667|410, 443, and 667]]
| unemployment_rate        = 
| website                  = {{URL|https://www.croftoncommunity.org/}}
| footnotes                = 
| timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset               = &minus;5
| timezone_DST             = EDT
| utc_offset_DST           = &minus;4
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 24-20875
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 0590046
| pop_est_as_of            = 
| pop_est_footnotes        = 
| population_est           = 
}}

'''Crofton''' is a [[census-designated place]] and [[planned community]] in [[Anne Arundel County, Maryland]], United States, located {{convert|9.8|mi|km}} west of the state capital [[Annapolis, Maryland|Annapolis]], {{convert|24|mi|km}} south of [[Baltimore]], and {{convert|24|mi|km}} east-northeast of [[Washington, D.C.]]  The community was established in 1964 and as of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], it had a population of 29,136.<ref name="Census 2010-DP-1">{{cite web
 |title=DP-1 – Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 
 |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_DP_DPDP1&prodType=table
 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190521214830/https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_DP_DPDP1&prodType=table
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-date=May 21, 2019
 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] 
 |work=[[2010 United States Census]] Summary File 1 
 |access-date=September 6, 2011 
 }}</ref>

==History==

===Development===
[[File:Waugh Chapel Towne Center.JPG|thumb|Waugh Chapel Towne Center in 2015]]
In 1963, after the Crawford Corporation accumulated over {{convert|1600|acre|abbr=on}} 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. ([[Crofton, Cumbria|Crofton, England]] was originally called ''Croft-town'', derived from the word [[Croft (land)|"Croft"]], as the town standing upon the Crofts.) Crofton, Maryland was founded as a community for racial exclusion.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Browne |first1=Joseph |title=A History Of Crofton |url=https://www.wypr.org/show/maryland-morning-with-sheilah-kast-archive/2014-10-22/a-history-of-crofton |website=Maryland Morning with Sheilah Kast (WYPR) |publisher=WYPR |access-date=September 8, 2021}}</ref><ref name=":0">[[Jesse Walker|Walker, Jesse]], "[https://reason.com/2003/01/01/the-radical-burbs-2/ The Radical 'Burbs]," ''[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]''</ref>

=== Crofton pond snakehead fish incident ===
[[Image:Northern snakehead.jpg|thumb|right|[[Northern snakehead]]]]
Crofton was in the national news in late June and early July 2002 after a fish called the [[northern snakehead]] was discovered in a local pond.<ref name=Sun09052002>{{cite news | url = http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bal-te.md.snakehead05sep05,0,3940490.story | title = Fish poison applied to pond | date = September 5, 2002 | first = Candus | last = Thomson | work = The Baltimore Sun | publisher = Baltimore Sun Media Group | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140513042827/http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bal-te.md.snakehead05sep05%2C0%2C3940490.story | archive-date = May 13, 2014 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bal-snakehead,0,81794.special | title = Sun coverage: Snakeheads in Md | date = 2014 | work = The Sun | publisher = The Baltimore Sun | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140512221434/http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bal-snakehead%2C0%2C81794.special | archive-date = May 12, 2014 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name=WaPo05232004>{{cite news | title = Snakehead Hoopla Just a Memory: Anne Arundel Pond Sits Forsaken Two Years Later | first = Joshua | last = Partlow | date = May 23, 2004 | page = C04 | newspaper = Washington Post | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48630-2004May22.html | access-date = February 24, 2017}}</ref> The infestation was found in water behind the Crofton post office and the adjacent shopping center,<ref name=WaPo05232004/> across Route 3 from local landmark Lake Louise.

The snakehead species is highly aggressive and voracious.<ref>{{citation | url = http://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/Documents/snakeheadfactsheetedited.pdf | title = Invasive Species Program: Snakeheads – The Newest Aquatic Invader | date = July 2002 | publisher = U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service | access-date = February 24, 2017}}</ref><ref name=Sun09062002>{{cite news | url = http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bal-md.snakehead06sep06,0,2471057.story | title = Hundreds of baby snakeheads hauled away from Crofton ponds | date = September 6, 2002 | first = Candus | last = Thomson | work = The Baltimore Sun | publisher = Baltimore Sun Media Group | access-date = February 23, 2017}}</ref>  In order to ensure that the fish were eliminated, in September 2002 the main pond and two nearby ponds were dosed heavily with [[rotenone]]<ref name=Sun09062002/> and subsequently with [[potassium permanganate]].<ref name=Sun09182002>{{cite news | url = http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bal-ar.snakehead18sep18,0,5551257.story | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140513041220/http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bal-ar.snakehead18sep18%2C0%2C5551257.story | archive-date = May 13, 2014 | title = DNR says pond is clear | first = Jackie | last = Powder | date = September 18, 2002 | work = The Baltimore Sun | publisher = Baltimore Sun Media Group | url-status = dead }}</ref> Six adult snakeheads and more than one thousand juvenile fish were found and destroyed.<ref name=Sun09182002/>

Ultimately, the incident initiated a national discussion on [[invasive species]].<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.baltimoresun.com/2005/10/20/marylands-least-wanted/ | title = Maryland's least wanted: A few voracious, invasive plant and animal species threaten to crowd out state's native life forms | date = October 20, 2005 |  first = Tom | last = Pelton | work = The Baltimore Sun | access-date = February 24, 2017}}</ref><ref name=NPR-swan>{{cite episode | title = Scientists Prowl to Destroy Mute Swan Eggs | date = April 30, 2007  | people = John Nielsen | series = [[All Things Considered]] | medium = radio | url = https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9923886&ft=1&f=1001 | publisher = [[National Public Radio]] (NPR)| access-date = February 24, 2017}}</ref> One comparison case was the [[mute swan]],<ref name=NPR-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.

Several movies were inspired by this incident. [[Syfy]] aired two movies in relation to the snakehead outbreak: in March 2004, a movie called ''[[Snakehead Terror]]'' was featured, and the movie ''[[Frankenfish]]'' was aired in June 2004. Ten Pound Films also produced a feature film titled ''[[Swarm of the Snakehead]]'' which related to this incident. In 2007, a documentary titled ''Fishzilla: Snakehead Invasion'' aired on the [[National Geographic Channel]], discussing the ecological damage that the snakeheads found in Crofton have done to surrounding areas.

== Geography ==
The original community of Crofton was built on the Duvall family farm located 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 {{convert|3.5|mi|km}} long, encircles the center of the community.

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 County, Maryland|Anne Arundel]] and [[Prince George's County, Maryland|Prince Georges]] counties.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the Crofton CDP has a total area of {{convert|17.1|sqkm|order=flip}}, all land.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US2420875| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212181315/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US2420875| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 12, 2020| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Crofton CDP, Maryland| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=May 30, 2013}}</ref>

==Education==

=== Schools ===
Crofton contains a number of public schools, administered by the [[Anne Arundel County Public Schools]] system:
* Crofton Elementary School, grades [[elementary school|K-5]]
* Crofton Meadows Elementary School, grades [[elementary school|K-5]]
* Crofton Woods Elementary School, grades [[elementary school|K-5]]
* Nantucket Elementary School, grades [[elementary school|K-5]]

For grades [[middle school|6–8]], students from all four of these elementary schools attend Crofton Middle School in adjacent [[Gambrills, Maryland]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.aacps.org/html/schol/Middle/Croftms.asp | title = Crofton Middle School | work = Anne Arundel County Public Schools | publisher = AACPS Board of Education | access-date = February 23, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170224052229/http://www.aacps.org/html/schol/Middle/Croftms.asp | archive-date = February 24, 2017 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name=SchoolFeederSystem>{{cite web | url = http://www.aacps.org/planning/feeders.asp | title = Planning Office: School Feeder System | work = Anne Arundel County Public Schools | publisher = AACPS Board of Education | access-date = February 23, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090730000627/http://www.aacps.org/planning/feeders.asp | archive-date = July 30, 2009 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

Older students from Crofton attend [[Crofton High School (Maryland)|Crofton High School]], grades [[Secondary education in the United States|9-12]], also in adjacent Gambrills, Maryland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crofton High School |url=https://www.croftonhigh.com/ |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=www.croftonhigh.com}}</ref>

In response to overcrowding caused by continuing development in Bowie, the historical nemesis of Crofton and [[2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission|BRAC]] realignments,<ref>{{cite news | url = http://odenton.patch.com/groups/schools/p/crofton-school-redistricting-by-the-numbers | title = Crofton School Redistricting, by the Numbers | first = Tim | last = Lemke | date = September 25, 2012 | website = Odenton-Severn Patch | access-date = January 13, 2014}}</ref><ref name=Patch-highschool>{{cite news | url = http://odenton.patch.com/groups/schools/p/talk-of-a-crofton-high-school-resurfaces-again | title = A Path to a Crofton High School: A top school official said he envisions a scenario under which a new high school in Crofton will be needed sooner rather than later | first = Tim | last = Lemke | date = September 26, 2012 | website = Odenton-Severn Patch}}</ref> a redistricting proposal was approved for Crofton schools in 2013<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.arundelvoice.com/school-youth/board-ed-approves-crofton-redistricting-proposal#.UlkWABBQBiI | title = Board Of Ed Approves Crofton Redistricting Proposal | first = Peter | last = Crispino | date = 9 April 2013 | newspaper = Arundel Voice | access-date = October 12, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150923174312/http://www.arundelvoice.com/school-youth/board-ed-approves-crofton-redistricting-proposal#.UlkWABBQBiI | archive-date = September 23, 2015 | url-status = dead }}</ref> and construction began in late 2018 on [[Crofton High School (Maryland)|Crofton High School]].<ref name=WhichStudents>{{cite news | url = http://www.capitalgazette.com/news/schools/ac-cn-crofton-high-school-redistricting-0827-story.html | title = Which students will go to the new Crofton high school? A redistricting committee is looking into it | first = Christina | last = Jedra | date = August 26, 2018 | work = [[The Capital|Crofton Gazette]] | access-date = September 6, 2018}}</ref> A redistricting committee was formed in late 2018.<ref name=WhichStudents /><ref name="Patch-2018Aug">{{cite news|last=Belt|first=Deb|date=August 24, 2018|title=Crofton High School Will Only Hold 2 Grades In First Year: Crofton Area High School will only house two grades when it first opens in 2020, school leaders say|work=Crofton Patch|url=https://patch.com/maryland/crofton/crofton-high-school-will-only-hold-2-grades-first-year|access-date=October 30, 2018}}</ref> In April 2019, the school board adopted a redistricting plan under which all students from the four local elementary schools will attend the new high school.<ref name="AACPS-croftonareahs">{{cite web|title=Get The Latest News Here!|url=https://www.aacps.org/croftonareahs|access-date=August 31, 2019|work=Anne Arundel County Public Schools|publisher=Anne Arundel County Public Schools}}</ref><ref name=AACPS-redistricting>{{cite web | url = https://www.aacps.org/redistricting | title = 2018-2019 REDISTRICTING PROCESS | work = Anne Arundel County Public Schools | publisher = Anne Arundel County Public Schools | access-date = August 31, 2019}}</ref><ref name=Patch-18April2019>{{cite news | url = https://patch.com/maryland/crofton/crofton-high-school-attendance-boundaries-approved-board | title = Crofton High School Attendance Boundaries Approved By Board | first = Deb | last = Belt | date = April 18, 2019 | location = Crofton, Maryland | work = Crofton Patch | publisher = Patch Media | access-date = August 31, 2019}}</ref> Kathryn Feuerherd was appointed principal in May 2019.<ref name=AACPS-croftonareahs /> Crofton High School has been opened as of September 2020.<ref>{{citation|title=Construction Status Report (CSR 201610)|date=October 2016|url=http://www.aacps.org/admin/articlefiles/299-csr.pdf|page=5|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224053649/http://www.aacps.org/admin/articlefiles/299-csr.pdf|publisher=Anne Arundel County Schools|access-date=February 23, 2017|archive-date=February 24, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Patch-2018Aug" /><ref name="AACPS-croftonareahs" />

There are also some private [[preschool]]s in Crofton:
* Beaver Creek Child Care<ref>{{Cite web |last=Care |first=Beaver Creek Child |title=Welcome to Beaver Creek Child Care & Kindergarten |url=https://beavercreekchildcare.com/ |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=Beaver Creek Child Care |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Crofton Children's Centre<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crofton Children's Centre |url=https://www.croftonchildren.com/ |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=Crofton Children's Centre |language=en}}</ref>
* Crofton Day School<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.croftonday.org/enrollment.html | title = Enrollment | publisher = Crofton Day School | access-date = January 13, 2014 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140113142830/http://www.croftonday.org/enrollment.html | archive-date = January 13, 2014 }}</ref>
* Crofton Nursery School<ref>{{cite web | url = http://croftonnurseryschool.com/ | title = Welcome | publisher = Crofton Nursery School | access-date = January 13, 2013}}</ref>
* Creative Garden Nursery School and Kindergarten<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.creativegardenschools.com/Crofton.html | title = Creative Garden Nursery School and Kindergarten- Crofton has enriched the lives of children since September 1968! | publisher = Creative Garden Schools | year = 2014 | access-date = January 13, 2014 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140113172750/http://www.creativegardenschools.com/Crofton.html | archive-date = January 13, 2014 }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 2010 = 27348
| 2020 = 29641
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2016}}</ref>
}}

===2010 census data===
As of the 2000 [[census]],<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> there were 20,091 people, 7,404 households, and 5,478 families residing in the Crofton census-designated place. The population density was {{convert|3,998.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 7,573 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,507.2|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. There were 7,404 households, out of which 40.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.9% were [[Marriage|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.

In 2010, Crofton had grown to 27,348,<ref name=Census-2010>{{cite web | url = https://www.census.gov | title = DP-1, Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010, 2010 Demographic Profile Data | work = [[United States Census Bureau]] | date = 2010 | access-date = February 24, 2017 }}</ref> an increase of 36%. The median age remained at 35 years. Of the 10,203 housing units, most were households of families (71.5%) with an average household size of 2.67 people.

Census data show an increase in the percentage of minorities living in Crofton. In 2000, the racial makeup of the community was 90.21% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 5.13% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.23% Native American, 2.33% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.60% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.44% from two or more races; [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.48% of the population.<ref name="GR2"/>  In the 2010 census, the racial makeup of the community was 79.8% White (−10.4%), 10.3% Black (+5.2%), 4.7% Hispanic (+2.2%), 3.3% two or more races (+1.9%), 4.9% Asian (+2.6%), .1% Native American (+.1%), and 1.4% "some other race".<ref name=Census-2010/>

=== Population history ===
The U.S. Census Bureau has recorded the following populations for the Crofton census-designated place.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
!Year
!Total Population
|-
|1960
|NA<ref name=Census-1970>{{cite book | url = http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1970a_md-01.pdf | chapter = Table 6. Population of Places: 1970 and 1960 | page = 22-10 | title = 1970 Census of Population, Volume 1: Characteristics of the Population, Part 22: Maryland | date = February 1973 | publisher = U.S. Department of Commerce, Social and Economic Statistics Administration, Bureau of the Census | access-date = February 24, 2017}}</ref>
|-
|1970
|4,478<ref name=Census-1970/> 
|-
|1980
|12,009<ref>{{cite book | url = https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980/1980censusofpopu8011uns_bw.pdf | chapter = Table 25. Population, 1960 to 1980, and Land Area and Population Density for 1980 for Places of 2,500 or More | pages = 1–133 | title = 1990 Census of Population and Housing: Number of Inhabitants, United States Summary (PC80-1-A1) | publisher = U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census | access-date = February 24, 2017}}</ref>
|-
|1990
|12,781<ref>{{cite book | url = https://www.census.gov/prod/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-1-1.pdf | chapter = Table 45. Population and Housing Units, 1970 to 1990; Area Measurements and Density: 1990 | page = 474 | title = 1990 Census of Population and Housing: Population and Housing Unit Counts, United States (1990 CPH-2-1) | publisher = U.S. Department of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration, Bureau of the Census | access-date = February 24, 2017}}</ref>
|-
|2000
|20,091<ref name="GR2"/>
|-
|2010
|27,348<ref name=Census-2010/>
|-
|2020
|29,136
|}

===Earnings data===
Crofton has experienced a 33.99% income growth rate since 2000.<ref name=USA.com/> This exceeds both the Maryland state average rate (30.24%) and the national average rate (19.17%).<ref name=USA.com>{{cite web | url = http://www.usa.com/crofton-md.htm | title = Crofton, MD: Basic Information | work = USA.com | publisher = World Media Group, LLC | year = 2014 | access-date = January 13, 2014}}</ref>

According to a 2007 estimate,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=16000US2408775&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US24%7C16000US2408775&_street=&_county=crofton&_cityTown=crofton&_state=04000US24&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2007_3YR_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= |title=Community Facts – 21114 – SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS |work=American Fact Finder |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200210231949/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=16000US2408775&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US24%7C16000US2408775&_street=&_county=crofton&_cityTown=crofton&_state=04000US24&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2007_3YR_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null:null&_keyword=&_industry= |archive-date=February 10, 2020 }}</ref> 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.<ref name=ACS-2012>{{cite web | url = http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_12_5YR_DP03 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20200212213801/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_12_5YR_DP03 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 12 February 2020 | title = Community Facts – 21114 – SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS, 2008–2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates | work = American Fact Finder | publisher = U.S. Census Bureau | access-date = January 13, 2014}}</ref> The [[per capita income]] for the area was $43,452.<ref name=ACS-2012/> 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.<ref name=ACS-2012/>

==Governance==
The original (old) section of Crofton is a Special Community Benefit District (SCBD) governed by the Board of Directors of the Crofton Civic Association.<ref>[https://www.croftoncommunity.org/what-is-the-cscbd What is the CSCBD?], Crofton Community, retrieved June 12, 2020.</ref> The Crofton SCBD staff includes a Town Manager, Non Governmental Figure Head Mayor Tip Conquick, Police, Recreation Coordinator, Maintenance Technician, A Director to the Office of the Mayor and administrative staff that provide for grounds and park maintenance, public safety, and community recreation programs and events.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Town Hall Staff |url=https://www.croftoncommunity.org/town-hall-staff |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=croftoncommunity |language=en}}</ref> Town Hall is sometimes located in the older section of Crofton, at the corner of Crofton Parkway and Duke of Kent Drive. The structure was built as the sales center for the original Crawford development; it was donated to the community in 1973.<ref name=Images/> Town Hall contains offices for the town manager, other Crofton SCBD staff, and the police department.<ref name=Images>{{cite book | title = Crofton | first = Janice Fuhrman | last = Booth | year = 2009 | series = Images of America | publisher = Arcadia Publishing | isbn = 978-0-7385-6783-9 | page = 96 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=U1pYBhVWSCcC}}</ref> Newer sections of Crofton area are not incorporated and include several HOAs.

==Crime and law enforcement==
The Crofton Special Community Benefit District is policed by the Crofton Police Department, which was founded in 1969.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.croftoncommunity.org/crofton-police | title = Crofton Police | work = Crofton | publisher = Crofton Special Community Benefit District (CSCBD) | access-date = February 13, 2017}}</ref> The department operates under the Anne Arundel County Charter, aided by the [[Anne Arundel County Police Department]] and [[Anne Arundel County Sheriff's Office|Sheriff's Office]] as directed by authority.<ref name=Police>{{citation | url = http://media.wix.com/ugd/c759a7_b21b4b1254bd4606a4dcf5789d7cd3bf.pdf | title = Crofton Police Department Rules and Regulations | first = Earl D., Chief of Police | last = Fox | year = 1994 | access-date = February 13, 2017 }}</ref>

== Landmarks ==
* [[Katcef Archeological Site]] – [[archaeological site]] with native camp sites ranging from the [[Paleo-Indian]] [[Clovis culture|Clovis period]] to the late [[Woodland period]].<ref>{{cite web|url={{MHT url|id=1092}} |title=Katcef Archeological Site |publisher=Maryland Historical Trust |access-date=March 24, 2019}}</ref> It was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1991.<ref name="nris"/>
* [[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 [[Linthicum family in Maryland|Thomas Linthicum]], a [[Wales|Welsh]] immigrant. It was part of a medium-sized tobacco farm. [[George Washington]] stayed here during his travels to and from [[Annapolis, Maryland|Annapolis]] and [[Philadelphia]] and his home at [[Mount Vernon]], [[Virginia]]. Located next to Crofton Middle School and the new Crofton High School, Linthicum Walks is owned by Anne Arundel County, run by the Department of Recreation and Parks and maintained by the Friends of Linthicum Walks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Community Gardens {{!}} Historic Linthicum Walks {{!}} Crofton |url=https://www.historiclinthicumwalks.org/ |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=My Site |language=en}}</ref> It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2008a}}</ref>
* [[White's Hall]] – birthplace of [[Johns Hopkins]], [[entrepreneur]] and [[philanthropist]] whose greatest legacy is the funding of [[Johns Hopkins University]]. Gerrard Hopkins came to America from England, settling in Crofton in 1660. The Hopkins family was in the Crofton area for 270 years and accumulated more than {{convert|1000|acre|abbr=on}} of land. The historic house – built in the late 1700s – still exists near the corner of Riedel Road and Johns Hopkins Road.<ref>{{citation | url = http://dev.aacounty.org/departments/planning-and-zoning/forms-and-publications/AACoInventoryHistoricProperties.pdf | title = Anne Arundel County's Inventory of Historic Properties | publisher = Office of Planning and Zoning, Anne Arundel County | access-date = February 13, 2017}}</ref> It is privately owned but empty.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.capitalgazette.com/news/ph-ac-cn-hopkins-house-update-0415-20160414-story.html | title = Hopkins birthplace in Gambrills up for sale to preservation-minded buyer | first = Amanda | last = Yeager | date = April 14, 2016 | work = [[The Capital]] | publisher = Baltimore Sun Media Group | access-date = February 13, 2017}}</ref>

== Notable people ==
{{more citations needed section|date=February 2013}}
* [[Spiro Agnew]] – Following his resignation as [[Vice President of the United States]], Agnew ran Pathlite, Inc., a consulting firm in Crofton.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Shandler|first1=Philip|title=Excitement in Spiro Agnew's Life Lacking|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RX4cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=21EEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7102%2C2526286|access-date=28 January 2016|work=The Dispatch|date=September 26, 1974|page=21}}</ref>
* [[Kyle Beckerman]] – [[Major League Soccer]] player for [[Real Salt Lake]] and 2014 [[FIFA World Cup|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 Hyattsville, MD) and Arundel High School in Gambrills, MD.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2014/06/14/croftons-kyle-beckerman-had-long-set-the-world-cup-as-his-destination/|title=Crofton's Kyle Beckerman had long set the World Cup as his destination|access-date=30 November 2017}}</ref>
* [[Bill Belichick]] – head coach of the [[New England Patriots]] was raised in Crofton and went to Annapolis High<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2018/01/16/bill-belichick-discussion-of-race-in-maryland-high-school-integration | title = Bill Belichick talked about his experience during Annapolis High School integration | first = Hayden | last = Bird | date = January 16, 2018 | work = Boston.com | publisher = Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC | access-date = August 2, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Peter Bondra]] – hockey player<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1990/09/18/czechoslovakians-learning-the-american-way/d82596cc-ebc4-4229-a280-377f161c9003/ | title = CZECHOSLOVAKIANS LEARNING THE AMERICAN WAY | first = Dave | last = Sell | date = September 18, 1990 | location = Lake Placid, New York | newspaper = The Washington Post | access-date = August 2, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Johns Hopkins]] – businessman involved in the building of the [[B&O Railroad]], founded [[Johns Hopkins University]] and [[Johns Hopkins Hospital]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=About|url=https://www.johnshopkinshouse.org/about|access-date=2021-11-17|website=Johns Hopkins House|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Chris Kubasik]] – former president and Chief Operating Officer of [[Lockheed Martin]] Corporation, now living in Potomac, MD, was raised in Crofton and went to [[Arundel High School]]<ref>{{cite news | url = https://patch.com/maryland/odenton/arundel-high-grad-named-ceo-of-lockheed-martin | title = Arundel High Grad Named CEO of Lockheed Martin: Christopher Kubasik of the class of 1979 will head one of the world's largest defense contractors | first = Tim | last = Lemke | date = April 26, 2012 | work = Patch | publisher = Patch Media | access-date = August 2, 2020 }}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* [[Tom McMillen]] – former Democratic congressman, [[List of Rhodes Scholars|Rhodes Scholar]], and pro basketball player.<ref>{{Cite web|title=MCMILLEN, Charles Thomas {{!}} US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives|url=https://history.house.gov/People/Listing/M/McMILLEN,-Charles-Thomas-(M000573)/|access-date=2021-11-17|website=history.house.gov|language=en}}</ref>
* [[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.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Klingaman|first=Mike|title=Land of the Giant Gheorghe Muresan: The Bullets' center is living large. He was the NBA's Most Improved Player. Children love him, and so do promoters, who appreciate his ability to take a joke.|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1997-03-10-1997069050-story.html|access-date=2021-02-03|website=baltimoresun.com|language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Edward Snowden]] – Leaked sensitive government documents regarding mass surveillance. Attended Crofton Woods Elementary School, Crofton Middle School, and Arundel High School for {{frac|1|1|2}} years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2013/06/10/details-about-edward-snowdens-life-in-maryland-emerge/|title=Details about Edward Snowden's life in Maryland emerge|access-date=30 November 2017}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== 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 family in Maryland|Linthicum Walks]].
* {{citation | url = http://www.aacounty.org/PlanZone/SAP/Crofton.cfm | title = Crofton Small Area Plan | date = February 23, 2001 | work = Anne Arundel County Citizens Information Center | publisher = Anne Arundel County | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20031220085418/http://www.aacounty.org/PlanZone/SAP/Crofton.cfm | archive-date = December 20, 2003}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.city-data.com/city/Crofton-Maryland.html "Crofton, Maryland"], at City-Data.com

{{Anne Arundel County, Maryland}}
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[[Category:Populated places established in 1964]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Maryland]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Anne Arundel County, Maryland]]
[[Category:Planned communities in the United States]]
[[Category:1964 establishments in Maryland]]