Living in West Friendship
You may not know much about West Friendship, which is located near the junction of I-70 and Route 32. But the more you learn, the more you’ll find there is to love in this semi-rural small town.
West Friendship’s Demographics
With only a population of about 2,777 in 2009, West Friendship is a great location for anyone who is looking for a slower pace of life. The population may be small, but it’s also affluent. The average family income in 2011 was $176,363, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, which means it ranks as one of the highest-income cities or towns in Maryland. In fact, a third of all families earn more than $200,000 a year, and less than one percent live under the poverty line. Most working adults commute to the Baltimore-Washington corridor, with an average commute time of about half an hour.
West Friendship has rapidly become one of the most desirable locations in the Baltimore area. Homes of greater than 4,000 square feet on lots bigger than an acre are common in some subdivisions. In newer areas, it’s not uncommon to see houses sell for over $1,000,000.
Education in West Friendship
West Friendship is served by the Howard County Public School System, which is one of the top-performing school districts in Maryland. The public schools in West Friendship are:
- Bushy Park Elementary School
- Triadelphia Ridge Elementary School
- West Friendship Elementary School
- Folly Quarter Middle School
- Mount View Middle School
- Glenelg High School
- Marriotts Ridge High School
Private school options include the Glenelg Country School and the Glenwood Country Day School. About a quarter of area students attend private schools.
Things to do in West Friendship
West Friendship is close to many parks and hiking trails, including at West Friendship Park. Western Regional Park has a large playground, four multi-purpose grass fields, two lighted turf fields, baseball diamonds, and basketball courts. For golfers, Willow Springs Golf Course and Cattail Creek Country Club both offer 18-hole courses.
West Friendship is also the home of the Howard County Fairgrounds, which host both the annual Howard County Fair and the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. Across from the Fairgrounds you’ll find the Howard County Living Farm Heritage Museum.