An understated baseball capital with a large military presence
Aberdeen, Maryland, is little more than close bunches of homes set in the rolling hills of Harford County. “With other places in Maryland, usually there’s more to say,” says Realtor Daniel McGhee, leader of the Victory Team at Homeowners Real Estate and lifelong Harford County resident. “The Aberdeen Proving Ground military base is the main reason people choose it, other than Cal Ripken.” While the proving ground is the main employer in the area, Orioles legend Cal Ripken, Jr., has done plenty to make baseball the cultural sticking point of the town. The local minor league team draws fans from across the state, as does Ripken’s extensive park facility. But development outside of this comes slowly, outpaced by other nearby cities. “It’s definitely growing in a positive way,” McGhee says. “It’s convenient for commuters, even those going to D.C., thanks to the Amtrak train. And they do have everything people need. It’s got all the basics, your chain restaurants and big-box stores. But it’s a quieter and slower lifestyle than other cities around it.”
Aberdeen is the childhood home of baseball's iron man Cal Ripkin Jr.
The Cal Ripken Experience in Aberdeen has several replica baseball fields like Cal, Sr.'s Yard.
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A steady pace of development is bringing larger homes to the outskirts of Aberdeen
The median list price in Aberdeen is around $335,000. Most residential properties are single-family homes on mid-sized lots, many built in the mid-20th century. Colonial Revivals and ranch-style homes dominate the landscape, with sporadic new development taking place on the fringes. “I’ve lived in Harford County my whole life, and you can definitely see the growth,” McGhee says. “There are lots of areas on the outskirts where people can get some pretty large houses and a lot of land for $600,000 or $700,000.” This includes neighborhoods like Gilbert , where the median lot size for single-family homes is above 8,000 square feet.
More residential single-family homes in Aberdeen, MD.
Newer single-family homes in Aberdeen.
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Harford County Public Schools are among the area's best
Students in Aberdeen attend Bakerfield Elementary, rated B by Niche. Aberdeen Middle gets a B-minus, offering various afterschool activities like Latin, step dance and ecology clubs. Aberdeen High rounds out the list with an A-minus.
Aberdeen High School, home of the Eagles has numerous clubs and honor societies to choose from.
As of 2022, Aberdeen Middle School had an enrollment of 1,086 and a capacity of 1,624 students.
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Baseball is a major driver of events in Aberdeen
Baseball is central to Aberdeen’s identity. Players will enjoy The Ripken Experience, a veritable baseball mecca that hosts tournaments and clinics on nine fields replicating some of Major League Baseball’s most famous parks. Just across the street at Leidos Field, those who prefer to watch the game can catch Minor League Baseball’s Aberdeen Ironbirds.
The Cal Ripken Experience
A baseball field at the Cal Ripkin Experience.
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Green spaces, farmers markets and axe throwing by the Chesapeake Bay
Proximity to the Chesapeake Bay means residents can enjoy hiking and biking trails or boating rentals and launches within view of this watershed. Aberdeen Festival Park, the central feature of downtown, hosts the community farmers market every second Saturday. When the weather is prohibitive, indoor recreation at Harford Lanes bowling alley or the Route 22 Hatchet House axe-throwing lanes is an option.
Children love playing in the open field at Aberdeen Festival Park.
Many Aberdeen subdivisions are built around community greenspaces.
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Restaurants and retail are centered around the major area highways
Residents can pick up groceries and daily household necessities at the shopping centers along the Aberdeen Thruway or Pulaski Highway, the two major thoroughfares of the town. These centers are also packed with restaurants, from chain eateries to local gems. “Olive Tree is a very popular restaurant up there, one of only a couple that isn’t a chain,” McGhee says. “The other is Mamie’s Café, which does home-cooked soul food and gets really unique with the decorations in the dining room.”
Aberdeen residents can dine at neighborhood favorite the Olive Tree.
Aberdeen can shop for the essential items at nearby Aldi.
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Crime rates in Aberdeen are above the statewide numbers
Since 1900, Aberdeen has been served by the Aberdeen Police Department, which employs 44 sworn law enforcement officers and 17 civilians in total. According to the Maryland Statistical Analysis Center, between 2018 and 2023, Aberdeen's property and violent crime rates were higher than statewide rates. Between 2022 and 2023, there was an almost 6% increase in the property crime rate and a 47% increase in the violent crime rate.
Multiple options for commuting to Baltimore and beyond
Residents are best off driving in Aberdeen, but they can use the Amtrak train for access to Downtown Baltimore. The nonstop trip takes about 25 minutes and only costs a few dollars.
India Hall is a former Chief Financial Officer turned top producing, multimillion dollar real estate professional serving the Washington, D.C, Maryland and Virginia. The founder of The Ultimate Team® at HomeSmart, she and her team of real estate experts offer an innovative, full-service approach for clients.
She has been named one of HomeSmart’s President’s Club Top 250 and received the 2025 RateMyAgent “Agent of the Year” award. Routinely recognized for her commitment to the industry, she is the go-to expert for clients searching for that true five-star experience. She provides her clients with outstanding service and insight, exceeding expectations at every turn.
A true master of her craft, India supports clients throughout their home journey with tailored strategies for success.
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