Bel Air, Maryland, is about 30 miles north of Baltimore and 10 miles northwest of the Chesapeake Bay. It is the county seat of Harford County, and while understated, it is an enduring community, having celebrated its 150th anniversary in late 2023. What began as just a handful of small lots centered around the county courthouse boomed in the wake of the Civil War, as the Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad – colloquially called the Ma & Pa – brought industry to the town. Over 20 buildings in the town are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and its downtown district has become a bastion of local businesses and boutiques in recent years.
“Homebuyers choose Bel Air for plenty of good reasons,” says Realtor John Benedictis with Keller Williams Realty Partners. “The top three are generally the great schools in the area, its location between Pennsylvania and Baltimore, and of course the Aberdeen Proving Ground.” The foundation of the Proving Ground in 1917 brought a renewed population surge to Bel Air. Today, this military installation is by far the top employer in the city, with Upper Chesapeake Health placing second. This has led to an expansion of Bel Air’s suburbs, with large homes developed in bunches on spacious lots.
This small town’s culture has been intertwined with its larger, more famous neighbor to the south due to simple commutes via Interstate 95. In 2024, Bel Air was named Baltimore’s Best Suburb by readers of The Baltimore Sun newspaper, a victory proudly displayed on the town’s website. Orioles flags are a common sight outside front doors, and snowballs topped with marshmallow fluff at Emmorton are a summertime tradition. But while this semi-suburban city embraces some of the most iconic aspects of Baltimore’s unique culture, it remains proud of its own roots all the same.
Bel Air is the seat of Harford County.
Aberdeen Proving Ground brought a renewed population surge to Bel Air in 1917.
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Subdivisions sprawling out from Main Street
Homes in Bel Air come in a variety of styles, including midcentury Cape Cods and ranch-style homes on spacious lots with front and backyards. Newer developments have brought large Colonial Revivals and Modern Traditional builds to the area, some with brick or stonework facades, in subdivisions with wide streets and open fields. “The beauty of Bel Air is that these newer homes are still close to the downtown area,” Benedictis says. “Buyers really like getting the old with the new in one location. It’s also a mix of home ages, from the 1950s to the 2020s.” Ranch-style homes and Cape Cods can cost anywhere from $320,000 to $600,000 depending on the status of any renovations and build year, while prices for Colonial Revivals and Modern Traditional homes can range from $400,000 to over $850,000.
This large single-family home offers a large driveway and two-car garage.
This ranch-style home in Bel Air features a nice front yard.
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High-ranking schools, from kindergarten to college
The Harford County Public School District earns an overall A-minus from Niche and is ranked as the No. 2 Best District in the Baltimore area. “Families with young kids know Bel Air has well-loved and highly ranked schools,” Benedictis says. “It’s a big reason why buyers seek us out.” Two elementary schools, one middle school and one high school serve the city. Bel Air High also scores an A-minus, boasting a 95 percent graduation rate. John Carroll High School, established in 1964, offers a private faith-based alternative, and also receives an A-minus. Harford Community College is ranked by Niche as the No. 3 best community college out of the 16 in the state. Founded in 1947, HCC offers more than 140 programs to more than 6,300 full- and part-time students.
Bel Air Elementary School serves students from Pre-K through the 5th grade.
Bel Air High School opened in 1817 as the Bel Air Academy.
Bel Air Middle School is part of the Harford County Public Schools district.
Bel Air residents can continue their education at Harford County Community College.
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Downtown is a haven for locally-owned shops and restaurants
The historic downtown area, designated as the Bel Air Arts and Entertainment District, features a variety of restaurants, boutiques and cultural destinations such as MaGerks Pub, The Nest on Main Street Gift Shop and the Harford Artists Gallery. “There are so many locally owned shops downtown,” says Jordan Sarnovsky, area resident of 5 years. “Vagabond Sandwich Company is local and always has a line. There’s a tailor there who’s done dresses for me on short notice, and a place called Doggilicious Doughnuts that makes adorable dog treats.” Independent Brewing Company, located near the MA & PA Trail, brews small-batch ales and ciders that are gluten-free and offers Sunday morning Bend and Brew yoga classes on premises.
Harford Mall, the county’s only shopping center, hosts 10 restaurants, 15 retail stores and seasonal events like the Spring Craft Show. Residents will often make the 17-mile trip down Interstate 95 to White Marsh for larger selections. White Marsh Mall is one of the region’s largest, with over 130 shops and eateries contained within the main building. Just across Honeygo Boulevard from the mall is The Avenue, a walkable strip of trendy restaurants and popular brand outlets surrounding a central astroturf green and the AMC movie theater.
Bel Air residents can enjoy exploring the Bel Air historic district.
Your fury best friend will love a treat from Doggilicious Doughnuts located in downtown Bel Air.
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Parks, playgrounds and the Ma & Pa Railroad Trail
The Town of Bel Air maintains six parks throughout the city, ranging in size from a half-acre to 7 acres at the largest. Although they are small, they are well-equipped with amenities, including jungle gyms, grills and picnic shelters. Local playgrounds are noted for their unique and creative design. “My best friend’s daughter absolutely loves the giraffe at Lyn Stacie Getz Playground,” says Sarnovsky. In addition to its eye-catching giraffe sculpture, Getz Playground features a play set crafted to resemble a village square.
Hikers can stretch their legs on the Ma & Pa Trail, which traces the path of the former Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad. This 6-mile walking path winds through the woodland of the county and is popular for dog walking. Golfers will enjoy proximity to Wetlands Golf Course, a public 18-hole course in nearby Aberdeen, and to Maryland Golf and Country Clubs and Winters Run Golf Club, the private courses closer to home.
The MA & PA Heritage trail is a quiet escape from busy city life in Bel Air.
Bel Air golfers love having Winters Run Golf Club in their backyards.
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Interstates and commuter trains provide access to Baltimore
Access to Interstate 95 and Maryland Route 1 makes the 30-mile commute south to Baltimore simple. Residents can also head south on Maryland Route 40, the most direct way to make the 27-mile trip to Johns Hopkins Hospital. A commuter train also runs from Aberdeen, making the trip to Baltimore’s Penn Station in just over 30 minutes. Harford Transit LINK offers bus service throughout the county, running from shopping centers like Harford Mall to the MARC and Amtrak station and to Upper Chesapeake Hospital.
The Bel Air Armory, food festivals and the Aberdeen Ironbirds
The eye-catching small castle on North Main Street is the Bel Air Armory. Built in 1915, the facility now serves as a rentable event space. Its landscaped gardens, park and stage area make it a popular spot for weddings, corporate events and other celebrations. The Armory Marketplace, located behind the building, hosts the Harford Artists Gallery and several small local businesses. The Bel Air Farmers Market, staged on Main Street, features over 60 vendors and occurs every Saturday from April to November.
The annual Kite Festival, held every spring, is a popular event that includes free kites, live music and local food trucks. The Maryland State BBQ Bash, held each October downtown, attracts visitors from across the country. Featuring music, food and tailgate vendors, the event also includes a cash prize for the team with the best barbecue. Baseball fans who do not wish to make the 30-mile trip south to Camden Yards can instead opt to drive 10 miles east to Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, home of Minor League Baseball’s Aberdeen Ironbirds.
The Bel Air Armory is a historic National Guard armory built in 1915.
The Bel Air Farmer’s Market has been serving Harford County since 1975.
Aberdeen baseball fans can attend an IronBirds game at Leidos Field.
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Crime rates in Bel Air fall below the national average
As of December 2023, the FBI reports that violent crime occurs in Bel Air at a rate of 104 incidents per 100,000 residents, which falls below the national average. Property crime fell from November to December 2023, ending the year at 161 incidents per 100,000 residents, in-line with the national average.
Written By
Hugh Taylor
Video By
Everett Hall-McNeill
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GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Bel Air, MD sell after 25 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Bel Air, MD over the last 12 months is $440,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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