A growing retail-centric suburb in Baltimore County
Located between Baltimore and a U.S. Army base in Aberdeen, the retail rich suburb of White Marsh continues to grow. New chain restaurants are added frequently, and in the fall of 2024, the modest city became home to Baltimore County’s first Sheetz convenience store. This community of 10,000 residents is fairly modern. Founded in 1965, it was previously farmland, but Richardson Farms pays homage to the past with an extensive indoor farmers market.
“There’s just everything right here, you don’t have to go far,” says Don Beecher, who’s lived in the area for over 20 years and is currently Realtor with Cornerstone Real Estate. “You can get produce from local farms or go to every kind of chain restaurant available. It’s grown a lot in recent years.” But the contrast between the past and the future raises questions on how to balance local growth. In October 2024, the White Marsh Mall received a new owner, preventing a large chunk from being turned into upscale housing.
Baltimore County’s Master Plan 2030 targets White Marsh as a city poised for revitalization, with hopes that business zones can be converted into mixed-use developments with housing. As of January 2024, county officials were still trying to pass a bill that would facilitate rezoning.
Newer homes in White Marsh, MD have sizable front and backyards.
White Marsh on the Avenue is a vibrant retail area with restaurants and shopping.
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Modern homes on quarter acre lots, spread across a typical suburban layout
Modern townhouses mix with assorted single-family homes on expansive lots to create diverse housing. “The single-owner homes will be on quarter-acre or half-acre lots in a typical subdivision layout with sidewalks, two-car driveways and attached garages,” Beecher says. “We’re seeing newer construction for homes, too. They tend to be red brick, in contrast to the more Craftsman-esque white and black prefabricated homes you’ll see in Kingsville.”
“Both White Marsh and neighboring Perry Hall tend to have newer homes," Beecher says. "If you want something older, you’ll probably go to Parkville." The median home price is $452,000, slightly higher than the national median.
The housing options in Perry Hall offer more spacious living just outside of Baltimore.
Pery Hall home buyers have many new construction homes to choose from.
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Towson University adds a splash of higher education
Baltimore County Public Schools earns a B from Niche. Perry Hall High receives an A-minus and has over 2,000 students. There’s a 17-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio. Towson University is 10 miles west, enrolling over 20,000 students. Founded in 1866, many go there to pursue a degree in education.
Perry Hall Elementary School is a public school serving grades pk-5.
Perry Hall High School is one of the largest high schools in the area and welcomes all.
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Activities on the river, trails at Honeygo Run Regional Park
Honeygo Run Regional Park is an easy go-to for public recreation. It covers indoor and outdoor activities with athletic fields, a recreation center, a picnic pavilion and plenty of trails that go through wooded areas. There’s even a dog park. Stretching over 200 acres through the middle of town, it can’t be missed. But residents aren’t limited to land-based activities. “White Marsh is a water-oriented place with lots of good boating,” says Beecher. “Middle River and Bird River are just south of [U.S.] Route 40. There are even more trails to explore around Gunpowder River.”
The Gunpowder River brings a variety of wildlife to your backyard in White Marsh, MD.
Angel Park in White Marsh, MD has three playgrounds modeled after castles, ships and firetrucks.
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Numerous chain eateries, but locally owned small businesses are mixed in
Retail centers with brand name stores are what the city does best. White Marsh Mall is considered a regional destination, with over 130 stores, not including restaurants. It’s more of a traditional indoor shopping experience. The Avenue is a modern outdoor mall with lawns, landscaping, fountains and tables with shade umbrellas. It’s smaller, though, with about 20 shops and 20 restaurants.
While chains and franchises dominate the dining scene, there are small businesses that residents can patronize. “The Local is fairly new, known for high-quality food, and as the name suggests, it focuses on local ingredients that are in season,” says Beecher. “It’s also easy to drive over to Towson University, where a lot of restaurants are concentrated.”
There are many big box retailers like Weis at the Honeygo Village Shopping Center in White Marsh, MD.
Shoppers can find known brands and retailers at the White Marsh Mall in White Marsh, MD.
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The city is part of the Interstate 95 corridor
Most Realtors will suggest owning a car. After all, White Marsh is designed as a classic suburb with subdivisions that feed into retail centers. But drivers benefit from popular roads passing through: Interstate 95 and White Marsh Boulevard intersect in the middle of town. The latter is a frequent route that locals use to reach Baltimore. “It’s easy to get downtown in about 10 minutes,” says Beecher. “You can get to Philly in about two hours.” Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is a little farther south, about 25 miles, requiring a 40-minute drive.
An increase in violent crime offenses
Being a retail rich city brings its own risks: Shoplifting is a leading crime category, according to the Baltimore County Police Department. A report from 2024 indicates that most violent crime offenses increased from the previous year.
Meet Sarah Anderson & Neal Sheehan Sarah and Neal give you the advantage of their local expertise, coming from their 30-plus years of living in Howard and Baltimore counties. As full-time real estate professionals they give you two resources for your immediate needs, with prompt replies to your calls, texts and emails. That means you are always in the loop on the progress of your purchase or sale.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
