Moving to or from Ellicott City?
Howard County seat and one of America's best-preserved mill towns — founded by the Ellicott brothers in 1772, with a dramatic stone-built downtown along the Patapsco River that's endured and recovered from major floods in 2016 and 2018.
- 75,000 City population
- 2,830,000 Metro area
- 1772 Founded
- Howard County / Baltimore-Washington Corridor Region
Why people move to Ellicott City.
- Being Howard County's seat and one of America's best-preserved historic mill towns
- Top-rated Howard County schools
- The stone-built Main Street along the Patapsco River
- B&O Railroad Station Museum (the oldest surviving railroad station in the US)
- Being an affluent Baltimore-Washington corridor suburb
- Recovery from major floods in 2016 and 2018
Ellicott City's Main Street has the dubious distinction of experiencing two 'thousand-year floods' in just 22 months — on July 30, 2016 (flood waters reaching 14 feet) and again on May 27, 2018. Both storms devastated the historic downtown, killed residents, and caused massive property damage. The community has rebuilt twice with significant flood-mitigation investments. The stone buildings from the 1790s-1800s have survived, though many businesses have relocated or closed.
Where people live in Ellicott City.
A quick guide to Ellicott City's most moved-to neighborhoods.
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Historic Ellicott City (Downtown)
Preserved stone-built main street with restaurants and shops
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Turf Valley
Upscale golf community
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Centennial
Family-oriented residential with top schools
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Waverly
Established residential neighborhood
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Columbia (adjacent)
Master-planned community with its own distinct character
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Rockburn (adjacent)
Rural-feel surrounding community
Where people spend their time in Ellicott City.
- Historic Ellicott City Main Street Downtown
- B&O Railroad Station Museum (Ellicott City) Downtown
- Patapsco Valley State Park Adjacent
- Centennial Park Central Ellicott City
- Howard County Historical Society Central Ellicott City
- Clark's Elioak Farm Central Ellicott City
Planning a Ellicott City move.
- Howard County schools drive housing demand; top-rated feeders command premium pricing
- Historic Main Street has flood history; research before considering downtown properties
- Baltimore commute is 25-35 minutes; DC commute is 45-60 minutes
- Property taxes are moderate for MD
Moving in Ellicott City: FAQ.
Is Historic Main Street safe from flooding now?
Significantly safer with post-2018 investments, but risk remains. The city has invested in flood mitigation (culvert enlargement, channel widening, berms) and the state has funded stormwater management improvements. New businesses operating on Main Street understand the risk. Some former businesses permanently closed. If you're considering living or working on historic Main Street, understand that residual flood risk exists despite mitigation.
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