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Bel Air, MD

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Bel Air, MD

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Demographics

Predominantly WhiteSimpson's Diversity Index: 22
Population1,894
Foreign Born2.0%
Population Density0people per mi²
Median Age46.1 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
GrowingSince 2010, this city's population has grown with relatively minor shifts in racial composition.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
B+
Good

Above-average quality of iife. The area offers a reasonable cost of living, decent mobility, and a mix of neighborhood amenities.

Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.

Cost of Living

66/100

34% below national average

A+

The Real Cost of Living in Bel Air, Maryland

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $12k$23k
Comfortable $37k$54k
Luxury $79k+$123k+
Elite (Top 5%) $93k+$145k+
Affordability Ratio

162%

The Hood Index™

A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.

A-
Hood Index scan area
Premium Lean77%
RisksNeutralGrowth
Premium
40
Positive
40
Poor
10
Negative
27

Groceries

7 within 10 miles

0.4mi

Gas

20 within 10 miles

0.3mi

Hospital

13 within 20 miles

1.1mi

Airport

BWI — Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall

30mi

Post Office

USPS — Bel Air, MD

0.9mi

Critical Amenities

Country Clubs

1 private club within 10 miles.

Golf5Nearest 1.9 mi
Camping20Nearest 6.7 mi
Marina5Nearest 7.6 mi
Winery2Nearest 8.4 mi
Ice Rink0 
Gun Range1Nearest 2.9 mi

Affluence Level

Overall Affluence Grade
C+
Average

A middle-class area roughly in line with national averages across income, home values, education, and employment.

Median HHI
$88k+14.9%
17% above US avg
Est. Avg Net Worth
$1M
59% above US avg
College Educated
25.1%
28% below US avg
WFH
13.0%
9% below US avg
Homeownership
90.9%
39% above US avg
Median Home
$190k
33% below US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
B-
Safe

Generally safer than 56% of comparable U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
26.1
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
+74.4%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr+42.7%
Homicide*
0.05 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Robbery
0.00 / 1k Residents100% below state avg
Aggravated Assault*
2.34 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg

Property Crime

5yr+106.0%
Burglary*
1.64 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Larceny-Theft*
13.30 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Motor Vehicle Theft*
3.15 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025* = State-level data substituted where local agency has not published figures

Political Climate

Cook PVI: R+8Leans Conservative

District shown is the primary district for this city’s centroid. Cities may span multiple districts.

Presidential Voting Trends for Bel Air, Maryland
Dem Rep
30%40%50%60%2000200420082012201620202024

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
C+
Moderate

Moderate friction. Expect trade-offs in some aspect of personal liberty and independence.

State Policy

Tax Burden
D+
Poor11.3% of income
Property Rights
D
WeakIJ Grade D
Firearm Rights
F
PoorFPC Grade F
Homeschooling
A-
GoodLow regulation

Energy independence: Importer (8% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
F
ProhibitedIllegal
Gambling Laws
A
Broadly OpenCasinos · Poker · Sportsbetting
Marijuana Laws
A+
Fully LegalRecreational

Homesteading

Hardiness Zone7B~8°F min
Growing Season214 days282 frost-free
Annual Rainfall66.8"
Elevation390 ft

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
B-
Defensible

Workable tactical position. Some exposure to population density or targets, but generally defensible in a crisis.

Strategic Pillars

City Proximity
F
Poor148 mi to nearest major city
Pop. Density
A+
Great0.2/sq mi
Fallout Danger
B-
Fair11 within ~30 mi
Natural Disaster
D
PoorInland Flooding, Heat Wave, Hurricane, Cold Wave, Earthquake
Border / Coast
A+
Greatborder 265 mi · coast 85 mi
FEMA Expected Loss$51.4M/yrfor the county

Key Distances

Nearest Major CityBaltimore586k people are 22 mi away
Nearest Major AirportBWI30 mi away
Distance to State Capital39 miAnnapolis, MD
Nearest Prison17 mi6 within 25 mi

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-22T00:59:38.000Z

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