Crofton, Maryland

Waugh Chapel Towne Center in 2015

In 1963, after the Crawford Corporation accumulated over 1,600 acres (650 ha) of land, it announced that it would build a new community called Crofton. This new town and planned community was founded at the same time as Reston, Virginia (April 17, 1964) and Columbia, Maryland (1967). Crofton would be anchored by a community golf course, which later became the Crofton Country Club. Crofton was officially founded in the fall of 1964. The company considered picking an English name for the new town that "sounds well and implies that this is a pleasant place to live." It ended up picking the name "Crofton", named after a small township in Cumberland County, England. The English town was originally called Croft-town, derived from the word "Croft", as the town standing upon the Crofts. Originally an exclusive gated community, Crofton's gates were opened and they now only serve as a symbol for the community.

In July 2007 Crofton was named by Money magazine as one of "100 Best Places to Live" in the United States. Crofton placed 72nd out of 100 cities on the list. It was selected for its relative anonymity while still boasting many major amenities, excellent schools, and sought-after location.[2]

Crofton was selected again for the magazine's 2011 list, this time placing 82nd.[3]

Northern snakehead

Crofton was in the national news in late June and early July 2002 after a fish called the northern snakehead was discovered in a local pond.[4][5][6] The infestation was found in water behind the Crofton post office and the adjacent shopping center,[6] across Route 3 from local landmark Lake Louise.

The snakehead species is highly aggressive and voracious.[7][8] In order to ensure that the fish were eliminated, in September 2002 the main pond and two nearby ponds were dosed heavily with rotenone[8] and subsequently with potassium permanganate.[9] Six adult snakeheads and more than one thousand juvenile fish were found and destroyed.[9]

Ultimately, the incident initiated a national discussion on invasive species.[10][11] One comparison case was the mute swan,[11] also an invasive and destructive species of the Chesapeake Bay watershed but, in comparison, quite beautiful, and which garnered support from some environmental and animal rights groups.

Several movies were inspired by this incident. Syfy aired two movies in relation to the snakehead outbreak: in March 2004, a movie called Snakehead Terror was featured, and the movie Frankenfish was aired in June 2004. Ten Pound Films also produced a feature film titled Swarm of the Snakehead which related to this incident. In 2007, a documentary titled Fishzilla: Snakehead Invasion aired on the National Geographic Channel, discussing the ecological damage that the snakeheads found in Crofton have done to surrounding areas.[12]

Crofton contains a number of public schools, administered by the Anne Arundel County Public Schools system:

• Crofton Elementary School, grades K-5
• Crofton Meadows Elementary School, grades K-5
• Crofton Woods Elementary School, grades K-5
• Nantucket Elementary School, grades K-5

For grades 6–8, students from all four of these elementary schools attend Crofton Middle School in adjacent Gambrills, Maryland.[14][15]

Older students from Crofton attend one of three high schools:[15][16]

• Arundel High School, grades 9–12 (in Gambrills)[17]
• South River High School, grades 9–12 (in Edgewater)[18]
• Crofton High School, grades 9-12 (in Crofton)

However, in response to overcrowding caused by continuing development in Crofton and BRAC realignments,[19][16] a redistricting proposal was approved for Crofton schools in 2013[20] and construction began in late 2018 on Crofton High School.[21] A redistricting committee was formed in late 2018.[21][22] In April 2019, the school board adopted a redistricting plan under which all students from the four local elementary schools will attend the new high school.[23][24][25] Kathryn Feuerherd was appointed principal in May 2019.[23] Crofton High School has been opened as of September 2020 for two grades.[26][22][23]

There are also some private preschools in Crofton:

• Crofton Day School[27]
• Crofton Nursery School[28]
• Creative Garden Nursery School and Kindergarten[29]

As of the 2000 census,[30] there were 20,091 people, 7,404 households, and 5,478 families residing in the Crofton census-designated place. The population density was 3,998.6 people per square mile (1,545.3/km²). There were 7,573 housing units at an average density of 1,507.2 per square mile (582.5/km²). There were 7,404 households, out of which 40.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.9% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.0% were non-families. 20.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.13. In the community the population was spread out, with 28.6% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 35.6% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 6.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.2 males.

In 2010, Crofton had grown to 27,348,[31] an increase of 36%. The median age remained at 35 years. Of the 10,203 housing units, most were households of families (71.5%) with an average household size of 2.67 people.

Census data show an increase in the percentage of minorities living in Crofton. In 2000, the racial makeup of the community was 90.21% White, 5.13% African American, 0.23% Native American, 2.33% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races; Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.48% of the population.[30] In the 2010 census, the racial makeup of the community was 79.8% White (−10.4%), 10.3% Black (+5.2%), 4.7% Hispanic (+2.2%), 3.3% two or more races (+1.9%), 4.9% Asian (+2.6%), .1% Native American (+.1%), and 1.4% "some other race".[31]

The U.S. Census Bureau has recorded the following populations for the Crofton census-designated place.

Crofton has experienced a 33.99% income growth rate since 2000.[35] This exceeds both the Maryland state average rate (30.24%) and the national average rate (19.17%).[35]

According to a 2007 estimate,[36] the median income for a household in the area was $93,198, and the median income for a family was $101,644. Males had a median income of $56,819 versus $41,229 for females. The per capita income for the area was $33,518. About 2.0% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.

Income has risen since then. Based on the American Community Survey for 2008–2012, median incomes in the area were $104,279 for households and $120,316 for families.[37] The per capita income for the area was $43,452.[37] About 1.9% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.9% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.[37]