Bowleys Quarters, Maryland
Encyclopedia
Bowleys Quarters is an unincorporated community and a census-designated place
in Baltimore County
, Maryland
, with a population of 6,314 in 2000.
Bowleys Quarters was named for Daniel Bowley, a merchant and sea captain who owned some 2000 acres (8.1 km²) around Baltimore
in the mid-18th century. Bowleys Quarters was used to house his slaves. The area later became a game preserve for waterfowl and a place where presidents and others, including Babe Ruth
, came to hunt ducks. The area eventually became known as a vacation spot, and many summer homes were built along the water. Many blue-collar workers were attracted during the industrial boom of the 1920s through the 1950s. Many worked at the nearby Glenn L. Martin company (now Lockheed Martin
) and Bethlehem Steel
. The community experienced an economic downturn with downsizing of the Martin facility and other area businesses, and Bowleys Quarters became a mix of run-down homes juxtaposed with modern waterfront homes. Increased interest in waterfront property in the 1990s, combined with the devastation of Hurricane Isabel, has led to revitalization, with some new homes selling for more than $1 million. Once predominantly populated by low-income to middle-class families, the community is now highly desirable for waterfront living.
In September 2003, Bowleys Quarters was substantially damaged by Hurricane Isabel
and the resulting flood. According to The Baltimore Sun
, Isabel destroyed 210 houses in Bowleys Quarters and caused major damage to 632 others.
Piney Grove United Methodist Church, located on Bowleys Quarters Road, is also located in the community.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 6.1 square miles (15.8 km²), of which, 3.2 square miles (8.3 km²) of it is land and 2.9 square miles (7.5 km²) of it (47.39%) is water.
of 2000, there were 6,314 people, 2,483 households, and 1,748 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 1,954.8 people per square mile (754.8/km²). There were 2,721 housing units at an average density of 842.4/sq mi (325.3/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 91.65% White, 6.13% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races
, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.57% of the population.
There were 2,483 households, of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.0% were married couples
living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 34.0% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.8 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $52,250, and the median income for a family was $61,024. Males had a median income of $41,881 versus $27,265 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $23,295. About 5.5% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those ages 65 or over.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
in Baltimore County
Baltimore County, Maryland
Baltimore County is a county located in the northern part of the US state of Maryland. In 2010, its population was 805,029. It is part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Towson. The name of the county was derived from the barony of the Proprietor of the Maryland...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, with a population of 6,314 in 2000.
History
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
in the mid-18th century. Bowleys Quarters was used to house his slaves. The area later became a game preserve for waterfowl and a place where presidents and others, including Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
, came to hunt ducks. The area eventually became known as a vacation spot, and many summer homes were built along the water. Many blue-collar workers were attracted during the industrial boom of the 1920s through the 1950s. Many worked at the nearby Glenn L. Martin company (now Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area....
) and Bethlehem Steel
Bethlehem Steel
The Bethlehem Steel Corporation , based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was once the second-largest steel producer in the United States, after Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based U.S. Steel. After a decline in the U.S...
. The community experienced an economic downturn with downsizing of the Martin facility and other area businesses, and Bowleys Quarters became a mix of run-down homes juxtaposed with modern waterfront homes. Increased interest in waterfront property in the 1990s, combined with the devastation of Hurricane Isabel, has led to revitalization, with some new homes selling for more than $1 million. Once predominantly populated by low-income to middle-class families, the community is now highly desirable for waterfront living.
In September 2003, Bowleys Quarters was substantially damaged by Hurricane Isabel
Hurricane Isabel
Hurricane Isabel was the costliest and deadliest hurricane in the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season. The ninth named storm, fifth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the season, Isabel formed near the Cape Verde Islands from a tropical wave on September 6 in the tropical Atlantic Ocean...
and the resulting flood. According to The Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun is the U.S. state of Maryland’s largest general circulation daily newspaper and provides coverage of local and regional news, events, issues, people, and industries....
, Isabel destroyed 210 houses in Bowleys Quarters and caused major damage to 632 others.
Piney Grove United Methodist Church, located on Bowleys Quarters Road, is also located in the community.
Geography
Bowleys Quarters is located at 39.321440°N 76.388212°W.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 6.1 square miles (15.8 km²), of which, 3.2 square miles (8.3 km²) of it is land and 2.9 square miles (7.5 km²) of it (47.39%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 6,314 people, 2,483 households, and 1,748 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,954.8 people per square mile (754.8/km²). There were 2,721 housing units at an average density of 842.4/sq mi (325.3/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 91.65% White, 6.13% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.57% of the population.
There were 2,483 households, of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 34.0% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.8 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $52,250, and the median income for a family was $61,024. Males had a median income of $41,881 versus $27,265 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $23,295. About 5.5% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those ages 65 or over.