Aberdeen, Maryland

Aberdeen, Maryland
City
City of Aberdeen
The former Baltimore and Ohio Railroad station in Aberdeen.
Nickname(s): "All America City"
Motto: "The Future of Harford!"
Location in Harford County, Maryland
Coordinates:
Country	United States of America
State	Maryland
County	Harford
Incorporated	1892
Government
• Mayor	Patrick McGrady
Area
• Total	17.64 km2 (6.81 sq mi)
• Land	17.61 km2 (6.80 sq mi)
• Water	0.03 km2 (0.01 sq mi)
Elevation	29 m (95 ft)
Population (2010)
• Total	14,959
• Estimate (2013)	15,120
• Density	849.4/km2 (2,199.9/sq mi)
Time zone	Eastern (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	Eastern (UTC-4)
ZIP code	21001
Area code(s)	410
FIPS code	24-00125
GNIS feature ID	0582854
Website	www.aberdeen-md.org

Aberdeen is a city in Harford County, Maryland, 26 miles (42 km) from Baltimore. The population was 14,959 at the 2010 United States Census. Aberdeen is the largest municipality in Harford County.

Aberdeen is part of the Baltimore-Towson Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which is the 20th-largest United States metropolitan area. The nearest city to Aberdeen is Havre de Grace, Maryland, 4.8 miles (7.7 km) to the northeast.

History

Aberdeen was named after Aberdeen, Scotland, by immigrating Scots.

The James B. Baker House, Chestnut Ridge, Griffith House, Poplar Hill, Sophia's Dairy, and Swansbury are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Village of Aberdeen

The Village of Aberdeen was a development by Edmund Law Rogers around 1800. The name originated from its mother city, Aberdeen, Scotland, as a result of the close relationship the Rogers family of Baltimore had with their cousin, the Earl of Aberdeen, who became Prime Minister of Great Britain in 1852. The area now known as Aberdeen is a cluster of three communities

• Hall's Cross Roads, located at the intersection of Old Philadelphia Road (MD-7, in some places known as Old Post Road, then known as Philadelphia Post Road) and Bush River Neck Road (then the main road from Swan Creek )
• Mechanicsville, located at
• The Village of Aberdeen

The Town of Aberdeen

In 1892, Aberdeen was incorporated as a Town, under Chapter 136 of the Acts of 1892.

The Town Board of Commissioners

When incorporated as a Town, Aberdeen government was led by a board of commissioners.

• 1892–1905, a Board President was elected annually by the commissioners
• 1906–1954, this election was changed to be biennial
• 1955–1992, the election of a Board President was changed back to be annual

Presidents – Aberdeen Board of Commissioners

• 1892–1894 Charles W. Baker
• 1894–1896 George Walker
• 1896–1899 John Finney Wells
• 1899–1900 George H. Irvins
• 1900–1905 John Finney Wells
• 1905–1906 James A. Wiles
• 1906–1908 John Finney Wells
• 1908–1914 C. H. Johnson
• 1914–1916 None listed
• 1916–1950 Frank E. Baker
• 1950–1952 J. Wilmer Cronin
• 1952–1954 Charles J. Kelly
• 1954–1955 Clark D. Connellee
• 1955–1956 J. Wilmer Cronin
• 1956–1958 R. Lee Mitchell
• 1958–1959 Robert P. Atkins
• 1959–1964 George B. Adams, Jr.
• 1964–1965 Robert H. Krieger
• 1965–1967 William Cooper, Jr.
• 1967–1968 Warren Parrish
• 1968–1969 John A. Feroll
• 1969–1970 William Cooper, Jr.
• 1970–1971 Warren Parrish
• 1971–1972 Alphonse Demarco
• 1972–1974 George B. Adams, Jr.
• 1974–1975 William B. Hause
• 1975–1977 Kent F. Stewart
• 1977–1978 William B. Hause
• 1978–1979 Jerry A. Nolan
• 1979–1980 William Cooper, Jr.
• 1980–1981 Raymond H. Warfield
• 1981–1986 Ronald Kupferman
• 1986–1987 Raymond H. Warfield
• 1987–1992 George J. Englesson
• 1992-2009 Matthew W. Fink
• 2009-2015 Donika Murtuzzi

The City of Aberdeen

In 1992, the 100th anniversary year of Aberdeen becoming a Town, Aberdeen incorporated as the City it is today.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.81 square miles (17.64 km²), of which, 6.80 square miles (17.61 km²) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km²) is water.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Aberdeen has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1880	101		—
1890	448		343.6%
1900	600		33.9%
1910	616		2.7%
1920	1,067		73.2%
1930	1,240		16.2%
1940	1,525		23.0%
1950	2,944		93.0%
1960	9,679		228.8%
1970	12,375		27.9%
1980	11,533		−6.8%
1990	13,087		13.5%
2000	13,842		5.8%
2010	14,959		8.1%
Est. 2014	15,434		3.2%
U.S. Decennial Census

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 13,842 people, 5,475 households, and 3,712 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,166.2 people per square mile (836.4/km²). There were 5,894 housing units at an average density of 922.4 per square mile (356.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 64.90% White, 27.38% African American, 0.25% Native American, 2.48% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 1.42% from other races, and 3.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.45% of the population.

There were 5,475 households out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.8% were married couples living together, 17.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,190, and the median income for a family was $48,357. Males had a median income of $32,783 versus $26,025 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,940. About 9.0% of families and 11.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.9% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 14,959 people, 5,801 households, and 3,897 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,199.9 inhabitants per square mile (849.4/km²). There were 6,191 housing units at an average density of 910.4 per square mile (351.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 58.9% White, 30.5% African American, 0.4% Native American, 2.9% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 1.6% from other races, and 5.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.4% of the population.

There were 5,801 households of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.8% were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.09.

The median age in the city was 38 years. 24.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.9% were from 25 to 44; 28.6% were from 45 to 64; and 12.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.8% male and 52.2% female.

Government

Since its incorporation as a city, Aberdeen has had a council-manager form of government. The Mayor and Council are elected to four-year terms in November, with terms beginning in November. The Mayor and Council define policy and appoint the City Manager who may be dismissed at any time, by vote of the Council. The City Manager, with the approval of the Council, appoints all officers and department heads who may be dismissed for cause by action of the City Manager.

Mayors of Aberdeen

• Ruth Elliott, 1992–1994
• Charles R. Boutin, 1994–1998
• Douglas S. Wilson, 1998–2005
• S. Fred Simmons, 2005–2007
• Michael E. Bennett, 2007–2015
• Patrick McGrady, 2015-present

Aberdeen City Council

The current Council members were elected by Voters to 4-year terms beginning in November 2011. Their terms expire in 2015.

• Michael E. Bennett, Mayor
• Ruth Ann Young, Councilwoman
• Sandra Landbeck, Councilwoman
• Ruth Elliott, Councilwoman
• Stephen Smith, Councilman

Aberdeen City Administration

Douglas R. Miller, City Manager

Harford County Council

Council District E

• Patrick Vincenti (Republican)

Maryland General Assembly

State Senate, District 34A

• State Senator Bob Cassilly (Republican)

House of Delegates, District 34A

• Mary Ann Lisanti (Democrat)
• Glen Glass (Republican)

Congressional Delegation

US Senate

• Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (Democrat)
• Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat)

US House of Representatives, 2nd Congressional District

• Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (Democrat)

Aberdeen Proving Ground

Main article: Aberdeen Proving Ground

Aberdeen is home to the U.S. Army's Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG). The proving ground was established by Act of Congress and came into operation in January 1918. APG is headquarters of the United States Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC). The proving ground occupies more than 72,500 acres (293 km²) in Harford County. More than 7,500 civilians and 5,000 military personnel work at APG.

Notable people

• William Benjamin Baker, U.S. Congressman for Maryland's 2nd District, from 1895 to 1901.
• Linwood Clark, U.S. Congressman for Maryland's 2nd District, 1929–1931. Born in Aberdeen, MD on March 21, 1876
• Les German, Major League Baseball Pitcher, Trap-shooter
• Michael D. Griffin, head administrator of NASA
• E. J. Henderson, Minnesota Viking football player, former Maryland Terrapin.
• Erin Henderson, Minnesota Viking football player, former Maryland Terrapin.
• Jai Lewis, College basketball player (George Mason Patriots).
• Gary Neal, Current NBA Player for the Washington Wizards
• Irv Pankey, Aberdeen High School, 2 time wrestling state champion (1975–1976); Penn State offensive lineman (1976–1980); NFL: Los Angeles Rams (1980–1990) Indianapolis Colts (1991–1992)
• Billy Ripken, former Oriole and brother of Cal Ripken Jr.
• Cal Ripken, Jr., Baltimore Orioles legend, grew up in Aberdeen and was a student at Aberdeen High School.
• Richard Slutzky, "Coach Slutzky", honoree of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, long-time Aberdeen High School coach.
• Lisa Welch, Playboy Playmate of the Month, September 1980
• Steven M. Wise, animal rights lawyer and scholar, inducted into Aberdeen High School Hall of Fame.
• Frank Zappa, musician, lived in Aberdeen for a short period, father worked at APG.

Aberdeen IronBirds

Main article: Aberdeen IronBirds

Cal Ripken Jr. and brother Billy are owners of the Aberdeen IronBirds minor league baseball team, which plays at Ripken Stadium.

Media

Aberdeen's local radio station is WAMD, broadcasting at 970 on the AM dial. Local newspaper coverage is provided by Harford County publications The Aegis and The Record. Electronic media covering Aberdeen issues is Aberdeen Patch and The Dagger Press (electronic)

Aberdeen is served by Baltimore television stations.

Aberdeen was host to the 2014 Bimmerfest East celebration on August 2, 2014.

External links

• City of Aberdeen
• Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce
• Aberdeen Fire Department
• Aberdeen Ironbirds
• Aberdeen Room Archives & Museum
• Ripken Baseball
• Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation
• Aberdeen Proving Ground
• APG News