Fort Meade, Maryland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fort Meade, Maryland
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Location of Fort Meade, Maryland
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Maryland |
| County |  Anne Arundel |
| Named for | George Meade |
| Area | |
| • Total | 8.09 sq mi (20.96 km2) |
| • Land | 8.08 sq mi (20.93 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2) |
| Elevation | 180 ft (50 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 9,324 |
| • Density | 1,153.67/sq mi (445.42/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
20755
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| Area code(s) | 410 |
| FIPS code | 24-29400 |
Fort Meade is a special kind of community in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States. It's called a census-designated place (CDP), which means it's a place where people live that isn't officially a city or town, but the government still counts its population. In 2020, about 9,324 people lived there.
Fort Meade is very important because it's home to a large U.S. Army base called Fort George G. Meade. This base hosts several major U.S. government agencies. These include the National Security Agency (NSA), the Central Security Service, United States Cyber Command, and the Defense Information Systems Agency. These agencies play a big role in keeping the country safe, especially in areas like cybersecurity and intelligence.
Contents
Where is Fort Meade?
Fort Meade is located in the northwestern part of Anne Arundel County in Maryland. It's in a great spot, right between two big cities: Baltimore and Washington, D.C.. It's also only about 20 minutes away from Annapolis, which is the capital city of Maryland.
The area is easy to get to by car. The Baltimore–Washington Parkway (Maryland Route 295) runs along its northwest side. The Patuxent Freeway (Maryland Route 32) is to the south and southwest. This freeway can take you southeast to Annapolis or northwest to Columbia. You can also reach Fort Meade from Interstate 95 by taking Exit 38A.
Nearby Communities
Fort Meade is surrounded by many other towns and communities. Some of these include:
- Annapolis Junction
- Hanover
- Jessup
- Laurel
- Maryland City
- Odenton
- Patuxent Research Refuge
- Seven Oaks
- Severn
- Linthicum
Many people who work at Fort Meade live in these nearby towns. Some of the larger ones include:
- Crofton
- Columbia
- Severna Park
- Arnold
- Glen Burnie
- Ellicott City
Climate and Weather
The weather in Fort Meade is generally mild. Summers are usually hot and humid, meaning the air can feel sticky. Winters are typically mild to cool, so it doesn't get extremely cold very often. This type of weather is known as a humid subtropical climate.
People Living in Fort Meade
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2000 | 9,882 | — | |
| 2010 | 9,327 | −5.6% | |
| 2020 | 9,324 | 0.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
According to the 2000 census, there were about 9,882 people living in Fort Meade. Many families live here, and a large number of households have children under 18. The community is diverse, with people from many different backgrounds living together. The average age of people in Fort Meade in 2000 was 23 years old, which is quite young! This is often because many military families with children live on or near the base.
Schools in Fort Meade
Public schools in Fort Meade are managed by Anne Arundel County Public Schools. There are several schools located right on the Fort Meade property:
- Manor View Elementary School: This school opened in 1977 and serves students in grades 1-5.
- Meade Heights Elementary School: Opened in 1997, it serves students from Pre-Kindergarten to grade 5.
- Pershing Hill Elementary School: This school has been around since 1960 and teaches grades 1-5.
There's also the West Meade Early Education Center (WMEEC). It helps younger students in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten.
For older students, there are two middle schools:
- MacArthur Middle School: Opened in 1967, it serves grades 6-8.
- Meade Middle School: Opened in 1997, it also serves grades 6-8.
Finally, all high school students living in Fort Meade attend Meade Senior High School. This high school opened in 1977 and serves grades 9-12. All these schools are located on the Fort Meade base.
Getting Around
The National Security Agency (NSA) helps people get to and from Fort Meade. Since 2005, they have run a shuttle service from the Odenton station of MARC (a commuter train) to the Visitor Control Center at Fort Meade. This makes it easier for people to get to work or visit the base without needing a car. The U.S. Army also uses this shuttle service for its employees.
Famous People from Fort Meade
Some well-known people were born in Fort Meade:
- Peter David (born 1956): A famous writer known for his science fiction and fantasy books, including many Star Trek novels and comic books.
- Neal Stephenson (born 1959): Another well-known writer who writes speculative fiction.
- Randy Blythe (born 1971): The lead singer for the heavy metal band Lamb of God.
- Terren Jones (born 1991): An NFL player.
See also
In Spanish: Fort Meade (Maryland) para niños
