West Friendship, Maryland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids West Friendship, Maryland
West Friendship, Maryland Location in Maryland
Country	United States of America
State	Maryland
County	Howard
Established	November 10, 1864
Area
• Total	19.0 km2 (7.34 sq mi)
Population
• Total	2,280
• Density	146/km2 (378/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	21794
Area code	410

West Friendship is a small, mostly rural area in western Howard County, Maryland. It's not a city or town with its own government. Instead, it's a "community" where people live, work, and go to school. You can find West Friendship where two major roads meet: Interstate 70 and Maryland Route 32. Another important road is Frederick Road (Maryland Route 144).

A Look Back in Time: West Friendship's History

West Friendship grew slowly, much like other small places in Howard County. Settlers began moving here in the 1700s. Many families received land grants before the American Revolutionary War. Some of these families, like the Warfields and Ridgelys, still have descendants living in the area today.

Early Days and Travel

In the 1800s, the main road through West Friendship was busy. Travelers could stop at special "mile houses" for rest. By 1887, about fifty people lived here. Some came to stay, while others, like traveling ministers, rode horses between churches. Early travel was tough, but most people were good at riding horses. Many used the Frederick Turnpike, built in the 1790s. Soon, Thomas S. Cross opened a general store and post office in West Friendship.

Modern Roads and Community Life

In the 1900s, cars and paved roads replaced horses and buggies. Paving the West Friendship-Sykesville Road (MD 32) in 1910 was a big step. In the 1940s, farming events were popular social gatherings. These events led to the creation of the Howard County Fair in 1953. The fair is now held every year in West Friendship.

Schools in West Friendship

West Friendship once had a one-room schoolhouse for younger students. In 1925, a larger school was built. This new school replaced all the small one-room schools nearby. Students from the area came by school bus to attend. Over the years, the school grew and became West Friendship Elementary School. The school building was rebuilt in 1978.

Large homes dot farms and rolling hills in West Friendship.

West Friendship Today

West Friendship keeps its quiet, country feel thanks to strict rules about building. Large farms and old homes still cover the gentle hills. Many farms are still owned by the families who first settled there. You can see wide open farmlands, meadows, woods, and parks.

However, West Friendship is also seeing more homes being built. This is because it's close to big cities like Baltimore and Washington. New neighborhoods often have large homes on big lots.

A Desirable Place to Live

Homes in West Friendship are very popular in the Baltimore area. In 2012, it was named the most expensive suburb in the Baltimore metropolitan area. In newer neighborhoods, homes often sell for over $1 million.

Typical neighborhood in West Friendship.

Who Lives in West Friendship?

In 2009, about 2,777 people lived in West Friendship. Most residents are White (87.1%), with some Asian (9.1%) and African American (3.5%) residents. Most people (90.6%) speak English at home. About 7.9% of residents were born in other countries. The most common countries of origin include Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, and Canada.

Families in West Friendship have a high average income. In 2017, the average family income was $229,962. More than half of families earned over $200,000 per year. Very few families (0.9%) have an income below the poverty level.

Most people who live in West Friendship drive to work. They often commute to jobs in the Baltimore-Washington area. The average commute takes about 30–34 minutes. Many families (54%) own three or more vehicles.

Interstate 70 through West Friendship.

Schools in the Area

West Friendship is part of the Howard County Public School District. Younger children attend West Friendship Elementary School, Bushy Park Elementary School, or Triadelphia Ridge Elementary School. Middle school students go to Mount View Middle School or Folly Quarter Middle School. Most high school students attend Glenelg High School or Marriotts Ridge High School.

There are also private school choices nearby. These include the Glenelg Country School and the Glenwood Country Day School. About 28% of students in the area go to private schools.

Fun Things to Do in West Friendship

The Howard County Fairgrounds is a popular spot in West Friendship. It hosts the yearly Howard County Fair and the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. Another big event is the Howard County Motorcycle Swapmeet, which happens several times a year. This is one of the oldest motorcycle swapmeets in the country!

Parks and Recreation

West Friendship is close to several parks. West Friendship Park offers trails for hiking and nature walks. Western Regional Park has a large playground for kids and many sports fields. If you like golf, the Willow Springs Golf Course is an 18-hole course in West Friendship.

Local Services

The community has a small shopping center. Here you can find the West Friendship branch of the US Post Office, banks, restaurants, stores, and medical offices. There's also a gas station. The West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department has been helping the community since 1944.

Weather in West Friendship

West Friendship has a climate with mild to cool winters and hot, humid summers. Rain falls pretty evenly throughout the year. Snowfall can change a lot from year to year, but it averages about 22.4 inches annually.