Maryland

Baltimore city

585,708
2020 population
1860
first census record
17
census records

About Baltimore city

Baltimore city, Maryland, first appears in the United States federal census in 1860, when it recorded a population of 212,418. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 585,708.

Its recorded population peaked at 949,708 in 1950, and has since declined by roughly 38 percent.

On the ground today, 13 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Susquehannock War (Maryland/Virginia) 1675, Susquehannock War (Maryland/Virginia 1675), Defense of Baltimore (Fort Whetstone), and 406 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
2020585,708
2010620,961
2000651,154
1990736,014
1980786,775
1970905,759
1960939,024
1950949,708
1940859,100
1930804,874
1920733,826
1910558,485
1900508,957
1890434,439
1880332,313
1870267,354
1860212,418
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Baltimore city

Military engagements that took place in Baltimore city, Maryland.

Susquehannock War (Maryland/Virginia) 1675
1675
Susquehannock War (Maryland/Virginia 1675)
1675
Defense of Baltimore (Fort Whetstone)
1776
Defense of Fort McHenry
1814
Bombardment of Fort McHenry
1814
Battle of Baltimore — Fort McHenry Bombardment
1814
Battle of Baltimore / Bombardment of Fort McHenry
1814
Defense of Hampstead Hill / Battle of Baltimore (Land)
1814
Fort McHenry Occupation and Defense (1861)
1861
Baltimore Pratt Street Riot (April 1861)
1861
Maryland Unionist Guerrilla Operations 1861
1861
Pratt Street Riot (Baltimore)
1861
Great Railroad Strike of 1877 — Baltimore Riot
1877

Other counties in Maryland

Explore census history and historic records for more Maryland counties.

GarrettHarfordHowardKentMontgomeryPrince George'sQueen Anne'sSomersetSt. Mary'sTalbotWashingtonWicomicoWorcesterAlleganyAnne ArundelBaltimoreCalvertCarolineCarrollCecil
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Everything a full report reveals about Baltimore city County, Maryland

This page charts the census history of Baltimore city County, Maryland. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Frequently asked about Baltimore city

When does Baltimore city first appear in the US census?
Baltimore city, Maryland first appears in the federal census in 1860, with a recorded population of 212,418.
What is the population of Baltimore city?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Baltimore city had a recorded population of 585,708.
When did Baltimore city's population peak?
Baltimore city's recorded population peaked at 949,708 in 1950.
Were any battles fought in Baltimore city?
13 documented military engagements took place in Baltimore city, including Susquehannock War (Maryland/Virginia) 1675, Susquehannock War (Maryland/Virginia 1675), Defense of Baltimore (Fort Whetstone).
How many historic places are in Baltimore city?
406 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Baltimore city, Maryland.
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