Anne Arundel County, Maryland: Location, Cities, Administration, Judiciary

Anne Arundel County is a major administrative, military, transport and residential centre in central Maryland. It lies between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., and includes the state capital of Annapolis, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Fort George G. Meade, the National Security Agency and numerous Chesapeake Bay communities.

Annapolis is the county seat and the main location for county government and Circuit Court operations. Other important communities include Glen Burnie, Severn, Pasadena, Severna Park, Odenton, Crofton, Arnold, Edgewater, Linthicum Heights and Brooklyn Park.

Anne Arundel County government operates separately from the City of Annapolis and the Town of Highland Beach. It manages police, fire and emergency medical services, detention, public works, planning, public health, social programmes, parks and county transit for more than 603,000 residents.

Quick Overview of Anne Arundel County

The population increased by approximately 1.8% between the April 2020 estimate base and July 2025. The county had 241,732 housing units in 2025 and approximately 224,748 households during the 2020–2024 reporting period.

Location and Geographic Structure

Anne Arundel County lies along the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore City and Baltimore County are to the north, Howard County is to the northwest, Prince George’s County lies to the west and Calvert County is located to the south. The Chesapeake Bay forms the county’s eastern boundary.

Its geography includes:

• Urbanised northern communities
• Suburban residential corridors
• Chesapeake Bay shoreline
• Rivers, tidal creeks and wetlands
• Rural southern communities
• Agricultural and forested land
• Military and federal facilities
• Airport and industrial districts
• Waterfront neighbourhoods
• Parks and environmental preserves

The county has more than 500 miles of shoreline. Important waterways include the Severn, South, Magothy, Rhode, West and Patuxent rivers.

Major road routes include:

• Interstate 97
• Interstate 695
• Interstate 195
• Interstate 895
• S. Route 50
• S. Route 301
• Maryland Route 2
• Maryland Route 3
• Maryland Route 10
• Maryland Route 32
• Maryland Route 100
• Maryland Route 170
• Maryland Route 175

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge begins near the county’s eastern side and links the Annapolis area with Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Municipalities and Unincorporated Communities

Anne Arundel County has only two incorporated municipalities:

• Annapolis
• Highland Beach

1. Annapolis

Annapolis is the county seat and Maryland’s state capital. It has its own mayor, City Council, police department, planning authority, public works services and municipal administration.

The city is also home to the Maryland State House, the United States Naval Academy, St. John’s College and major maritime institutions.

2. Highland Beach

Highland Beach is a small incorporated town on the Chesapeake Bay. It has its own municipal government and is historically important as one of the first African American resort communities in the United States.

3. Major Unincorporated Communities

Most county residents live outside the two municipalities. Important unincorporated communities include:

• Glen Burnie
• Severn
• Pasadena
• Severna Park
• Arnold
• Crofton
• Odenton
• Edgewater
• Brooklyn Park
• Linthicum Heights
• Jessup
• Hanover
• Gambrills
• Crownsville
• Deale
• Shady Side
• Cape St. Claire
• Maryland City

Anne Arundel County provides planning, police, fire, roads, waste management and other local services in these unincorporated areas.

Population and Housing

Anne Arundel County has a large suburban population, an important military community and a substantial number of veterans.

Important demographic figures include:

• Residents under 18: 21.6%
• Residents aged 65 or older: 17.6%
• Black population: 20.4%
• Asian population: 5.3%
• Hispanic or Latino population: 11.8%
• Foreign-born residents: 10%
• Veterans: 44,221
• Residents speaking another language at home: 13.9%
• Average household size: 2.60 people

Housing figures include:

• Owner-occupied housing rate: 75.1%
• Median owner-occupied home value: $467,900
• Median gross monthly rent: $2,071
• Housing units in 2025: 241,732
• Residential building permits in 2025: 1,844

Housing conditions vary considerably. Glen Burnie and northern communities include established neighbourhoods and apartments. Odenton, Crofton and Severn have experienced substantial residential growth, while southern communities contain rural properties, farms and waterfront homes.

Housing affordability, redevelopment, sewer capacity and the protection of environmentally sensitive land are important county planning concerns.

Education, Income and Workforce

Anne Arundel County has a well-educated workforce connected with defence, cybersecurity, aviation, healthcare, government and professional services.

Approximately:

• 6% of residents aged 25 and older have completed high school.
• 8% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
• 5% of residents aged 16 and older participate in the civilian labour force.
• Median household income was $124,911 during 2020–2024.
• Per-capita income was $59,733.
• Around 6.6% of residents lived below the poverty line.
• Average travel time to work was 28.9 minutes.

Important educational institutions include:

• Anne Arundel Community College
• United States Naval Academy
• John’s College
• Anne Arundel County Public Schools
• Workforce and technical training programmes
• Military and cybersecurity training institutions

Anne Arundel County Public Schools is a separate public body. It has its own Board of Education, superintendent and administrative structure. However, county government provides a major share of its local funding.

Economy and Employment

Anne Arundel County’s location between Baltimore and Washington supports a diverse economy.

Major economic sectors include:

• National defence
• Cybersecurity
• Federal contracting
• Aviation
• Healthcare
• Retail
• Hospitality and tourism
• Construction
• Transportation and warehousing
• Education
• Maritime industries
• Public administration

The county had 14,718 employer establishments and approximately 245,664 jobs in 2023. Total annual payroll exceeded $16.7 billion.

1. Fort Meade and Cybersecurity

Fort George G. Meade is one of the county’s most important employment centres. The installation is associated with:

• National Security Agency
• United States Cyber Command
• Defense Information Systems Agency
• Military units
• Intelligence agencies
• Federal contractors
• Technology and cybersecurity companies

The National Business Park and surrounding areas support government contractors, technology businesses and professional services.

2. BWI Marshall Airport

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is located in northern Anne Arundel County. The airport supports:

• Passenger aviation
• Air cargo
• Hotels and hospitality
• Rental-car businesses
• Logistics
• Retail
• Ground transportation
• Airport-related employment

The airport is owned by the State of Maryland and operated by the Maryland Aviation Administration rather than county government.

3. Annapolis and Maritime Activity

Annapolis supports state government, tourism, education, sailing, boat services and maritime businesses. Other employment centres include Arundel Mills, Live! Casino and Hotel, Glen Burnie, Odenton and the Route 100 corridor.

County Government Structure

Anne Arundel County is a charter county with separate executive and legislative branches.

The principal parts of county government are:

• The elected County Executive
• The seven-member County Council
• Executive departments and offices
• Independently elected judicial officers
• Maryland state courts operating within the county

The County Executive manages the executive branch and proposes the budget. The County Council passes county laws, adopts the budget and oversees policy.

County Executive and Administrative Leadership

Steuart Pittman serves as Anne Arundel County Executive.

The County Executive is responsible for:

• Proposing the county budget
• Implementing county laws
• Appointing department leaders
• Directing executive agencies
• Managing county services
• Coordinating emergency operations
• Recommending policies
• Supervising financial administration
• Representing the county in regional matters

Chief Administrative Officer

Christine Anderson serves as Chief Administrative Officer. She has held the position since 2022 and is the county’s senior appointed administrative professional.

Her responsibilities include:

• Coordinating executive departments
• Implementing County Executive policies
• Managing daily government operations
• Supervising administrative leadership
• Monitoring department performance
• Supporting budget preparation
• Coordinating major capital projects
• Improving service delivery
• Supporting the county workforce

Anne Arundel County has more than 4,000 employees delivering executive-branch services.

County Council

The County Council has seven members representing geographic districts.

The current Council consists of:

• District 1 and Vice Chair: Peter Smith
• District 2: Allison M. Pickard
• District 3: Nathan Volke
• District 4 and Chair: Julie Hummer
• District 5: Amanda Fiedler
• District 6: Lisa D. B. Rodvien
• District 7: Shannon Leadbetter

The Council is responsible for:

• Passing county laws
• Adopting the annual budget
• Reviewing executive appointments
• Approving zoning legislation
• Establishing tax rates
• Approving borrowing
• Conducting public hearings
• Monitoring county departments
• Representing district concerns

Council meetings are generally held at the Arundel Center, 44 Calvert Street in Annapolis.

County Budget

The adopted FY2027 operating budget is approximately $2.58 billion. It covers the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026.

Major spending areas include:

• Public education
• Police
• Fire and emergency medical services
• Detention facilities
• Public works
• Health and social services
• Libraries
• Parks
• Transportation
• Debt service
• County employee benefits

The budget includes more than $1 billion in county funding for the Board of Education. Public safety allocations include approximately $237.6 million for the Police Department, $227.8 million for the Fire Department and $71.3 million for detention facilities.

Other Important Elected Officials

1. Sheriff

Everett Sesker serves as Anne Arundel County Sheriff.

The Sheriff’s Office mainly handles:

• Courthouse security
• Civil-process service
• Warrants
• Evictions
• Prisoner transportation
• Protection of judicial facilities
• Other court-related enforcement duties

The Sheriff’s Office is different from the county Police Department, which handles general patrol and criminal investigations.

2. State’s Attorney

Anne Colt Leitess serves as State’s Attorney.

Her office prosecutes state criminal cases, supports victims and witnesses, handles juvenile prosecutions and works with law-enforcement agencies.

3. Clerk of the Circuit Court

Scott Poyer serves as Clerk of the Circuit Court.

The Clerk’s Office maintains:

• Circuit Court case records
• Land records
• Deeds and mortgages
• Marriage licences
• Business licences
• Judicial filings
• Other official documents

4. Register of Wills

Jasmine Jackson serves as Register of Wills.

The office assists with estate administration and maintains probate records connected with the Orphans’ Court.

Judiciary and Court System

Anne Arundel County’s court system includes:

• Circuit Court
• District Court
• Orphans’ Court

1. Circuit Court

Judge Donna M. Schaeffer serves as County Administrative Judge.

Circuit Court handles:

• Felony criminal cases
• Major civil lawsuits
• Divorce
• Child custody
• Juvenile cases
• Appeals from District Court
• Property disputes
• Jury trials
• Other cases assigned under Maryland law

The Circuit Court operates primarily from the historic courthouse at 8 Church Circle in Annapolis.

2. District Court

Judge Shaem C. P. Spencer serves as District Administrative Judge.

District Court generally handles:

• Misdemeanours
• Traffic offences
• Landlord-tenant disputes
• Smaller civil claims
• Domestic-violence cases
• Preliminary felony proceedings
• Peace and protective orders

District Court facilities are located in Annapolis and Glen Burnie.

3. Orphans’ Court

The Orphans’ Court handles probate and estate matters. Vickie E. Gipson serves as Chief Judge. Stacey-Ann T. Scott also serves as a judge, while one seat was vacant as of July 2026.

Residents should verify the correct court, building, judge and hearing time before attending.

Police, Fire and Detention Services

1. Police Department

Amal E. Awad serves as Anne Arundel County Police Chief.

The Police Department provides:

• Patrol
• Criminal investigations
• Traffic enforcement
• Community policing
• School safety
• Crisis-intervention services
• Specialised response units
• Emergency response

Annapolis operates its own municipal police department.

2. Fire Department

Trisha L. Wolford serves as Fire Chief.

The Fire Department combines career and volunteer personnel and provides:

• Fire suppression
• Emergency medical services
• Rescue
• Fire investigations
• Hazardous-material response
• Marine operations
• Inspections
• Public education

3. Detention Facilities

The Department of Detention Facilities operates county correctional centres separately from the Police and Sheriff’s offices. Its responsibilities include custody, inmate services, rehabilitation and re-entry programmes.

Public Works, Transit and Planning

The Department of Public Works manages:

• County roads and bridges
• Water distribution
• Wastewater treatment
• Solid waste
• Recycling
• Stormwater systems
• Environmental restoration
• Capital construction

The Office of Transportation operates county bus and paratransit services. County transit routes are fare-free and provide local and regional connections.

Other transport systems include:

• Maryland Transit Administration light rail
• MARC commuter rail
• Regional buses
• Amtrak
• BWI airport transport
• State-maintained highways

These systems are operated by separate state or regional organisations.

The Office of Planning and Zoning manages land-use planning and zoning in unincorporated areas. All nine regional plans connected with Plan2040 had received County Council approval by June 2026.

Health and Community Services

Anne Arundel County supports programmes involving:

• Public health
• Social services
• Aging and disability services
• Mental-health treatment
• Substance-use services
• Child welfare
• Food and financial assistance
• Housing support
• Veterans services
• Recreation and parks
• Animal services
• Emergency management

The Department of Recreation and Parks manages regional parks, community parks, trails, aquatic centres, sports facilities and childcare programmes.

The county’s long shoreline and low-lying communities also make flood protection, hurricane preparedness, coastal erosion and climate resilience important administrative responsibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is Anne Arundel County the same government as Annapolis?

A: No. Annapolis has its own mayor, City Council, police department and municipal services. Anne Arundel County is a separate government responsible for countywide services and unincorporated communities.

Q2. What is the difference between the County Executive and Chief Administrative Officer?

A: The County Executive is an elected official who sets executive policy and proposes the budget. The Chief Administrative Officer is an appointed professional who coordinates departments and manages daily operations.

Q3. What is the difference between the Police Department and Sheriff’s Office?

A: The Police Department provides patrol, investigations and general law enforcement. The Sheriff’s Office mainly handles court security, civil processes, warrants, evictions and prisoner transportation.

Q4. Which court handles a case in Anne Arundel County?

A: Circuit Court handles felonies, major civil cases, divorce and juvenile matters. District Court handles misdemeanours, traffic, landlord-tenant and smaller civil cases. Orphans’ Court handles probate and estates.

Q5. Which office handles deeds, property taxes and court records?

A: The Clerk of the Circuit Court records deeds and maintains Circuit Court records. Property assessment is handled by the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, while the county Office of Finance bills and collects property taxes.