A Local’s Guide To Living In Odenton, Maryland

Written By Malcolm Lawson

Odenton is located just 15 miles from Annapolis in Anne Arundel County. The town is just a few minutes away from both Baltimore and Washington DC. Over the past few decades, Odenton has grown significantly. In fact, few other places in all of Anne Arundel County have attracted as many new residents since the turn of the century. At the last census, the population was just over 37,000 (up by 80 percent from 10 years before).

About Living In Odenton, MD

Odenton was once a small farming community, but it started to expand with the construction of the Annapolis Elk Ridge Railroad in 1840. As the only connection between the North and the capital, this railway line was fiercely guarded throughout the Civil War. Odenton as a town sprung up in 1868, when another railroad — the Baltimore Potomac — was built. However, like its neighbors, Odenton remained a small village with just a few homes and shops.

World War I led to the construction of Fort George G. Meade, just outside Odenton. Since then, the town has continued to grow rapidly. Today, Fort Meade houses the NSA Headquarters and it recently acquired both the US Cyber Command and the Defense Information Systems Agency. The NSA East Campus Integration Program is still under construction, but it should join the facilities in 2028.

Cost Of Living In Odenton Maryland

The median house and condo value in Odenton is $332,725 — almost exactly the same as Maryland as a whole, where the median value is $332,500. Most residents own their homes and one-third of residents rent. Median gross rent is $1,873.

Commuting From Odenton, Maryland

Although it has a suburban feel, Odenton is much more than just a residential area. In fact, it is a business and industrial hub for Anne Arundel County. Plus, as a throwback to its early history, the town is home to Dennis F. Sullivan Maintenance Facility, which is operated by Amtrak. There are a few Amtrak stations nearby, the closest of which is BWI Airport Rail Station. The Penn Line also serves the town — Odenton MARC station is actually one of the busiest on the line.

Schools in Odenton

As a whole, Odenton schools are above average. There is a large number of public elementary schools, including Waugh Elementary, Seven Oaks Elementary, Odenton Elementary, and Piney Orchard Elementary. For middle schools, you have the choice of Arundel Middle and Crofton Middle, whereas high schools include Arundel High School, Old Mill High School, and Anne Arundel Evening High School. In addition, there are two private high schools: Christian Academy and Lighthouse Christian Academy.

Odenton is also close to several colleges and universities. Bowie State University is only 5 miles away and Anne Arundel Community College is just 11 miles away.

Parks in Odenton, MD

Despite being quite densely populated, Odenton has plenty to offer in terms of parks and nature. In particular, the Paxtuent Research Refuge is nearby, where you can walk trails, spot wildlife, and attend regular outdoor events. The smaller parks in Odenton itself include Towsers Branch Park, Odenton Park Recreation Area, and Odenton Park. These have sports fields, picnic areas, and jogging tracks.

Shopping in Odenton, Maryland

You’ll be unsurprised to hear that there are plenty of options for shopping in Odenton. The town has four shopping centers: Academy Junction Plaza Shopping Center, Odenton Shopping Center, Village Center Shopping Center, and Village At Waugh Chapel Shopping Center.

Things to Do in Odenton

 For sporting activities, you also have the Night Hawk Golf Center (which has a golf course, a driving range, and mini golf), Gambrills Athletic Club for baseball, and Greenway Bowl.

In addition, there are plenty of activities in and nearby Odenton for a fun day out. For instance, there’s the Mission Escape Rooms, Crofton Go-Kart Raceway, and On Target shooting range. Finally, Monumental Helicopters at Fort Meade offers tours over the bay.

Finding a Place to Live in Odenton, Maryland

You can find the perfect home for you in Odenton, MD, when you work with a real estate agent who knows the area well. Our team is made up of local professionals who are familiar with all 19 neighborhoods in Odenton. Contact us for support in discovering your ideal property.

Check Out These Latest Odenton Homes For Sale

Sorry we are experiencing system issues. Please try again.