The name Severna Park is rumored to originate from a 1906 contest held by Oscar Hatton while the modern community was first becoming established. The winner would receive a portion of land but controversy arose because the winner was an African-American woman, who was instead rewarded $500.[2] However, extensive research by local historian Nelson Molter found no corroborative evidence for this story, suggesting the naming contest is merely a local myth.[3]
Severna Park is split by Ritchie Highway (Maryland Route 2), which runs between Baltimore and Annapolis and directly through Severna Park, serving as one of the main thoroughfares in the area. Other main roads include Benfield Road and Baltimore-Annapolis Boulevard (Maryland Route 648). Interstate 97 runs from Annapolis to Baltimore directly west of Severna Park, passing through Millersville. Severna Park is accessible from I-97 via exit 10 to Benfield Boulevard/Veterans Highway.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Severna Park has a total area of 19.3 square miles (50.1 km2), of which 16.5 square miles (42.7 km2) is land and 2.9 square miles (7.4 km2), or 14.76%, is water.[7]
As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 28,507 people, 9,731 households, and 8,105 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,209.7 inhabitants per square mile (853.2/km2). There were 9,945 housing units at an average density of 770.9 per square mile (297.6/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 92.45% White, 3.29% African American, 0.18% Native American, 2.77% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, 1.19% Hispanic or Latino and 0.94% from two or more races.
There were 9,731 households, out of which 40.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.7% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.7% were non-families. 13.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.17 people.
In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 28.1% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 29.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.
According to a 2007 estimate,[10] the median income for a household in the CDP was $106,983, and the median income for a family was $116,246. Males had a median income of $70,742 versus $45,061 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $40,985. About 0.6% of families and 1.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.4% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.
United States
Maryland
Anne Arundel
