Prince George's County Real Estate: Bowie, Upper Marlboro, Clinton, Fort Washington, Lanham, Greenbelt Washington, D.C. Real Estate: North West, North East, South East, South West Virginia Real Estate: Alexandria, Arlington |
Welcome to Bowie, Maryland! Located in peaceful Prince George's County, Bowie is home to over 50,000 residents and continues to grow from a small railroad rest stop to one of the largest municipalities in the county. Bowie is the fifth most populous city in Maryland and the third largest city by area size. Bowie is also well known for being a popular home buyer inquiry, based on information we have gathered from both buyers and sellers. For more detailed information on the Real Estate Conditions in Bowie, MD please continue to the Bowie Real Estate section detailed below. (Note: We strive to keep the information offered in the demographics and real estate as current as possible, however with the constant movements in the Real Estate trends some information may fall behind, please check back for future updates or for your convenience, we can deliver the latest update on real estate trends directly to your email by click of a button! Please sign up for our Bowie real estate market conditions newsletter) Bowie,
MD - Local Area Guide |
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1800s The city of Bowie owes its existence to the railway. In 1853, Col. William Duckett Bowie obtained a charter from the Maryland legislature to construct a rail line into Southern Maryland. In 1869 the Baltimore & Potomac Railroad Company began the construction of a railroad from Baltimore to Southern Maryland. The area had already been dotted with small farms and large tobacco plantations in an economy based on agriculture and slavery. In 1870 Ben Plumb, a land speculator and developer, sold building lots around the railroad junction and named the settlement Huntington City. By 1872, the line was completed, together with a spur to Washington DC. The remainder of the railroad through Southern Maryland and Pope's Creek was completed in 1873. Huntington City was re-named in honor of the son of William Duckett Bowie, Oden Bowie, who was President of the Baltimore & Potomac Railroad at the time, and previously Governor of Maryland. The town was subsequently rechartered as Bowie in 1880. In the early days the land was subdivided by developers into more than 500 residential building lots, to create a large town site at a junction of the Baltimore and Potomac's main line to southern Maryland, and the branch line to Washington, DC. 1900s By 1902, the Baltimore & Potomac was purchased by the powerful Pennsylvania Railroad. A second railroad entered the community when the Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad electric trolley line commenced service in 1908. The large interurban cars brought rapid transit to the area, with trains running hourly. Bowie area stations included High Bridge, Hillmeade, and the Race Track. The convergence of the two rail systems induced the Southern Maryland Agricultural Society to build the Bowie Race Track in 1914. The track enabled the Belair Stud to become one of Maryland's premier areas for thoroughbreds. Also in 1914, a teacher-training college, or normal school as it was referred to then, was built for African-Americans, just outside the town. This now has become Bowie State University. In 1916,the town of Bowie was incorporated. In 1957, the firm of Levitt and Sons acquired the nearby Belair Estate, the original colonial plantation of the Provincial Governor of Maryland, Samuel Ogle, and developed the residential community of Belair at Bowie. Two years later the town of Bowie annexed the Levitt properties, and then re-incorporated the now-larger area as a city in 1963. The overwhelming majority of Bowie residents today live in the original 1960s planned community, whose street names are arranged in alphabetical sections. Bowie enjoys a rich and diverse historic and cultural heritage. The original Belair Estate contains the Belair Mansion (circa 1745), the beautiful five-part Georgian plantation house of Governor Samuel Ogle and his son Governor Benjamin Ogle. It was purchased in 1898 by the wealthy banker James T. Woodward who, on his passing in 1910, left it to his nephew, William Woodward, Sr., who became a famous horseman. Restored to reflect its 250-year-old legacy, the Mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Belair Stable, on the Estate, was part of the famous Belair Stud, one of the premier racing stables in the 1930s, '40s, and '50s. Owned and operated by William Woodward, Sr. (1876-1953), it closed in 1957 following the untimely death of his son, Billy Woodward. Belair had been the oldest continually operating thoroughbred horse farm in the country. It is said that the blood of Belair horses flows through the veins of every American race horse of distinction. Bowie today Honoring the tradition of a rail town, the City of Bowie has preserved this piece of its history in the Huntington Railroad Museum, which includes historic materials displayed in the station's restored railroad buildings. In 2006, the City reopened the Bowie Building Association building as a Welcome Center for all to enjoy and learn about the history of Bowie. This building is a small brick and block structure constructed circa 1930. It originally housed the Bowie Building Association, which helped finance much of the development in the early days of the community. While the city is proud of its heritage, it is also focused on the future. It has grown from a small agricultural and railroad town to one of the largest and fastest growing cities in Maryland. Bowie is a city of 16 square miles and approximately 50,000 residents. It has nearly 2,000 acres (8 km²) set aside as parks or open space. It has 72 ball fields, three community centers, an ice arena, the 800-seat Bowie Center for the Performing Arts, and a 150-seat theatrical playhouse, a golf course, and three museums. Bowie is home to the Bowie Baysox, a Class AA Eastern League professional baseball team affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles. The Baysox currently play their home games at Prince George's Stadium. The city has recently added a state-of-the-art senior citizens center and a gymnasium for community programs. The city is a family-oriented community whose motto is "Growth, unity and progress". Despite its low crime rate, Bowie has seen high profile criminal activity. Michael Bray was co-pastor at the Reformation Lutheran Church in Bowie when he conspired to bomb 10 clinics and offices of abortion supporters in three states and the District of Columbia from January 1984 through January 1985. He eventually served almost 4 years in prison for these crimes. On October 7, 2002, a 13-year old boy was critically wounded by a sniper soon after he was dropped off at Benjamin Tasker Middle School in Bowie. This shooting was one in a series of murders and attempted murders referred to collectively as the Beltway sniper attacks. Courtesy: Wikipedia Back To Top - Bowie, MD - Community Profile Demographics for Bowie, Maryland As of the census of 2000, there were 50,269 people, 18,188 households, and 13,568 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,121.9 people per square mile (1,205.5/km²). There were 18,718 housing units at an average density of 1,162.5/sq mi (448.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was:
Bowie, MD - Census Data Summary
Comparing Household Incomes in Bowie vs. the State of Maryland Estimated
median household income in 2007: $95,000 (it was $76,778 in 2000) Detailed
break down of Census Data There were 18,188 households out of which 37.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.0% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.4% were non-families. 19.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.16. In the city the population was spread out with 26.9% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 34.9% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males. The median income for a household in the city was $76,778, and the median income for a family was $82,403. Males had a median income of $52,284 versus $40,471 for females. The per capita income for the city was $30,703. About 0.7% of families and 1.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.0% of those under age 18 and 1.8% of those age 65 or over. Back To Top - Bowie, MD - Community Profile Real Estate in Bowie, Maryland Bowie is popular for it's affordable and appropriately priced single family homes, town homes and condos. Based on analysis of home sales and pricing for houses on the current market, the following demographic appears for Bowie, MD real estate. Average
of time a home is available in Bowie, MD open market: 98-100 days Comparing Home Sales in Bowie vs. the State of Maryland Estimated
median house or condo value in 2007: $389,394 (compared to $157,800 in
2000) Mean prices in 2007
Sampling of Home Sales by Zip Code Zip Code: 20715
Zip Code: 20716
Zip Code: 20720
Zip Code: 20721
For a sampling of homes currently on the market in Bowie, please refer below. For further information on Bowie Homes for Sale feel free to contact us at chrisrichardson@remax.net. Back To Top - Bowie, MD - Community Profile Primary
and Secondary Schools PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS IN BOWIE:
PUBLIC ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOLS IN BOWIE:
BIGGEST PRIVATE ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOLS IN BOWIE:
Colleges
and universities
OTHER COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES WITH OVER 2000 STUDENTS NEAR BOWIE:
Back To Top - Bowie, MD - Community Profile Bowie,
MD - Notable Landmarks Belair
Mansion Belair
Stable Museum Holy
Trinity Episcopal Church Sacred
Heart Catholic Church St.
John's Herb Garden
Back To Top - Bowie, MD - Community Profile Huntington
Community Center (3022 8th Street) Provides a full range of recreation activities including games, classes, fitness programs, and special events. The facility is equipped with meeting rooms, weight room, shower facilities, and a multi-purpose room with stage. For the Center's schedule, please call 301-464-3725. Bowie
Community Center South
Bowie Community Center (1717 Pittsfield Lane) Provides special interest classes, rooms for social functions and special events. The facility includes an indoor racquetball court, gymnasium, kitchen, weight room, game room and large meeting rooms. Outdoor areas include tennis courts, playground, and ballfield. For more information, call 301-249-1622. Back To Top - Bowie, MD - Community Profile Acorn
Hill Park Allen
Pond Park Blacksox
Park Buckingham
Park Church
Road Park Dog
Park Glen
Allen Park Jericho
Park
Popes Creek Park
Tanglewood Park Town
Green Veterans
Park Whitemarsh
Park Enfield
Chase Park Foxhill
Park Highbridge
Park Huntington
North Park Huntington
South Park Bowie
Ice Arena The
Bowie Playhouse Boathouse
at Allen Pond Park Amphitheater
at Allen Pond Park Bowie
Skate Park
City
of Bowie Gymnasium Bowie
City Hall Allen
Pond Park Boathouse Bowie
Golf and Country Club Back To Top - Bowie, MD - Community Profile Fire
Department Police
Department Main
Post Office Mitchellville
Branch Post
Office Old
Bowie Branch Post
Office Back To Top - Bowie, MD - Community Profile Civic and Community Organizations
Prince George's County
State of Maryland
Federal Information
Transportation Local Utility Companies Sports Organizations
Schools and Universities
Bowie Area Public Schools
Bowie Area Private Schools
MD/DC Universities
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The Belair Mansion, was built in Collington, Maryland circa 1745 as the
Georgian plantation home of the Provincial Governor of Maryland, Samuel
Ogle. Later home to another Maryland governor, the mansion is listed on
the National Register of Historic Places. Belair is recognized as the
only great colonial estate where breeding of race horses was conducted
during three centuries. The estate significantly influenced the development
of thoroughbred horse racing in the new world, having one of only two
stables to raise two Triple Crown champions. The mansion and its nearby
stables both serve as museums, operated by the City of Bowie.
The
Belair Stable Museum is located at 2835 Belair Drive in Bowie, Maryland.
It is operated by the City of Bowie, Maryland. The building once housed
the Belair Stud Farm until 1957 when the Woodward family sold the Belair
Estate to Levitt & Sons for the construction of Belair at Bowie. This
U-shaped sandstone stable was built in 1907 for James T. Woodward, then
owner of the Belair Mansion. The elaborate stable building reflects Belair’s
long and distinguished association with thoroughbred horse racing and
breeding. The
stable sits on 2 acres (8,100 m2) located about 1000 northeast of the
Belair Mansion. Once part of the large estate, the stable building is
now surrounded by residential development. The building itself is a U-shaped
structure with a one-and-a-half story main block and single story flanking
wings, forming an open exercise yard to the center.
Holy
Trinity's historical roots date back to Maryland’s Queen Anne Parish
in the 1600s. Holy Trinity was a “Chappell of Ease” until
1836 when it became a stand-alone parish. The church building as we know
it today was constructed in 1836. In the span of 171 years (1836-2007)
Holy Trinity has had 20 rectors. Names prominent in the history of Prince
George's County and the Bowie area in particular are readily found in
the records of Holy Trinity Church and the cemetery: Ridgley, Lancaster,
Duckett, Hall, Belt, Addison, Claggett, Lansdale, Bowie, Tasker, Darnell,
Ogle, and many others. Oden Bowie served as a Vestry member starting in
1950 and spent 20 years as Senior Warden. In 1974 he stepped aside and
became Warden Emeritus thereafter. Mr. Bowie lives nearby and still attends
services.Surrounding the beautiful church is the cemetery with stones
dating back hundreds of years. 
The
small town of Bowie developed with the coming of the railroad and the
Church of the Ascension was built near the train line in 1893 to accommodate
the people. In 1903 Sacred Heart became a mission of Ascension and the
Fathers of White Marsh moved to a residence near Ascension church. When
the large estate of Belair was sold for development about 1958 there was
a need for a new Catholic church. St. Pius X was established on Annapolis
Road in 1962. From 1962 to 1965 Sacred Heart became a mission of St. Pius
X. A new Church of the Sacred Heart was built and dedicated on October
26, 1969. For a few years Sacred Heart, Bowie was known at the same time
as the oldest and newest parish of the Archdiocese.
Standing
on the high ground, amid a grove of magnificent trees, is the stunningly
beautiful, pre-Civil War main house (circa 1824) filled with the delicious
fragrance of dried flowers and rich essential oils. St. John's Herb Garden
is a commercial herb garden located at 7711 Hillmeade Road, Bowie, Maryland,
USA. It is a member of the American Horticultural Society's Reciprocal
Program for Arboreta in North America, and open for public visits. The
grounds contain 21 gardens, as well as greenhouses, ponds, and terraces.