Jessup (pronounced JESS-up) is an unincorporated town and census-designated place in Howard County, Maryland and Anne Arundel County, Maryland. The population was 7,865 at the 2000 census. The center of population of Maryland is located in Jessup.[1] It is most noted as the location of one of Maryland's state prison complexes. The community has a little-used stop on the Camden line of the MARC commuter rail service. The town's prison is referenced several times in the HBO original series, The Wire.
Geography
Jessup is located at 39°08′18″N 76°46′30″W / 39.138374°N 76.774929°W / 39.138374; -76.774929 (39.138374, -76.774929).[2]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 4.2 square miles (11.0 km2).None of the area is covered with water.
History
The town began as Jessup's Cut, a post village in Howard County on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The name is generally attributed to Jonathan Jessup, a civil engineer who worked on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The name was shortened in 1863. Into the mid 20th century, the town was called Jessups, then was shortened to Jessup.[3]
Since the mid-19th century, the area has been home to various penal institutions.[4][5] Inmates today still refer to these jails as "the cut," probably unaware of the origin of the name.
Among its notable residents was Arnold Elzey, a major general in the Confederate army during the American Civil War; he retired to a small farm near Jessup.
Demographics
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 7,865 people, 379 households, and 280 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,858.0 people per square mile (717.9/km2). There were 398 housing units at an average density of 94.0/sq mi (36.3/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 67.73% African American, 31.28% White, 1.03% Hispanic or Latino, 0.33% Asian, 0.27% from other races, 0.22% from two or more races, 0.15% Native American, and 0.03% Pacific Islander.
There were 379 households out of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.5% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.1% were non-families. 20.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 3.2% under the age of 18, 15.9% from 18 to 24, 62.5% from 25 to 44, 16.3% from 45 to 64, and 2.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 499.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 539.7 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $48,000, and the median income for a family was $55,139. Males had a median income of $26,003 versus $24,950 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $19,052. About 5.0% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.1% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.
References
