Throughout the 18th century, Joppatowne was one of Maryland’s most vital seaports. The community’s location on the Gunpowder River made it easy to transport tobacco and produce. But as Baltimore grew and the river silted up, trade slowed down in this Hartford County town, and modern development didn’t begin until the 1960s. Today, people here enjoy boating as a leisure activity, with many homes sitting along the river’s shore and near waterfront green spaces, like Mariner Point Park. Joppatowne is also a close-knit community, home to a little over 13,000 residents. “Parents raise their kids here, then their kids raise their kids here,” says Tricia Diana, a lifelong Joppatowne resident and the owner-broker of Weichert, Realtors-Diana Realty. “I know generations of families because so many of us are born here and don’t leave.”
Live right on the Gunpowder River in Joppa, with many homes even coming with a private dock.
Get your steps in on the paved walking trail in Mariner Point Park in Joppa.
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Some houses are in Special Flood Hazard Areas
Joppatowne’s earliest homes include ranch-style houses, Cape Cod cottages and split levels built between the 1960s and ‘70s. Early 2000s New Traditional houses and townhouses from the 2020s are also common. Homes on the river often have docks and boat slips. The median price of a townhouse here is about $350,000, which is lower than the national median, while the median price of a single-family house is higher at about $430,000. According to 2024 data from the Maryland Department of State Police, Hartford County’s property and violent crime rates are lower than state figures.
Heavy rain and tropical storms may cause the Gunpowder River to overflow; several houses in Joppatowne are in Special Flood Hazard Areas, making flood insurance mandatory for some properties. All new construction houses in these areas must be elevated. However, Diana says the floods are rarely intense. “I’ve lived here since the ‘60s, and I’ve never heard of an entire house getting wiped out. It’s usually just trees getting knocked over or some water in the basement.”
Townhomes in Joppatowne offer an affordable option for modern living close to the Gunpowder River.
Settle into a cozy home in Joppatowne, where community and comfort come together.
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Boating at Mariner Point Park, swimming at Gunpowder Falls State Park
“If you don’t own a boat, you know someone who does, and they’ll typically let you tag along and go out on the water with them,” Diana says. On Joppatowne’s southernmost inlet, Mariner Point Park offers boardwalk hiking trails, fishing piers and several boat ramps. There’s nowhere to swim at this local green space, but Gunpowder Falls State Park, less than 10 miles southwest, has a public beach. Several public and private marinas are within 10 miles of town. The Joppa Library hosts regular craft workshops and workout classes, like Zumba and chair yoga.
Take a break and soak in the scenic views of the Chesapeake from Mariner Point Park.
Gunpowder River is a major source of the lifestyle for people living in Joppa.
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Highly rated Hartford County Public Schools
Joppatowne is zoned for Hartford County Public Schools, which earn an A-minus rating from Niche. The district serves around 38,000 students with a 14-to-1 student-teacher ratio. There are three public elementary schools, two public middle schools and one public high school.
Joppatowne Elementary School serves students from Pre-K through the 5th grade.
Perry Hall High School is one of the largest high schools in the area and welcomes all.
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Interstate 95 and the Penn Line lead to Baltimore
Interstate 95 stretches across north Joppatowne. An 18-mile drive west on the tolled highway reaches Baltimore, home of the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. Hartford Transit buses in the area offer rides to neighboring towns like Aberdeen and Edgewood. The Edgewood train station, less than 5 miles southeast, follows the Maryland Area Regional Commuter’s Penn Line, reaching Baltimore in about 30 minutes. Part of the railroad crosses over the Gunpowder River, which Diana says affects boating. “The track is really low, so it’s a tight squeeze for most boats to get under.” She adds that there’s a project to replace the bridge, though it won’t be complete until 2036, per estimates. “Everybody here is excited for it to be rebuilt and raised, but construction hasn’t even started yet.” The University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center, 9 miles north, is the closest hospital.
Locals rarely leave Joppatowne for shopping and dining
An Amish market, grocery stores and a few locally owned restaurants fill Joppatowne Plaza. More restaurants and retailers are available off U.S. Highway 40 in Edgewood, about 2 miles east, but Diana says locals rarely drive that short distance. “Joppatowne is a very self-contained community. Most restaurants have been owned by the same families for decades, and there’s no reason to leave town for groceries. Everything we need is already here.”
Locals can shop for all their daily essentials at the Walmart in Joppatowne, MD.
Find fresh produce and goodies at the Joppa Amish Market in Joppatowne, MD.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
