Bowie, Maryland has a population of about 53,000. It is warm in the summer with average temperatures in the high 70s. Winters are cold, with average temperatures in the 30s, with an average snowfall of 17 inches. Bowie has a very low crime rate. Bowie has a rich history and a proud heritage, and anyone thinking of moving to Bowie will find a city of cultural diversity in a lovely setting.
Economy:
The median household income for Bowie is substantially higher than the state average. The cost of living in Bowie is also much higher than the national average. The unemployment rate is currently 5.7 percent. Bowie is home to the Center for Computing Sciences (a division of the Institute for Defense Analysis) and to the U.S. Census Bureau computer operations. The top employers in the city are in the areas of health and education, as well as with MedAssurant Inc. and Giant foods. Many people live in Bowie and commute to jobs in nearby cities.
History:
Originally a part of 10,000 acres given to Lord Calvert in 1658, the governor of Maryland Samuel Ogle bought the land and built a mansion there in 1743 (called the Belair Estate). He then began a stable of thoroughbred racehorses on the land. Eventually a farming community built up around the area and became the town of Huntington. In 1853, the railroad built a branch through the town and the area began to grow. The town was renamed Bowie in honor of Maryland Governor Oden Bowie. The Belair Estate was purchased by William Woodward who again started the breeding of racehorses. The Bowie Race Course was built there in 1914. The town was incorporated in 1916. In 1957, the Levitt Company bought 2,000 acres of the estate and built 9,000 homes there. This allowed the city to grow substantially.
Tourism:
Bowie has preserved its history in a very active way. Some of the historic places you can visit are Belair Mansion and the Belair stables, built in 1745, the Fairview Plantation, and Melford (a plantation house from the 1840s). The Don S.S. Goodloe house is the home of the first president of a secondary school for African-Americans in Bowie. There are many art galleries in Bowie devoted not only to local artists but also exhibits of all kinds. The Radio and Television Museum has extensive exhibits of old radio and TV artifacts. The Bowie Railroad and Huntington Museum has guided tours of old railroad buildings and artifacts. The Bowie International Festival is held each October at the Allen Pond Park and features music, food, games and children's activities from around the world. Bowie Heritage Day is held in May at the historic Belair Stables. June's Bowiefest is food, arts and crafts and music. Old Town Bowie hosts a Fall Fest every September to celebrate with food and activities. In addition, there are numerous parks, ponds and outdoor activities.