Bloomington, MD

Bloomington is a city located in Howard County, Maryland, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 57,812. Bloomington is a suburb of Washington, D.C., and is part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. The city's name derives from Bloomingdale's Farm (now part of Fort Meade), which was on the site where the city now stands.

The earliest settlements in what would become Bloomington were along Piney Branch and White Oak Roads near present-day Westover Hills Elementary School. In 1851, Dr. James Withers purchased land on which he established a farm and mill that became known as Withers' Mill Village or simply "Withers". The village grew around this nucleus and by 1854 had a post office, churches (First Presbyterian Church and Christ Episcopal Church), schools ( Westover School for boys and Bloomfield School for girls), stores (including a general store run by James Withers Jr.), and several mills including Withers' flour mill, sawmill, carding mill and woolen mill. A railroad line was built through the village in 1871 linking it with Baltimore; this helped spur development in the area as businesses moved to more accessible locations.

In 1887 Dr. Jeptha Hurd bought land east of Withers' Mill Village to develop as Hurd's Addition; this became known as "the Heights" because of its elevated location above Piney Branch Road (now MD 212). The Heights developed rapidly into one of Howard County's most affluent suburbs; its many well-known residents include Senators Robert C Byrd and Strom Thurmond, entertainers Liberace and Sammy Davis Jr., business magnate Walter Annenberg, basketball coach John Thompson Sr., architect Ira Glasser, political commentator Tucker Carlson and singer Barbra Streisand.

In 1923 developers renamed Hurd's Addition " Bloomington" after Bloomingdale Brothers Department Store chain opened two stores there that year; these were among the first department stores in Maryland outside Baltimore City limits. The first residential subdivision in Bloomington was developed in 1924 by developer Frank Epperson; it consisted of small single-family homes on large lots near present-day Eastgate Shopping Center. Development increased rapidly after World War II as veterans returned home seeking new homes away from crowded urban areas; by 1950 there were over 1,000 homesites within city limits alone!

Today Bloomington continues to grow rapidly thanks to its many amenities: excellent schools (including two private schools ranked among America's top 100), numerous shopping districts including Eastgate Shopping Center (one of Maryland's largest mall complexes), numerous restaurants including some nationally renowned establishments such as Ruth Chris Steak House & Grill (#2 Best Steakhouse in America according to Gourmet magazine)and Bonefish Grill (#1 Best Seafood Restaurant in America according to Zagat Survey). In addition, Bloomington is home to Howard Community College (HCConline) which offers more than 50 associate degree programs plus several certificate programs plus two campuses: one located adjacent to Eastgate Shopping Center while another campus is located just north of I-270 near Rt 40/MD 213 junction providing convenient access for students living throughout eastern Howard County as well as parts of Montgomery County . Finally ,the recently completed Capital Beltway expansion has made commuting into Washington Dc much easier for residents residing east or westof I 270