Elkton, MD

Elkton is a town in Harford County, Maryland, United States. The population was 9,898 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Baltimore–Washington Metropolitan Area.

Elkton was founded in 1789 and named for General James Winchester Elk, who fought in the American Revolution. The town's early economy was based on agriculture and milling; it became a center of furniture production during the 19th century. In 1881, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad reached Elkton, providing transportation and economic growth. The railroad stimulated development in other sectors of the economy; businesses that sprang up included a cotton mill, a foundry, a bank, and several stores.

During World War II, Elkton was one of several towns near Washington D.C., including Bel Air and Abingdon that served as military bases for training troops for combat overseas. After the war ended, many servicemen returned to civilian life and purchased homes in Elkton; this led to an increase in population and further development of the town's infrastructure. Today, Elkton is home to several businesses including a hospital and an insurance company; its economy is based largely on services rather than manufacturing or agriculture.

The history of real estate in Elkton reflects that of much of Maryland: it has been dominated by suburbanization over recent decades as families have moved into newer homes closer to jobs and shopping centers. However, there are still pockets of older neighborhoods within town which offer characterful housing at reasonable prices; furthermore, new construction has been limited by zoning restrictions which protect historic properties or restrict density so that single-family homes predominate instead of apartments or condos