Glenarden was developed in 1919, when W. R. Smith purchased a group of properties approximately 10 miles east of Washington, and established a residential community of 15 people. Three decades later, under the banner of the Civic Association, the African-American, middle-class suburban community that had developed from Smith's venture petitioned the State Legislature for incorporation as the Town of Glenarden. The charter was granted on March 30, 1939, making Glenarden the third predominantly black incorporated town in the State of Maryland. W. H. Swann was elected as its first mayor.
Geography
Glenarden is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, all land.
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 6,000 people, 2,077 households, and 1,535 families living in the city. The population density was. There were 2,256 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 2.4% White, 92.1% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 2.9% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.0% of the population. There were 2,077 households, of which 44.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.4% were married couples living together, 37.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 26.1% were non-families. 23.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.36. The median age in the city was 31.5 years. 31.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.3% were from 25 to 44; 21.8% were from 45 to 64; and 11.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 43.8% male and 56.2% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,318 people, 2,078 households, and 1,664 families living in the city. The population density was 4,828.9 people per square mile. There were 2,167 housing units at an average density of 1,656.3 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 0.85% White, 95.77% African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 1.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.76% of the population. There were 2,078 households, out of which 41.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.9% were married couples living together, 36.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.9% were non-families. 17.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.04 and the average family size was 3.39. In the city, the population was spread out, with 35.6% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 68.7 males. The median income for a household in the city was $44,583, and the median income for a family was $45,932. Males had a median income of $37,961 versus $32,953 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,578. About 15.9% of families and 15.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.0% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
The most prominent highway passing through Glenarden is Interstate 95/Interstate 495. I-495 follows the Capital Beltway around Washington, D.C., providing access to its many other suburbs. I-95 only follows the eastern portion of the beltway, diverging away from the beltway near both its north and south ends. To the north, I-95 passes through Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City and Boston on its way to Canada, while to the south, it traverses Richmond on its way to Florida. However, there is no direct access to Glenarden from I-95/I-495. The primary connection is via its interchange with Maryland Route 202 just south of the city limits, which connects to Maryland Route 704 and other minor roads which pass directly through the city.
Glenarden also has Glenarden Woods Elementary School, a non-zoned school. The following middle schools serve portions of the city: Kenmoor and Ernest Everett Just. The following high schools serve portions of the city: DuVal High School and Charles H. Flowers High School.
