Thinking about a move that fits school schedules, sports practices, and weekend fun without adding stress to your commute? Severna Park checks those boxes for many families. Tucked between the Severn and Magothy Rivers in Anne Arundel County, it blends Chesapeake-side recreation, strong K–12 options, and everyday convenience. In this guide, you’ll see what makes Severna Park stand out, how the housing market looks today, and what to consider as you compare neighborhoods. Let’s dive in.
Where Severna Park sits
Severna Park sits north of Annapolis and south of Baltimore on the Broadneck peninsula. According to Census QuickFacts for Severna Park, the community has roughly 39,933 residents, a high owner-occupancy rate near 90.7 percent, and strong household income levels. That combination often signals long-term neighborhood stability and amenities that support family life.
You are close to the region’s job centers and recreation. It is about 7 to 10 miles to downtown Annapolis, usually a 15 to 20 minute drive off-peak, based on distance estimates between Severna Park and Annapolis. Many residents also commute toward Baltimore or Washington, DC. The Census reports a mean travel time to work of about 28 minutes, which aligns with varied, traffic-dependent routes across the region.
Schools and K–12 options
Families often start their search here with schools in mind. Severna Park offers public options in the Anne Arundel County Public Schools system, plus regional private and parochial choices.
Public schools to know
Severna Park High School is commonly cited by parents doing research. Independent reviews from Niche give SPHS an A overall and place it among the higher-ranked public high schools in Anne Arundel County and Maryland. You can review details on Niche’s SPHS profile.
Feeder patterns matter in this area. Severna Park Middle School and its elementary feeders serve much of the community. Because attendance boundaries can shift, always verify a specific address with Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Start with the AACPS page for Severna Park Middle and use current school assignment tools when you get serious about a property.
Private and parochial choices
The broader Annapolis–Baltimore corridor includes independent and parochial schools that draw families from Severna Park. Transportation options and admissions timelines vary by school. If private education is on your radar, build that research into your move plan early so you can align neighborhood choices with bus routes or drive times.
Recreation and youth sports
Active, kid-centered recreation is part of daily life here. From pools and tennis to biking and boating, you have year-round ways to get outside.
Community center and aquatics
The Severna Park Community Center is a local hub with two pools, camps, classes, and meeting spaces. Many families plug into swim lessons, after-school programs, and seasonal events through the SPCC. Explore current offerings on the Severna Park Community Center site.
Swim and tennis clubs
Neighborhood-based swim and tennis clubs are common and help shape the social calendar. Pools often field summer swim teams and junior tennis programs. Membership rules and waitlists can apply, so factor that into your timeline. For an example of how these clubs operate, review membership details at the Severn River Swim Club.
Parks, trails, and waterfront access
Severna Park connects easily to outdoor spaces. The paved B&A Trail welcomes stroller walks, bike rides, and runs. Kinder Farm Park and nearby Quiet Waters Park add playgrounds, fields, and water access to the mix. Many neighborhoods also offer community piers or boat ramps for kayak launches and weekend cruising.
Community and convenience
Daily logistics are simple, which is a big deal when you are juggling pickup times and groceries.
Farmers market and local retail
A seasonal farmers market and a compact corridor of shops and restaurants along Baltimore–Annapolis Boulevard give you quick options for errands and weekend browsing. Regional directories list the Severna Park Farmers Market, and you will find rotating vendors, prepared foods, and family-friendly mornings when it is in season.
Library programs and events
The Anne Arundel County Public Library branch in Severna Park runs children’s story times, homework support, and community events throughout the year. You can skim upcoming offerings via the library’s events calendar.
A neighborhood feel
High owner-occupancy, active PTAs, and volunteer-run youth groups create the kind of neighbor-to-neighbor connection many parents want. The Census shows a strong share of owner-occupied homes in Severna Park, which often supports longer tenures and stable local involvement.
Housing and neighborhoods
You will find a wide range of home styles, yard sizes, and waterfront options across Severna Park. Understanding the mix helps you focus your search faster.
Home styles and features
Expect mid-century ranches and split-levels, larger brick colonials, and newer construction in select subdivisions. Some neighborhoods are water-privileged, which can mean access to community piers or beaches, while others are true waterfront with private docks. If boating is part of your lifestyle, the presence of a pier or boat lift and the local shoreline rules can materially affect value and ownership costs.
Prices and pace in 2026
As of January 2026, many MLS aggregators report a median sale price in the high 700,000s, around 795,000, though actual numbers move month to month and vary by neighborhood, waterfront status, and condition. For broader context, Census QuickFacts shows a median owner-occupied home value near 647,200 for the 2020–2024 period. In popular months, well-prepared listings can see strong interest.
If you are budgeting, consider price bands instead of a single number. Starter single-family homes may land below the overall median depending on condition and location. Move-up colonials with more square footage tend to price higher. True waterfront homes usually command a significant premium compared with similar inland properties. A tailored strategy will help you balance school proximity, yard size, and commute.
Commute and regional access
One of Severna Park’s strengths is its central location. Annapolis is a short drive, often 15 to 20 minutes off-peak. Baltimore and Washington, DC are commutable for many professionals, with total time depending on route and traffic. BWI Airport is also within easy reach for work travel or family trips. The Census mean commute of about 28 minutes gives you a baseline as you compare routes.
If you plan to split school drop-offs and office commutes, map your daily pattern at peak hours. Small neighborhood choices can change your drive time by several minutes, which adds up over a week.
Key trade-offs to weigh
Before you write an offer, line up these practical checks:
- School boundaries. Attendance zones can change. Always verify a specific address with Anne Arundel County Public Schools using current tools and the AACPS Severna Park Middle page as a starting point.
- Taxes and credits. Property tax bills vary by assessed value, exemptions, and credits. Review county programs, including homestead and senior credits, on the Anne Arundel County Finance page.
- Club memberships. Many swim and tennis clubs have membership processes and seasonal timelines. If summer pool access is important, plan ahead for applications and waitlists.
- Waterfront factors. For waterfront or water-privileged homes, check for pier permits, water depth, shoreline rules, and potential flood insurance. These details influence your total cost of ownership.
- Daily convenience. Test-drive your route to schools, the grocery store, and youth sports fields at the times you would actually travel. Small differences can shape daily quality of life.
Is Severna Park the right fit?
Families choose Severna Park for a clear blend of strengths: reputable public schools with multiple program options, a deep bench of youth sports and aquatics, quick access to parks and the Chesapeake, and commutes that keep schedules manageable. The housing stock supports a range of life stages, from first-time buyers to move-up and waterfront lifestyles. If you want a neighborhood that supports both family routines and long-term equity goals, it deserves a close look.
When you are ready to tour homes or sense-check a budget against neighborhoods, connect with a local advisor who understands both the lifestyle and the numbers. With concierge-level service and data-driven guidance, Romeo Santos III can help you compare school zones, weigh waterfront premiums, and build a confident plan for your next move.
FAQs
What makes Severna Park popular with families?
- A mix of strong public school options, year-round youth sports, parks and waterfront access, and commutable location near Annapolis, Baltimore, and DC.
How are Severna Park public schools ranked?
- Independent reviews show strong performance; for example, Severna Park High School holds an A overall on Niche’s school profile. Always verify current programs and test results.
How much do homes cost in Severna Park in 2026?
- As of January 2026, many MLS aggregators place the median sale price near the high 700,000s, while Census QuickFacts shows a median owner-occupied value around 647,200 for 2020–2024.
What is the commute like from Severna Park?
- Annapolis is typically a 15 to 20 minute drive off-peak, with longer times to Baltimore and DC depending on traffic. The Census mean commute is about 28 minutes.
Where can kids play sports or swim locally?
- Families tap the Severna Park Community Center for aquatics and classes, neighborhood swim and tennis clubs for summer teams, and the B&A Trail for biking and runs. See SPCC programs and the B&A Trail overview.
Are there local events and family programming?
- Yes. The seasonal Severna Park Farmers Market and the library’s events calendar offer regular family-friendly activities. Neighborhood associations and PTAs also host meetups and events.
