Moving to Fallston, MD: Living in Fallston Guide

Fallston is the quiet, green corner of western Harford County. It is a community of farms, wooded lots and suburban neighborhoods between Bel Air and the Baltimore County line, and it has no town hall or downtown of its own. What it does have is space: the Census Bureau counts 14 square miles of land and just over 9,300 residents, and nearly every home is owner-occupied.

Fallston suits families who want room to spread out and well-regarded public schools, and commuters who don’t mind driving to Baltimore, Aberdeen Proving Ground or Towson for work. Retirees and empty nesters like it too. Bel Air’s shopping and restaurants are next door, and Gunpowder Falls State Park runs along the southern edge. Homes here cost more than the Harford County average, so it pays to know the market before you shop.

Planning a move to Fallston? Call our York PA & Maryland team at 717-844-5125 or get your price online.

Where Is Fallston?

Fallston is an unincorporated, census-designated place in western Harford County, Maryland. It borders Baltimore County to the south and Bel Air North to the northeast. The Little Gunpowder Falls forms much of the county line along its southern side.

The main roads:

Maryland Route 152 is Fallston’s main road. It reaches Interstate 95 at Exit 74, about 6 miles southeast, and MD 146 (Jarrettsville Road) about 7 miles northwest.
U.S. Route 1 (Belair Road) runs through Fallston toward Bel Air to the northeast and Perry Hall and Baltimore to the southwest. Many of Fallston’s shops and restaurants are on it.
Maryland Route 165 crosses the western part of the community toward Jacksonville and Jarrettsville.

For context, the Maryland Department of Commerce lists Bel Air, Fallston’s neighbor, as 23 miles from Baltimore, 64 miles from Washington, D.C., and 77 miles from Philadelphia. Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is the region’s main airport.

Fallston Population & Demographics

Fallston had 9,306 residents at the 2020 Census, spread across 14 square miles, or about 665 people per square mile. That is very low density for the Baltimore area. The community skews older and well-educated, and household incomes are well above county and state levels.

Measure	Fallston CDP	Harford County	Maryland
Population (2020 Census)	9,306	—	—
Population estimate (July 1, 2025)	—	266,446	6,265,347
Median age (ACS 2020–2024)	44.7	—	—
Residents 65 and older	19.0%	—	18.4%
Median household income (2020–2024)	$154,688	$112,265	$103,678
Bachelor’s degree or higher (25+)	53.9%	40.3%	43.4%
Owner-occupied housing rate	97.2%	79.7%	67.6%
Mean travel time to work	35.8 min	32.1 min	31.1 min

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (2020 Census; Vintage 2025 estimates; 2020–2024 American Community Survey); median age from Census Reporter (ACS 2024 5-year).

A few other details from the Census Bureau: Fallston’s poverty rate is 4.6%, per capita income is $62,402, 3.0% of residents were born outside the U.S., and the community has 469 veterans. The 35.8-minute average commute is longer than the county and state averages, which tells you most people here drive out of Fallston for work.

Fallston’s farm history still shows. Wikipedia describes it as a semi-rural community of farms and suburban-style developments, and three local sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places: Bon Air, the Little Falls Meetinghouse and Rockdale. The Humane Society of Harford County is also based in Fallston, which is handy if your family plans to adopt a pet once you settle in.

Is Fallston Safe?

We did not find a Fallston-specific crime report worth quoting, and because Fallston is unincorporated, it does not publish its own statistics. Law enforcement comes from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, which is the best place to ask about a particular street or neighborhood. As always, visit the area you are considering on a weeknight and a weekend before you commit.

Cost of Living in Fallston

Home Prices

Fallston is one of the pricier places to buy in Harford County. The Census Bureau puts the median value of owner-occupied homes at $562,300 (2020–2024), compared with $386,400 for Harford County, $419,900 for Maryland and $332,700 for the U.S. The housing stock is mostly single-family homes, many on large lots, so you will see everything from 1970s split-levels to newer custom homes with acreage.

Because the community is small, month-to-month sale prices jump around. A local agent’s recent comparable sales will tell you more than any single statistic. Budget for a home inspection that looks closely at wells, septic systems and long driveways if you are shopping for a rural lot, since some rural homes rely on private wells and septic systems.

Rent

Rentals are scarce. With 97.2% of homes owner-occupied, Fallston has very few apartments. The Census Bureau’s median gross rent here is $2,268 a month (2020–2024), but that figure is based on a small number of rented houses. Countywide, the median gross rent is $1,586, and statewide it is $1,705. If you need to rent while you house-hunt, you will likely find more options in Bel Air, Bel Air North and Bel Air South, and our storage service can hold your things in between.

Best Neighborhoods in Fallston

Fallston does not have formal neighborhood boundaries, so it helps to think of it in three general areas.

Along Belair Road (U.S. 1)

The U.S. 1 corridor is Fallston’s most convenient side. Grocery stores, restaurants and services sit along Belair Road, and the drive to Bel Air or toward Perry Hall and Baltimore is simple. Subdivisions off this corridor tend to have smaller lots and more neighbors, which suits families who want a short drive to everything and kids who can find friends on the same street.

Central Fallston and the School Neighborhoods

The subdivisions around Fallston’s elementary, middle and high schools are the heart of the community. Homes here are mostly single-family houses on generous lots, with the Fallston Volunteer Fire Company next to the high school. It is a good fit for families who want to be close to school events and sports, and for commuters who use MD 152 to reach I-95 at Exit 74.

Western and Southern Fallston

West toward MD 165 and south toward the Little Gunpowder Falls, Fallston feels rural. Expect farms, woods, horse properties and homes set well back from the road. This area suits buyers who want privacy, room for a workshop or animals, and access to the trails of Gunpowder Falls State Park. The trade-off is longer drives and, often, private well and septic.

Weather & Climate

Fallston has four real seasons. There is no NOAA climate station in Fallston itself, so we use the official Baltimore station at BWI Airport, which sits south of Baltimore at a lower elevation. Its 1991–2020 normals show an average annual high of 66.6°F and low of 45.9°F. January averages a high of 43.2°F and a low of 25.4°F, and July averages a high of 88.8°F and a low of 67.7°F. BWI averages 45 inches of precipitation and 19.3 inches of snow a year. Fallston sits higher and farther inland, so winter can run a little colder and snowier than those airport numbers.

Best months to move: May, June, September and October bring the most comfortable temperatures. Summer is peak moving season, so book early. Winter moves are fine with some flexibility for snow days.

Things to Do in Fallston

Ma & Pa Heritage Trail and Annie’s Playground

The Ma & Pa Heritage Trail follows the old Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad corridor through Bel Air and Forest Hill. Its southwestern end is at Edgeley Grove Park, home of the popular Annie’s Playground, between Fallston and Bel Air. From there it is 1.4 miles to the Tollgate Road trailhead. The trail group reports that the final link connecting the Bel Air and Forest Hill sections was completed in 2026, creating a trail of nearly 8 miles.

Jerusalem Mill Village

Just south of Fallston on Jerusalem Road in Kingsville, Jerusalem Mill is a historic milling village that also serves as headquarters for Gunpowder Falls State Park. The park’s Central Area borders both the Big and Little Gunpowder Falls and has miles of multi-use trails and fishing spots.

Sweet Air Area of Gunpowder Falls State Park

The Sweet Air Area has about 18 miles of multi-use trails along the Little Gunpowder Falls, on the border between Baltimore and Harford counties. It is a local favorite for hiking, trail running and horseback riding. Gunpowder Falls State Park as a whole covers 15,088 acres and more than 120 miles of trails.

Ladew Topiary Gardens

Ladew Topiary Gardens, at 3535 Jarrettsville Pike in nearby Monkton, has 22 acres of award-winning gardens, more than 100 topiary sculptures, a historic manor house and a mile-long nature walk. It is open for the season from April 2 through October 31, and the Ladew Café serves sandwiches, soups and desserts on-site.

Where to Eat in Fallston

Fallston Barrel House

Fallston Barrel House, at 2403 Belair Road, opened in 2016. It is an American restaurant and craft bar with live music, indoor and outdoor seating, and comfort food like Maryland crab dip, burgers and seafood. It is the kind of place where you will run into neighbors on a Friday night.

Acappella

Acappella, at 2402 Pleasantville Road, is a family-owned and family-operated Italian restaurant that has been serving Fallston since 2013. It takes reservations, hosts parties and caters, which makes it handy for a family dinner the week you move in.

Italian Sensation

Italian Sensation has locations in Bel Air and Fallston and describes everything on its menu as homemade. The Fallston restaurant sits on Belair Road (U.S. 1) near Mountain Road and is open Tuesday through Sunday. It is an easy pick for pizza or pasta when your kitchen is still in boxes.

Jobs & Economy

Most Fallston residents commute. The biggest employer in Harford County, by far, is Aberdeen Proving Ground, which the Maryland Department of Commerce lists at about 21,000 workers in military research, development and testing. Other major Harford County employers include University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health (3,350), Smiths Detection (1,000), Amazon (1,000), Harford Community College (1,000), the Kohl’s e-fulfillment center (950), Klein’s ShopRite of Maryland (900), Walmart (810) and Frito-Lay (810).

Fallston’s location also works for jobs in Baltimore County, Towson and Baltimore City by way of U.S. 1 and I-95. Remote and hybrid workers like Fallston for the quiet, and it is worth checking internet providers at your specific address, since service can vary on rural roads.

Schools in Fallston

Fallston is part of Harford County Public Schools, which serves about 38,000 students in 55 schools across the county. Fallston’s public schools include:

Youth’s Benefit Elementary School, which HCPS rebuilt as a single-building campus in 2014.
Fallston Middle School, which opened in 1993.
Fallston High School, which opened in November 1977 and serves about 1,000 students. It has won many state championships, especially in field hockey and lacrosse, and Newsweek included it among America’s top public high schools in 2009, 2010 and 2012.

Attendance zones can split neighborhoods, so confirm the schools for your exact address with HCPS before you buy. For college, Harford Community College in Bel Air is close by.

Fallston Quick Facts

County	Harford County
Type	Unincorporated census-designated place
ZIP code	21047
Area codes	410, 443, 667
Population (2020 Census)	9,306
Land area	14.0 square miles
Main roads	MD 152, U.S. 1 (Belair Road), MD 165; I-95 Exit 74
Nearest major airport	BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport
Public schools	Harford County Public Schools
Law enforcement	Harford County Sheriff’s Office

Moving to Fallston: Tips From Our Crew

Tell us about the driveway. Many Fallston homes sit at the end of long, narrow or gravel driveways. If a full-size truck can’t turn around or the drive has a tight bend, we plan for it ahead of time. Photos or a quick video help a lot.
Watch the weather in winter. Hilly, tree-lined roads can stay icy after a storm. We keep an eye on the forecast and will call you early if the roads look bad. There is never a rescheduling fee.
Protect your lawn and landscaping. On big lots, the easiest path from the truck to the front door is sometimes across the grass. After a rainy week, let us know about soft ground, septic fields or buried lines so we keep the truck on solid pavement.
Time your drive on U.S. 1 and MD 152. Weekday rush hours slow Belair Road and the roads toward I-95. An early start keeps a local move on schedule.
Pack a first-night box. Many Fallston homes are big, and it can take a day or two to unpack. Keep chargers, medications, bedding, toiletries and coffee in one clearly labeled box that rides with you.
Clear out before you move. Basements, barns and garages fill up over the years. Our junk removal service can haul away what you don’t want to pay to move.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Fallston

How much do movers cost in Fallston, MD?

The cost depends on the size of your home, the distance, stairs and access, and if you want packing. A move from a townhouse in Bel Air to a Fallston farmhouse is a very different job than a cross-country move. Call our York PA & Maryland team for a free quote; an owner calls you back within 15 minutes between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Is Fallston, MD a good place to live?

For many families, yes. Fallston offers large lots, a low-density, rural feel, strong household incomes and schools with a long track record, with Bel Air’s shopping close by. The trade-offs are higher home prices than the county average, few rentals and a longer commute for most jobs.

Is Fallston its own town?

No. Fallston is an unincorporated census-designated place in Harford County. County government handles services like roads, planning and zoning, and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement. Your mailing address will use Fallston and ZIP code 21047.

How far is Fallston from Baltimore and Aberdeen Proving Ground?

Fallston sits between the two. MD 152 reaches I-95 at Exit 74 about 6 miles southeast of Fallston, and I-95 connects to both Baltimore and Aberdeen. Drive times depend heavily on traffic, so test your commute at rush hour before you commit.

Do you handle long-distance moves to or from Fallston?

Yes. For long-distance moves we give you a binding estimate, so the price does not change after you book. You get your own dedicated truck, the same W-2 crew door to door, and a guaranteed delivery date. Military families moving for APG or other assignments get 5% off.

Move to Fallston With A & M Friendly Movers

A & M Friendly Movers has been family-owned since 2015. Our York PA & Maryland office serves Harford County, and our Fallston movers know the long driveways, big basements and winding roads that come with the area. Every crew member is a background-checked, drug-tested W-2 employee, never a subcontractor. With our Owner’s Promise, you talk to an owner, not a call center; if anything is damaged, an owner calls you the same day, and claims are resolved in 60 to 90 days.

We handle local moves, packing and unpacking, piano and safe moving and military moves. See our 850+ Google reviews, visit our Fallston moving page, or call 717-844-5125.

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