Westminster Apartments and Rentals

Conveniently located near the state's largest cities and several capitols, Westminster is the heart of Carroll County and a fantastic Mid-Atlantic city to call home. With a nationally-accredited Main Street Program designation, this town offers a unique cultural experience with a charming small atmosphere that draws in so many Maryland residents to look for Westminster apartments for rent. Home to more than 18,600 residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, this is a warm, welcoming community that is close to the amenities of many major metropolises.

The original design of the city was laid out in 1764 by English settler William Winchester who gave the town its name. He specifically chose the spot because of its ideal location to many other surrounding communities in the Maryland and Washington, D.C. areas. Many people quickly caught on to all of the great qualities of this community and began to build hotels, eating establishments and stores.

Westminster largely remained an agricultural community until 1818 when its first organized municipal government was formed. Around this time, there was a terrible drought in the area that gave rise to local legend. Only two wells existed in the town, and the one that was perceived to never run dry was owned by Jacob Sherman. The legend continues to this day in the community's pageant, "The House that Jacob Built." Much of the developing industries in the area remained in agriculture, but the area was also known for its tanning and banking centers. Westminster was a frequent stop for travelers headed west from the large cities nearby like Annapolis, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. 

Today, Westminster has grown from its humble beginnings into one of the most thriving municipalities. With its high quality schools, low crime rates and family-oriented residents, it is easy to see why so many people have made their home here.

Three of the top ten employers in the area are in banking and publishing, according to the city's official website. However, the city's largest private employers are Carroll Lutheran Village, an assisted living home, General Dynamics Robotics Systems, and C.J. Miller LLC, a paving and excavating contractor. Obviously, the workforce in the area is a diverse mix of white and blue collar occupations, making it a fantastic place to be no matter your line of work.

The city of Westminster has two institutions of higher learning, one being McDaniel College. This private, liberal arts college offers undergraduate and graduate degrees on a beautiful hilltop campus. Class sizes are small here, giving students the opportunity to have a meaningful, personalized education. Another popular nearby school is Carroll Community College. This 2-year institution offers degrees and certifications in a variety of fields including health, education, business and engineering. Students should begin their search for Westminster apartments well before classes begin in order to score the best place. 

Since Westminster is ideally located near so many major cities, the cost of living in the area is slightly above the national average. According to information from city-data.com, the median gross rent in the area is $885 per month, making it a very affordable option for those wanting to live in a small, but growing community. Because of its ideal location and reputation for being a great place to raise a family, it is easy to see why this city had an 11 percent increase in population from 2000 to 2010.

One of the places in the area that makes Westminster so unique from other Maryland communities is Serpent Ridge Vineyard. Known for their many varietals of wine, this local favorite is getting buzz for creating some great selections. Because of Maryland's ideal climate for agriculture, it makes sense that Serpent Ridge is making some of the best wine in the Mid-Atlantic region.

If you are looking for an apartment for rent or a house rental in Westminster, search for rental properties at Rent.com®.