Howard County's Department of Technology and Communication Services maintains these datasets. If you encounter issues with a download or need a specific layer not found on the portal, you can often reach out to the GIS Division directly for assistance.
This guide explores the various ways to download and utilize Howard County GIS data. The Howard County Open Data Portal howard county gis data download
💡 If you don't have professional software like ArcGIS, you can use QGIS—a free, open-source alternative—to open and analyze your downloaded GIS files. Support and Documentation The Howard County Open Data Portal 💡 If
The portal typically provides data in multiple formats, such as Shapefiles (SHP) for desktop GIS software, GeoJSON for web developers, and CSV or KML for more general use. Howard County Interactive Maps you can use QGIS—a free
(e.g., ArcGIS, AutoCAD, Google Earth)
Public facility locations like schools, parks, and libraries
Download high-resolution aerial photography and LiDAR data.