Read Maryland innovation stories.

The blue crab may be the marquee reason to love Maryland. And for good reason. You won’t find jumbo lump crab cakes like ours anywhere else. And a 10 layer cake? Yes, please. But it’s not the food alone that makes Maryland special. It’s the innovation, people and opportunity that make Maryland the best place to live and work. Here are five reasons (other than the blue crab) to love Maryland.

An innovation ecosystem

With a concentration of high-tech assets, including federal agencies, seven university-affiliated research parks, and the highest concentration of STEM professionals in the nation, Maryland is ripe for innovation. For businesses and entrepreneurs, this means more opportunities to transfer tech out of labs, and bring ideas to life.

The great outdoors

Thousand of miles of shoreline means endless opportunity for water activities—whether it’s soaking up sun in Ocean City, sailing the Chesapeake Bay, or paddling creeks of Western Maryland. Hiking mountains more your thing? We have those, too. Southern Living recently put Frostburg among its “Best Mountain Towns.”

Culture & diversity

Maryland is one of the most culturally diverse states, with four of the top-10 most culturally diverse cities in the U.S. Maryland’s diverse population brings Marylanders fresh perspectives and amazing cultural experiences.

Health is a priority

High household incomes (exceeding all other states) provide a stable foundation for Marylanders. This means more healthful living. With 50 state parks and 18 national parks, getting active time outside is easy. And Marylanders who need access to world-class healthcare have it, thanks to leading hospitals like Johns Hopkins Hospital.

An emphasis on education

Great education starts early in Maryland, with our K-12 public school system ranking among the best in the nation. Renowned university programs continue to fuel a pipeline of talented workers in Maryland. In fact, nearly 40 percent of Marylanders hold a bachelor’s degree or higher (3rd highest in the nation), and Maryland leads the nation in the number of doctoral scientists.

Want to know more about living in Maryland? Check out our five distinct regions.