Living in Forest Hill, MD (2026): Neighborhoods, Schools, Parks and Home Prices

Header photo: “Forest Hill Train Station” by Bluesnote, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Last updated: Oct. 20, 2026

Forest Hill, MD is a quiet, mostly residential part of Harford County, just north of Bel Air. The typical home here sells for about $450,000 to $470,000, based on numbers through September 2026. You get lots of parks, a quick drive to Bel Air, and no town tax on top of the county tax.

One thing to know first: Forest Hill isn't a town with its own mayor. It's an unincorporated community with the ZIP code 21050. Here's what you need to know before you move.

Where is Forest Hill, MD?

Forest Hill sits just north of Bel Air, the county seat. The center of it is where Route 24 meets Jarrettsville Road. The old Ma & Pa Railroad stopped here until 1958.

The 21050 ZIP code is big, about 29 square miles. One side feels like the Bel Air suburbs. The other side is farms, woods and bigger lots.

Getting around is simple. Route 24 is the main road. It runs south through Bel Air to I-95 at Exit 77.

What are the neighborhoods like in Forest Hill?

You'll find three kinds of places to live here.

• Planned neighborhoods. Forest Lakes has single-family homes and townhomes, including the Rose Fields townhomes. Forest Lakes Elementary sits right next to Rose Fields.
• Spenceola Farms. This one has a little of everything: condos, villas, townhomes and single-family homes. Its community association runs a clubhouse and pool on Cherry Tree Square. Recent listings there ran from about $250,000 for a condo to about $670,000 for a big house.
• Country lots. On the rural side, you'll see homes on an acre or more. Some are listed at $1 million or more.

A few quick facts about the homes. About 9 in 10 homes in 21050 are lived in by their owners. The typical home was built in the early 1990s. The median household income is about $125,000 a year, per the latest Census survey.

How much do homes cost in Forest Hill, MD?

The typical Forest Hill home sells for about $450,000 to $470,000 right now. Different sources count a little differently, so here are three side by side.

Here's the quick version. Prices are flat to a little lower than last year. Homes are taking about a week longer to sell. About 30% of homes still sold over list price, down from last year. So buyers have a bit more room to negotiate than they did a year ago. Well-priced homes still move.

Want the county-wide picture? See my Harford County market update for September 2026.

What are property taxes in Forest Hill, MD?

Forest Hill has no town government, so there's no town tax. For July 2026 to June 2027, the rate is $1.0899 per $100 of assessed value. That's $0.9779 for Harford County plus $0.112 for the state.

On a home assessed at $450,000, that's about $4,905 a year before any credits.

Compare that to living inside the Town of Bel Air. There, the total is $1.4933 per $100: $0.8413 county, $0.54 town and $0.112 state. On the same $450,000 home, that's about $6,720 a year. The town tax pays for town services, so it's not a straight apples-to-apples. But it's worth knowing.

One more thing. For county taxes, Harford caps how much the taxable assessment on your main home can go up each year at 5%. You need to apply once for Maryland's Homestead Tax Credit to get it.

Which schools serve Forest Hill, MD?

Two public elementary schools are in Forest Hill:

• Forest Hill Elementary, 2407 Rocks Road
• Forest Lakes Elementary, 100 Osborne Parkway

After that, it depends on your street. The Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) feeder list shows Forest Hill kids going on to Bel Air, Fallston or North Harford middle and high schools. Some 21050 streets are zoned for other schools too, like Southampton Middle.

School lines do move. In 2022, HCPS moved some neighborhoods, including Forest Hill's Harford Estates, from Bel Air Middle and High to Fallston. HCPS also planned new elementary lines starting in the 2026-27 school year.

So before you fall for a house, type the address into the HCPS School Locator. It takes one minute and saves a lot of headaches.

What is there to do outside in Forest Hill?

Forest Hill has a lot of green space.

• Ma & Pa Heritage Trail, Forest Hill section. It's a 1.7-mile walking and biking trail between Blake's Venture Park and Friends Park. It's an easy walk for kids.
• Friends Park, East Jarrettsville Road. It has a fishing pond, a playground and ball fields. The Forest Hill Recreation Council runs programs there.
• Blake's Venture Park, off Melrose Lane. It's over 40 acres with open fields and a trailhead for the Ma & Pa.
• Forest Hill Recreation Complex, 21 Rockspring Church Road. These fields host youth sports. See the Forest Hill Recreation Council for sign-ups.
• Rocks State Park. Head north on Route 24. You'll find the King and Queen Seat, a 190-foot rock outcrop over Deer Creek, plus Kilgore Falls. On summer weekends and holidays, Kilgore Falls needs a day-use reservation, so check the park page first. Bring good shoes. The view is worth the climb.

Is the Ma & Pa Trail connected to Bel Air yet?

Not yet. The last piece will link the North Avenue trailhead in Bel Air to Blake's Venture Park, through a new tunnel under the Route 1 bypass.

In September 2026, Harford County said a review found the pedestrian bridge design goes over industry limits for vibration. That has to be fixed first. No new finish date has been given, and the section from North Avenue to the tunnel stays fenced off for now. When it's done, you'll be able to go more than 7 miles, from Annie's Playground in Fallston to Forest Hill.

Where do Forest Hill folks shop?

For groceries, there's Klein's ShopRite of Forest Hill, 2101 Rock Spring Road, where Routes 24 and 23 meet. Klein's Family Markets has its office in Forest Hill too. The store carries local items like milk from Broom's Bloom Dairy.

For more restaurants and shops, downtown Bel Air is just south.

Looking for something fun to do this month? My Halloween 2026 roundup has events near Forest Hill.

Is Forest Hill, MD a good place to live?

It depends on what you want. Here's my honest take.

Forest Hill could be a great fit if you want: - Parks and trails close to home - A quick drive into Bel Air - No town tax on top of the county tax - Choices from condos to big country lots

Check these before you buy: - Your school assignment, by exact address - Well and septic on country lots, since some homes there have them, so plan for those inspections - How far you are from Route 24 if you commute every day

Also comparing nearby areas? Check out Fallston and Jarrettsville, or start with my Harford County guide.

Thinking about a move to Forest Hill? Text me at (443) 617-2099. Happy to help.

FAQ

Is Forest Hill, MD its own town?

No. Forest Hill is an unincorporated community in Harford County, just north of Bel Air. It has no town government, and its ZIP code is 21050.

What is the median home price in Forest Hill, MD?

About $450,000 to $470,000. Redfin put the 21050 median sale price at $467,863 for the three months ending September 2026. TopHap, which uses recorded deeds, put it at $448,833 through September 2026.

What schools serve Forest Hill, MD?

Forest Hill Elementary and Forest Lakes Elementary are in Forest Hill. Depending on the street, kids then go to Bel Air, Fallston or North Harford middle and high schools, and some 21050 streets are zoned for other schools. Check any address with the HCPS School Locator.

What is the property tax rate in Forest Hill, MD?

For July 2026 to June 2027, it is $1.0899 per $100 of assessed value. That is the Harford County rate of $0.9779 plus the state rate of $0.112. There is no town tax because Forest Hill is not an incorporated town.

What parks are in Forest Hill, MD?

Friends Park, Blake's Venture Park and the Forest Hill Recreation Complex are all in Forest Hill. The Ma & Pa Heritage Trail runs 1.7 miles between Blake's Venture Park and Friends Park, and Rocks State Park is north on Route 24.

Does the Ma & Pa Trail connect Forest Hill to Bel Air?

Not yet. As of September 2026, Harford County said the last section, from North Avenue in Bel Air to Blake's Venture Park, was delayed while a pedestrian bridge design problem gets fixed. No new finish date has been announced.

About the author: Josh Tessier is a Harford County REALTOR® with the Lee Tessier Team at eXp Realty, based in Bel Air. He has 16+ years in real estate and has sold 550+ homes personally. He lives in Harford County and is raising his family here.

Watch more on my YouTube channel: Josh Talks Harford. Follow along on Facebook and Instagram.

Josh Tessier, Lee Tessier Team at eXp Realty | (443) 617-2099

Sources

All checked Oct. 20, 2026.

Where it is and history - Wikipedia, "Forest Hill, Maryland" (unincorporated; center at MD 24 and Jarrettsville Road; Ma & Pa service until 1958; ZIP 21050): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_Hill,_Maryland - Streett Hopkins Group, Forest Hill community page (unincorporated; centered at MD 24 and Jarrettsville Road; Ma & Pa service ended 1958): https://www.streetthopkins.com/forest-hill/ - Ma & Pa Heritage Trail, Trail Maps (directions: I-95 Exit 77 to MD 24 north to Forest Hill): https://www.mapatrail.org/maps

People, homes and income (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024 5-year, ZCTA 21050) - Census Reporter, 21050 profile (29 sq. mi.; median household income $125,208; median owner home value $456,800): https://censusreporter.org/profiles/86000US21050-21050/ - OfferBacked, 21050 page, "About the area" (ACS 2020-2024: median income $125,208; 89% owner-occupied; median year built 1993): https://offerbacked.com/market/21050

Neighborhoods - Premier Platinum Group, Forest Hill neighborhoods list (Forest Lakes, Spenceola Farms, Harford Estates and others): https://www.ppghomes.com/areas/forest+hill/md - O'Conor, Mooney & Fitzgerald, 2010 Brandy Dr. (Rose Fields of Forest Lakes townhome, backs to Forest Lakes Elementary): https://www.oconorhomes.com/Property/Detail/BrightMLSSold/MDHR2045110/2010-BRANDY-DRIVE-FOREST-HILL-MD-21050 - Redfin, 21050 pending listings (Forest Lakes single-family home): https://www.redfin.com/zipcode/21050/pending-listings - Leigh Kaminsky / American Premier Realty, Spenceola Farms page (home types; clubhouse and pool; listings $250,000 to $669,990): https://belairrealtor.com/forest-hill/spenceola-farms-homes-for-sale/ - RE/MAX, Spenceola Farms listings ($250,000 to $669,990 range): https://www.remax.com/homes-for-sale/md/bel-air-north/spenceola-farms/neighborhood/894147 - Pelican Property Management, Spenceola Farm Community Association clubhouse and pool, 261 A Cherry Tree Square: https://pelicanmgt.com/spenceola-farms-community-association-inc-clubhouse-information/ - Streett Hopkins Group, Forest Hill listings (country homes listed at $999,500 to $1.1 million): https://www.streetthopkins.com/forest-hill/ - Kinetic Realty, 2920 Smithson Dr. (1.34-acre Forest Hill lot, septic drain field): https://www.kineticrealtyinc.com/property/MDHR2045380/

Home prices - Redfin, 21050 Housing Market (median sale price $467,863, three months ending Sept. 2026, down 0.45%; 31 median days on market vs. 21; 30.0% sold above list, down 7.3 points): https://www.redfin.com/zipcode/21050/housing-market - TopHap, Forest Hill 21050 market (deed-based median $448,833 through Sept. 2026, down 4.5%; 6,748 homes; median year built 1994; 91% owner-occupied): https://www.tophap.com/market/21050/zip/21050 - OfferBacked, 21050 market (median $455,803, three months ending Aug. 31, 2026, down 3%; 27 days to contract vs. 23; 30.1% sold above list vs. 42%): https://offerbacked.com/market/21050

Property taxes - Maryland SDAT, "Tax Rates 2026-2027 - Tax Table & Homestead Credit Caps" (Harford County $0.9779; Bel Air town $0.5400 with county $0.8413; state $0.1120; Harford Homestead cap 5%): https://dat.maryland.gov/SiteAssets/Pages/Tax-Rates/Tax%20Rates%202026-2027%20-%20Tax%20Table%20&%20Homestead%20Credit%20Caps_July%202026_0726-A.pdf - Maryland SDAT, Homestead Property Tax Credit Program (one-time application; caps taxable assessment increases on a principal residence): https://dat.maryland.gov/realproperty/Pages/Maryland-Homestead-Tax-Credit.aspx - Maryland Department of Legislative Services, County-Municipal Property Tax Rates 2026 (Harford non-incorporated $0.9779; Bel Air $0.8413 + $0.5400 = $1.3813): https://dls.maryland.gov/pubs/prod/NoPblTabPDF/2026CountyMunicipalPropTaxRate.pdf

Schools - HCPS, School List 2025-2026 (Forest Hill Elementary, 2407 Rocks Road; Forest Lakes Elementary, 100 Osborne Parkway): https://hcps.org/webfiles/webfileshandler.ashx?id=8799 - Forest Hill Elementary School website: https://fhes.hcpsschools.org/ - Forest Lakes Elementary School website: https://fles.hcpsschools.org/ - HCPS, Feeder Schools by Attendance Area (updated 9/20/22): https://www.hcps.org/schools/docs/AttendanceAreas/FeederSchools.pdf - HCPS, Balancing Enrollment (2022 change MHS-7 moving Blakes Legacy, Cedarwood and Harford Estates from Bel Air to Fallston; elementary changes for 2026-27): https://www.hcps.org/community/balancingenrollment/ - HCPS, School Locator: https://www.hcps.org/schools/schoolbuslocator.aspx - Maryland Schools directory, Southampton Middle School attendance zone (includes Forest Hill 21050 streets): https://marylandschools.us/schools/southampton-middle-school/attendance-zone/ - Spenceola Farms page above (lists Forest Hill Elementary, Bel Air Middle and Bel Air High as possible schools; independent check on the feeder list)

Parks and trail - Ma & Pa Heritage Trail, Trail Locations (Forest Hill section, 1.7 miles, Friends Park to Blake's Venture): https://www.mapatrail.org/trail-locations - Ma & Pa Heritage Trail, Connect Trails (final segment North Ave. to Blake's Venture): https://www.mapatrail.org/connect-trails - Visit Harford, Friends Park (pond, fishing, playground, soccer field; Forest Hill Recreation Council programs; 1.7-mile trail): https://www.visitharford.com/listing/friends-park/235/ - Harford County Tourism, Parks & Outdoors (Blake's Venture Park, 41.7 acres, fields, Ma & Pa access): https://www.helloharford.com/180/Parks-Outdoors - Harford County Government, Summer Adventure Locations (Friends Community Park, E. Jarrettsville Rd.; Blake's Venture Park, Melrose Ln.; Forest Hill Recreation Complex, 21 Rockspring Church Rd.; Rocks State Park on Rocks Rd.): https://www.harfordcountymd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/29043/All-Summer-Adventure-Locations-for-Public - Fallston Recreation Council, Forest Hill Rec field map (21 Rockspring Church Rd.): https://fallstonrec.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/147/2024/11/Forest-Hill-Rec-v1-update.pdf - Forest Hill Recreation Council programs: https://leagues.bluesombrero.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1053183 - Maryland DNR, Rocks State Park (King and Queen Seat, 190 feet over Deer Creek; Kilgore Falls; day-use reservations): https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/central/rocks.aspx - Patch, "Avoid Section Of Ma And Pa Connector Trail During Extension Project" (Sept. 22, 2026): https://patch.com/maryland/belair/avoid-section-ma-pa-connector-trail-during-extension-project - Bel Air Brief, "Ma & Pa Trail Connector in Bel Air Delayed Again" (Sept. 24, 2026): https://belair-brief.beehiiv.com/p/ma-pa-trail-bel-air-delay-dog-park-closure

Shopping - Klein's Family Markets, ShopRite of Forest Hill (2101 Rockspring Rd.; MD 24 and 23; Broom's Bloom milk; office on Klein Plaza Dr., Forest Hill): https://kleinsfm.com/store-locations/shoprite-of-forest-hill/ - OfferBacked, 21050 "Places" list (ShopRite 0.8 mi from ZIP center): https://offerbacked.com/market/21050

Author - Josh Tessier, About page (credentials, social links): https://talkharford.com/about