Crofton is a census-designated place and planned community in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States, located 9.8 miles (15.8 km) west of the own up capital Annapolis, 24 miles (39 km) south of Baltimore, and 24 miles (39 km) east-northeast of Washington, D.C. The community was standard in 1964 and as of the 2020 census, it had a population of 29,136.

In 1963, after the Crawford Corporation accumulated higher than 1,600 acres (650 ha) of land, it announced that it would construct a further community called Crofton. This additional town and planned community was founded at the same time as Reston, Virginia (April 17, 1964) and Columbia, Maryland (1967). Crofton would be anchored by a community golf course, which progressive became the Crofton Country Club. Crofton was officially founded in the fall of 1964. The company considered picking an English herald for the further town that “sounds skillfully and implies that this is a pleasant place to live.” It ended stirring picking the name “Crofton”, named after a small township in Cumberland County, England. The English town was originally called Croft-town, derived from the word “Croft”, as the town standing on the Crofts. Originally an exclusive gated community accused of racial exclusion and requiring a country club link to buy a home, Crofton’s gates were opened, and eventually removed entirely in 2022.

In July 2007 Crofton was named by Money magazine as one of “100 Best Places to Live” in the United States. Crofton placed 72nd out of 100 cities on the list. It was selected for its relative anonymity while still boasting many major amenities, excellent schools, and sought-after location.

Crofton was selected anew for the magazine’s 2011 list, this get older placing 82nd.