A major goal in the development of Columbia is to enhance the quality of life of the people living and working in the city. To date, the effort has produced new concepts in health care and interfaith religious cooperation, a school system rated the best in the state, and many other innovations in social and community services.

Education:
14 public elementary schools conveniently located within residential neighborhoods
5 public middle schools
8 public high schools (including 2 Magnet Programs)
Cedar Lane School (special needs school)
30 child care centers, including nursery schools, day care centers, and Montessori schools
119-acre campus of Howard Community College
Graduate and continuing education programs operated by Loyola College of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University and University of Phoenix
Howard County Staff Development Center
Lincoln Technical Institute

Libraries:
2 Howard County Public Libraries (Central and East Branch)

Religion:
5 Interfaith Centers, where denominations share common worship facilities.

Transportation:
A county-wide bus system serves Columbia including 60 route-miles

Commuter buses daily to Baltimore, Silver Spring Metro station and Washington, D.C..

Health Care:
Howard County General Hospital, a Member of Johns Hopkins Medicine, with 233 beds
Center for Ambulatory Surgery
Central Maryland Oncology and Professional Building
Patuxent Medical Group
Central Maryland Rehabilitation Center
Crossroads Professional Center/The Pediatrics Center
Hawthorn Professional Park
Sports Medicine Center
Columbia Medical Office Center

Arts & Entertainment:
Merriweather Post Pavilion of Music, seating up to 15,200 people under cover and on the lawn
The Jim Rouse Theatre for the Performing Arts at Wilde Lake High School (seats 736)
Two Multi-Plex Cinemas
The Smith Theater, Howard Community College (seats 409)
Columbia Association Arts Center
Toby's Dinner Theater
Peter and Elizabeth Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center

Community Facilities:
15 Neighborhood Meeting/Community Centers
9 Village Community Centers
2 Teen Resource and Activity Centers
Historic Oakland Reception and Conference Center

Facilities for Older Adults:
The Florence Bain Senior Center
East Columbia 50+ Center
Owen Brown Senior-plus Center
Ruth Keeton House Senior Center
Winter Growth (Adult Day Care)
Deerfield Senior Day Center
Sunrise Assisted Living