A study was conducted by Howard Community College (HCC) to identify the geographic make-up of HCC credit students and to examine importance factors influencing college attendance. Using census software, data on 93.4% of HCC's 1980 credit students (N=4,013) were compared with 1980 census data on Howard County to determine participation rates for regional planning districts and key demographic variables. The study revealed that: (1) of the 82,081 adult residents of Howard County, 5.23% attended HCC credit courses in 1980; (2) participation rates of minority adults (4.92%) and females (6.72%) were higher than those of non-minority adults (4.08%) and males (3.71%); (3) although older students comprised 75% of HCC's credit population, the participation rate of 17-20 year olds (14.69%) was much higher than that of older age groups (4.16%); (4) HCC's participation rates compared favorably with rates for other Maryland community colleges and the nation; and (5) proximity to the college, higher income, and higher levels of educational attainment were correlated with higher HCC participation rates. Appendices contain information on data suppression, definitions of poverty status, HCC participation rates of Howard County high school graduates, college enrollment statistics for Maryland, and 1980 census data for Howard County, Maryland, and the United States. (DAB)