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Dorchester County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland on its Eastern Shore. It is bordered by Talbot County to the northwest, Caroline County to the northeast, Wicomico County to the southeast, Sussex County, Delaware to the east, and the Chesapeake Bay to the west. As of 2000, the population is 30,674. It was named for the Earl of Dorset, a family friend of the Calverts (the founding family of the Maryland colony). Its county seat is Cambridge.
History
The origin of Dorchester County is not known but it definitely existed by February 16, 1668/69, when a writ was issued to its sheriff.
In 1773 a part of Dorchester County, together with a portion of Queen Anne's County, was taken to form Caroline County.
Law and government
Dorchester County is a charter form of government.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,546 km² (983 mi²). 1,444 km² (558 mi²) of it is land and 1,102 km² (425 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 43.28% water.
Adjacent Counties
- Caroline County (north)
- Sussex County, Delaware (northeast)
- Wicomico County (east)
- Somerset County (southeast)
- Talbot County (northwest)
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 30,674 people, 12,706 households, and 8,500 families residing in the county. The population density was 21/km² (55/mi²). There were 14,681 housing units at an average density of 10/km² (26/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 69.45% White, 28.39% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. 1.26% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 12,706 households out of which 27.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.50% were married couples living together, 15.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.10% were non-families. 28.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the county the population was spread out with 23.30% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 25.50% from 45 to 64, and 17.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 89.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $34,077, and the median income for a family was $41,917. Males had a median income of $29,014 versus $22,284 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,929. 13.80% of the population and 10.10% of families were below the poverty line. 18.10% of those under the age of 18 and 14.20% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Education
Public Schools
- Dorchester County School of Technology
- North Dorchester High School
- Cambridge-South Dorchester High School
- Mace's Lane Middle School
- North Dorchester Middle School
- Choptank Elementary School
- Hurlock Elementary School
- Maple Elementary School
- South Dorchester PK-8
- Vienna Elementary School
- Warwick Elementary School
Cities and towns
Other areas not listed as CDP's but known in the area include:
- Bishops Head-Toddville
- Crapo
- Crocheron
- Elliott-Salem
- Fishing Creek-Hoopersville
- Linkwood
- Madison-Woolford
- Rhodesdale
- Taylors Island
- Wingate
Miscellaneous
The newspaper of record is The Daily Banner.
External links
"Dorchester County, Maryland"