Saint Mary's County, Maryland

Saint Mary's County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland.

As of 2000, the population was 86,211. Its county seat is Leonardtown. The name is in honor of Mary, mother of Jesus.

The county is one of the several Maryland counties that make up the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also a part of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The settlement of Lord Baltimore's Maryland began with the arrival of passengers from England at St. Clement's Island in the Potomac River in what is now southwestern St. Mary's County on March 25, 1634 (the anniversary of this landing being annually celebrated as Maryland Day). The passengers arrived in two vessels, the Ark and the Dove, which had set sail from the Isle of Wight on November 22, 1633.

St. Mary's County was the first county established in Maryland, in 1637, probably by an order of the Governor.

The county seat and state capital was St. Mary's City.

St. Mary's County is where Francis Scott Key, the author of a poem which became The Star Spangled Banner, and professional wrestler Scott Hall grew up. St. Mary's County was the birthplace of Dashiell Hammett, and Orlando "Tubby" Smith, head basketball coach at the University of Kentucky.

Notable residents

Steny Hoyer: Former State Senator and Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives.

Law and Government

St. Mary's County is governed by county commissioners, the traditional form of county government in Maryland.

Board of Commisioners

Thomas F. McKay (R), President, At Large
Kenneth R. Dement (R), Vice President, District 1
Thomas A. Mattingly, Sr. (D), District 2
Lawrence D. Jarboe (R), District 3
Daniel H. Raley (D), District 4

County Executive

The county commissioners exercise such executive powers as exist in the government of the county.

Geography

The county has a total area of 1,582 km² (611 mi²). 847 km² (327 mi²) of it is land and 734 km² (284 mi²) of it (46.43%) is water.

The county is largely bordered by water: the Patuxent River, the Chesapeake Bay, the Potomac River, and the Wicomico River.

Adjacent Counties

Calvert County (north)
Charles County (northwest)

Demographics

As of 2000, there were 86,211 people, 8,361 households, and 5,443 families residing in the county. The population density was 29/km² (76/mi²). There were 10,092 housing units at an average density of 12 persons/km² (31 persons/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 81.6% White, 13.9% African American, 0.37% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.35% of the population.

There were 8,361 households out of which 25.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.10% were married couples living together, 15.10% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 34.90% were non-families. 29.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county the population was spread out with 18.50% under the age of 18, 15.70% from 18 to 24, 29.50% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 114.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 119.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,903, and the median income for a family was $37,643. Males had a median income of $27,496 versus $23,035 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,965. 20.10% of the population and 15.00% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 28.40% are under the age of 18 and 19.10% are 65 or older.

Cities and towns

Saint Mary's County includes one municipality, classified as a town under Maryland law: Leonardtown, the county seat (incorporated 1858).

Other unincorperated areas include:

Colleges and universities

St. Mary's College of Maryland, in St. Mary's City, Maryland.

Military Bases

The county houses the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, which plays a significant role in the local economy. The Naval Air Station also has an annex at Webster Field in Saint Inigoes, MD.

External link

Saint Mary's County government

Maryland counties | St. Mary's County, Maryland | Potomac River counties

Condado de Saint Mary (Maryland) | Condado de Saint Mary's

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