Charles County, Maryland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles County
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Location within the U.S. state of Maryland
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 Maryland's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  Maryland |
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| Founded | April 13, 1658 | ||
| Named for | Charles Calvert, 3rd Baron Baltimore | ||
| Seat | La Plata | ||
| Largest community | Waldorf | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 643 sq mi (1,670 km2) | ||
| • Land | 458 sq mi (1,190 km2) | ||
| • Water | 185 sq mi (480 km2) 29% | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 166,617 | ||
| • Estimate
(2023)
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171,973  |
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| • Density | 259.12/sq mi (100.05/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | ||
| Congressional district | 5th | ||
Charles County is a county in the state of Maryland. In 2020, about 166,617 people lived there. The main town, or county seat, is La Plata.
The county got its name from Charles Calvert. He was the third Baron Baltimore. Charles County is part of the Southern Maryland area. It is known for being a wealthy county. In 2020, it was the 39th wealthiest county in the United States. It is also the richest county with a majority Black population.
Contents
History of Charles County
Charles County was created in 1658. It was formed by an official order. Before this, there was an "Old Charles County" from 1650 to 1654. This older county covered parts of what is now Charles County and other nearby areas.
In the early 1700s, John Tayloe I bought land near Nanjemoy Creek. He used this land to mine iron. He would then ship the iron to his factories.
John Wilkes Booth's Escape
In April 1865, John Wilkes Booth escaped through Charles County. He had just shot President Abraham Lincoln. Booth was trying to get to Virginia. He stopped briefly in Waldorf, which was then called Beantown. A local doctor, Samuel Mudd, helped set Booth's broken leg. Doctor Mudd was later sent to prison for helping him. Booth then hid in the Zekiah Swamp in Charles County. He avoided search parties for over a week. Finally, he and his friend were able to cross the Potomac River.
Voting Rights and Tornadoes
In 1911, a proposal called the Digges Amendment was made. It tried to make it harder for African Americans in Maryland to vote. This proposal was written by Walter M. Digges and William J. Frere. Both were lawmakers from Charles County. However, the people of Maryland voted against this amendment. It was a big moment for voting rights in the country.
Charles County has also seen some powerful tornadoes. In 1926, a tornado hit the county. It killed 17 people, including 13 schoolchildren. On April 28, 2002, another strong tornado (an F-4) struck. It destroyed much of downtown La Plata. Three people died, and over 100 were hurt.
Many places in Charles County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These are important historical sites. Some examples are Green Park and Pleasant Hill.
Geography of Charles County
Charles County covers about 643 square miles. About 458 square miles are land, and 185 square miles are water. This means about 29% of the county is covered by water.
In one part of the county, you can find a spot that is north, east, south, and west of the state of Virginia.
Counties Nearby
- Prince George's County (north)
- Fairfax County, Virginia (northwest)
- Calvert County (east)
- Stafford County, Virginia (west)
- Prince William County, Virginia (west)
- St. Mary's County (southeast)
- Westmoreland County, Virginia (southeast)
- King George County, Virginia (south)
Protected Natural Areas
- Thomas Stone National Historic Site
- Mallows Bay–Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary
People of Charles County
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1790 | 20,613 | — | |
| 1800 | 19,172 | −7.0% | |
| 1810 | 20,245 | 5.6% | |
| 1820 | 16,500 | −18.5% | |
| 1830 | 17,769 | 7.7% | |
| 1840 | 16,023 | −9.8% | |
| 1850 | 16,162 | 0.9% | |
| 1860 | 16,517 | 2.2% | |
| 1870 | 15,738 | −4.7% | |
| 1880 | 18,548 | 17.9% | |
| 1890 | 15,191 | −18.1% | |
| 1900 | 17,662 | 16.3% | |
| 1910 | 16,386 | −7.2% | |
| 1920 | 17,705 | 8.0% | |
| 1930 | 16,166 | −8.7% | |
| 1940 | 17,612 | 8.9% | |
| 1950 | 23,415 | 32.9% | |
| 1960 | 32,572 | 39.1% | |
| 1970 | 47,678 | 46.4% | |
| 1980 | 72,751 | 52.6% | |
| 1990 | 101,154 | 39.0% | |
| 2000 | 120,546 | 19.2% | |
| 2010 | 146,551 | 21.6% | |
| 2020 | 166,617 | 13.7% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 171,973 | 17.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010 2020 |
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Population in 2020
In 2020, Charles County had a population of 166,617 people. The county is very diverse.
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 81,111 | 70,905 | 56,832 | 67.29% | 48.38% | 34.11% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 31,203 | 59,201 | 80,850 | 25.88% | 40.40% | 48.52% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 858 | 877 | 995 | 0.71% | 0.60% | 0.60% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 2,169 | 4,296 | 5,624 | 1.80% | 2.93% | 3.38% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 66 | 87 | 147 | 0.05% | 0.06% | 0.09% |
| Other Race alone (NH) | 199 | 243 | 957 | 0.17% | 0.17% | 0.57% |
| Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) | 2,218 | 4,683 | 9,535 | 1.84% | 3.20% | 5.72% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2,722 | 6,259 | 11,677 | 2.26% | 4.27% | 7.01% |
| Total | 120,546 | 146,551 | 166,617 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Population in 2010
In 2010, there were 146,551 people living in Charles County. About 50.3% were white, and 41.0% were Black or African American. About 4.3% of the people were of Hispanic or Latino origin.
The average age in the county was 37.4 years. The median income for a family was $98,560. This means half of the families earned more than this, and half earned less. Only a small number of families, about 3.7%, lived below the poverty line.
Economy of Charles County
Charles County has many different types of jobs. The county's economy is strong.
Top Employers
Here are some of the biggest employers in Charles County:
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naval Surface Warfare Center / Naval Support Facility Indian Head | 3,834 |
| 2 | Charles County Public Schools / Board of Education | 3,701 |
| 3 | Charles County Government | 1,814 |
| 4 | University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center | 775 |
| 5 | Walmart / Sam's Club | 637 |
| 6 | College of Southern Maryland | 602 |
| 7 | Waldorf Chevy/Cadillac, Ford, Toyota/Scion, Dodge | 583 |
| 8 | Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) | 471 |
| 9 | Safeway | 465 |
| 10 | Target | 465 |
| 11 | The Wills Group | 344 |
| 12 | Lowe's | 332 |
| 13 | Chick-fil-A | 294 |
| 14 | ADJ Sheet Metal | 280 |
| 15 | Restore Health Rehabilitation, La Plata Center | 260 |
| 16 | Sagepoint Senior Living Services | 250 |
Education in Charles County
Charles County has good schools and colleges.
Public Schools
The county has its own public school system.
Colleges and Universities
- College of Southern Maryland, located in La Plata.
Transportation in Charles County
Many state highways and one U.S. Highway serve Charles County.
Major Highways
US 301
MD 5
MD 5 Bus.- MD 5 Bus.
MD 6
MD 210
MD 224
MD 225
MD 227
MD 228
MD 229
MD 231
MD 234
MD 254
MD 257
MD 381
MD 425
MD 426
MD 488
MD 925
Communities in Charles County
Charles County has several towns and communities.
Towns
- Indian Head
- La Plata (the county seat)
- Port Tobacco Village
Census-Designated Places
These are areas that the Census Bureau recognizes:
Other Communities
These are smaller, unincorporated communities:
Famous People from Charles County
Many notable people have connections to Charles County.
From Early History
- Charles Brooke (1636–1671): An English immigrant who was the first Southerner to graduate from Harvard College.
- Gustavus Richard Brown (1747–1804): A doctor who served in the American Revolutionary War. He was also George Washington's doctor.
- James Craik (1727–1814): A Scottish doctor who was the Physician General of the Continental Army. He was a close friend and doctor to George Washington.
- John Hanson (1721–1783): Born in Port Tobacco. He was a Founding Father and signed the Articles of Confederation. He was also the President of the Confederation Congress.
- Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer (1723–1790): Born in Port Tobacco. He was a Founding Father and signed the U.S. Constitution.
- Capt. James Neale (1615–1684): An English immigrant who helped found Wollaston Manor and Cobb Island.
- Leonard Neale (1746–1817): Born in Port Tobacco. He was a Jesuit and became the Archbishop of Baltimore.
- William Smallwood (1732–1792): A Major General in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. He later became the Governor of Maryland.
- Benjamin Stoddert (1751–1813): A Captain in the Continental Army. He was the first U.S. Secretary of the Navy.
- Thomas Stone (1743–1787): Born near Port Tobacco. He was a Founding Father and signed the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
- Andrew White (1579–1656): A Jesuit who came with the first colonists to Maryland. He helped establish a mission at Chapel Point.
From the 19th Century
- George Cary (1789–1843): Born near Allen's Fresh. He was a lawyer and served in the U.S. House.
- Barnes Compton (1830–1898): Born in Port Tobacco. He was president of the Maryland Senate and a member of the U.S. House.
- Josiah Henson (1789–1883): Born into slavery in Port Tobacco. He escaped to Canada and became an author and abolitionist.
- Jane Herbert Wilkinson Long (1798–1880): Born in Charles County. She was a Texas Patriot and known as the "Mother of Texas".
- Samuel A. Mudd (1833–1883): Born near Bryantown. He was a doctor who helped John Wilkes Booth after the assassination of President Lincoln.
- Sydney E. Mudd (1858–1911): Born in Gallant Green. He was Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates and a member of the U.S. House.
- Francis Neale (1756–1836): Born in Port Tobacco. He was a Jesuit priest and president of Georgetown.
- Raphael Semmes (1809–1877): Born near Nanjemoy. He was a U.S. Navy officer and later a Rear Admiral in the Confederate States Navy.
From the 20th and 21st Centuries
- Matthew Henson (1866–1955): Born in Nanjemoy. He was an African-American explorer. He was one of the first people to reach the North Pole in 1909.
- Larry Johnson (born 1979): From Pomfret. He was a professional NFL running back.
- Shawn Lemon (born 1988): Attended Westlake High School in Waldorf. He played in the Canadian Football League.
- Joel and Benji Madden (born 1979): Identical twins from Waldorf. They are both musicians in the bands The Madden Brothers and Good Charlotte.
- Christina Milian (born 1981): A movie and TV actress and singer. She grew up in Waldorf.
- Randy Starks (born 1983): Attended Westlake High School in Waldorf. He played in the NFL as a defensive end.
- Robert Stethem (1961–1985): A U.S. Navy diver. He was killed during a plane hijacking. He grew up in Waldorf.
- Turkey Tayac (1895–1978): Born in Charles County. He was a Chief of a branch of the Piscataway Indian Nation and a Native American activist.
- Angela Renée White a.k.a. "Blac Chyna" (born 1988): A model and TV personality. She attended Henry E. Lackey High School in Indian Head.
Sports in Charles County
Charles County is home to a professional baseball team.
| Club | League | Venue | Established | Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Maryland Blue Crabs | ALPB, Baseball | Regency Furniture Stadium | 2008 | 0 |
Images for kids
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A historic marker for St. Thomas Manor, a mission established in 1641.
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A view of Allen's Fresh, a place mentioned in the county's history.
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Charles para niños
