Charles County, Maryland

History

Charles County was created in 1658 by an Order in Council. There was also an earlier Charles County from 1650 to 1654, sometimes referred to in historic documents as Old Charles County,{{Cite journal |access-date=November 16, 2007 |access-date=November 16, 2007 |access-date=April 5, 2008

In April 1865, John Wilkes Booth made his escape through Charles County after shooting President Abraham Lincoln. He was on his way to Virginia. He stopped briefly in Waldorf (then called Beantown) and had his broken leg set by local Doctor Samuel Mudd, who was later sent to prison for helping him. Booth then proceeded to hide in the Zekiah Swamp in Charles County, avoiding search parties for over a week until he and his accomplice were able to successfully cross the Potomac River.

The 1911 Digges Amendment, which attempted to disenfranchise African Americans in Maryland, was drafted by Democratic state delegate (lower house) Walter Digges and co-sponsored by state senator (upper house) William J. Frere, both from Charles County, Maryland. In Maryland's unrestricted general election of 1911, the Digges Amendment was defeated with 46,220 votes for and 83,920 votes against the proposal. Nationally Maryland citizens achieved the most notable rejection of a black-disfranchising amendment.

In 1926, a tornado ripped through the county leaving 17 dead (including 13 schoolchildren). On April 28, 2002, another tornado (rated an F-4) destroyed much of downtown La Plata killing 3 and injuring over 100 people.

The county has numerous properties on the National Register of Historic Places. Among them are Green Park and Pleasant Hill, home of the Green and Spalding Families.

On December 4, 2004, an arson took place in the development of Hunters Brooke, a few miles southeast of Indian Head. The Hunters Brooke Arson was the largest residential arson in Maryland history.

Politics and government

Owing to the considerable voting power of its large number of freedmen following the Civil War, and later its growth as a suburban area, Charles County was for a long time solidly Republican. The only Democrat to carry Charles County until 1960 was Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932, although Alf Landon and Wendell Willkie defeated Roosevelt in the next two elections by a combined margin of just 50 votes. Since the turn of the millennium, Charles County has become reliably Democratic, although not as overwhelmingly so as other parts of Maryland's Washington, D.C. suburbs. Charles County is one of only two counties in the nation to have voted for Al Gore in 2000 after voting for Bob Dole in 1996, along with Orange County, Florida.

Voter registration

Board of Commissioners

Charles County is governed by county commissioners, the traditional form of county government in Maryland. There are five commissioners. , they are:

Charles County is entirely within the 5th Congressional District, which also includes Calvert, St. Mary's, and parts of Anne Arundel and Prince George's counties. The current representative is former Democratic House Majority Leader and former House Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 643 sqmi, of which 458 sqmi is land and 185 sqmi (29%) water.

In its western wing, along the southernmost bend in Maryland Route 224, Charles County contains a place due north, east, south, and west of the same state—Virginia.

Adjacent counties

• 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)

National protected area

• Thomas Stone National Historic Site
• Mallows Bay–Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010 2020

Racial and ethnic composition

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 166,617. The median age was 38.8 years. 24.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 13.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 90.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 86.8 males age 18 and over. 71.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 28.4% lived in rural areas.

The racial makeup of the county was 35.2% White, 49.2% Black or African American, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 3.4% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 3.3% from some other race, and 8.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 7.0% of the population.

There were 59,107 households in the county, of which 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 30.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 62,123 housing units, of which 4.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 77.5% were owner-occupied and 22.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.0%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 146,551 people, 51,214 households, and 38,614 families residing in the county.{{cite web |access-date=January 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213022803/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US24017 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead |access-date=January 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213185150/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US24017 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead |access-date=January 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213013514/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US24017 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead

Of the 51,214 households, 41.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 24.6% were non-families, and 19.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.24. The median age was 37.4 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $88,825 and the median income for a family was $98,560. Males had a median income of $62,210 versus $52,477 for females. The per capita income for the county was $35,780. About 3.7% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.{{cite web |access-date=January 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213032609/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US24017 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead

As of 2010, the county population's racial makeup was 48.38% Non-Hispanic whites, 40.96% blacks, 0.65% Native Americans, 2.98% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islanders, 0.17% Non-Hispanics of some other race, 3.20% Non-Hispanics reporting more than one race and 4.27% Hispanic.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 120,546 people, 41,668 households, and 32,292 families residing in the county. The population density was 262 PD/sqmi. There were 43,903 housing units at an average density of 95 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 68.51% White, 26.06% Black or African American, 0.75% Native American, 1.82% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.72% from other races, and 2.08% from two or more races. 2.26% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 11.6% were of German, 10.8% Irish, 10.2% English, 9.3% American and 5.3% Italian ancestry.

There were 41,668 households, out of which 41.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.00% were married couples living together, 14.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.50% were non-families. 17.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.70% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 33.20% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 7.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $62,199, and the median income for a family was $67,602 (these figures had risen to $80,573 and $89,358 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $43,371 versus $34,231 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,285. About 3.70% of families and 5.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.70% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Top employers

According to the 2022 publication "Meet Charles County" of the County Department of Economic Development, its top employers are:

Education

Public schools

Main article: Charles County Public Schools

Colleges and universities

• College of Southern Maryland, in La Plata.

Transportation

Charles County is served by numerous state highways and one U.S. Highway:

Major highways

Communities

Towns

• Indian Head
• La Plata (county seat)
• Port Tobacco Village

Census-designated places

The Census Bureau recognizes the following census-designated places in the county:

• Benedict
• Bensville
• Bryans Road
• Bryantown
• Charlotte Hall (shared with Saint Mary's County)
• Cobb Island
• Hughesville
• Pomfret
• Potomac Heights
• Rock Point
• Waldorf

Unincorporated communities

• Bel Alton
• Benedict
• Dentsville
• Faulkner
• Glymont
• Grayton
• Ironsides
• Issue
• Malcolm
• Marbury
• Morgantown
• Mount Victoria
• Nanjemoy
• Newburg
• Pisgah
• Popes Creek
• Port Tobacco
• Pomonkey
• Ripley
• Rison
• Saint Charles
• Swan Point
• Welcome
• White Plains

Notable people

Colonial and Revolutionary Periods

• Charles Brooke (1636–1671) English immigrant & first Southerner to graduate from Harvard College, Class of 1655; Sheriff, Calvert County 1665
• Gustavus Richard Brown (1747–1804) Edinburgh-educated doctor; served in Revolutionary War; physician to George Washington, attended his death
• James Craik (1727–1814) Scottish immigrant; Physician General of the Continental Army; friend & physician to George Washington, attended his death
• John Hanson (1721–1783) born Port Tobacco; Founding Father of United States; Signer, Articles of Confederation; President, Confederation Congress
• Robert H. Harrison (1745-1790), judge; officer in the Continental Army; George Washington's military secretary.
• Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer (1723–1790) born Port Tobacco; Founding Father of U.S.; Delegate, Constitutional Convention; Signer, U.S. Constitution
• Capt. James Neale (1615–1684) born in London, immigrated around 1635; Member, Maryland Council; founded Wollaston Manor & Cobb Island
• Leonard Neale (1746–1817) born Port Tobacco; Jesuit President of Georgetown; Archbishop of Baltimore; first U.S.-consecrated Catholic prelate (1800)
• William Smallwood (1732–1792) Officer, Provincial Troops; Major General, 1st Maryland Regiment of the Continental Army; Governor of Maryland
• Benjamin Stoddert (1751–1813) Captain of Cavalry in the Continental Army; first U.S. Secretary of the Navy in the John Adams administration
• Thomas Stone (1743–1787) born at Poynton Manor near Port Tobacco; Founding Father of the United States; Signer, U.S. Declaration of Independence
• Andrew White (1579–1656) born in London; Jesuit with first colonists arriving on Ark & Dove; established mission to the Potapoco at Chapel Point (1641)

19th century

• George Cary (1789–1843) born near Allen's Fresh; practiced law in Frederick; moved to Appling County, Georgia; Member, U.S. House 1823-27
• Barnes Compton (1830–1898) born Port Tobacco, Princeton '51; Pres., Maryland Senate; Treasurer of Maryland; Member, U.S. House 1885-90,91-94
• Josiah Henson (1789–1883) born into slavery in Port Tobacco; escaped to Canada & founded community of fugitive slaves; author, abolitionist & minister
• Jane Herbert Wilkinson Long (1798–1880) born Charles County; Texas Patriot & boarding-house matron; dubbed "Mother of Texas" by Sam Houston
• Samuel A. Mudd (1833–1883) born near Bryantown; physician imprisoned for aiding John Wilkes Booth after assassination of Pres. Abraham Lincoln
• Sydney E. Mudd (1858–1911) born in Gallant Green; Speaker, Maryland House of Delegates; Member, U.S. House of Reps 1890–91, 1897-1911
• Francis Neale (1756–1836) born Port Tobacco; Jesuit pastor of St. Thomas Manor & Holy Trinity, first Catholic Church in D.C., President of Georgetown
• Raphael Semmes (1809–1877) born near Nanjemoy; US Navy officer; Captain, CSS Sumter & CSS Alabama; Rear Adm., Confederate States Navy

20th & 21st centuries

• Walter M. Digges (1877–1934) Delegate who drafted Digges Amendment that was defeated in statewide election; Justice, Court of Appeals 1923–34
• Danny Gatton (1945–1994) Virtuoso guitarist; created a jazz fusion musical style he called "redneck jazz"; lived in Newburg, died by suicide
• Matthew Henson (1866–1955) born in Nanjemoy; African-American explorer; first to reach North Pole in 1909, with Robert Peary & 4 Inuit companions
• Larry Johnson (born 1979) from Pomfret; former NFL running back; played for K.C. Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, Washington Redskins & Miami Dolphins
• Shawn Lemon (born 1988) Attended Westlake H.S. in Waldorf; played with seven teams in the Canadian Football League as a defensive lineman
• Joel & Benji Madden (born 1979) Identical twins from Waldorf; both with bands The Madden Brothers & Good Charlotte; Benji married to Cameron Diaz
• Christina Milian (born 1981) Movie & TV actress; Top 40 singer/songwriter in US (Top 4 in UK); raised in Waldorf to age 13 & part of high school
• Sydney E. Mudd, Jr. (1885–1924) born in Gallant Green; Member, U.S. House of Representatives; 1915-1924, died in office
• Randy Starks (born 1983) Attended Westlake in Waldorf; played NFL as a defensive end with Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins & Cleveland Browns
• Robert Stethem (1961–1985) U.S. Navy diver; murdered in Beirut during hijacking of TWA Flight 847; grew up in Pinefield community of Waldorf
• Turkey Tayac (1895–1978) born Charles County; Chief, one branch of Piscataway Indian Nation; WWI veteran; Medicine Man & Native American activist
• Angela Renée White a.k.a. "Blac Chyna" (born 1988) Model, socialite & television personality; attended Henry E. Lackey High School in Indian Head
• Matt Sallee (born 1994) Singer, member of the a cappella group Pentatonix; grew up in La Plata and graduated from Maurice J McDonough High School

Sports

References

References

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