Saint Mary's County, Maryland

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

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

This county is a part of the Washington portion of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area.

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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.

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Notable residents

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Law and Government

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

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County Executive

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

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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 is water. The total area is 46.43% water.

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

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Adjacent Counties

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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. 1.35% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

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.

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Cities and towns

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

Unincorporated areas are also considered as towns by many people and listed in many collections of towns, but they lack local government. Various organizations, such as the United States Census Bureau, the United States Postal Service, and local chambers of commerce, define the communities they wish to recognize differently, and since they are not incorporated, their boundaries have no official status outside the organizations in question. The Census Bureau recognizes the following census-designated places in the county:

  1. California
  2. Charlotte Hall
  3. Golden Beach
  4. Lexington Park
  5. Hollywood
  6. Mechanicsville

Other unincorperated areas include:

  1. Abell
  2. Avenue
  3. Bushwood
  4. Callaway
  5. Chaptico
  6. Clements
  7. Coltons Point
  8. Dameron
  9. Dowell
  10. Drayden
  11. Great Mills
  12. Park Hall
  13. Patuxent River
  14. Piney Point
  15. Ridge
  16. Saint Inigoes
  17. Saint Mary's City
  18. Scotland
  19. Tall Timbers
  20. Valley Lee
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Colleges and universities

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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.

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External link

Image:Flag of Maryland.svg

State of Maryland
</b> Cities | Government | History | U.S. Senators and Representatives

State capital:

Annapolis

Regions:

Western | Southern | Eastern Shore | Baltimore-Washington Metro Area | Chesapeake | Delaware Valley

Notable Cities: Baltimore | Bowie | College Park | Cumberland | Frederick | Gaithersburg | Greenbelt | Hagerstown | Hyattsville | Laurel | Rockville | Salisbury | Takoma Park | Westminster
Counties:

Allegany | Anne Arundel | Baltimore City | Baltimore County | Calvert | Caroline | Carroll | Cecil | Charles | Dorchester | Frederick | Garrett | Harford | Howard | Kent | Montgomery | Prince George's | Queen Anne's | St. Mary's | Somerset | Talbot | Washington | Wicomico | Worcester

es:Condado de Saint Mary (Maryland) pt:Condado de Saint Mary's

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