Saint Mary's County, Maryland
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Template:US County infobox 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-Baltimore Metropolitan Area.
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History
The settlement of Lord Baltimore's Maryland began with the arrival of passengers from England at Saint 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 wrestler Scott Hall and actor Ben Stein grew up.
Law and Government
St. Mary's County is governed by county commissioners, the traditional form of county government in Maryland.
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 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.
Demographics
As of 2000, there are 86,211 people, 8,361 households, and 5,443 families residing in the county. The population density is 29/km2 (76/mi2). There are 10,092 housing units at an average density of 12 persons/km2 (31 persons/mi2). The racial makeup of the county is 56.37% White, 41.10% African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races. 1.35% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 8,361 households out of which 25.90% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.10% are married couples living together, 15.10% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 34.90% are non-families. 29.40% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.90% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.37 and the average family size is 2.92.
In the county the population is 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 114.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 119.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $29,903, and the median income for a family is $37,643. Males have a median income of $27,496 versus $23,035 for females. The per capita income for the county is $15,965. 20.10% of the population and 15.00% of families are 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).
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:
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.
External link
Saint Mary's County goverment (http://www.co.saint-marys.md.us/)
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State of Maryland |
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| State Capital: | |
| Regions: |
Western | Southern | Eastern Shore | Baltimore-Washington Metro Area | Chesapeake | Delaware Valley |
| Notable Cities: | Baltimore | Bowie | College Park | Cumberland | Frederick | Gaithersburg | Greenbelt | Hagerstown | 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 |