Queen Anne's County, Maryland
Queen Anne's County is located on the Eastern Shore of the U.S. state of Maryland. As of the 2020 census, the population was 49,874.[1] Its county seat and most populous municipality is Centreville.[2] The census-designated place of Stevensville is the county's most populous place. The county is named for Queen Anne of Great Britain, who reigned when the county was established in 1706 during the colonial period.
Queen Anne's County | |
|---|---|
Queen Anne's County Courthouse | |
Flag Seal | |
Location within the U.S. state of Maryland | |
Maryland's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 39°02′N 76°05′W / 39.03°N 76.08°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Maryland |
| Founded | 1706 |
| Named for | Queen Anne |
| Seat | Centreville |
| Largest community | Stevensville |
| Area | |
| • Total | 511 sq mi (1,320 km2) |
| • Land | 372 sq mi (960 km2) |
| • Water | 139 sq mi (360 km2) 27% |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 49,874 |
| • Density | 98/sq mi (38/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 1st |
| Website | www |
Queen Anne's County is included in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA Combined Statistical Area, and is the easternmost in both. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge connects Queen Anne County of the Eastern Shore to Anne Arundel County on the Western Shore.
The American Discovery Trail runs through the county.
History
Queen Anne's County has two hundred sixty-five miles of waterfront, much of that being the shores of Kent Island, which stands out from the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay. From the waters of this county, watermen have harvested oysters, crabs, and terrapin. Migrating waterfowl overwinter here, and hunting for geese and ducks has been an important part of the county's history. The first Anglo-European settlement in Maryland was on Kent Island on August 21, 1631, and included twenty-five settlers in a manor house, a fort, and other buildings. The settlement was referred to as Winston's Island. The first houses were built similar to log cabins. The county has a number of properties on the National Register of Historic Places,[3] but nothing remains of this original settlement. Stevensville, earlier known as Broad Creek, is one of the oldest towns still existing.
Queen Anne's County was organized under a sheriff in 1706, bounded by Talbot, Kent, and Dorchester counties. In 1713, Queen Anne's County became an English postal district; the sheriff was also appointed as the postmaster and would travel to Annapolis, Maryland by boat across the Chesapeake Bay to obtain mail. In 1773 a part of Queen Anne's County, together with a portion of Dorchester County, was taken to form Caroline County. The county now is enclosed by Talbot, Caroline, and Kent counties, as well as the Chesapeake Bay.
By the time of Independence, the county had several churches, a government, school, and a postal system. It was developed for agriculture, and enslaved African Americans worked the fields of plantations. Tobacco was an early commodity crop but it exhausted the soil. By the Revolution, some planters were converting to mixed agriculture, which was less labor intensive. They sold excess slaves in the domestic trade to the developing cotton plantations of the Deep South.
In 1876, Queen Anne's County had the first printed independent paper called the Maryland Citizen. A bank was located in Centreville; the Centreville National Bank is still operating. A railway was constructed here in 1868; it operated from Baltimore, passing around the top of the Chesapeake Bay down to Queenstown, and connected with other railroads that continued east into[4] Delaware as far as Rehoboth, and southward to the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
In the 20th century, Queen Anne's County was the home of Jimmie Foxx, who was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. A statue and small park commemorate him in Sudlersville, where Foxx grew up.
Politics and government
Queen Anne's was historically the most strongly secessionist county in Maryland, dominated by the Democratic Party of the planters. Following the American Civil War, the predominately conservative white voters voted for the Democratic Presidential nominee in every election from 1868 to 1948.[5] Former general Dwight D. Eisenhower became the first Republican to carry the county in 1952.
Since the late 20th century, Queen Anne's white voters have largely shifted to the Republican Party, in a realignment that has taken place among conservative whites across the South following the tumultuous 1960s and passage of national civil rights legislation. No Democratic presidential candidate has carried Queen Anne's County since Texan Lyndon Johnson’s 1964 landslide.[6] Democrat Jimmy Carter in 1980 remains the last Democrat to obtain even forty percent of the county’s vote.
| Voter Registration and Party Enrollment of Queen Anne’s County[7] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Total | Percentage | |||
| Democratic | 11,205 | 28.22% | |||
| Republican | 19,786 | 49.82% | |||
| Independents, unaffiliated, and other | 8,722 | 21.96% | |||
| Total | 39,713 | 100.00% | |||
| Year | Republican / Whig | Democratic | Third party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 18,741 | 61.87% | 10,709 | 35.35% | 840 | 2.77% |
| 2016 | 16,993 | 64.07% | 7,973 | 30.06% | 1,557 | 5.87% |
| 2012 | 15,823 | 63.58% | 8,556 | 34.38% | 509 | 2.05% |
| 2008 | 15,087 | 62.74% | 8,575 | 35.66% | 383 | 1.59% |
| 2004 | 14,489 | 66.48% | 7,070 | 32.44% | 235 | 1.08% |
| 2000 | 9,970 | 59.48% | 6,257 | 37.33% | 534 | 3.19% |
| 1996 | 7,147 | 52.40% | 5,054 | 37.06% | 1,438 | 10.54% |
| 1992 | 6,829 | 47.05% | 4,668 | 32.16% | 3,017 | 20.79% |
| 1988 | 7,803 | 66.68% | 3,857 | 32.96% | 43 | 0.37% |
| 1984 | 6,784 | 69.49% | 2,938 | 30.09% | 41 | 0.42% |
| 1980 | 4,749 | 52.12% | 3,820 | 41.92% | 543 | 5.96% |
| 1976 | 3,479 | 50.16% | 3,457 | 49.84% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1972 | 4,380 | 70.45% | 1,712 | 27.54% | 125 | 2.01% |
| 1968 | 2,888 | 46.92% | 1,969 | 31.99% | 1,298 | 21.09% |
| 1964 | 1,955 | 32.55% | 4,052 | 67.45% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 2,906 | 48.18% | 3,126 | 51.82% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 3,321 | 55.70% | 2,641 | 44.30% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 3,170 | 50.60% | 3,058 | 48.81% | 37 | 0.59% |
| 1948 | 2,038 | 42.98% | 2,660 | 56.09% | 44 | 0.93% |
| 1944 | 2,119 | 41.18% | 3,027 | 58.82% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 2,508 | 40.94% | 3,581 | 58.46% | 37 | 0.60% |
| 1936 | 1,946 | 35.36% | 3,548 | 64.47% | 9 | 0.16% |
| 1932 | 1,583 | 29.90% | 3,683 | 69.57% | 28 | 0.53% |
| 1928 | 2,666 | 49.47% | 2,700 | 50.10% | 23 | 0.43% |
| 1924 | 1,656 | 33.74% | 3,155 | 64.28% | 97 | 1.98% |
| 1920 | 2,157 | 37.43% | 3,519 | 61.07% | 86 | 1.49% |
| 1916 | 1,242 | 35.50% | 2,206 | 63.05% | 51 | 1.46% |
| 1912 | 1,311 | 38.27% | 1,902 | 55.52% | 213 | 6.22% |
| 1908 | 1,135 | 34.04% | 2,086 | 62.57% | 113 | 3.39% |
| 1904 | 1,487 | 38.28% | 2,258 | 58.12% | 140 | 3.60% |
| 1900 | 1,873 | 41.27% | 2,544 | 56.06% | 121 | 2.67% |
| 1896 | 1,917 | 41.53% | 2,516 | 54.51% | 183 | 3.96% |
| 1892 | 1,579 | 39.25% | 2,281 | 56.70% | 163 | 4.05% |
| 1888 | 1,738 | 43.19% | 2,286 | 56.81% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1884 | 1,710 | 42.18% | 2,344 | 57.82% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1880 | 1,666 | 41.93% | 2,307 | 58.07% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1876 | 1,476 | 40.72% | 2,149 | 59.28% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1872 | 1,654 | 47.83% | 1,804 | 52.17% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1868 | 275 | 15.05% | 1,552 | 84.95% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1864 | 384 | 20.58% | 1,482 | 79.42% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1860 | 0 | 0.00% | 87 | 4.64% | 1,787 | 95.36% |
| 1856 | 0 | 0.00% | 741 | 45.05% | 904 | 54.95% |
| 1852 | 723 | 49.59% | 735 | 50.41% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1848 | 725 | 54.23% | 612 | 45.77% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1844 | 749 | 50.92% | 722 | 49.08% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1840 | 778 | 54.07% | 661 | 45.93% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1836 | 637 | 55.20% | 517 | 44.80% | 0 | 0.00% |
Queen Anne's County was granted home rule in 1990 under a state code.
The county has a commission form of government. The commission consists of five commissioners: one at-large and four of whom must reside in the district they represent. All of the commissioners are elected by the general population. The at-large commissioner serves as president the first year following election. County code allows for rotation of the president position thereafter.
The current Board of Commissioners was elected in the 2018 election, and serves a four-year term. The current County Commissioners are Stephen Wilson (District 2), Christopher M. Corchiarino (District 4), Philip L. Dumenil (District 3), James J. Moran (At-Large), and Jack N. Wilson, Jr. (District 1).[9] The current form of five commissioners elected at large started in 2002. Prior to the 2002 election, Queen Anne's County was run by three commissioners.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 511 square miles (1,320 km2), of which 372 square miles (960 km2) is land and 139 square miles (360 km2) (27%) is water.[10]
Adjacent counties
- Kent County (north)
- Kent County, Delaware (east)
- Talbot County (south)
- Caroline County (southeast)
- Anne Arundel County (west)
Major highways
U.S. Route 50 and U.S. Route 301 are the major highways serving Queen Anne's County.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1790 | 15,463 | — | |
| 1800 | 14,857 | −3.9% | |
| 1810 | 16,648 | 12.1% | |
| 1820 | 14,952 | −10.2% | |
| 1830 | 14,397 | −3.7% | |
| 1840 | 12,633 | −12.3% | |
| 1850 | 14,484 | 14.7% | |
| 1860 | 15,961 | 10.2% | |
| 1870 | 16,171 | 1.3% | |
| 1880 | 19,257 | 19.1% | |
| 1890 | 18,461 | −4.1% | |
| 1900 | 18,364 | −0.5% | |
| 1910 | 16,839 | −8.3% | |
| 1920 | 16,001 | −5.0% | |
| 1930 | 14,571 | −8.9% | |
| 1940 | 14,476 | −0.7% | |
| 1950 | 14,579 | 0.7% | |
| 1960 | 16,569 | 13.6% | |
| 1970 | 18,422 | 11.2% | |
| 1980 | 25,508 | 38.5% | |
| 1990 | 33,953 | 33.1% | |
| 2000 | 40,563 | 19.5% | |
| 2010 | 47,798 | 17.8% | |
| 2019 (est.) | 50,381 | [11] | 5.4% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[12] 1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14] 1990-2000[15] 2010–2018[1] | |||
2000 census
As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 40,563 people, 15,315 households, and 11,547 families living in the county. The population density was 109 people per square mile (42/km2). There were 16,674 housing units at an average density of 45 per square mile (17/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 89.05% White, 8.78% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. 1.09% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.9% were of German, 15.1% American, 14.6% English, 14.2% Irish and 5.3% Italian ancestry.
There were 15,315 households, out of which 33.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.20% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.60% were non-families. 19.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.40% under the age of 18, 5.80% from 18 to 24, 30.10% from 25 to 44, 25.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $57,037, and the median income for a family was $63,713. Males had a median income of $44,644 versus $30,144 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,364. About 4.40% of families and 6.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.20% of those under age 18 and 7.30% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 47,798 people, 18,016 households, and 13,314 families living in the county.[17] The population density was 128.5 inhabitants per square mile (49.6/km2). There were 20,140 housing units at an average density of 54.2 per square mile (20.9/km2).[18] The racial makeup of the county was 88.7% white, 6.9% black or African American, 1.0% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 1.4% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.0% of the population.[17] In terms of ancestry, 25.9% were German, 22.4% were Irish, 15.8% were English, 6.2% were Italian, and 6.1% were American.[19]
Of the 18,016 households, 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.3% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 26.1% were non-families, and 20.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.04. The median age was 42.6 years.[17]
The median income for a household in the county was $81,096 and the median income for a family was $89,188. Males had a median income of $57,218 versus $43,371 for females. The per capita income for the county was $35,964. About 3.8% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.[20]
Education
Public schools
- Kent Island High School
- Queen Anne's County High School
- Centreville Middle School
- Matapeake Middle School
- Stevensville Middle School
- Sudlersville Middle School
- Bayside Elementary School
- Centreville Elementary School
- Church Hill Elementary School
- Grasonville Elementary School
- Kennard Elementary School
- Kent Island Elementary School
- Matapeake Elementary School
- Sudlersville Elementary School
- Gunston Day School
- Wye River Upper School
Colleges and universities
Communities
Towns
- Barclay
- Centreville (county seat)
- Church Hill
- Millington (partly in Kent County)
- Queen Anne (partly in Talbot County)
- Queenstown
- Sudlersville
- Templeville (partly in Caroline County)
Census-designated places
The Census Bureau recognizes the following census-designated places in the county:
Unincorporated communities
See also
References
- ^ a b . United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
- ^ . National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
- ^ Clark, Charles B. (1950). The Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia. New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., Inc. pp. 1053–1070.
- ^ Levine, Mark V.; ‘Standing Political Decisions and Critical Realignment: The Pattern of Maryland Politics, 1872-1948’; The Journal of Politics, volume 38, no. 2 (May, 1976), pp. 292-325
- ^ Sullivan, Robert David; ‘How the Red and Blue Map Evolved Over the Past Century’; America Magazine in The National Catholic Review; June 29, 2016
- ^ "Summary of Voter Activity Report" (PDF). Maryland State Board of Elections. October 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
- ^ "Board of County Commissioners | Queen Anne's County, MD - Official Website". www.qac.org. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- ^ . United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 13, 2014. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
- ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved April 26, 2019.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
- ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
- ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
- ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
- ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
External links
- Queen Anne's County government