Population 170,527 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Charles County
Household size in Charles County
| Period | Charles County | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.90 | 2.73 | 2.68 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.88 | 2.82 | 2.73 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.79 | 2.86 | 2.74 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.84 | 2.77 | 2.68 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.06 | +0.04 | +0.01 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Charles County holds 2.84 people, more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has edged down from 2.90 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Of Maryland's 24 counties, only two have larger households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Charles County
| Period | Charles County | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.5 | 37.0 | 38.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 37.6 | 37.6 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 38.8 | 38.5 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 39.3 | 39.2 | 40.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.8 | +2.2 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
Half of the people in Charles County are younger than 39.3 and half are older, close to the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 36.5, mirroring the country. The youngest areas are in the north, the oldest in the west.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Charles County
| Period | Charles County | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.9% | 11.3% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 15.1% | 11.3% | 12.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 14.0% | 10.4% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.6% | 10.4% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.3 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head nearly one in eight households in Charles County (11.6%), the same as the national share. Single parents are more common here than in the Washington area overall (10.4%). The single-parent share is down 3.3 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Charles County
Renters in Charles County
| Period | Charles County | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.9% | 34.0% | 31.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.1% | 36.6% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.1% | 36.8% | 33.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 17.9% | 36.3% | 32.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
Charles County is largely a place of homeowners: only 17.9% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 18.6% have no mortgage at all, well below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is down 1.0 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Charles County
| Period | Charles County | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.8% | 8.7% | 9.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 7.8% | 7.3% | 8.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.1% | 6.6% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 5.4% | 5.9% | 7.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Only 5.4% of homes in Charles County are vacant, far below the national rate of 9.6%, which usually means strong demand for housing. Vacancy has fallen 2.5 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Charles County has a lower vacancy rate than the great majority of Maryland counties.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Charles County
| Period | Charles County | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1987 | 1977 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1988 | 1978 | 1975 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1990 | 1979 | 1976 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1992 | 1982 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +6 | +4 | +6 |
Charles County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1992, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1987 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the north, the oldest in the south. Only one other Maryland county has newer homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Charles County
| Period | Charles County | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,363 | $1,470 | $1,249 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,530 | $1,583 | $1,363 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,880 | $1,907 | $1,576 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,956 | $2,236 | $1,869 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$593 | +$766 | +$620 | +$606 |
The median renter in Charles County pays $1,956 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Still, rents here are lower than in the Washington area as a whole ($2,236). Rents are up $593 a month from 2006–10, a 43% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 28.6% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Charles County
Bachelor's degrees in Charles County
| Period | Charles County | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 27.4% | 46.6% | 36.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 27.9% | 48.2% | 37.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 29.4% | 51.0% | 40.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 33.7% | 53.9% | 43.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.3 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are about as common in Charles County as nationally: 33.7% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share is lower than in the wider Washington area (53.9%). The share with a degree has risen 6.3 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Charles County
| Period | Charles County | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 91.0% | 89.4% | 88.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 92.0% | 90.2% | 89.1% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 93.5% | 90.8% | 90.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.6% | 91.2% | 90.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.6 pts | +1.7 pts | +2.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Charles County: 94.6% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 3.6 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Charles County has a higher share of high school graduates than the great majority of Maryland counties.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Charles County
| Period | Charles County | Washington area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.8% | 5.9% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.9% | 6.9% | 8.1% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.5% | 4.7% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.8% | 4.8% | 5.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 4.8%, unemployment in Charles County is close to the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment has edged down 1.0 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Charles County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles County | 2.84 | 39.3 | 11.6% | 17.9% | 5.4% | 1992 | $1,956 | 33.7% | 94.6% | 4.8% |
| Calvert County | 2.85 | 41.0 | 8.0% | 12.8% | 7.9% | 1989 | $1,810 | 37.4% | 95.0% | 2.7% |
| Prince William County | 3.21 | 37.1 | 12.2% | 25.7% | 4.5% | 1993 | $2,274 | 44.9% | 90.0% | 4.6% |
| Stafford County | 3.10 | 37.4 | 9.6% | 19.5% | 5.2% | 1997 | $2,155 | 44.1% | 92.7% | 3.9% |
| Fauquier County | 2.84 | 42.4 | 8.5% | 21.2% | 7.5% | 1989 | $1,817 | 40.7% | 92.3% | 2.7% |
| Dorchester County | 2.42 | 43.9 | 12.0% | 34.4% | 16.2% | 1974 | $1,144 | 18.8% | 85.5% | 6.5% |
| Culpeper County | 2.83 | 39.7 | 12.1% | 25.0% | 5.4% | 1992 | $1,461 | 27.4% | 87.1% | 2.6% |
| Rappahannock County | 2.63 | 50.4 | 9.6% | 26.6% | 22.6% | 1981 | $1,402 | 32.5% | 91.1% | 9.7% |
| Page County | 2.45 | 46.2 | 9.9% | 28.2% | 16.8% | 1973 | $882 | 14.3% | 82.5% | 5.6% |
| Sussex County | 2.44 | 50.0 | 10.0% | 18.4% | 18.9% | 1997 | $1,429 | 31.4% | 89.4% | 5.1% |
| Rockingham County | 2.60 | 40.5 | 10.3% | 24.7% | 9.6% | 1985 | $1,246 | 29.8% | 88.0% | 2.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Porter County, IN · Midland County, TX · Muskegon County, MI · Pueblo County, CO · Aiken County, SC · Rensselaer County, NY · McLean County, IL · Kent County, RI · Scott County, IA · Middlesex County, CT
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Charles County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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