Caroline County, Maryland

Caroline County
County
The Caroline County Courthouse in July 2012
Flag Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Maryland
Maryland's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°52′00″N75°49′00″W / 38.8667°N 75.8167°W / 38.8667; -75.8167
Country	United States
State	Maryland
Founded	1774
Named for	Caroline Eden
Seat	Denton
Largest town	Denton
Area
• Total	326 sq mi (840 km2)
• Land	319 sq mi (830 km2)
• Water	6.5 sq mi (17 km2)  2.0%
Population  (2020)
• Total	33,293
• Density	100/sq mi (39/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	1st
Website	www.carolinemd.org

Caroline County is a rural county located in the U.S. state of Maryland on its Eastern Shore. As of the 2020 census, the population was 33,293. ^[1] Its county seat is Denton. ^{[2] [3]}

Caroline County is bordered by Queen Anne's County to the north, Talbot County to the west, Dorchester County to the south, Kent County, Delaware, to the east, and Sussex County, Delaware, to the southeast. ^[4]

History

Caroline County was created via 1773 Maryland General Assembly legislation from parts of Dorchester and Queen Anne's counties. The county derives its name from Lady Caroline Eden, wife of Maryland's last colonial governor, Robert Eden. ^[5] Seven commissioners were originally appointed: Charles Dickinson, Benson Stainton, Thomas White, William Haskins, Richard Mason, Joshua Clark, and Nathaniel Potter. These men bought 4 acres (1.6 ha) of land at Pig Point (now Denton) on which to build a courthouse and jail. ^[6]

Until the completion of these buildings, court was held at Melvill's Warehouse, approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) north of Pig Point. Elections and other business transactions were completed there. The first commissioner meeting was held on March 15, 1774, at Melvill's Warehouse. In 1777, court was moved to Bridgetown (now Greensboro), but in the interest of convenience, court was moved back to Melvill's. ^[6]

Disagreements arose concerning the permanent location of the county seat. The General Assembly reached a compromise in 1785 and ordered that 2 acres (0.81 ha) of land at Melvill's Landing should be purchased for a courthouse and jail. In 1790, the county court and its belongings moved to Pig Point. The Caroline County Courthouse was completed in 1797. ^[6]

The county has a number of properties on the National Register of Historic Places. ^[7] The National Park Service is developing a site in the southern half of Caroline County dedicated to interpreting the Underground Railroad as part of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument.

Government

Caroline County was granted home rule in 1984 under state code in an initiative led by County Commissioner Charles T. Dean, Sr. ^[8]

• The County Commissioners as of 2022 are: ^[9]
  • Frank Bartz - Republican
  • J. Travis Breeding - Republican
  • Larry C. Porter - Republican
• County Administrator: Jeremy Goldman
• Executive Assistant to the County Commissioners: Kaleigh Leager ^[10]

Growth is a major issue faced by Caroline County and several other Mid-Shore counties. Retirees and workers willing to commute across the Chesapeake Bay to the western shore are increasingly attracted by the rural environment and low cost of living.

From 1994 to 2014 Caroline was the only county in the state not represented by a resident legislator in the Maryland General Assembly. Redistricting and a sparse population were the chief causes.

Law enforcement

For the law enforcement agency of Caroline County, Virginia, see Caroline County Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff of Caroline County is Donnie Baker, who has held the position since 2022. ^[11]

Politics

United States presidential election results for Caroline County, Maryland ^[12]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	10,283	65.11%	5,095	32.26%	416	2.63%
2016	9,368	66.38%	4,009	28.41%	736	5.22%
2012	8,098	60.63%	4,970	37.21%	289	2.16%
2008	8,015	60.64%	4,971	37.61%	232	1.76%
2004	7,396	65.13%	3,810	33.55%	150	1.32%
2000	5,300	59.20%	3,396	37.94%	256	2.86%
1996	3,874	47.38%	3,251	39.76%	1,052	12.87%
1992	3,856	45.58%	2,822	33.36%	1,781	21.05%
1988	4,661	65.44%	2,440	34.26%	22	0.31%
1984	4,876	68.69%	2,198	30.96%	25	0.35%
1980	3,582	52.95%	2,833	41.88%	350	5.17%
1976	3,114	50.79%	3,017	49.21%	0	0.00%
1972	4,325	72.71%	1,567	26.34%	56	0.94%
1968	3,120	50.07%	1,697	27.23%	1,414	22.69%
1964	2,696	42.09%	3,710	57.91%	0	0.00%
1960	3,698	52.24%	3,381	47.76%	0	0.00%
1956	4,208	60.90%	2,702	39.10%	0	0.00%
1952	4,155	60.23%	2,733	39.61%	11	0.16%
1948	2,746	52.73%	2,430	46.66%	32	0.61%
1944	3,073	59.87%	2,060	40.13%	0	0.00%
1940	3,087	48.23%	3,284	51.30%	30	0.47%
1936	2,611	42.07%	3,579	57.67%	16	0.26%
1932	1,998	35.23%	3,651	64.38%	22	0.39%
1928	3,270	61.44%	2,030	38.14%	22	0.41%
1924	2,210	45.21%	2,493	51.00%	185	3.78%
1920	2,929	48.90%	3,012	50.28%	49	0.82%
1916	1,666	44.88%	1,965	52.94%	81	2.18%
1912	1,445	39.64%	1,882	51.63%	318	8.72%
1908	1,584	43.65%	1,915	52.77%	130	3.58%
1904	1,452	43.09%	1,809	53.68%	109	3.23%
1900	1,796	48.27%	1,774	47.68%	151	4.06%

At a Presidential level, Caroline is the “reddest” county on the mostly Republican Eastern Shore, and rivals Carroll County as the most Republican county in the state outside of Appalachian Western Maryland. No Democratic presidential candidate has carried Caroline County since Lyndon Johnson’s landslide in 1964, and before then it had last gone Democratic in 1940 with Franklin D. Roosevelt. Indeed, the last Democrat to reach forty percent of the county’s vote was Jimmy Carter in 1980. In earlier times Caroline was a swing county, ^[13] less secessionist than Wicomico, Worcester, Queen Anne’s or Cecil. ^[14]

Voter registration

Voter registration and party enrollment as of March 2024 [15]
	Republican	10,702	48.61%
	Democratic	6,064	27.54%
	Unaffiliated	4,864	22.09%
	Libertarian	125	0.57%
	Other parties	261	1.19%
Total		22,016	100%

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 326 square miles (840 km²), of which 319 square miles (830 km²) is land and 6.5 square miles (17 km²) (2.0%) is water. ^[16] It is the second-smallest county by total area in Maryland. Notable waterways include the Choptank River and Tuckahoe Creek, as well as the man-made Williston Lake.

Caroline County currently ranks seventh nationally in terms of land protected under the Ag Preservation Program.

Its eastern border is the Mason–Dixon line.

Caroline is the only Eastern Shore county not to touch either the Chesapeake Bay or Atlantic Ocean. Additionally, it is the only county on the Eastern Shore without an Interstate or United States Highway within its borders.

Tuckahoe State Park, Holiday Park Campgrounds and Martinak State Park are located in Caroline County.

The American Discovery Trail runs through the county.

Adjacent counties

• Kent County, Delaware (northeast)
• Sussex County, Delaware (southeast)
• Dorchester County (south)
• Talbot County (west)
• Queen Anne's County (northwest)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1790	9,506		—
1800	9,226		−2.9%
1810	9,453		2.5%
1820	10,108		6.9%
1830	9,070		−10.3%
1840	7,806		−13.9%
1850	9,692		24.2%
1860	11,129		14.8%
1870	12,101		8.7%
1880	13,766		13.8%
1890	13,903		1.0%
1900	16,248		16.9%
1910	19,216		18.3%
1920	18,652		−2.9%
1930	17,387		−6.8%
1940	17,549		0.9%
1950	18,234		3.9%
1960	19,462		6.7%
1970	19,781		1.6%
1980	23,143		17.0%
1990	27,035		16.8%
2000	29,772		10.1%
2010	33,066		11.1%
2020	33,293		0.7%
2023 (est.)	33,593	[17]	0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census [18] 1790-1960 [19] 1900-1990 [20] 1990-2000 [21] 2010 [22] 2020 [23]

2020 census

Caroline County, Maryland - Demographic Profile
(NH = Non-Hispanic)

Race / Ethnicity	Pop 2010 [22]	Pop 2020 [23]	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	25,853	24,114	78.19%	72.43%
Black or African American alone (NH)	4,520	4,368	13.67%	13.12%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	95	67	0.29%	0.20%
Asian alone (NH)	186	345	0.56%	1.04%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	9	13	0.03%	0.04%
Some Other Race alone (NH)	32	102	0.10%	0.31%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH)	555	1,464	1.68%	4.40%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1,816	2,820	5.49%	8.47%
Total	33,066	33,293	100.00%	100.00%

Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 33,066 people, 12,158 households, and 8,702 families living in the county. ^[24] The population density was 103.5 inhabitants per square mile (40.0/km²). There were 13,482 housing units at an average density of 42.2 per square mile (16.3/km²). ^[25] The racial makeup of the county was 79.8% white, 13.9% black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 0.2% Pacific islander, 3.1% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 5.5% of the population. ^[24] In terms of ancestry, 21.7% were German, 15.6% were Irish, 12.3% were English, and 6.9% were American. ^[26]

Of the 12,158 households, 36.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.4% were non-families, and 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.12. The median age was 38.7 years. ^[24]

The median income for a household in the county was $58,799 and the median income for a family was $65,801. Males had a median income of $45,944 versus $33,927 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,294. About 8.0% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.5% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over. ^[27]

2000 census

As of the census ^[28] of 2000, there were 29,772 people, 11,097 households, and 8,156 families living in the county. The population density was 93 people per square mile (36 people/km²). There were 12,028 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile (15/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 81.69% White, 14.77% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.26% from other races, and 1.34% from two or more races. 2.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.4% were of American, 14.8% English, 14.4% German and 9.9% Irish ancestry.

There were 11,097 households, out of which 34.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.30% were married couples living together, 13.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.50% were non-families. 21.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.80% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 28.90% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 13.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,832, and the median income for a family was $44,825. Males had a median income of $31,119 versus $21,915 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,275. About 9.00% of families and 11.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.50% of those under age 18 and 12.30% of those age 65 or over. It is regularly ranked among the poorest of all 23 Maryland counties.

As of Census 2010 the racial makeup of Caroline County was 78.19% Non-Hispanic white, 13.87% black, 0.37% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 0.10% Non-Hispanics of some other race, 1.68% Non-Hispanics of two or more races and 5.49% Hispanic or Latino.

Education

Caroline County Public Schools provides public education in Caroline County.

• North Caroline High School
• Colonel Richardson High School

Media

The Caroline Review circulates monthly and is free of charge; a digital daily, Caroline Past and Present, was established in 2018.

Entertainment

• The citizens of the towns of Hickman and Preston were once recognized by the TV show Hee Haw . In fact, the Hickman segment is the episode featured in the comedy wing of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
• Baseball Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx began his career as a semipro catcher in Ridgely. Another Hall of Famer, Home Run Baker, played for the town team as well.
• Rocker George Thorogood played Caroline County bars while attending the University of Delaware before hitting the big time.
• The 2004 South Caroline baseball team made it to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and placed third in the nation.
• Summerfest is held each August in Denton.
• The Caroline-Dorchester County Fair is held each August in Williston.
• The Strawberry Festival is held every Memorial Day weekend in Ridgely.

Transportation

MD 313 southbound and MD 404 eastbound in Denton

Caroline County is one of three Maryland counties that does not have an Interstate or U.S. Highway running through it. Caroline's "major artery" is Maryland Route 404, four lanes in some parts but two lanes in others. It is chiefly used in the summertime by non-local beachgoers heading to Ocean City, Maryland, or Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

• MD 16
• MD 287
• MD 302
• MD 304
• MD 306
• MD 307
• MD 308
• MD 311
• MD 312
• MD 313
• MD 314
• MD 315
• MD 317
• MD 318
• MD 328
• MD 331
• MD 404
• MD 454
• MD 480
• MD 577
• MD 578
• MD 619

Communities

Towns

• Denton (county seat)
• Federalsburg
• Goldsboro
• Greensboro
• Henderson
• Hillsboro
• Marydel
• Preston
• Ridgely
• Templeville (partly in Queen Anne's County)

Census-designated places

The United States Census Bureau recognizes three Census-designated places in Caroline County:

• Choptank
• West Denton
• Williston

Unincorporated communities

• American Corner
• Andersontown
• Baltimore Corner
• Bethlehem
• Brick Wall Landing
• Burrsville
• Gilpin Point
• Harmony
• Hickman
• Hobbs
• Jumptown
• Linchester
• Oakland
• Oil City
• Tanyard
• Two Johns
• Reliance (partial)
• Whiteleysburg

Notable people and animals

• James Gordon Bennett Jr., publisher, participated in a duel near Marydel in 1877.
• Buddy, U.S. President Bill Clinton's chocolate Labrador Retriever
• Charles Dickinson, killed in a duel in 1806 by future President Andrew Jackson
• Frederick Douglass, orator, social reformer, former slave
• Thomas Alan Goldsborough, noted jurist and congressman
• Harry R. Hughes, Governor of Maryland, 1979-1987
• Sophie Kerr, early 20th century author and benefactor of the largest undergraduate literary prize in the nation, at Washington College in Chestertown
• William Richardson, hero of the Battle of Harlem Heights in the Revolutionary War
• Thomas Alexander Smith, early 20th century congressman and businessman
• Sherman W. Tribbitt, Governor of Delaware, 1973-1977
• Harriet Tubman, abolitionist, humanitarian, former slave
• George A. Waggaman, US senator from Louisiana

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Caroline County, Maryland
• USS Caroline County (LST-525)
• Museum of Rural Life

References

1. "Caroline County, Maryland". United States Census Bureau . Archived from the original on February 11, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
2. Caroline County Government - Office of the County Commissioners Archived 2008-03-25 at the Wayback Machine
3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. Map of Denton, MD by MapQuest Archived June 2, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
5. "Maryland, Caroline County "She's waiting for you"". Archived from the original on January 9, 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2005.
6. "Formation of Caroline County". Archived from the original on September 6, 2008. Retrieved April 10, 2008.
7. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
8. "The County Data of Caroline County". Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
9. "Meet the Commissioners". Caroline County, Maryland. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
10. "Office & Staff". Caroline County, Maryland. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
11. Connolly, Connie (December 7, 2022). "Baker takes helm as Caroline sheriff; Bounds steps down". The Star Democrat . Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
12. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
13. Menendez, Albert J.; The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, 1868-2004, pp. 220-221 ISBN   0786422173
14. 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
15. "Maryland Board of Elections Voter Registration Activity Report March 2024" (PDF). Maryland Board of Elections. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
16. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 13, 2014. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
17. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
18. "Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 19, 2018. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
19. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on May 30, 2019. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
20. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on October 31, 2014. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
21. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
22. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Caroline County, Maryland". United States Census Bureau . Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
23. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Caroline County, Maryland". United States Census Bureau . Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
24. "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.
25. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
26. "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.
27. "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.
28. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 27, 1996. Retrieved January 31, 2008.

External links

• Official website
• Caroline County Fair
• Times-Record, county newspaper
• Geographic data related to Caroline County, Maryland at OpenStreetMap

38°52′N75°49′W / 38.867°N 75.817°W / 38.867; -75.817