City profile · Maryland · Census ACS 2023

Chestertown, MD

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Chestertown - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

5,548
Residents
$47,047
Median income
$333,900
Median home
$1,246
Median rent (state)

Chestertown - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Chestertown lands in the 15th percentile for household income and the 30th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

15th
percentile, household income
70th
percentile, home value
40th
percentile, median rent
30th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Chestertown, MD

Maryland's Chestertown is a small town, with 5,548 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Chestertown brings in $47,047 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 15.2%. Typical homes in Chestertown are valued around $333,900, and the median resident age is 32.3 years. Educational attainment runs 45.1% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 47.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 4 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 300% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2083.4 in FBI UCR data, near the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Chestertown's yearly average temperature at 56.0°F with 46.0 inches of precipitation per year and 16.7 inches of snowfall.

Maryland carries a cost-of-living premium: the state registers 105.0 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Above Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,246 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Maryland run around $255, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 27.5 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

5,548 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Maryland

Median Household Income

$47,047 /yr

Poverty 15.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

105.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Maryland average

How does Chestertown compare to other US cities?

Chestertown measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 15% higher than other cities
Home value 70% pricier than other cities
Median rent 40% pricier than other cities
Safety 30% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Maryland and the picture shifts: Chestertown ranks #36 of 70 Maryland cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Chestertown's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Maryland, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

15thIncome percentile
30thSafety percentile

15th percentile nationally for median household income · 30th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Chestertown's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Chestertown's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 30 Avg. percentile National median
Chestertown's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Chestertown's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$333,900 30th percentile more affordable than 30% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Chestertown $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Chestertown, MD Chestertown, MD's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Chestertown, MD-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Chestertown, MD median $47,047/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Chestertown, MD's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Chestertown, MD. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 45.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 15.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 47.3%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
5,548
Median Income
$47,047
Median Home Value
$333,900
Median Age
32.3
Poverty Rate
15.2%
Labor force participation
47.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
45.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2083.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
231.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1851.9
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
46.0"
Annual Snowfall
16.7"

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
5,500 residents5,550 residents5,600 residents5,650 residents5,700 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,516 residents 5,658 residents ▲ +2.6%
Chestertown's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
4
housing units authorized
Single-Family
4
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1
2020 13
2021 10
2022 35
2023 31
2024 4

Permit volume increased 300% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
57.1%
Carpool
7.1%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
22.6%
Work from Home
11.1%
Other
2.1%

Based on 2,217 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Maryland - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$120
avg/month
Natural Gas
$80
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$55
avg/month
Total Utilities
$255
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Maryland state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Maryland state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Chestertown sits in

Cost of Living Index
105.0
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,246/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
27.5 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Maryland

Manchester
5,446 people
Ashton-Sandy Spring
5,418 people
Fruitland
5,698 people
Layhill
5,392 people
Poolesville
5,704 people
Spring Ridge
5,720 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Chestertown's 5,548 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Fort Myers Beach, FL
5,548 people
La Habra Heights, CA
5,546 people
Dunlap, TN
5,546 people
Morganville, NJ
5,544 people
New Carlisle, OH
5,552 people
Anamosa, IA
5,553 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Chestertown's $47,047 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Cass Lake, MN
$47,045 median income
San Saba, TX
$47,045 median income
Carmi, IL
$47,051 median income
Pymatuning South, PA
$47,054 median income
Capitol View, SC
$47,054 median income
Cheney, WA
$47,039 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Chestertown, MD Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Chestertown, MD - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 69.6% 24.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.2% White 69.6% Black or African American 24.8% Asian 2.3% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.9% Two or more races 2.4% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Chestertown compares to nearby Maryland cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Chestertown (this city) 5,548 $47,047
Manchester 5,446 $112,679
Ashton-Sandy Spring 5,418 $178,214
Fruitland 5,698 $64,352
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MD FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Chestertown, MD?

What is the population of Chestertown, MD? +

5,548 people live in Chestertown, MD according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Chestertown, MD? +

In Chestertown, the typical household earns $47,047 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Chestertown? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Chestertown; the closest available measure is the Maryland state average, a cost of living index of 105.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Maryland vary by metro area.

Is Chestertown, MD safe? +

Chestertown has a total crime rate of 2083.4 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Chestertown, MD? +

The median home value in Chestertown is $333,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Chestertown? +

Chestertown has an average annual temperature of 56.0°F, 46.0 inches of precipitation, and 16.7 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.