County · Maryland
Charles County, Maryland
Charles County, Maryland. Charles County had 176,593 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 6.0% since 2020, faster than Maryland (+1.4%). It holds 13 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 10 census-designated) and 35 census tracts. GEOID 24017.
Charles County is one of the 23 counties of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
176,593
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 166,617 · ACS 2020-2024: 170,527
Median household income
$122,816
±$3,121 (90% margin)
Maryland: $103,678
Median home value
$428,500
±$5,357 (90% margin)
Maryland: $419,900
Median gross rent
$1,920
±$70 (90% margin)
Maryland: $1,705
How many people live in Charles County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 166,617 residents in Charles County. The Census Bureau estimates 176,593 for July 1, 2025, up 6.0% since 2020, faster than Maryland (+1.4%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 170,527 over 458 square miles of land.
| Measure | Charles County | Maryland | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 170,527 | 6,206,011 | +11,099 |
| Households | 60,875±526 | 2,362,928 | +4,355 |
| Average household size | 2.78±0.02 | 2.57 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 63,813±107 | 2,560,784 | +3,361 |
Charles County's population since 2000
From 120,546 in 2000 to 176,593 in 2025: up 46.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Charles County?
Charles County holds 13 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 10 census-designated places. The largest is Waldorf with 82,943 residents (2020-2024). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Waldorf | 81,410 | $116,089 |
|---|---|---|
| Bensville | 15,288 | $170,072 |
| La Plata | 10,159 | $121,208 |
| Bryans Road | 8,650 | $118,361 |
| Indian Head | 3,894 | $89,063 |
| Hughesville | 2,438 | $106,250 |
| Potomac HeightsGEOID 2463375 | 1,036 | $71,786 |
| Cobb IslandGEOID 2418200 | 929 | not published |
| BryantownGEOID 2410950 | 653 | $104,271 |
| PomfretGEOID 2462675 | 514 | $118,914 |
| BenedictGEOID 2406550 | 232 | $41,118 |
| Rock PointGEOID 2467500 | 82 | not published |
| Port Tobacco VillageGEOID 2463225 | 18 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Charles County?
The median resident of Charles County is 38.9 years old; 23.9% are under 18 and 13.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 48.4%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 32.0%. 8.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Charles County | Maryland | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.9±0.3 | 39.4 | +0.5 |
| Under 18 years | 23.9% | 22.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.7%±0.1 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7.9% | 12.5% | +2.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 32.0%±0.2 pts | 46.6% | −8.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 48.4%±0.9 pts | 28.9% | +3.0 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 3.3%±0.2 pts | 6.5% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 7.4%±0.7 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.5%±0.7 pts | 16.6% | +2.2 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 10.2%±0.8 pts | 21.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 13.0%±0.9 pts | 6.8% | – |
| With a disability | 11.2%±0.8 pts | 11.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.6%±0.6 pts | 6.3% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.5%±0.5 pts | 91.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 33.5%±1.1 pts | 43.4% | +4.6 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 14.9%±0.8 pts | 20.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.3%±0.6 pts | 2.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Charles County earn?
Half of Charles County's 60,875 households earn less than $122,816 a year (±$3,121), against $103,678 in Maryland. In 2015-2019 it was $123,073 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 6.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Charles County | Maryland | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $122,816±$3,121 | $103,678 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $141,768±$3,674 | $136,642 | – |
| Per capita income | $51,110±$1,272 | $52,979 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 6.9%±0.9 pts | 9.4% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 6.4%±1.8 pts | 11.5% | −2.6 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.7%±1.1 pts | 11.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.4%±0.9 pts | 92.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Charles County?
Owners occupy 82.1% of Charles County's occupied homes and renters 17.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $428,500 by its owner (±$5,357). The median renter pays $1,920 a month including utilities, and 40.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Charles County | Maryland | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $428,500±$5,357 | $419,900 | +$42,924 |
| Median gross rent | $1,920±$70 | $1,705 | −$150 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.6%±5.0 pts | 42.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,542±$56 | $2,347 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 82.1%±1.3 pts | 67.6% | +5.2 pts |
| Housing units | 63,813±107 | 2,560,784 | +3,361 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6%±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.2%±2.3 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 70.4%±1.4 pts | 51.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.8%±0.3 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.9%±0.5 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.6%±0.6 pts | 10.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Charles County building?
Builders took permits for 935 new housing units across Charles County in 2025 (935 single-family), 5.3 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Charles County get to work?
70.2% of Charles County's workers drive alone and 16.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 41.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.8%.
| Measure | Charles County | Maryland | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 69.6%±1.0 pts | 67.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8%±0.6 pts | 4.9% | +1.3 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 70.2%±1.5 pts | 64.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.5%±1.0 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 2.5%±0.5 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Walked | 0.8%±0.3 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 16.4%±1.4 pts | 19.3% | +12.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 41.4 min±0.9 | 31.1 min | −3.6 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Charles County's census tracts?
Charles County is divided into 35 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $71,306 (Tract 8509.01) to $175,174 (Tract 8507.13).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Charles County compare with Maryland's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 10th of 24 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 3rd of 24 |
| Residents per square mile | 11th of 24 |
| Median household income | 5th of 24 |
| Median home value | 8th of 24 |
| Median gross rent | 4th of 24 |
| Poverty rate | 18th of 24 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16th of 24 |
| Median age | 19th of 24 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Charles County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.