RANK #580 / 996 · POP 103,876 · MD
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.4%
Cecil County, Maryland, distinguishes itself with its position at the head of the Chesapeake Bay, where five major rivers converge. This northeastern Maryland county borders both Pennsylvania and Delaware, placing it about an hour's drive from Baltimore and Philadelphia. Towns like Chesapeake City offer canal-side dining and boutiques, while North East is known for its Main Street with shops and marinas. The county's landscape features rolling hills, scenic rivers, and waterfronts, providing opportunities for boating, fishing, hiking, and horseback riding at locations such as Elk Neck State Park and Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area.
Life in Cecil County blends rural charm with suburban conveniences, attracting families and individuals seeking more space and a slower pace. Commute options include easy access to I-95 and Route 40, and Cecil Transit provides fixed-route and on-demand bus services, with connections to MARC train service in Perryville. The Cecil County Public School System includes five high schools, six middle schools, and seventeen elementary schools. Economically, the county has a growing job market in sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, and education. Recent developments include an expansion of the Cecil County Enterprise Zone in Elkton, aimed at attracting new businesses and supporting existing employers like Northrop Grumman.
Above national median (4.7x)
Contracting economy
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.6x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Cecil County has a Boom Town Index score of 42/100, ranking #580 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.2% and a median household income of $86,869, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Cecil County is $292,500 with median rent at $1,322/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.297, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.2%. Home values changed +0.7% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.24% of Cecil County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.