District 3
RANK #824 / 996 NAT · #10 / 18 MD · POP 103,876
1YR FORECAST: +0.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +15%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Cecil County scores just 16/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #824 of 996 counties. Job growth at +2.2% and median household income of $86,869 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Cecil County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $292,500 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.30, with rents averaging $1,322/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Cecil County are hiring — job growth of +2.2% — but the population is close to flat (+0.5% YoY). Home values moved +0.7% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.24% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Cecil County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.