RANK #348 / 1001 NAT · #3 / 18 MD · POP 170,527
1YR FORECAST: -0.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +31%
Charles County, Maryland, is known for its blend of suburban and rural environments, situated about 30 miles south of Washington, D.C.. A notable feature is the Historic Port Tobacco Village, once a significant seaport, offering a glimpse into the region's past with its reconstructed 1819 courthouse and historic homes. The county boasts over 300 miles of Potomac River shoreline, providing opportunities for water-based recreation like fishing, kayaking, and birdwatching. Parks such as Smallwood State Park and Gilbert Run Park offer hiking trails, picnic areas, and paddleboat rentals, while the Indian Head Rail Trail provides a 13-mile paved path through natural areas.
Life in Charles County attracts families and professionals seeking a balance between a relaxed lifestyle and access to major cities. Commuting to Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, or Andrews Air Force Base is common, with main highways like Route 301 and Route 5, and commuter bus options available. Charles County Public Schools serve the majority of students, with 39 schools and educational centers, including seven high schools. The economy is diversifying, with growth in sectors such as defense, energetics technology, federal contracting, logistics and distribution, and healthcare. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head is a significant employer and a hub for energetics technology.
Charles County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices -0.9% YoY, population +1.1%, wages +2.2%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 27.2x — home prices are high 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD) Infrastructure Updates
U.S. Navy
|
$2,000M | Planned |
|
Morgantown 230 kV Battery Storage
Undisclosed
|
$1,122M | Planned |
|
Waldorf Station Mixed-Use Development
Greenberg Gibbons
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
Berry Pointe Commercial Development
St. John's Properties
|
$100M | Under Construction |
|
Ripley Solar Farm
MN8 Energy LLC
|
$28M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 65/100, Charles County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +1.0%, and median household income stands at $122,816 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in MD.
Housing in Charles County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $428,500 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.29, with rents averaging $1,920/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Charles County's population is growing — up +1.1% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +1.0%). Home values shifted -0.9% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.78% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Charles County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.