District 4
RANK #557 / 996 NAT · #3 / 18 MD · POP 50,316
1YR FORECAST: +1.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +22%
Queen Anne's County, Maryland, offers a blend of historic charm and waterfront living on the Eastern Shore, easily accessible via the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Stevensville, on Kent Island, serves as a dynamic hub with a mix of historic architecture and modern conveniences, while Centreville, the county seat, boasts a preserved historic downtown. The county provides extensive outdoor recreation, including over 265 miles of waterfront, numerous parks, and trails like the Cross Island Trail, which offers views of the Chesapeake Bay and Chester River. Commuting to Annapolis, Baltimore, or Washington, D.C., is possible, with MTA Commuter Bus routes available from Kent Island.
Life in Queen Anne's County appeals to families, retirees, and those seeking an Eastern Shore lifestyle. The public school system is highly rated, with a focus on academic achievement and extracurricular activities. The local economy, historically rooted in agriculture and maritime industries, has seen recent growth in wholesale, manufacturing, and construction sectors. The county has also invested in infrastructure, including school renovations, a new Board of Education building, and planning for a regional hospital, supporting both residents and businesses.
Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks overvalued at 9.8x — 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.
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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Queen Anne's County scores 44/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#557). Median household income is $108,332 and job growth is running at +4.1%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Queen Anne's County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $421,900 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.26, with rents averaging $1,600/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Queen Anne's County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.2% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +4.1% clip. Home values shifted +1.3% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.26% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Queen Anne's County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.