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Maryland State: Population, Rankings, and Facts

#4 in Overall Ranking out of 50 in 2021

Maryland is a land of diversity. Its multiple climate, topography, and culture earn the nickname “America in Miniature.” Added to that is its long array of parks, beaches, and other attraction sites. MD is known for its rich history, highly educated populace, and baseball teams. Plus, the province is a hot-spot for aerospace companies and defense contractors.

Updated: April 20, 2021
  • Area
    12,407 sq mi
  • Capital
    Annapolis
  • Population
    6,045,680
  • Income
    $80,776
  • Home Value
    $341,148
  • Crime
    27,456
  • Unemployment
    6.8%
  • Education
    39.0%
  • Medicine
    8
  • Poverty
    8.9%
  • Environment
    9
  • Infrastructure
    9.2%

Maryland has one of the highest population densities nationwide (594 people per square mile). Going by its history, the region was one of the oldest provinces in the U.S., and it was one of the original thirteen colonies. Its residents are of diverse cultures: the western part has the Appalachian culture; the central region shows more of the Northeastern lifestyle.

MD and many early Marylanders played major roles in the military and political history of the country. They fought gallantly for America’s independence from Britain. On February 2, 1781, it became the last colony to approve the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union. That action sealed the process of making the U.S. a united and sovereign nation. And on April 28, 1788, it attained statehood after gaining admission into the union.

Also, the economic activities are seemingly distributed to concentrate on different regions. MD’s eastern shore mostly has rich coastal farmland with quiet, traditional small towns and fishing villages. 

On the other hand, the southern part is known for its proud maritime heritage, seafood alongside its aerospace and naval defense industries. High-tech industries are mainly located in the central region, while the suburban cities host the bio-health and life science activities of the province.

Altogether, MD is a lively place to live in with top-ranked schools, a reasonable cost of living, and many great jobs. The numerous parks, beaches, museums, and fairs also give ample choices of relaxation destinations. The former mid-Atlantic province also has two NFL teams: the Baltimore Ravens and the Redskins.

Some popular places to visit are the Antietam national battlefield, Chesapeake bay loop, Fort Mark Henry, Wisp resort, Allegany Museum, Strathmore, etc.

How We Figured Out Which Were the Best States To Live in

Before compiling the list of the best states to reside in in 2021, relevant data was collated from several authoritative sources. Some of such include the National Census Bureau, departments of labor and health, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), etc. 

The information was then scheduled into ten measurable metrics, including demography, education, income rate, employment, etc. The states’ performance on these indicators determined their overall ranking.

Maryland Rankings

  • Population
    #19
    Population
    Data: 6,045,680

    Geographically, Maryland has a small area (9th smallest state in the U.S.). Despite that, it has a relatively high number of residents ahead of larger territories like New Mexico, Colorado, Oregon, and Idaho. Most Marylanders live in the Baltimore-Washington metropolis. The region comprises people from several racial heritages: White, Black, Asian, and Hispanic.

  • Median Income
    #19
    Income in $
    Data: $80,776

    The state leads the country in this metric and is followed closely by New Hampshire, Texas, and Montana. A majority of Marylanders work in the private sector (about 81.9%). They engage commonly in service-related industries like trade and financial activities, science and technology, education, and healthcare.

  • Home Value
    #11
    Home Value
    Data: $341,148

    A lot of Marylanders are house owners resulting in the high home value index. Although, when compared to neighboring states, Washington DC and Virginia, the prices are relatively lower. The average monthly rent ($1,392) is also below the national average of $1,474. Plus, the suburban region has the most expensive housing.

  • Unemployment Rate
    #34
    Unemployment
    Data: 6.8%

    Maryland unemployment is a little below the U.S. average (3.7%). Worcester and Somerset counties have the highest number of unemployed labor. Statewide, there are more males than females lacking employment. Likewise, the Black populace (7.5%) has the highest rate of jobless residents, followed by Hispanics (4.9%), Whites (3.9%), and Asians (3.6%).

  • Poverty
    #2
    Poverty
    Data: 8.9%

    Generally, Marylanders enjoy a good standard of living. Only a few residents (about 500,000) live below the poverty line. Somerset County (23.4%) holds the highest number of poor individuals in the province of all the counties. And, it is followed by Baltimore City, Allegany, and Dorchester county.

  • Education
    #3
    Education
    Data: 39.0%

    Here, many of the residents are well educated. Thus, it sits in the third position behind Massachusetts (42.1%) and Colorado (39.4%). Popular schools in the territory include Johns Hopkins University, United States Naval Academy, etc. Altogether, MD has 55 colleges and over 450 high-schools.

  • Medicine
    #7
    Medicine
    Health Outcomes: 8

    Statewide, over 350,000 of the Maryland population are without health insurance. A majority of individuals have their coverage under employment contracts. Medicaid and Medicare cover 18.7% and 13.3% of the populace, respectively. There are over 53,000 registered nurses and 590 surgeons. The most prevalent causes of death in the province are heart diseases, cancer, stroke, accidents, and drug overdose.

  • Crime Rate
    #34
    Crime
    Violent Crime: 27,456

    MD is among the most criminal states in the U.S. Other notorious states are Louisiana, Alaska, New Mexico, and Missouri. The most common crimes in the territory are property-related, with 117,901 reported cases. Others are larceny-theft (89,780), burglary (16,862), aggravated assault (15,798), and robbery (9,203). Ocean Pines, Taneytown, Bowie, New Carrollton, and Bel Air are among its safest cities.

  • Natural Environment
    #10
    Environment
    Air: 9

    Sitting among the top-rated states in this metric, the province records a low amount of pollution. Water pollution is the most reported case. Other recorded casualties are pesticide pollution (7) and hazardous waste (20). MD has 25 natural resources management areas and seven natural environment tourist sites.

  • Infrastructure
    #30
    Infrastructure
    Poor Roads: 9.2%

    The state has several quality infrastructural facilities, but some require upgrades. For example, the average age of its bridges is 48 years old. There are 5,357 bridges within its boundaries. 32.8% of them are in good, 62.1% are in fair, and 5.1% are in poor condition. And the average travel time to work is 33.30 minutes.

Maryland Facts

  • MD is the official Maryland abbreviation.
  • Cecilius Calvert, the 2nd Baron Baltimore, named MD in honor of Henrietta Maria (the wife of King Charles I).
  • The capital city, Annapolis, is 30 miles east of Washington, DC.
  • St. Mary’s City was the initial capital of the state. Annapolis became the administrative seat in 1694.
  • The region has the nicknames “the Old Line State” and “America in Miniature.”
  • The motto of the province is “Fatti maschii, parole femine” (meaning “Strong deeds, gentle words”).
  • There are 53 state parks in the territory.
  • The official state bird is the Baltimore oriole. 
  • The state flower is Black-eyed Susan.
  • The sales tax is 6%. And it has an alcoholic beverage tax of 9%. At the same time, the property tax is 1.04%.
  • A state fair is an annual event held during the last week of August through Labor Day. It is fondly called the “11 Best Days of Summer.”
  • The Maryland flag comprises four quadrants. The first and fourth have gold and black colors while the second and third quarters have red and white Crossland colors.
  • The John Hopkins University is the highest single employer of labor in the region: over 12,000 employees.
  • There are over 440 zip codes statewide.
  • The designs of the province’s flag are from the coat-of-arms of the Calvert and Crossland families.

Maryland in Photos

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FAQ Section

  • Where Is Maryland?

    The former colony is located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Sitting on the Western bank of the Atlantic ocean, it has Delaware to its eastern side. Virginia, West Virginia shares borders with it on the South and Pennsylvania on its north. Also, the district of Columbia is its neighbor on its west-side.

  • What Is the Old Line State Known for?

    MD is famous for its rich political history: its era as a British colony and a slave state. Plus, its efforts in the American Revolutionary war are quite notable.

    It is also known for its diverse climates and topographies and its moderate cost of living. The region is also famous for its schools, hospitals, and military bases. The numerous parks, fairs, museums, beaches, and many other tourist attractions make it a popular destination.

  • What To Do in MD?

    There are ample options to choose from, and it is a great place for vacation. First, the Ocean-city Boardwalk is a famous destination for tourists. Here, people can enjoy shopping, restaurants, games, rides, arcades, bars, and hotels. Likewise, Chesapeake Bay resorts are choicy spots to relax and refresh. Then, there are several landscapes for hiking and skiing.

    Also, MD has parks and beaches for nature lovers. People can also visit its museums to learn from its rich history. Work-wise, it is a good place to study, get a job, and raise a family with its several renowned colleges and employment opportunities.

  • What Is Minimum Wage in Maryland?

    The base payment of labor in MD is $10.10 per hour. That amounts to $404.00 per 40-hr week and $21,008.00 annually.

    Employees are entitled to 1.5 times their usual hourly rate for every extra hour spent working. Agricultural workers and those in bowling establishments have their overtime count after 60hrs and 48hrs weekly.

  • How Many Counties In Maryland?

    There are 23 Maryland counties and an independent district, Baltimore city. The largest of them is Frederick county, with a 660.22 sq mi land area. And Montenegro is the most populated county in the territory having about 1,058,000 residents.