CALIFORNIA, Md. — Southern Maryland — which, for many policy and planning considerations, encompasses Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, Anne Arundel, and Prince George’s counties — has witnessed substantial population growth and economic development over the past two decades. This growth, documented by U.S. Census Bureau data, has increased demand for housing across the region.
While Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties have long been part of the broader metropolitan fabric around Washington and Baltimore, more traditionally rural jurisdictions like Calvert and St. Mary’s have seen recent upticks in population that mirror the broader upward trend in housing demand.
Between 2010 and 2020, U.S. Census Bureau data shows growth in several Southern Maryland jurisdictions. Charles County’s population, for example, rose from 146,551 to 166,617 residents. St. Mary’s County increased from 105,151 to 113,777, and Calvert County from 88,737 to 92,525 during the same period. In Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties — both more populous and historically suburban — population growth continued as well. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Anne Arundel County grew from 537,656 in 2010 to 588,261 in 2020, while Prince George’s County, already home to nearly 900,000 residents, topped 967,000 by 2020. Although these two larger counties have more established housing markets, the overall trend of increasing demand and rising prices has been noted regionwide.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2015–2019 American Community Survey (ACS) five-year estimates, housing costs in Southern Maryland are relatively high compared to statewide medians. During that period, Calvert County’s median home value was approximately $335,000, Charles County’s around $310,000, and St. Mary’s County’s about $295,300. Statewide, Maryland’s median home value was roughly $314,800. Meanwhile, in Anne Arundel County, the ACS reported a median home value exceeding $350,000, and Prince George’s County’s median home value stood around $291,000.
Rental costs have followed a similar upward trajectory. The ACS data indicates median gross rent, including basic utilities, exceeded $1,200 per month in many parts of the region and approached or surpassed $1,400 in several jurisdictions, including Anne Arundel and Charles counties.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development considers households spending more than 30% of their income on housing as “cost-burdened.” The ACS data shows that a substantial portion of renters and some homeowners in Southern Maryland meet this criterion. For example, in Charles County, over 35% of renters were cost-burdened according to 2019 ACS figures. While detailed figures vary from county to county, the pattern of affordability challenges echoes national and regional trends in areas experiencing robust growth.
Local and state governments have acknowledged these issues. Counties throughout Southern Maryland have produced comprehensive plans, housing studies, and development guidelines aiming to preserve a balance of housing opportunities. St. Mary’s County’s comprehensive plan, for instance, notes that employment growth — such as at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station — has outpaced the construction of more affordable housing. Calvert County’s 2019 amended comprehensive plan identifies housing affordability as a key concern and discusses encouraging a range of housing options. Charles County’s Department of Planning and Growth Management has issued reports on workforce and affordable housing needs. Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties, both containing diverse communities and income levels, have similarly recognized housing affordability challenges through local housing departments and planning agencies that track cost burdens and consider strategies to increase accessible housing stock.
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development offers financing tools — including the Maryland Mortgage Program and various rental assistance programs — to help moderate-income households secure stable housing. However, demand often exceeds supply, and infrastructure limitations, land costs, and regulatory hurdles can delay or inhibit the development of lower-cost units. Publicly available data and official reports from multiple counties confirm that the gap between housing costs and local incomes remains significant.
As Southern Maryland’s population continues to grow, the region’s governments, planners, and residents confront a shared challenge: ensuring that economic vitality and suburban appeal do not push housing prices beyond the reach of many. Achieving this balance may involve exploring zoning reforms, creating incentives for developers to include affordable units, or increasing public-private partnerships focused on housing. Without effective interventions grounded in the region’s unique demographic and economic context, the cost of growth may continue to strain Southern Maryland’s communities and the people who call them home.
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Funded by DEI and lawsuit artists.
How does this have anything to do with DEI?? GET SOME HELP…
I left Maryland years ago, now the rest of my family is starting to wise up and get out
why is it thought that this area, Maryland, can afford the shelf prices, the high prices? Why is it thought we can absorb them?