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Somerset County, Maryland

Somerset County is a county in the eastern part of the U.S. State of Maryland. As of 2000, the population is 86,211. It was named for Lady Mary Somerset, daughter of Thomas Arundell of Wardour, the wife of Sir John Somerset. She was the sister of the wife of Cecil Calvert, the second Baron of Baltimore, Lady Anne Arundell or Arundel, who lent her name to Anne Arundel County. The county seat is Princess Anne.

Table of contents

1 History

History Somerset County was created in 1666 by an Order in Council. In 1742 Worcester County was created from Somerset County. In 1867 portions of Somerset and Worcester Counties were taken to create Wicomico County.

Law and Government Somerset County is still governed by county commissioners, the traditional form of county government in Maryland.

County Executive

The county commissioners exercise such executive powers as exist in the government of the county.

Geography Somerset County includes two municipalities:

1 City:
1. Crisfield (incorporated 1872)
1 Town:
1. Princess Anne (incorporated 1894)

Unincorporated areas are also considered as towns by many people, but they lack local government. The United States Census Bureau recognizes the following Census-Designated Places in Somerset County:

Chance
Dames Quarter
Deal Island
Eden
Fairmount
Frenchtown-Rumbly
Mount Vernon
Smith Island
West Pocomoke

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,980 km² (764 mi²). 936 km² (361 mi²) of it is land and 1,044 km² (403 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 52.75% water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 86,211 people, 30,642 households, and 22,307 families residing in the county. The population density is 92/km² (239/mi²). There are 34,081 housing units at an average density of 36/km² (94/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 81.57% White, 13.92% African American, 0.34% Native American, 1.80% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.61% from other races, and 1.68% from two or more races. 2.00% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 30,642 households out of which 38.30% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.80% are married couples living together, 10.60% have a female householder with no husband present, and 27.20% are non-families. 21.30% of all households are made up of individuals and 5.70% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.72 and the average family size is 3.17.

In the county the population is spread out with 27.90% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 32.60% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 9.10% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 101.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 100.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $54,706, and the median income for a family is $61,397. Males have a median income of $41,745 versus $30,103 for females. The per capita income for the county is $22,662. 7.20% of the population and 5.20% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 8.20% are under the age of 18 and 8.90% are 65 or older.

Cities and Towns

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