Charles County, Maryland#Politics and government

Charles County was created in 1658 by an Order in Council. There was also an earlier Charles County from 1650 to 1654, sometimes referred to in historic documents as Old Charles County,{{Cite journal

|url=http://www.msa.md.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000630/html/am630--122.html

|title=The Counties of Maryland

|publisher=The Archives of Maryland Online

|volume=630

|pages=122–124

|access-date=November 16, 2007

}}{{Cite journal

|url=https://archive.org/details/princegeorgescou00mary

|title=Prince George's County

|author=Maryland Geological Survey

|year=1911

|pages=[https://archive.org/details/princegeorgescou00mary/page/21 21]–22

|publisher=The Johns Hopkins Press

|access-date=November 16, 2007

}}{{Cite journal

|url=https://archive.org/details/marylandgeologi01survgoog

|title=Maryland Geological Survey: General Reports

|author=Maryland Geological Survey

|year=1906

|pages=[https://archive.org/details/marylandgeologi01survgoog/page/n564 474]–477

|publisher=The Johns Hopkins Press

|access-date=April 5, 2008

}} which consisted largely of lands within today's borders but "included parts of St. Mary’s, Calvert, present-day Charles, and Prince George’s County".{{cite book |last1=Klapthor |first1=Margaret Brown |last2=Brown |first2=Paul Dennis |date=2013 |title=History of Charles County, Maryland, Written In Its Tercentenary Year of 1958 |edition=Heritage Classic paperback |publisher=Heritage Books, Inc. |page=back cover |isbn=978-0788401602}} John Tayloe I purchased land around Nanjemoy Creek after 1710 from which to mine iron and ship to his furnaces at Bristol Iron Works, Neabsco Iron Works and later Occoquan Ironworks.

In April 1865, John Wilkes Booth made his escape through Charles County after shooting President Abraham Lincoln. He was on his way to Virginia. He stopped briefly in Waldorf (then called Beantown) and had his broken leg set by local Doctor Samuel Mudd, who was later sent to prison for helping him.{{cite web |title=The Assassin's Escape: Following John Wilkes Booth |url=https://www.nps.gov/foth/learn/historyculture/the-assassin-s-escape.htm |website=National Park Service |access-date=11 May 2024}} Booth then proceeded to hide in the Zekiah Swamp in Charles County, avoiding search parties for over a week until he and his accomplice were able to successfully cross the Potomac River.

The 1911 Digges Amendment, which attempted to disenfranchise African Americans in Maryland, was drafted by Democratic state delegate (lower house) Walter Digges and co-sponsored by state senator (upper house) William J. Frere, both from Charles County, Maryland. In Maryland's unrestricted general election of 1911, the Digges Amendment was defeated with 46,220 votes for and 83,920 votes against the proposal. Nationally Maryland citizens achieved the most notable rejection of a black-disfranchising amendment.[http://www.brandonkendhammer.com/democratization_Spring2013/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Tuck-2007.pdf STEPHEN TUCK, "Democratization and the Disfranchisement of African Americans in the US South during the Late 19th Century" (pdf)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223124800/http://www.brandonkendhammer.com/democratization_Spring2013/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Tuck-2007.pdf |date=February 23, 2014 }}, Spring 2013, reading for "Challenges of Democratization", by Brandon Kendhammer, Ohio University

In 1926, a tornado ripped through the county leaving 17 dead (including 13 schoolchildren). On April 28, 2002, another tornado (rated an F-4) destroyed much of downtown La Plata killing 3 and injuring over 100 people.{{Cite web|date=November 19, 2009|title=An account of deadly 1926 La Plata tornado|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2009-11-an_account_of_deadly_1926_la_p-story.html|website=Baltimore Sun}}

The county has numerous properties on the National Register of Historic Places.{{NRISref|2008a}} Among them are Green Park and Pleasant Hill, home of the Green and Spalding Families.

On December 4, 2004, an arson took place in the development of Hunters Brooke, a few miles southeast of Indian Head. The Hunters Brooke Arson was the largest residential arson{{cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/usao/md/Exile/files/Annual%20Report%202005%20Violent%20Crime%20Program.pdf|title=Violent Crime Program 2005 Annual Report|author=United States Attorney for the District of Maryland|publisher=United States Department of Justice|date=March 1, 2006|access-date=August 2, 2010|author-link=United States Attorney for the District of Maryland|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100829155157/http://www.justice.gov/usao/md/Exile/files/Annual%20Report%202005%20Violent%20Crime%20Program.pdf|archive-date=August 29, 2010}} in Maryland history.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/12/21/maryland.fires/index.html|title=Two more arrested in Maryland fires|last=Courson|first=Paul|author2=Joanthan Wild|publisher=CNN|page=1|access-date=August 2, 2010|location=Washington, Dc | date=December 21, 2004}}{{cite news|url=http://www.insurancejournal.com/magazines/east/2005/01/03/features/50855.htm|title=Maryland Hunts for Motives Behind State's Largest Residential Arson |last=Witte|first=Brian|date=January 3, 2005|publisher=Insurance Journal|access-date=August 2, 2010}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/3-more-charged-in-maryland-arson/|title=3 More Charged In Maryland Arson|last=Hancock|first=David|date=December 18, 2004|work=CBS NEWS|page=1|access-date=August 2, 2010|location=LA PLATA, Md}}

Owing to the considerable voting power of its large number of freedmen following the Civil War,Levine, Mark V.; ‘Standing Political Decisions and Critical Realignment: The Pattern of Maryland Politics, 1872-1948’; The Journal of Politics, volume 38, no. 2 (May 1976), pp. 292-325 and later its growth as a suburban area, Charles County was for a long time solidly Republican. The only Democrat to carry Charles County until 1960 was Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932, although Alf Landon and Wendell Willkie defeated Roosevelt in the next two elections by a combined margin of just 50 votes. Since the turn of the millennium, Charles County has become reliably Democratic, although not as overwhelmingly so as other parts of Maryland's Washington, D.C. suburbs.{{cite web | url=http://www.centermaryland.org/index.php?option=com_easyblog&view=entry&id=944 | title=JOSH KURTZ: FORGET PRINCE GEORGE'S – CHECK OUT KING CHARLES FOR POLITICAL INTRIGUE | publisher=Center Maryland | date=June 2, 2014 | access-date=September 20, 2016}} Charles County is one of only two counties in the nation to have voted for Al Gore in 2000 after voting for Bob Dole in 1996, along with Orange County, Florida.{{cite web|title = The 2016 Streak Breakers| date=October 6, 2016 |publisher = Sabato Crystal Ball|access-date = September 15, 2017|url = http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/the-2016-streak-breakers/}}

{{PresHead|place=Charles County, Maryland|whig=no|open=yes|source1={{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=June 11, 2018}}}}

{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|26,145|63,454|2,498|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|25,579|62,171|1,748|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|25,614|49,341|3,348|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|25,178|48,774|1,270|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|25,732|43,635|760|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|28,442|29,354|445|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|21,768|21,873|951|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|1996|Republican|17,432|15,890|2,501|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|1992|Republican|17,293|14,498|6,663|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|1988|Republican|20,828|11,823|113|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|1984|Republican|16,132|10,264|64|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|1980|Republican|11,807|8,887|1,326|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|7,792|9,525|0|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|1972|Republican|9,665|4,502|186|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|1968|Republican|4,645|4,247|3,173|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|3,455|6,546|0|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|4,560|5,482|0|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|1956|Republican|5,088|3,931|0|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|1952|Republican|4,334|3,338|49|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|1948|Republican|2,703|1,878|40|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|1944|Republican|2,755|1,875|0|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|1940|Republican|2,716|2,692|56|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|1936|Republican|2,623|2,597|64|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,851|2,473|47|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|1928|Republican|2,522|1,860|9|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|1924|Republican|2,215|1,491|208|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|1920|Republican|2,585|1,642|43|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|1916|Republican|1,374|1,363|122|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|1912|Republican|1,573|918|155|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|1908|Republican|1,643|1,167|61|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|1904|Republican|1,659|1,180|31|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|1900|Republican|2,268|1,368|26|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|1896|Republican|2,117|1,372|40|Maryland}}

{{PresRow|1892|Republican|1,279|1,051|61|Maryland}}

|}

Charles County is governed by county commissioners, the traditional form of county government in Maryland. There are five commissioners. {{As of|2022}}, they are:

Charles County is entirely within the 5th Congressional District, which also includes Calvert, St. Mary's, and parts of Anne Arundel and Prince George's counties. The current representative is former Democratic House Majority Leader and former House Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer.

{{Location map+ | USA Washington Metropolitan Area

| caption =Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area{{cite web|title=Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/migration/metxmet/a47900.html|website=U.S. Census Bureau|publisher=U.S. Department of Commerce|access-date=April 12, 2017}}

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}}

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of {{convert|643|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|458|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|185|sqmi}} (29%) water.{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_24.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913171515/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_24.txt |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 13, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=September 12, 2014 |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files }}

In its western wing, along the southernmost bend in Maryland Route 224, Charles County contains a place due north, east, south, and west of the same state—Virginia.This oddity of political geography happens in other places in Maryland.

{{Div col}}

• Prince George's County (north)
• Fairfax County, Virginia (northwest)
• Calvert County (east)
• Stafford County, Virginia (west)
• Prince William County, Virginia (west)
• St. Mary's County (southeast)
• Westmoreland County, Virginia (southeast)
• King George County, Virginia (south)

{{div col end}}

• Thomas Stone National Historic Site
• Mallows Bay–Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary

{{US Census population

|1790= 20613

|1800= 19172

|1810= 20245

|1820= 16500

|1830= 17769

|1840= 16023

|1850= 16162

|1860= 16517

|1870= 15738

|1880= 18548

|1890= 15191

|1900= 17662

|1910= 16386

|1920= 17705

|1930= 16166

|1940= 17612

|1950= 23415

|1960= 32572

|1970= 47678

|1980= 72751

|1990= 101154

|2000= 120546

|2010= 146551

|2020= 166617

|estyear=2023

|estimate=171973

|estref={{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 3, 2024}}

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=}}
1790-1960{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=September 12, 2014|archive-date=August 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811110448/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|url-status=dead}} 1900-1990{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/md190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 12, 2014}}
1990-2000{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 12, 2014}} 2010 2020

}}

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 146,551 people, 51,214 households, and 38,614 families residing in the county.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US24017

|title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data

|access-date=January 22, 2016

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213022803/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US24017

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}} The population density was {{convert|320.2|PD/sqmi}}. There were 54,963 housing units at an average density of {{convert|120.1|/sqmi}}.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US24017

|access-date=January 22, 2016

|title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213185150/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US24017

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}} The racial makeup of the county was 50.3% white, 41.0% black or African American, 3.0% Asian, 0.7% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 1.3% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.3% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 12.6% were German, 10.8% were Irish, 8.7% were English, 6.3% were American, and 5.1% were Italian.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US24017

|title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

|access-date=January 22, 2016

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213013514/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US24017

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}}

Of the 51,214 households, 41.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 24.6% were non-families, and 19.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.24. The median age was 37.4 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $88,825 and the median income for a family was $98,560. Males had a median income of $62,210 versus $52,477 for females. The per capita income for the county was $35,780. About 3.7% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US24017

|title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

|access-date=January 22, 2016

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213032609/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US24017

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}}

As of the census{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }} of 2000, there were 120,546 people, 41,668 households, and 32,292 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|262|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 43,903 housing units at an average density of {{convert|95|/mi2|/km2|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 68.51% White, 26.06% Black or African American, 0.75% Native American, 1.82% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.72% from other races, and 2.08% from two or more races. 2.26% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 11.6% were of German, 10.8% Irish, 10.2% English, 9.3% American and 5.3% Italian ancestry.

There were 41,668 households, out of which 41.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.00% were married couples living together, 14.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.50% were non-families. 17.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.70% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 33.20% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 7.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $62,199, and the median income for a family was $67,602 (these figures had risen to $80,573 and $89,358 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $43,371 versus $34,231 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,285. About 3.70% of families and 5.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.70% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.

As of 2010, the county population's racial makeup was 48.38% Non-Hispanic whites, 40.96% blacks, 0.65% Native Americans, 2.98% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islanders, 0.17% Non-Hispanics of some other race, 3.20% Non-Hispanics reporting more than one race and 4.27% Hispanic.

According to the 2022 publication "Meet Charles County" of the County Department of Economic Development, its top employers are:

{{Main|Charles County Public Schools}}

• College of Southern Maryland, in La Plata.

Charles County is served by numerous state highways and one U.S. Highway:

{{Div col}}

• {{jct|state=MD|US|301}}
• {{jct|state=MD|MD|5}}
• {{jct|state=MD|MD-Bus|5|dab1=Hughesville}}
• {{jct|state=MD|MD-Bus|5|dab1=Waldorf}}
• {{jct|state=MD|MD|6}}
• {{jct|state=MD|MD|210}}
• {{jct|state=MD|MD|224}}
• {{jct|state=MD|MD|225}}
• {{jct|state=MD|MD|227}}
• {{jct|state=MD|MD|228}}
• {{jct|state=MD|MD|229}}
• {{jct|state=MD|MD|231}}
• {{jct|state=MD|MD|234}}
• {{jct|state=MD|MD|254}}
• {{jct|state=MD|MD|257}}
• {{jct|state=MD|MD|381}}
• {{jct|state=MD|MD|425}}
• {{jct|state=MD|MD|426}}
• {{jct|state=MD|MD|488}}
• {{jct|state=MD|MD|925}}

{{div col end}}

• Indian Head
• La Plata (county seat)
• Port Tobacco Village

The Census Bureau recognizes the following census-designated places in the county:

{{div col}}

• Bensville
• Bryans Road
• Bryantown
• Cobb Island
• Hughesville
• Pomfret
• Potomac Heights
• Rock Point
• Saint Charles
• Waldorf

{{div col end}}

{{Div col|colwidth=12em}}

• Bel Alton
• Benedict
• Dentsville
• Faulkner
• Glymont
• Grayton{{cite web | url=http://maryland.hometownlocator.com/md/charles/grayton.cfm | title=Grayton Populated Place Profile / Charles County, Maryland Data }}
• Ironsides
• Issue
• Malcolm
• Marbury
• Morgantown
• Mount Victoria
• Nanjemoy
• Newburg
• Pisgah
• Popes Creek
• Port Tobacco
• Pomonkey
• Ripley
• Rison
• Swan Point
• Welcome
• White Plains

{{div col end}}

• Charles Brooke (1636–1671) English immigrant & first Southerner to graduate from Harvard College, Class of 1655; Sheriff, Calvert County 1665{{cite journal |last=Morison|first=Samual Eliot |date=January 1933 |title=Virginians and Marylanders at Harvard College in the Seventeenth Century |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/1922830 |journal=William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=2–9 |doi=10.2307/1922830 |jstor=1922830 |quote=Mr. [Charles] Brooke of Harvard was one of the sons of Robert Brooke of Whitechurch, Hampshire, a graduate of Wadham College, Oxford (B.A. 1620, M.S. 1624), and a wealthy and prominent planter of Charles County, Maryland… [After] arrival of the Brooke family in Maryland, Mr. Brooke entered Harvard College June 3, 1651. |access-date=September 9, 2022}}
• Gustavus Richard Brown (1747–1804) Edinburgh-educated doctor; served in Revolutionary War; physician to George Washington, attended his death
• James Craik (1727–1814) Scottish immigrant; Physician General of the Continental Army; friend & physician to George Washington, attended his death
• John Hanson (1721–1783) born Port Tobacco; Founding Father of United States; Signer, Articles of Confederation; President, Confederation Congress
• Robert H. Harrison (1745-1790), judge; officer in the Continental Army; George Washington's military secretary.{{cite web |title=Robert Hanson Harrison |url=https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/robert-hanson-harrison |website=George Washington's Mount Vernon |access-date=21 February 2025}}
• Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer (1723–1790) born Port Tobacco; Founding Father of U.S.; Delegate, Constitutional Convention; Signer, U.S. Constitution
• Capt. James Neale (1615–1684) born in London, immigrated around 1635; Member, Maryland Council; founded Wollaston Manor & Cobb Island
• Leonard Neale (1746–1817) born Port Tobacco; Jesuit President of Georgetown; Archbishop of Baltimore; first U.S.-consecrated Catholic prelate (1800)
• William Smallwood (1732–1792) Officer, Provincial Troops; Major General, 1st Maryland Regiment of the Continental Army; Governor of Maryland{{cite web |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc3500/sc3520/001100/001134/html/1134bio.html |title=William Smallwood (1732-1792) |author= |date=December 20, 2002 |website=msa.maryland.gov |series=Biographical Series |publisher=Maryland State Archives |location=Annapolis|quote=Although Smallwood 'waited on Washington and urged the Necessity of attending [his] Troops,' Washington 'refused to discharge' them… Smallwood was therefore absent during the early portions of the Battle of Brooklyn on August 27, 1776. British soldiers outflanked the American soldiers under [Major Mordecai] Gist’s command in a surprise attack. The Marylanders retreated, fighting their way toward the Gowanus Creek… Smallwood arrived later in the battle and provided covering fire for the retreating American soldiers with two cannons and some reinforcements… and subsequently faced a deadly British onslaught. The Marylanders led several charges against the British, holding them at bay for a crucial period of time that saved Washington’s army… On October 28, 1776… in the Battle of White Plains, [Gen.] Smallwood’s soldiers once again saved Washington’s army… Positioned on Chatterton’s Hill, the Marylanders charged British soldiers, pushing them back briefly. A series of British counterattacks forced the Marylanders to retreat, but prevented the destruction of the entire Continental Army. The 1st Maryland Regiment suffered greatly in the battle. Smallwood himself received two 'slight' wounds during the orderly retreat, receiving one in his wrist and another in his hip.}}
• Benjamin Stoddert (1751–1813) Captain of Cavalry in the Continental Army; first U.S. Secretary of the Navy in the John Adams administration
• Thomas Stone (1743–1787) born at Poynton Manor near Port Tobacco; Founding Father of the United States; Signer, U.S. Declaration of Independence
• Andrew White (1579–1656) born in London; Jesuit with first colonists arriving on Ark & Dove; established mission to the Potapoco at Chapel Point (1641)

• George Cary (1789–1843) born near Allen's Fresh; practiced law in Frederick; moved to Appling County, Georgia; Member, U.S. House 1823-27{{Cite journal | title = Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607–1896 | publisher = Marquis Who's Who | location=Chicago | year = 1963 }}
• Barnes Compton (1830–1898) born Port Tobacco, Princeton '51; Pres., Maryland Senate; Treasurer of Maryland; Member, U.S. House 1885-90,91-94{{cite web |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc3500/sc3520/001500/001545/html/1545extendedbio.html |title=Barnes Compton (1830-1898) |author= |date=August 6, 2008 |website=msa.maryland.gov |series=Biographical Series |publisher=Maryland State Archives |location=Annapolis}}
• Josiah Henson (1789–1883) born into slavery in Port Tobacco; escaped to Canada & founded community of fugitive slaves; author, abolitionist & minister
• Jane Herbert Wilkinson Long (1798–1880) born Charles County; Texas Patriot & boarding-house matron; dubbed "Mother of Texas" by Sam Houston
• Samuel A. Mudd (1833–1883) born near Bryantown; physician imprisoned for aiding John Wilkes Booth after assassination of Pres. Abraham Lincoln
• Sydney E. Mudd (1858–1911) born in Gallant Green; Speaker, Maryland House of Delegates; Member, U.S. House of Reps 1890–91, 1897-1911{{cite web |url=https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/M001059 |title=MUDD, Sydney Emanuel (1858-1911) |author= |website=bioguide.congress.gov |series=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress |publisher=U.S. House of Representatives |location=Washington D.C. |access-date=September 10, 2022 |quote=Successfully contested as a Republican the election of Barnes Compton to the Fifty-first Congress and served from March 20, 1890, to March 3, 1891; unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1890 to the Fifty-second Congress; elected to the State house of delegates in 1895 and served as speaker… elected to the Fifty-fifth and to the six succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1897-March 3, 1911).}}
• Francis Neale (1756–1836) born Port Tobacco; Jesuit pastor of St. Thomas Manor & Holy Trinity, first Catholic Church in D.C., President of Georgetown
• Raphael Semmes (1809–1877) born near Nanjemoy; US Navy officer; Captain, CSS Sumter & CSS Alabama; Rear Adm., Confederate States Navy{{cite web |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/photography/us-people/s/semmes-raphael.html |title=Rear Admiral Raphael Semmes, Confederate States Navy, (1809-1877) |author= |website=The Navy Department Library (online) |publisher=Naval History and Heritage Command | location=Washington D.C.| access-date=September 10, 2022 |quote=Semmes was… given command of the newly-built cruiser CSS Alabama. From August 1862 until June 1864, Semmes took his ship through the Atlantic, into the Gulf of Mexico, around the Cape of Good Hope and into the East Indies, capturing some sixty merchantmen and sinking one Federal warship, USS Hatteras. At the end of her long cruise, Alabama was blockaded at Cherbourg, France, while seeking repairs. On June 19, 1864, Semmes took her to sea to fight the Union cruiser USS Kearsarge and was wounded when she was sunk in action. Rescued by the British yacht Dearhound, he went to England, recovered and made his way back to the Confederacy.}}

• Walter M. Digges (1877–1934) Delegate who drafted Digges Amendment that was defeated in statewide election; Justice, Court of Appeals 1923-34
• Danny Gatton (1945–1994) Virtuoso guitarist; created a jazz fusion musical style he called "redneck jazz"; lived in Newburg, died by suicide
• Matthew Henson (1866–1955) born in Nanjemoy; African-American explorer; first to reach North Pole in 1909, with Robert Peary & 4 Inuit companions
• Larry Johnson (born 1979) from Pomfret; former NFL running back; played for K.C. Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, Washington Redskins & Miami Dolphins
• Shawn Lemon (born 1988) Attended Westlake H.S. in Waldorf; played with seven teams in the Canadian Football League as a defensive lineman
• Joel & Benji Madden (born 1979) Identical twins from Waldorf; both with bands The Madden Brothers & Good Charlotte; Benji married to Cameron Diaz
• Christina Milian (born 1981) Movie & TV actress; Top 40 singer/songwriter in US (Top 4 in UK); raised in Waldorf to age 13 & part of high school
• Sydney E. Mudd, Jr. (1885–1924) born in Gallant Green; Member, U.S. House of Representatives; 1915-1924, died in office{{cite web |url=https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/M001060|title=MUDD, Sydney Emanuel (1885-1924) |author=|website=bioguide.congress.gov |series=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress |publisher=U.S. House of Representatives |location=Washington D.C. |access-date=January 28, 2025 |quote= }}
• Randy Starks (born 1983) Attended Westlake in Waldorf; played NFL as a defensive end with Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins & Cleveland Browns
• Robert Stethem (1961–1985) U.S. Navy diver; murdered in Beirut during hijacking of TWA Flight 847; grew up in Pinefield community of Waldorf
• Turkey Tayac (1895–1978) born Charles County; Chief, one branch of Piscataway Indian Nation; WWI veteran; Medicine Man & Native American activist
• Angela Renée White a.k.a. "Blac Chyna" (born 1988) Model, socialite & television personality; attended Henry E. Lackey High School in Indian Head{{Cite news|url=http://michaelmccrudden.com/before-they-were-famous/blac-chyna-before-she-was-famous/|title=Blac Chyna - Before She Was Famous - Michael McCrudden|date=May 11, 2016|newspaper=Michael McCrudden|access-date=February 13, 2017|language=en-US}}

{{Portal|Maryland}}

• Carpenter Point, Charles County, Maryland
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Charles County, Maryland

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category|Charles County, Maryland}}

• {{official website|http://www.charlescountymd.gov/}}
• {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601124107/http://www.charlescountymd.gov/ |date=June 1, 2012 |title=Charles County }}

{{Geographic Location

|Centre = Charles County

|North = Prince George's County

|Northeast =

|East = Calvert County

|Southeast = St. Mary's County and Westmoreland County, Virginia

|South = King George County, Virginia

|Southwest =

|West = Stafford County, Virginia and Prince William County, Virginia

|Northwest = Fairfax County, Virginia

}}

{{Charles County, Maryland}}

{{Maryland}}

{{DCMetroArea}}

{{Coord|38.48|-77.01|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MD_source:UScensus1990}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Maryland counties

Category:Maryland counties on the Potomac River

Category:Washington metropolitan area

Category:1658 establishments in Maryland

Category:Populated places established in 1658

Category:Majority-minority counties and independent cities in Maryland