Charles County - Legends, Lore and Room to Explore

Charles County is located in Southern Maryland, home to approximately 177,000 residents, with La Plata serving as the county seat. Situated about 30 miles south of Washington, D.C., the county spans 461 square miles and is bordered by the Potomac River to the west and the Patuxent River to the east, providing extensive waterfront access throughout the region.

Charles County holds the distinction of being the highest-income county in the United States with a Black-majority population, with a median household income exceeding $120,000. The county has seen significant growth, with population increasing over 20% since 2010.

The county's waterfront geography supports a wide range of outdoor recreation including boating, fishing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing along both the Potomac and Patuxent Rivers. The Indian Head Rail Trail is Charles County's premier recreational trail — a 13-mile converted railroad corridor connecting the Town of Indian Head to Route 301 in White Plains.

Additional highlights include Port Tobacco River Park, home to a resident bald eagle pair, Gilbert Run Park featuring a freshwater lake and zip line, and Maxwell Hall Park offering six horse trails through open fields, wooded areas, and along the Patuxent River shoreline.



Charles County is also steeped in Civil War history, as John Wilkes Booth passed through the county following the assassination of President Lincoln in 1865. Major industries include defense, government contracting, and public services, supported by proximity to major military installations including Naval Air Station Patuxent River.