Chestertown, Maryland

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Chestertown is a town located in Kent County, Maryland. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 4,746. It is the county seat of Kent County6. The zipcode is 21620 and the area code is 410. The local telephone exchanges are 778 and 810.

Contents

History

Founded in 1706, Chestertown rose in stature when it was named one of the colony's six Royal Ports of Entry. The shipping boom that followed this designation made the town at the navigable head of the Chester River wealthy. In the mid-18th century, Chestertown trailed only Annapolis as Maryland's leading port.

A burgeoning merchant class infused riches into the town, reflected in the many brick mansions and townhouses that sprung up along the watefront. Another area in which Chestertown is second only to Annapolis is in its number of existing 18th century homes.

As of the 1790 census, Chestertown was the geographical center of population of the United States.

Chestertown was home to major league baseball player Bill "Swish" Nicholson.

Geography

Location of Chestertown, Maryland

Chestertown is located at 39°13'10" North, 76°4'6" West (39.219328, -76.068424)1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 7.3 km² (2.8 mi²). 6.8 km² (2.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.5 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 7.09% water. As of the first US Census in 1790, Chestertown was the geographical center of the nation's population.

Chestertown Tea Party Festival

In May of 1774, five months after the British closing the port of Boston after the Boston Tea Party, the citizens of Chestertown wrote a set of resolves that prohibited the buying, selling, or drinking of tea. In an act of colonial defiance they held their own "tea party" on the Chester River in Chestertown. The festival today commemorates the historic event with a re-enactment of the "tea party." Colonial re-enactors are thrown overboard with the tea by the crew of the Brig Geddes. A parade up high street from the Chester River follows with colonial music and dance, fife and drum performances, puppet shows, colonial crafts demonstrations and sales, military drills, and a walking tour of the historic district. It is the town's biggest weekend of the year as tourists cram the streets strolling among booths filled with crafts and food.

Education

Seal Of Washington College

The town is home to Washington College, a private liberal arts college founded in 1782. It is known nationally as the home of the Sophie Kerr Prize, which is awarded to the graduating senior with the most literary potential. The award is near $50,000 annually.

Demographics

As of the census2 of 2000, there are 4,746 people, 1,891 households, and 945 families residing in the town. The population density is 702.1/km² (1,818.1/mi²). There are 2,164 housing units at an average density of 320.1/km² (829.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 74.46% White, 21.87% African American, 0.15% Native American, 1.62% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 1.39% from two or more races. 1.62% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 1,891 households out of which 18.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.8% are married couples living together, 14.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 50.0% are non-families. 41.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 19.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 1.96 and the average family size is 2.61.

In the town the population is spread out with 13.4% under the age of 18, 25.6% from 18 to 24, 18.5% from 25 to 44, 18.2% from 45 to 64, and 24.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 75.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 71.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $31,530, and the median income for a family is $40,960. Males have a median income of $27,283 versus $25,513 for females. The per capita income for the town is $18,769. 18.5% of the population and 12.8% of families are below the poverty line but most of this is offset by the low living costs in this small town. Out of the total population, 26.2% of those under the age of 18 and 13.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Crime

The number of violent crimes recorded by the FBI in 2003 was 35. The number of murders and homicides was 0. The violent crime rate was 7.5 per 1,000 people.

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