Editing Caroline County, Maryland

{{short description|County in Maryland, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Caroline County
 | state                = Maryland
 | type                 = County
 | official_name        = 
 | flag                 = Flag of Caroline County, Maryland.svg
 | seal                 = Seal of Caroline County, Maryland.svg
 | founded year         = 1774
 | founded date         = 
 | seat wl              = Denton
 | largest city wl      = Denton
 | city type            = town
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 326
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 319
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 6.5
 | area percentage      = 2.0
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 33,293
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | footnotes            = 
 | web                  = http://www.carolinemd.org/
 | named for            = [[Caroline Eden]]
 | ex image             = CarolineCountyMDcourthouse.JPG
 | ex image size        = 250px
 | ex image cap         = The Caroline County Courthouse in July 2012
 | district             = 1st
}}
'''Caroline County''' is a rural [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Maryland]]. As of the [[2020 United States census]], the population was 33,293.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Caroline County, Maryland|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US24011|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=January 30, 2022|archive-date=February 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211004632/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US24011|url-status=live}}</ref>  Its [[county seat]] is [[Denton, Maryland|Denton]].<ref>[http://www.carolinemd.org/governmt/index.html Caroline County Government - Office of the County Commissioners<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080325120143/http://www.carolinemd.org/governmt/index.html |date=March 25, 2008 }}</ref><ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> The county is part of the [[Eastern Shore of Maryland|Mid-Eastern Shore]] region of the state.

Caroline County is bordered by [[Queen Anne's County, Maryland|Queen Anne's County]] to the north, [[Talbot County, Maryland|Talbot County]] to the west, [[Dorchester County, Maryland|Dorchester County]] to the south, [[Kent County, Delaware]], to the east, and [[Sussex County, Delaware]], to the southeast.<ref>[http://www.mapquest.com/maps/Denton+MD/ Map of Denton, MD by MapQuest<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080602152541/http://www.mapquest.com/maps/Denton+MD |date=June 2, 2008 }}</ref>

==History==
Caroline County was created via 1773 [[Maryland General Assembly]] legislation from parts of [[Dorchester County, Maryland|Dorchester]] and [[Queen Anne's County, Maryland|Queen Anne's]] counties. The county derives its name from Lady Caroline Eden, wife of Maryland's last colonial governor, [[Sir Robert Eden, 1st Baronet, of Maryland|Robert Eden]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.carolinemd.org/ |title=Maryland, Caroline County "She's waiting for you"<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=May 27, 2005 |archive-date=January 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109194352/http://carolinemd.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Seven commissioners were originally appointed: Charles Dickinson, Benson Stainton, Thomas White, William Haskins, Richard Mason, Joshua Clark, and Nathaniel Potter. These men bought {{convert|4|acre}} of land at Pig Point (now Denton) on which to build a courthouse and jail.<ref name="Formation of Caroline County">{{Cite web |url=http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mdcaroli/CountyForm.html |title=Formation of Caroline County<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=April 10, 2008 |archive-date=September 6, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906163859/http://rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mdcaroli/CountyForm.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Until the completion of these buildings, court was held at Melvill's Warehouse, approximately {{convert|1.5|mi|km}} north of Pig Point. Elections and other business transactions were completed there. The first commissioner meeting was held on March 15, 1774, at Melvill's Warehouse. In 1777, court was moved to Bridgetown (now [[Greensboro, Maryland|Greensboro]]), but in the interest of convenience, court was moved back to Melvill's.<ref name="Formation of Caroline County"/>

Disagreements arose concerning the permanent location of the county seat. The General Assembly reached a compromise in 1785 and ordered that {{convert|2|acre}} of land at Melvill's Landing should be purchased for a courthouse and jail. In 1790, the county court and its belongings moved to Pig Point. The [[Caroline County Courthouse (Maryland)|Caroline County Courthouse]] was completed in 1797.<ref name="Formation of Caroline County"/>

The county has a number of properties on the [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Caroline County, Maryland|National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2008a}}</ref> The [[National Park Service]] is developing a site in the southern half of Caroline County dedicated to interpreting the [[Underground Railroad]] as part of the [[Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument]].

==Government==
Caroline County was granted [[home rule]] in 1984 under state code in an initiative led by County Commissioner [[Charles T. Dean, Sr]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The County Data of Caroline County|url=http://www.landsofmaryland.com/County-Data-For-Caroline-County-Maryland|access-date=May 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826114854/http://www.landsofmaryland.com/County-Data-For-Caroline-County-Maryland|archive-date=August 26, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

*The '''County Commissioners''' as of 2022 are:<ref>{{cite web |title=Meet the Commissioners |url=https://www.carolinemd.org/319/Meet-the-Commissioners |publisher=Caroline County, Maryland |access-date=December 7, 2022 |archive-date=February 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204113453/https://carolinemd.org/319/Meet-the-Commissioners |url-status=live }}</ref>
** Frank Bartz - [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
** J. Travis Breeding - [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
** Larry C. Porter - [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
*'''County Administrator:''' Jeremy Goldman 
*'''Executive Assistant to the County Commissioners:''' Kaleigh Leager<ref>{{cite web |title=Office & Staff |url=https://www.carolinemd.org/326/Office-Staff |publisher=Caroline County, Maryland |access-date=December 7, 2022 |archive-date=December 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207163429/https://www.carolinemd.org/326/Office-Staff |url-status=live }}</ref>

Growth is a major issue faced by Caroline County and several other Mid-Shore counties. Retirees and workers willing to commute across the [[Chesapeake Bay]] to the western shore are increasingly attracted by the rural environment and low cost of living.

From 1994 to 2014 Caroline was the only county in the state not represented by a resident legislator in the Maryland General Assembly. Redistricting and a sparse population were the chief causes.

===Law enforcement===
{{For|the law enforcement agency of Caroline County, Virginia|Caroline County Sheriff's Office}}

The Sheriff of Caroline County is Donnie Baker, who has held the position since 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Connolly |first1=Connie |title=Baker takes helm as Caroline sheriff; Bounds steps down |url=https://www.stardem.com/news/local_news/baker-takes-helm-as-caroline-sheriff-bounds-steps-down/article_33b56a3c-6b87-53ac-9940-bd569d7c5327.html |access-date=December 7, 2022 |work=[[The Star Democrat]] |date=December 7, 2022 |archive-date=December 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207161932/https://www.stardem.com/news/local_news/baker-takes-helm-as-caroline-sheriff-bounds-steps-down/article_33b56a3c-6b87-53ac-9940-bd569d7c5327.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Politics==
{{PresHead|place=Caroline County, Maryland|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{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 10, 2018|archive-date=March 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323225526/https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|11,053|4,860|417|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|10,283|5,095|416|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|9,368|4,009|736|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|8,098|4,970|289|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|8,015|4,971|232|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|7,396|3,810|150|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|5,300|3,396|256|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|3,874|3,251|1,052|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|3,856|2,822|1,781|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|4,661|2,440|22|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|4,876|2,198|25|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|3,582|2,833|350|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|3,114|3,017|0|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|4,325|1,567|56|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|3,120|1,697|1,414|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|2,696|3,710|0|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|3,698|3,381|0|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|4,208|2,702|0|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|4,155|2,733|11|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|2,746|2,430|32|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|3,073|2,060|0|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|3,087|3,284|30|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|2,611|3,579|16|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,998|3,651|22|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|3,270|2,030|22|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|2,210|2,493|185|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|2,929|3,012|49|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|1,666|1,965|81|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|1,445|1,882|318|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|1,584|1,915|130|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1904|Democratic|1,452|1,809|109|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|1,796|1,774|151|Maryland}}
|}

At a Presidential level, Caroline is the “reddest” county on the mostly Republican Eastern Shore, and rivals [[Carroll County, Maryland|Carroll County]] as the most Republican county in the state outside of [[Appalachia]]n [[Western Maryland]]. No Democratic presidential candidate has carried Caroline County since [[Lyndon Johnson]]’s landslide in 1964, and before then it had last gone Democratic in 1940 with [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]]. Indeed, the last Democrat to reach forty percent of the county’s vote was [[Jimmy Carter]] in 1980. In earlier times Caroline was a swing county,<ref>Menendez, Albert J.; ''The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, 1868-2004'', pp. 220-221 {{ISBN|0786422173}}</ref> less secessionist than [[Wicomico County, Maryland|Wicomico]], [[Worcester County, Maryland|Worcester]], [[Queen Anne's County, Maryland|Queen Anne’s]] or [[Cecil County, Maryland|Cecil]].<ref>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</ref>

===Voter registration===
{| class=wikitable
! colspan = 6 | Voter registration and party enrollment as of March 2024<ref name="MDBOE">{{cite web |title=Maryland Board of Elections Voter Registration Activity Report March 2024 |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/pdf/vrar/2024_03.pdf |website=Maryland Board of Elections |access-date=April 9, 2024}}</ref>
|-
| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| align = center | {{formatnum: 10702}}
| align = center | {{Percentage |10702 |22,016 |2}}
|-
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| align = center | {{formatnum: 6064}}
| align = center | {{Percentage |6064 |22,016 |2}}
|-
| {{party color cell|Independent Party (United States)}}
| Unaffiliated
| align = center | {{formatnum: 4864}}
| align = center | {{Percentage |4864 |22,016 |2}}
|-
| {{party color cell|Libertarian Party (United States)}}
| [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
| align = center | {{formatnum: 125}}
| align = center | {{Percentage |125 |22,016 |2}}
|-
| {{party color cell|None}}
| [[Third party (U.S. politics)|Other parties]]
| align = center | {{formatnum: 261}}
| align = center | {{Percentage |261 |22,016 |2}}
|-
! colspan = 2 | Total
! align = center | {{formatnum: 22,016}}
! align = center | {{Percentage |100}}
|}

==Geography==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|326|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|319|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|6.5|sqmi}} (2.0%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{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 }}</ref> It is the second-smallest county by total area in Maryland. Notable waterways include the [[Choptank River]] and [[Tuckahoe Creek]], as well as the man-made Williston Lake.

Caroline County currently ranks seventh nationally in terms of land protected under the Ag Preservation Program.

Its eastern border is the [[Mason–Dixon line]].

Caroline is the only Eastern Shore county not to touch either the [[Chesapeake Bay]] or [[Atlantic Ocean]]. Additionally, it is the only county on the Eastern Shore without an Interstate or United States Highway within its borders.

[[Tuckahoe State Park]], Holiday Park Campgrounds and [[Martinak State Park]] are located in Caroline County.

The [[American Discovery Trail]] runs through the county.

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Kent County, Delaware]] (northeast)
* [[Sussex County, Delaware]] (southeast)
* [[Dorchester County, Maryland|Dorchester County]] (south)
* [[Talbot County, Maryland|Talbot County]] (west)
* [[Queen Anne's County, Maryland|Queen Anne's County]] (northwest)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1790= 9506
|1800= 9226
|1810= 9453
|1820= 10108
|1830= 9070
|1840= 7806
|1850= 9692
|1860= 11129
|1870= 12101
|1880= 13766
|1890= 13903
|1900= 16248
|1910= 19216
|1920= 18652
|1930= 17387
|1940= 17549
|1950= 18234
|1960= 19462
|1970= 19781
|1980= 23143
|1990= 27035
|2000= 29772
|2010= 33066
|2020= 33293
|estyear=2023
|estimate=33593
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{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}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000|publisher=[[US Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 24, 2022|archive-date=July 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719124258/https://www.census.gov//prod/www/decennial.html|url-status=live}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=September 12, 2014|archive-date=May 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530033223/https://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|url-status=dead}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{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|archive-date=October 31, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031010914/http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/md190090.txt|url-status=live}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{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|archive-date=December 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218203824/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2/> 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2/>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Caroline County, Maryland - Demographic Profile'''<br> (''NH = Non-Hispanic'')
!Race / Ethnicity
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Caroline County, Maryland|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=0500000US24011&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=February 11, 2022|archive-date=February 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230214183743/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=0500000US24011&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|url-status=live}}</ref>
!Pop 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Caroline County, Maryland|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=0500000US24011&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=February 11, 2022|archive-date=February 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230214183744/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=0500000US24011&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|url-status=live}}</ref>
!% 2010
!% 2020
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|25,853
|24,114
|78.19%
|72.43%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|4,520
|4,368
|13.67%
|13.12%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|95
|67
|0.29%
|0.20%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|186
|345
|0.56%
|1.04%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|9
|13
|0.03%
|0.04%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Some Other Race]] alone (NH)
|32
|102
|0.10%
|0.31%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed Race/Multi-Racial]] (NH)
|555
|1,464
|1.68%
|4.40%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|1,816
|2,820
|5.49%
|8.47%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''33,066'''
|'''33,293'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|}
''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.''

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 33,066&nbsp;people, 12,158&nbsp;households, and 8,702&nbsp;families living in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US24011
  |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/20200213020227/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US24011
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The population density was {{convert|103.5|PD/sqmi}}. There were 13,482 housing units at an average density of {{convert|42.2|/sqmi}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US24011
  |access-date=January 22, 2016
  |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213233315/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US24011
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 79.8% white, 13.9% black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 0.2% Pacific islander, 3.1% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 5.5% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 21.7% were [[Germans|German]], 15.6% were [[Irish people|Irish]], 12.3% were [[English people|English]], and 6.9% were [[American ancestry|American]].<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US24011
  |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/20200213011733/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US24011
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

Of the 12,158&nbsp;households, 36.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.4% were non-families, and 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.12. The median age was 38.7 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The median income for a household in the county was $58,799 and the median income for a family was $65,801. Males had a median income of $45,944 versus $33,927 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,294. About 8.0% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 15.5% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US24011
  |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/20200213015322/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US24011
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/ |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website |archive-date=December 27, 1996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961227012639/https://www.census.gov/ |url-status=live }}</ref> of 2000, there were 29,772 people, 11,097 households, and 8,156 families living in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|93|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 12,028 housing units at an average density of {{convert|38|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 81.69% [[Race (United States census)|White]], 14.77% [[Race (United States census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States census)|African American]], 0.37% [[Race (United States census)|Native American]], 0.55% [[Race (United States census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Race (United States census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.26% from [[Race (United States census)|other races]], and 1.34% from two or more races. 2.65% of the population were [[Race (United States census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States census)|Latino]] of any race. 17.4% were of [[American ancestry|American]], 14.8% [[English people|English]], 14.4% [[Germans|German]] and 9.9% [[Irish people|Irish]] ancestry.

There were 11,097 households, out of which 34.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.30% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.50% were non-families. 21.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.80% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 28.90% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 13.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,832, and the median income for a family was $44,825. Males had a median income of $31,119 versus $21,915 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $17,275. About 9.00% of families and 11.70% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 14.50% of those under age 18 and 12.30% of those age 65 or over. It is regularly ranked among the poorest of all 23 Maryland counties.

As of Census 2010 the racial makeup of Caroline County was 78.19% Non-Hispanic white, 13.87% black, 0.37% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 0.10% Non-Hispanics of some other race, 1.68% Non-Hispanics of two or more races and 5.49% Hispanic or Latino.

==Education==
[[Caroline County Public Schools (Maryland)|Caroline County Public Schools]] provides public education in Caroline County.
*[[North Caroline High School]]
*[[Colonel Richardson High School]]

==Media==
The ''Caroline Review'' circulates monthly and is free of charge; a digital daily, ''Caroline Past and Present'', was established in 2018.

==Entertainment==
*The citizens of the towns of [[Hickman, Maryland|Hickman]] and [[Preston, Maryland|Preston]] were once recognized by the TV show ''[[Hee Haw]]''. In fact, the Hickman segment is the episode featured in the comedy wing of the [[Country Music Hall of Fame]].
*Baseball Hall of Famer [[Jimmie Foxx]] began his career as a semipro catcher in [[Ridgely, Maryland|Ridgely]]. Another Hall of Famer, [[Home Run Baker]], played for the town team as well.
*Rocker [[George Thorogood]] played Caroline County bars while attending the [[University of Delaware]] before hitting the big time.
*The 2004 South Caroline baseball team made it to the [[Little League]] World Series in [[Williamsport, Pennsylvania]], and placed third in the nation.
*Summerfest is held each August in [[Denton, Maryland|Denton]].
*The [[Caroline-Dorchester County Fair]] is held each August in [[Williston, Maryland|Williston]].
*The Strawberry Festival is held every Memorial Day weekend in [[Ridgely, Maryland|Ridgely]].

==Transportation==
[[File:2022-06-22 11 55 07 View south along Maryland State Route 313 and east along Maryland State Route 404 (Shore Highway) from the overpass for Camp Road in Denton, Caroline County, Maryland.jpg|thumb|right|MD 313 southbound and MD 404 eastbound in Denton]]
Caroline County is one of three Maryland counties that does not have an [[Interstate Highway System|Interstate]] or [[U.S. Highway]] running through it. Caroline's "major artery" is [[Maryland Route 404]], four lanes in some parts but two lanes in others. It is chiefly used in the summertime by non-local beachgoers heading to [[Ocean City, Maryland]], or [[Rehoboth Beach, Delaware]].

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|16}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|287}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|302}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|304}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|306}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|307}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|308}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|311}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|312}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|313}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|314}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|315}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|317}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|318}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|328}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|331}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|404}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|454}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|480}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|577}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|578}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|619}}
{{div col end}}

==Communities==

===Towns===
{{div col}}
*[[Denton, Maryland|Denton]] (county seat)
*[[Federalsburg, Maryland|Federalsburg]]
*[[Goldsboro, Maryland|Goldsboro]]
*[[Greensboro, Maryland|Greensboro]]
*[[Henderson, Maryland|Henderson]]
*[[Hillsboro, Maryland|Hillsboro]]
*[[Marydel, Maryland|Marydel]]
*[[Preston, Maryland|Preston]]
*[[Ridgely, Maryland|Ridgely]]
*[[Templeville, Maryland|Templeville]] (partly in [[Queen Anne's County, Maryland|Queen Anne's County]])
{{div col end}}

===Census-designated places===
The [[United States Census Bureau]] recognizes three [[Census-designated place]]s in Caroline County:

* [[Choptank, Maryland|Choptank]]
* [[West Denton, Maryland|West Denton]]
* [[Williston, Maryland|Williston]]

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[American Corner, Maryland|American Corner]]
* [[Andersontown, Maryland|Andersontown]]
* [[Baltimore Corner, Maryland|Baltimore Corner]]
* [[Bethlehem, Maryland|Bethlehem]]
* [[Brick Wall Landing, Maryland|Brick Wall Landing]]
* [[Burrsville, Maryland|Burrsville]]
* [[Gilpin Point, Maryland|Gilpin Point]]
* [[Harmony, Maryland|Harmony]]
* [[Hickman, Maryland|Hickman]]
* [[Hobbs, Maryland|Hobbs]]
* [[Jumptown, Maryland|Jumptown]]
* [[Linchester, Maryland|Linchester]]
* [[Oakland, Caroline County, Maryland|Oakland]]
* [[Oil City, Maryland|Oil City]]
* [[Tanyard, Maryland|Tanyard]]
* [[Two Johns, Maryland|Two Johns]]
* [[Reliance, Delaware and Maryland|Reliance]] (partial)
* [[Whiteleysburg, Maryland|Whiteleysburg]]
{{div col end}}

==Notable people and animals==
*[[James Gordon Bennett Jr.]], publisher, participated in a duel near Marydel in 1877.
*[[Buddy (Bill Clinton's dog)|Buddy]], U.S. President [[Bill Clinton]]'s chocolate [[Labrador Retriever]]
*[[Charles Dickinson (historical figure)|Charles Dickinson]], killed in a duel in 1806 by future [[President of the United States|President]] [[Andrew Jackson]]
*[[Frederick Douglass]], orator, social reformer, former slave
*[[Thomas Alan Goldsborough]], noted jurist and congressman
*[[Harry R. Hughes]], [[Governor of Maryland]], 1979-1987
*[[Sophie Kerr]], early 20th century author and benefactor of the largest undergraduate literary prize in the nation, at [[Washington College]] in [[Chestertown, Maryland|Chestertown]]
*[[William Richardson (soldier)|William Richardson]], hero of the [[Battle of Harlem Heights]] in the [[American Revolution|Revolutionary War]]
*[[Thomas Alexander Smith]], early 20th century [[United States House of Representatives|congressman]] and businessman
*[[Sherman W. Tribbitt]], [[Governor of Delaware]], 1973-1977
*[[Harriet Tubman]], abolitionist, humanitarian, former slave
*[[George A. Waggaman]], US senator from [[Louisiana]]

==See also==
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Caroline County, Maryland]]
* [[USS Caroline County (LST-525)|USS ''Caroline County'' (LST-525)]]
* [[Museum of Rural Life]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{official website|http://www.carolinemd.org/}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090831083532/http://www.carolinecountyfair.com/ Caroline County Fair]
*[http://www.carolinetimesrecord.com/ ''Times-Record''], county newspaper
*{{osmrelation|935821}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Caroline County, Maryland
|North     = 
|Northeast = [[Kent County, Delaware]]
|East      = 
|Southeast = [[Sussex County, Delaware]]
|South     = [[Dorchester County, Maryland|Dorchester County]]
|Southwest = 
|West      = [[Talbot County, Maryland|Talbot County]]
|Northwest = [[Queen Anne's County, Maryland|Queen Anne's County]]
}} 
{{Caroline County, Maryland}}
{{Maryland}}
{{coord|38|52|N|75|49|W|type:adm2nd_region:US-MD|display=title}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Caroline County, Maryland| ]]
[[Category:Maryland counties]]
[[Category:1774 establishments in Maryland]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1774]]
[[Category:Maryland counties on the Chesapeake Bay]]