Editing Kent County, Maryland

{{short description|County in Maryland, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Kent County
 | state                = Maryland
 | type                 = [[County (United States)|County]]
 | official_name        = 
 | flag                 = Flag of Kent County, Maryland.gif
 | seal                 = Seal of Kent County, Maryland.gif
 | founded year         = 1642
 | founded date         = December 30
 | seat wl              = Chestertown
 | largest city wl      = Chestertown
 | city type            = town
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 413
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 277
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 136
 | area percentage      = 33
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 19198
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | ex image             = File:KentCountyCourthouseMD 2015.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Kent County Courthouse in [[Chestertown, Maryland|Chestertown]]
 | district             = 1st
 | named for            = [[Kent]]
|website={{official url}}}}

'''Kent County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Maryland]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], its population was 19,198,<ref>{{Cite web |title=QuickFacts: Kent County, Maryland |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/kentcountymaryland/PST045221 |access-date=March 26, 2022 |website=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]}}</ref> making it the least populous county in Maryland. Its [[county seat]] is [[Chestertown, Maryland|Chestertown]].<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 was named for the county of [[Kent]] in England.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ | title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States | publisher=Govt. Print. Off. | author=Gannett, Henry | year=1905 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n172 173]}}</ref> The county is part of the [[Eastern Shore of Maryland|Mid-Eastern Shore]] region of the state and is the oldest county in Maryland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historic Chestertown Maryland |url=https://www.kentcounty.com/chestertown |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=www.kentcounty.com}}</ref>

Along with [[Caroline County, Maryland|Caroline]] and [[Garrett County, Maryland|Garrett]] Counties, it is one of three counties in the state that are not part of a [[metropolitan statistical area]].

==History==
In 1608, Captain [[John Smith (explorer)|John Smith]] explored and mapped a portion of what is now Kent County. In 1642, the governor and council appointed commissioners for the '''Isle and County of Kent.''' This act appears to have led to the establishment of Kent County. In 1675, the first county seat was New Yarmouth. The seat was briefly moved upriver to Quaker Neck, and then to the site of modern [[Chestertown, Maryland|Chestertown]]. Before the [[American Revolution]], New Town on Chester, now Chestertown, was a port entry for the counties of Cecil, Kent, and Queen Anne's.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Clark|first1=Charles|title=The Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia|year=1950|publisher=Lewis Historical Publishing Company|location=New York|pages=917–938|author2=Robert Swain, Jr.}}</ref>

The county has a number of properties which are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Kent County, Maryland|National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2008a}}</ref>

Kent County was the [[Mean center of the United States population|mean center of U.S. population]] in the [[1790 United States census|1790 census]].

In 1793, the county had its first newspaper, called ''Apollo'', or ''Chestertown Spy.'' It was succeeded by local papers such as the ''Chestertown Gazette''.

[[Washington College (Maryland)|Washington College]], the oldest college in Maryland, is located in Kent County. It was the first college charted in the nation after the [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]] and was founded by William Smith in 1782. [[George Washington]] authorized the use of his name and gave the college its largest gift of 50 [[Guinea (coin)|guineas]]. Washington served on the Board of Visitors and Governors for five years. The college has been host to four United States Presidents, including George Washington, [[Harry S. Truman]], [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]], and [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]]. All were awarded honorary degrees from the college.

===War of 1812===
The [[War of 1812]] was the only war Kent County experienced on its soil. During the spring and summer of both 1813 and 1814, residents faced immediate threats from the enemy as the British terrorized the Chesapeake, looting and burning farms and towns. Kent County citizens and local militia were tested and stood their ground with ingenuity and determination during the burning of Georgetown, the rescue of the Kitty Knight House and the [[Battle of Caulk's Field]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Key to Kent County History|url=https://kentcountyhistory.org/history/#War-of-1812-In-Depth|access-date=August 20, 2020|website=Kent County Historical Society}}</ref>

== Historical churches ==
St. Paul's, the oldest Episcopal Church in Maryland used continuously as a place of worship. The earliest part of the building was constructed in 1711.<ref>{{Cite book|last=McCall|first=Davy|title=A Tricentennial History of St. Paul's Church, Kent|year=1993|location=Published in Chestertown, Maryland}}</ref> It is located approximately nine miles west of Chestertown.

Christ Church, frequently called I.U., was founded in 1765. [[Philip Reed (politician)|Colonel Philip Reed]] a [[Continental Army]] and [[War of 1812]] soldier is buried here.

Shrewsbury Church is believed to be the first structure erected in the county, in 1693. [[John Cadwalader (general)|John Cadwalader]] is buried in the Shrewsbury churchyard. The eulogy on his tomb was written by [[Thomas Paine]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=DeProspo|first=DeProspo|title=A History of Shrewsbury Parish Church|publisher=Chesapeake College Press|year=1998|location=Chestertown, MD}}</ref>

==Politics and government==
Kent County was granted [[Home rule in the United States|home rule]] in 1970 under a state code.

In the early [[Reconstruction era|post-Civil War era]], Kent County was heavily [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]]-leaning and leaned towards the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]].<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> [[William McKinley]] was the only Republican to carry the county between 1876 and 1924. After that, although carried by [[Franklin Roosevelt]] and [[Harry Truman]] during the five consecutive Democratic victories between 1932 and 1948, the county trended [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] relative to national voting. Currently, along with [[Talbot County, Maryland|Talbot  County]] further south, Kent County is the most politically competitive county on the [[Eastern Shore of Maryland]]. In 2004, Republican [[George W. Bush]] won it with 52.8% of the vote to Democrat [[John Kerry]]'s 46.1%. In the [[2008 United States Presidential Election]], [[Barack Obama]] won Kent County by 48 votes more than [[John McCain]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/individual/#mapPMD/ | title=CNN Maryland Results 2008 election | publisher=[[Cable News Network]]}}</ref>  In 2012, Republican [[Mitt Romney]] won Kent County by 28 votes over Democrat Barack Obama. In 2016, Republican [[Donald Trump]] won Kent County with 48.7% of the vote to Democrat [[Hillary Clinton]]'s 45.7%, and a 20-year record high of 5.7% of the vote for [[Third-party and independent candidates for the 2016 United States presidential election|third-party candidates]]. In 2020, [[Joe Biden]] flipped the county, winning it by 134 votes.<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 9, 2016|title=Official 2016 Presidential General Election results for Kent County|url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2016/results/general/gen_results_2016_4_by_county_15-1.html|access-date=July 15, 2020|website=elections.maryland.gov}}</ref> In 2024, the county voted for Trump again, this time over [[Kamala Harris]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Official 2024 Election Results |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2024/General_Results/gen_detail_results_2024_1_1.html |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=elections.maryland.gov}}</ref>

The members of the County Council as of 2022 are:<ref>{{cite web |title=County Commissioners |url=https://www.kentcounty.com/commissioners |website=kentcounty.com |publisher=Kent County, Maryland |access-date=December 7, 2022}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+Kent County Commissioners <ref>{{Cite web|title=Commissioners of Kent County Maryland|url=https://www.kentcounty.com/commissioners|access-date=March 14, 2024|website=www.kentcounty.com}}</ref>
! colspan="2" style="text-align:center; vertical-align:bottom;" |Position
! style="text-align:center;" |Name
! valign="bottom" |Affiliation
! style="vertical-align:bottom; text-align:center;" |District
! style="vertical-align:bottom; text-align:center;" |First Elected
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |&nbsp;
|President
| style="text-align:center;" |Ronald H. Fithian
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| style="text-align:center;" |At Large
| style="text-align:center;" |2006
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |&nbsp;
|Member
| style="text-align:center;" |Albert H. Nickerson
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| style="text-align:center;" |At Large
| style="text-align:center;" |2022
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |&nbsp;
|Member
| style="text-align:center;" |John F. Price
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| style="text-align:center;" |At Large
| style="text-align:center;" |2022
|}
Kent County lies wholly in Senate District 36 and elects three House of Delegates Members who serve at-large countywide. Members listed below as of 2018 are:
{| class="wikitable"
|+State Senators and Delegates <ref>{{Cite web|title=Maryland General Assembly - Kent County Members|url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/07leg/html/gacoke.html|access-date=June 3, 2021|website=msa.maryland.gov}}</ref>
! colspan="2" style="text-align:center; vertical-align:bottom;" |Position
!District
! style="text-align:center;" |Name
! valign="bottom" |Affiliation
! style="vertical-align:bottom; text-align:center;" |First Elected
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |&nbsp;
|[[Maryland Senate|Senate]]
|36
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Stephen S. Hershey Jr.|Stephen Hershey Jr.]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Stephen S. Hershey, Jr., Maryland State Senator|url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/05sen/html/msa15457.html|access-date=June 3, 2021|website=msa.maryland.gov}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| style="text-align:center;" |2012
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |&nbsp;
|[[Maryland House of Delegates|House of Delegates]]
|36A
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Steven J. Arentz|Steven Arentz]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Steven J. Arentz, Maryland State Delegate|url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/msa15407.html|access-date=June 3, 2021|website=msa.maryland.gov}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| style="text-align:center;" |2013
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |&nbsp;
|[[Maryland House of Delegates|House of Delegates]]
|36B
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Jefferson L. Ghrist|Jefferson Ghrist]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jefferson L. Ghrist, Maryland State Delegate|url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/msa14691.html|access-date=June 3, 2021|website=msa.maryland.gov}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| style="text-align:center;" |2014
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |&nbsp;
|[[Maryland House of Delegates|House of Delegates]]
|36C
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Jay Jacobs (politician)|Jay A. Jacobs]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jay A. Jacobs, Maryland State Delegate|url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/msa15458.html|access-date=June 3, 2021|website=msa.maryland.gov}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| style="text-align:center;" |2010
|}
===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|Democratic Party (United States)}}
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| align = center | {{formatnum: 5770}}
| align = center | {{Percentage |5770 |14,057 |2}}
|-
| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| align = center | {{formatnum: 5297}}
| align = center | {{Percentage |5297 |14,057 |2}}
|-
| {{party color cell|Independent Party (United States)}}
| Unaffiliated
| align = center | {{formatnum: 2778}}
| align = center | {{Percentage |2778 |14,057 |2}}
|-
| {{party color cell|Libertarian Party (United States)}}
| [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
| align = center | {{formatnum: 69}}
| align = center | {{Percentage |69 |14,057 |2}}
|-
| {{party color cell|None}}
| [[Third party (U.S. politics)|Other parties]]
| align = center | {{formatnum: 143}}
| align = center | {{Percentage |143 |14,057 |2}}
|-
! colspan = 2 | Total
! align = center | {{formatnum: 14,057}}
! align = center | {{Percentage |100}}
|}
{{PresHead|place=Kent 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 11, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|5,561|5,251|316|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|5,195|5,329|270|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|4,876|4,575|570|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|4,870|4,842|192|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|4,905|4,953|162|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|4,900|4,278|107|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|4,155|3,627|303|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|3,055|3,207|736|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|3,094|3,093|1,441|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|3,761|2,925|46|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|3,897|2,390|36|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|2,889|2,986|429|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|2,821|3,211|0|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|4,036|2,168|67|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|2,946|2,243|1,146|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|2,008|4,113|0|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|3,264|3,079|0|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|3,747|2,378|0|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|3,656|2,504|11|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|2,489|2,524|35|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|2,351|2,454|0|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|2,639|3,014|28|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|2,543|2,931|33|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,468|2,370|16|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|2,777|2,450|30|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|2,019|2,628|102|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|2,838|3,034|14|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|1,673|1,886|48|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|1,021|1,816|543|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|1,753|1,939|39|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1904|Democratic|1,841|1,956|46|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|2,426|2,076|71|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|2,399|1,980|86|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1892|Democratic|1,886|2,009|95|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1888|Democratic|2,037|2,062|89|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1884|Democratic|2,048|2,152|47|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1880|Democratic|1,853|1,969|0|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1876|Democratic|1,685|1,937|0|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1872|Republican|1,658|1,623|0|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1868|Democratic|266|1,332|0|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1864|Democratic|413|1,269|0|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1860|Constitutional Union|42|74|1,546|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1852|Whig|662|551|0|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1848|Whig|645|447|3|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1844|Whig|728|527|0|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1840|Whig|679|476|0|Maryland}}
{{PresRow|1836|Whig|589|367|0|Maryland}}
|}
===Law enforcement===
The [[Kent County Sheriff's Office (Maryland)|Kent County Sheriff]] is Dennis Hickman.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|413|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|277|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|136|sqmi}} (33%) 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>

According to the Maryland Geological Survey, the highest point in Kent County is 102&nbsp;ft above sea level, approximately 2.25&nbsp;mi west of Coleman's Corner (shown on maps as "Coleman"), just northeast of the mouth of Still Pond Creek.<ref>{{cite web
  |url=http://www.mgs.md.gov/esic/fs/fs1.html
  |title=Maryland Geological Survey
  |publisher=Maryland Department of Natural Resources
  |access-date=July 21, 2011
  |archive-date=October 5, 2007
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071005233230/http://www.mgs.md.gov/esic/fs/fs1.html
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

Kent County has a 209-mile shoreline, including Eastern Neck Island. The Chesapeake Bay is on the west, Sassafras River on the north, and the Chester River on the south. The eastern border with Delaware is part of the Mason–Dixon line.

Nearby cities: Baltimore, MD; Washington D.C.; Philadelphia, PA; Wilmington, DE
===Adjacent counties===
*[[Cecil County, Maryland|Cecil County]] (north)
*[[New Castle County, Delaware]] (northeast)
*[[Queen Anne's County, Maryland|Queen Anne's County]] (south)
*[[Kent County, Delaware]] (southeast)

===National protected area===
* [[Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge]]

===Major roads and highways===
*{{jct|state=MD|US|301}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|20}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|21}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|213}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|288}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|289}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|290}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|291}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|292}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|297}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|298}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|299}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|313}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|330}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|444}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|445}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|446}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|447}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|514}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|561}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|566}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|674}}
*{{jct|state=MD|MD|855}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1790= 12836
|1800= 11771
|1810= 11450
|1820= 11453
|1830= 10501
|1840= 10842
|1850= 11386
|1860= 13267
|1870= 17102
|1880= 17605
|1890= 17471
|1900= 18786
|1910= 16957
|1920= 15026
|1930= 14242
|1940= 13465
|1950= 13677
|1960= 15481
|1970= 16146
|1980= 16695
|1990= 17842
|2000= 19197
|2010= 20197
|estyear=2023
|estimate=19303
|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>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 12, 2014}}</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}}</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}}</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}}</ref> 2010–2018<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/24/24029.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 24, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606163904/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/24/24029.html|archive-date=June 6, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|2020=19198}}

===2010 census===
[[Image:KentCountyMD.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|A farm in Kent County, Maryland]]
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 U.S. census]], there were 20,197&nbsp;people, 8,165&nbsp;households, and 5,272&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/DPDP1/0500000US24029
  |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/20200213022138/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US24029
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The population density was {{convert|72.9|PD/sqmi}}. There were 10,549 housing units at an average density of {{convert|38.1|/sqmi}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US24029
  |access-date=January 22, 2016
  |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213234251/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US24029
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 80.1% white, 15.1% black or African American, 0.8% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 1.9% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.5% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 18.7% were [[English people|English]], 18.7% were [[Germans|German]], 15.5% were [[Irish people|Irish]], 7.9% were [[American ancestry|American]], and 5.8% were [[Italians|Italian]].<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US24029
  |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/20200213022608/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US24029
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

Of the 8,165&nbsp;households, 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.4% were non-families, and 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.78. The median age was 45.6 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The median income for a household in the county was $50,141 and the median income for a family was $63,507. Males had a median income of $41,046 versus $35,161 for females. The per capita income for the county was $29,536. About 5.1% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 14.9% of those under age 18 and 7.8% 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/DP03/0500000US24029
  |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/20200213033445/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US24029
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

==Education==
[[Kent County Public Schools]] is the school district for all of Kent County.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st24_md/schooldistrict_maps/c24029_kent/DC20SD_C24029.pdf|title=2020 census - school district reference map: Kent County, MD
|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=July 25, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st24_md/schooldistrict_maps/c24029_kent/DC20SD_C24029_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

{{div col}}
*[[Kent County High School]]
*Kent County Middle School
*Galena Elementary School
*Judy Center (Pre-school)
*Henry Highland Garnet Elementary School
*Rock Hall Elementary School 
*Kent School
*Chestertown Christian Academy
*[[Echo Hill Outdoor School]]
*Radcliffe Creek School
*[[Washington College]]
*[[Chesapeake College]] (supported in part by the county government, but located in Wye Mills, Md.)
{{div col end}}

==Communities==
This county contains the following incorporated municipalities:

===Towns===
*[[Betterton, Maryland|Betterton]]
*[[Chestertown, Maryland|Chestertown]] (county seat)
*[[Galena, Maryland|Galena]]
*[[Millington, Maryland|Millington]] (partly in [[Queen Anne's County, Maryland|Queen Anne's County]])
*[[Rock Hall, Maryland|Rock Hall]]

===Census-designated places===
The United States Census Bureau recognizes the following [[Census-designated place]]s in Kent County:
*[[Butlertown, Maryland|Butlertown]]
*[[Edesville, Maryland|Edesville]]
*[[Fairlee, Maryland|Fairlee]]
*[[Georgetown, Maryland|Georgetown]]
*[[Kennedyville, Maryland|Kennedyville]]
*[[Still Pond, Maryland|Still Pond]]
*[[Tolchester, Maryland|Tolchester]]
*[[Worton, Maryland|Worton]]

===Unincorporated communities===
Other unincorporated places not listed as Census-Designated Places but known in the area include:
*[[Chesterville, Maryland|Chesterville]]
*[[Georgetown (CDP), Maryland|Georgetown (CDP)]] (near Fairlee)
*[[Golts, Maryland|Golts]]
*[[Hassengers Corner, Maryland|Hassengers Corner]]
*[[Langford, Maryland|Langford]]
*[[Lynch, Maryland|Lynch]]
*[[Massey, Maryland|Massey]]
*[[Pomona, Maryland|Pomona]]
*[[Sassafras, Maryland|Sassafras]]
*[[Sharpstown, Maryland|Sharpstown]]
*[[Tolchester Beach, Maryland|Tolchester Beach]]

==Notable people==
*[[John Cadwalader (general)|John Cadwalader]] (1742-1786), Quaker commander during the [[American Revolutionary War]]
*[[James M. Cain]] (1892 – 1977), author, journalist, and professor
*[[R. Clayton Mitchell Jr.]] (1936 – 2019), [[Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates]], 1986–1993. President of the Kent County Commissioners, 1966–1970. Member of the [[Maryland House of Delegates]], 1970–1993
*[[John Needles]] (1786 – 1878), Quaker abolitionist and a master craftsman of fine furniture
*[[Lambert Wickes|Captain Lambert Wickes]], senior officer in the [[Continental Navy]] during the Revolutionary War, who took [[Benjamin Franklin]] to France in 1777

==Miscellaneous==
*The county's daily newspaper is ''Kent County News''.
*Kent County Public Schools were some of the last in the country to fully integrate. The federal government stepped up pressure and required a formal plan of integration, which was adopted in 1966.<ref name=":0" /> In 1967, there was full and complete integration in Kent County. Construction plans delayed the opening the desegregated high school<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=February 1966|title=Report on School Desegregation in 14 Eastern shore and southern Maryland Counties|url=https://www2.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/usccr/documents/cr12s1966.pdf|access-date=June 3, 2020}}</ref> which opened in the fall of 1971. In 1971, all pupils, regardless of race, reported to the modern high school in Worton. All grades in the Kent County system were integrated before the opening of the centrally located high school.
*Kent County, Maryland, is one of the few counties in the United States to border its namesake in another state—in this case, [[Kent County, Delaware|Kent County]], Delaware.
*In 1790, Kent County contained the [[centre of population]] of the United States, according to the [[US Census Bureau]]. It is on the edge of a cornfield at 39.16.30 N 76.11.12 W.
*Tolchester Beach Amusement Park founded in 1877 by the Tolchester Steamboat Company. As many as 20,000 people visited the resort on summer weekends. It was served by 6 steamers and a ferry. There games of skill and chance and harness racing on a track within the park borders. Included on the grounds were a hotel, pavilion and bathing beach It grew from 10 acres to 155. It was closed in 1962.
*The Kent County Railroad Company was formed in 1856. The line was bought by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1903. The railroads' s primary importance was a means to ship local product to t eastern markets. The railroad continued to operate until early 1970.
*Chestertown Fountain Park, the fountain in the park was manufactured by Robert Wood & Company in [[Philadelphia]]. It was purchased by the Ladies Improvement Society in 1899 and installed in the Park. The figure of [[Hebe (mythology)|Hebe]], goddess of youth and beauty stands atop the fountain.

==See also==
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Kent County, Maryland]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[http://www.kentcounty.com/ Kent County official website]

{{coord|39.23|-76.10|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MD_source:UScensus1990}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Kent County, Maryland
|North     = [[Cecil County, Maryland|Cecil County]]
|Northeast = [[New Castle County, Delaware]]
|East      = 
|Southeast = [[Kent County, Delaware]]
|South     = [[Queen Anne's County, Maryland|Queen Anne's County]]
|Southwest = 
|West      = [[Chesapeake Bay]]
|Northwest = 
}} 
{{Kent County, Maryland}}
{{Maryland}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Kent County, Maryland| ]]
[[Category:1642 establishments in Maryland]]
[[Category:Maryland counties on the Chesapeake Bay]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1642]]