Chester, Maryland Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chester, Maryland had a total population of 4,797, the 209th largest community in Maryland, with a median household income of $102,399, which is 1% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.2%.
Chester Quick Facts
How Chester Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,539 | 4,797 | +5.7% |
| Median household income | $90,938 | $102,399 | +12.6% |
| Median home value | $441,200 | $487,400 | +10.5% |
How Chester Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 68 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Chester Rankings in Maryland
Explore Maryland Rankings
Other Cities in Queen Anne's County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stevensville | 8,802 | $115,357 | 5.3% | $481,200 |
| Centreville | 4,761 | $89,602 | 5.4% | $449,900 |
| Grasonville | 3,564 | $120,676 | 11.5% | $459,600 |
| Romancoke | 2,064 | $127,670 | 0.6% | $450,900 |
| Kingstown | 1,713 | $93,625 | 19.7% | $293,000 |
| Church Hill | 1,060 | $72,425 | 7.4% | $306,500 |
| Queenstown | 907 | $122,031 | 14.2% | $384,800 |
| Kent Narrows | 507 | $139,259 | 1.4% | $673,400 |
| Millington | 469 | $61,691 | 15.8% | $232,100 |
| Sudlersville | 347 | $44,375 | 23.1% | $302,900 |
Cities Similar to Chester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. James | 4,824 | $97,361 | $409,000 | 28.9% | 4.2% |
| Centreville | 4,761 | $89,602 | $449,900 | 44.7% | 5.4% |
| West Ocean City | 5,198 | $97,165 | $423,700 | 38.2% | 6.4% |
| National Harbor | 4,454 | $109,707 | $472,500 | 55.1% | 13.4% |
| Kingsville | 4,687 | $128,563 | $567,400 | 46.6% | 6.8% |
Population Overview
Chester is a small community located in Maryland, within Queen Anne's County. The total population is 4,797. It ranks as the 209th most populous out of 527 Census-designated places in Maryland.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chester is 46.9 years. This is 19% higher than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chester is $102,399. This is 1% lower than the state median of $103,678. It is also 27% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.1%. This is 15% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 2.2%. This is 55% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $487,400. Housing costs are 16% higher than the state median of $419,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 71.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chester is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (80.5% vs 46.6%). The Black or African American population (7.1%) is well below the state average of 28.9%. The Asian population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 6.5%.
Education
40.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 6% lower than the state rate of 43.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chester, Maryland is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Maryland state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 527 Census-designated places in Maryland. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Chester, Maryland?
Chester, Maryland has a population of 4,797 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chester, MD?
The median household income in Chester is $102,399, which is 27% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chester, MD?
The poverty rate in Chester is 8.1%. This means approximately 387 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chester, Maryland?
Chester's population is 80.5% White, 7.1% Black, 7.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chester, MD?
The median home value in Chester is $487,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x.
How educated is Chester, Maryland?
40.9% of adults (25+) in Chester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.