Chestertown, Maryland Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chestertown, Maryland had a total population of 5,594, the 190th largest town in Maryland, with a median household income of $54,346, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Chestertown Quick Facts
How Chestertown 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 | 5,548 | 5,594 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $47,047 | $54,346 | +15.5% |
| Median home value | $333,900 | $344,000 | +3.0% |
How Chestertown 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 68 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Chestertown Rankings in Maryland
Explore Maryland Rankings
Other Cities in Kent County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Hall | 1,215 | $74,597 | 7.6% | $262,000 |
| Galena | 728 | $88,958 | 1.7% | $281,000 |
| Butlertown | 511 | $72,991 | 17.4% | $209,500 |
| Chesapeake Landing | 509 | $53,566 | 0.0% | $231,300 |
| Betterton | 391 | $86,250 | 10.1% | $226,700 |
| Tolchester | 379 | $121,042 | 0.0% | $334,200 |
| Fairlee | 299 | N/A | 58.9% | $270,600 |
| Kennedyville | 205 | $36,510 | 9.8% | $263,500 |
| Worton | 126 | $90,982 | 0.0% | $251,100 |
| Still Pond | 102 | N/A | 9.8% | $146,000 |
Cities Similar to Chestertown
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marlow Heights | 5,456 | $55,502 | $387,600 | 22.8% | 31.5% |
| Fruitland | 5,801 | $64,004 | $227,200 | 36.7% | 19.9% |
| Silver Hill | 5,193 | $60,625 | $323,200 | 17.3% | 15.8% |
| Cresaptown | 5,121 | $68,370 | $142,600 | 5.2% | 3.3% |
| Denton | 4,936 | $66,510 | $234,600 | 11.6% | 12.8% |
Population Overview
Chestertown is a small city located in Maryland, within Kent County. The total population is 5,594. It ranks as the 190th most populous out of 527 Census-designated places in Maryland.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chestertown is 32.6 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 39.4 years. 15.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chestertown is $54,346. This is 48% lower than the state median of $103,678. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.6%. This is 22% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 22% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $344,000. Housing costs are 18% lower than the state median of $419,900. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 51.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chestertown is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 22.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.4%) is well below the state average of 12.5%. The Asian population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 6.5%.
Education
53.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 22% higher 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 91.4%. Notably, 24.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chestertown, 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 Chestertown, Maryland?
Chestertown, Maryland has a population of 5,594 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chestertown, MD?
The median household income in Chestertown is $54,346, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chestertown, MD?
The poverty rate in Chestertown is 11.6%. This means approximately 489 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chestertown, Maryland?
Chestertown's population is 69.3% White, 22.1% Black, 3.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chestertown, MD?
The median home value in Chestertown is $344,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.3x.
How educated is Chestertown, Maryland?
53.2% of adults (25+) in Chestertown hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 24.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.