Kent County, Maryland Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Kent County is located in Maryland with a total population of 19,265. It is the 24th most populous county out of 24 in Maryland.

Age Demographics

The median age in Kent County is 48.4 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 39.3 years. 11.6% 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 Kent County is $74,402. This is 27% lower than the state median of $101,652. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 5% lower. The poverty rate stands at 9.5%. This is 2% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 2.8%. This is 44% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $307,100. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $397,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 72.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 67.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Kent County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 14.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (76.1% vs 47.4%). The Black or African American population (14.2%) is well below the state average of 29.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.6%) is well below the state average of 12.1%. The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 6.4%.

Education

37.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 42.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.8%. Notably, 18.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.