St. Mary's County is a coastal county in the U.S. state of Maryland. It occupies a peninsula on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay and includes extensive shoreline along the Potomac River. The county seat is Leonardtown, while its largest population center is the Lexington Park area, closely linked to the federal installation at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. According to the 2010 census, the county's population was 105,151; the community has since grown and diversified.
Geography and communities
St. Mary's County combines rural landscapes, small towns and waterfront neighborhoods. Its terrain features tidal creeks, farmland and wooded ridges. Notable communities include Leonardtown, Lexington Park, St. Mary's City and Great Mills. The county's shoreline and scenic waterways are important for recreation, fisheries and conservation.
History and development
The county traces its roots to early colonial Maryland. St. Mary's City, founded in 1634, served as the first colonial capital and gave the county its name when it was formed on January 24, 1637. The area played an important role in the colonial period and in debates over religious freedom in seventeenth‑century Maryland. Historic St. Mary's City is preserved as an archaeological and interpretive site that illustrates this colonial era.
Economy and institutions
Today the county's economy blends federal employment, education, agriculture and maritime industries. Naval Air Station Patuxent River is a major employer and a center for aircraft testing, research and naval systems development. St. Mary's College of Maryland, a public liberal arts college located in St. Mary's City, contributes to cultural life and education in the region.
Culture, recreation and notable facts
- Historic preservation and colonial archaeology draw tourists and scholars.
- Water-based recreation—boating, fishing and crabbing—is a local staple.
- Proximity to federal research and military facilities shapes local demographics and services.
For official information, services and local government resources consult the county's pages and state references: St. Mary's County, general Maryland resources at Maryland, and additional local data and planning documents available through county links and archives.