Cecil County, Maryland

Geography and communities

The county borders Pennsylvania to the north and Delaware to the east, and contains a mix of river valleys, rolling farmland and shoreline on the upper Chesapeake. Major waterways include the Susquehanna River mouth, the Elk River and the engineered Chesapeake & Delaware Canal, which links the Chesapeake Bay with Delaware Bay. Notable communities include Elkton, North East, Rising Sun, Port Deposit and Chesapeake City.

History and development

Established in the colonial era, Cecil County was named for Cecil Calvert, the second Baron Baltimore and early proprietor of the Province of Maryland. Its location made it important for shipping, milling and later for nineteenth- and twentieth-century transport improvements. The C&D Canal and later road and rail corridors shaped settlement and commerce.

Economy, transport and recreation

Economic activity combines agriculture, light manufacturing, freight and port services, and a sizable commuter population traveling to Baltimore, Wilmington and Philadelphia. Major highways and rail lines cross the county and support freight movement. Public and private parks, historic towns, and waterfront access attract tourism and outdoor recreation.

Government, population and notable facts

According to the 2010 census, Cecil County had a population of 101,108. The county operates through local municipal governments and county-level elected officials; the county seat in Elkton houses administrative offices and courts. The county is often noted for its blend of rural landscapes, historic waterways and its role as a transportation crossroads between major metropolitan regions.