1st Advantage MortgageIn Cecil County, Maryland, the typical household earns $92,007 a year and the typical rent is $1,377. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Who lives in Cecil County
- How Cecil County residents earn a living
- What Cecil County households earn
- Housing costs in Cecil County
- Regional comparison for Cecil County
- Towns and communities in Cecil County
- What a median Cecil County budget can carry
- What the numbers mean for Cecil County borrowers
- Who lives in Cecil County, in numbers
- Checking a lender's license in Maryland
- Before you sign
- More guides for Cecil County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Cecil County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Cecil County's population at 104,960; only 12 of Maryland's 24 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 346 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 303 per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Elkton is the biggest of its 8 Census places, at roughly 15,910 people (15% of the county total).
How Cecil County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 20% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 11%. Manufacturing stands out: 11% of workers here, versus 5% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 5.5% in Cecil County. About 75% drive to work alone and 21% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Top industries | Cecil County share | +/- vs Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.3% | -3.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.5% | +2.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.2% | +6.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.4% | -6.1 pts |
| Public administration | 9.9% | -1.2 pts |
| Construction | 7.9% | +0.6 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
What Cecil County households earn
Cecil County households have a median income of $92,007 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 12th of 24 in Maryland.
| Yearly household income | Cecil County | Gap to Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 17.5% | +1.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 35.8% | +3.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 34.3% | +2.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 12.4% | -7.9 pts |
The spread is wide: 47% of Cecil County households make $100,000 or more, and 18% make less than $35,000. Census counts 10.8% of Cecil County residents in poverty, against 9.4% across Maryland. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Cecil County median.
Housing costs in Cecil County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,377 in Cecil County versus $1,705 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 50% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $343,400, about 3.7 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 75%.
| Cost | Cecil County | Maryland figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,377/mo | $1,705/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $343,400 | $419,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 75% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 51% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 27% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 8% | 8% | n/a |
Because most Cecil County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Regional comparison for Cecil County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (16 to 37 miles). Income ranges from $79,960 in Salem County to $127,208 in Chester County; 3 of these neighbors top Cecil County's median. Some neighbors are in Delaware and New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Cecil County resident follows Maryland rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cecil County | - | $92,007 | $1,377/mo | 75% |
| New Castle County, DE | 16 mi | $91,166 | $1,448/mo | 69% |
| Harford County, MD | 19 mi | $112,265 | $1,586/mo | 80% |
| Kent County, MD | 24 mi | $80,147 | $1,209/mo | 73% |
| Chester County, PA | 30 mi | $127,208 | $1,763/mo | 75% |
| Salem County, NJ | 31 mi | $79,960 | $1,253/mo | 71% |
| Queen Anne's County, MD | 37 mi | $112,826 | $1,619/mo | 83% |
Towns and communities in Cecil County
The table lists the 8 largest of 8 Census places in Cecil County, by population. Together all 8 hold about 31,375 people, so roughly 70% of residents live outside any named place. Charlestown has the highest median household income on the list ($122,125) and Elkton the lowest ($58,640), counting places with at least 500 residents. None of the 8 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elkton | town | 15,910 | $58,640 | $1,382 | 7 mi |
| Perryville | town | 4,447 | $77,733 | $916 | 7 mi |
| North East | town | 4,134 | $91,603 | $1,329 | 3 mi |
| Rising Sun | town | 2,764 | $85,563 | $1,210 | 11 mi |
| Charlestown | town | 1,999 | $122,125 | $1,735 | 3 mi |
| Cecilton | town | 820 | $87,813 | $1,149 | 12 mi |
| Chesapeake City | town | 810 | $84,583 | $1,170 | 7 mi |
| Port Deposit | town | 491 | $58,750 | $1,229 | 9 mi |
What a median Cecil County budget can carry
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Cecil County's medians:
- Monthly gross at the median, Cecil County: $7,667
- Median rent: $1,377, or 18 cents of every gross dollar
- Under a 40% cap, $3,067 total minus rent leaves $1,690
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
What the numbers mean for Cecil County borrowers
What the Cecil County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Commuter costs. 21% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Higher earners. 47% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
- 50% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
Who lives in Cecil County, in numbers
College graduates make up 28% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 3.6%, against 6.3% for Maryland.
| Indicator | Cecil County | All of Maryland | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.6 | 39.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 28.0% | 43.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.2% | 8.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.6% | 6.3% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.9% | 8.8% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 12.4% | 19.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.8% | 9.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.5% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Cecil County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 22.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.6% |
| 60+ min | 10.1% |
Checking a lender's license in Maryland
Cecil County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Maryland Office of Financial Regulation. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: Maryland guide.
Before you sign
A short checklist for Cecil County borrowers:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Verify the Maryland license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
More guides for Cecil County
For statewide rules and data, see the Maryland guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Cecil County?
$92,007 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $103,678 for Maryland. It ranks 12th of 24 in the state.
How much is rent in Cecil County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,377 a month; 50% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I live in a small Cecil County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Elkton, Perryville, North East, Rising Sun, Charlestown and 3 more.
Are Cecil County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Cecil County?
Start with the Maryland Office of Financial Regulation, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.