1st Advantage MortgageCharles County (170,527 residents) has a $122,816 median household income and $1,920 median rent, by the latest Census five-year survey. County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Charles County, and confirm each one's Maryland license.
On this page
- A quick profile of Charles County
- Homes and rents, Charles County
- Household income in Charles County
- Where Charles County differs from the rest of Maryland
- Where Charles County works
- Counties near Charles County
- Charles County communities by population
- People and households in Charles County
- Room for a loan payment in Charles County
- What the numbers mean for Charles County borrowers
- Before you sign
- Checking a lender's license in Maryland
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Charles County
With an estimated 170,527 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Charles County ranks 10th of 24 in Maryland for population. Packed into 458 square miles, that is close to 372 residents for every square mile of land. Metro area: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (OMB, 2023). Waldorf is the biggest of its 13 Census places, at roughly 82,943 people (49% of the county total).
Homes and rents, Charles County
A typical Charles County rental runs $1,920 a month including utilities, which is 13% above Maryland. 46% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 27% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $428,500, about 3.5 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 82%. Half the housing stock was built before 1991.
| Measure | Charles County | Maryland | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 82% | 68% | +14.5 pts |
| Burdened owners | 32% | 27% | +5.7 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 51% | -5.1 pts |
| Vacant units | 5% | 8% | -3.1 pts |
| Median gross rent | $1,920/mo | $1,705/mo | 13% higher |
| Mobile homes | 0.8% | 1.3% | -0.5 pts |
| Median home value | $428,500 | $419,900 | 2% higher |
In an owner-heavy county like Charles County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Household income in Charles County
The median household income in Charles County is $122,816; statewide it is $103,678, so Charles County runs 18% above Maryland as a whole. In the state ranking that is 5th of 24.
| Band | Charles County | Compared with Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 12.0% | -4.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 26.9% | -5.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 38.0% | +6.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 23.1% | +2.8 pts |
Six-figure households (61%) outnumber those under $35,000 (12%) in Charles County. Charles County counts about 11,723 residents below the poverty line, 6.9% of the population. For a borrower in Charles County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Where Charles County differs from the rest of Maryland
The 4 Charles County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Maryland, and what each means for a borrower:
- On the share of commutes over 45 minutes, Charles County sits near the top of Maryland at 44%, the highest of 24. With long commutes, a reliable car is part of keeping the job.
- Charles County ranks 4th highest of 24 Maryland counties for median gross rent: $1,920/mo, against $1,705/mo statewide. High rent is the first thing a lender's ratio will see.
- Few Maryland counties match Charles County on the share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent: 46% here, 51% for the state, ranking 4th lowest of 24. Lower rent burdens mean more renters have slack, but test your own numbers.
- Few Maryland counties match Charles County on homeownership: 82% here, 68% for the state, ranking 4th highest of 24. An owner-heavy county means repairs are a common reason to borrow.
Where Charles County works
Top Charles County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 20%; second, public administration, 20%. Public administration stands out: 20% of workers here, versus 11% statewide. 4.8% of Charles County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 44%; under 15 minutes: 13%. No car: 3.9% of Charles County households.
| Where residents work | Charles County | Difference from Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.2% | -3.7 pts |
| Public administration | 19.9% | +8.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 14.2% | -2.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.1% | +0.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.3% | -0.2 pts |
| Construction | 7.0% | -0.3 pts |
Self-employed in Charles County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
Counties near Charles County
King George County is closest, 16 miles from center to center; the sixth, Westmoreland County, is 28 miles off. Stafford County leads the group on income ($137,807), Westmoreland County trails ($63,398), and Charles County out-earns 4 of the six. The list crosses into Virginia, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles County | - | $122,816 | $1,920/mo | 82% |
| King George County, VA | 16 mi | $116,884 | $1,428/mo | 76% |
| Stafford County, VA | 24 mi | $137,807 | $2,020/mo | 80% |
| Alexandria city, VA | 24 mi | $119,681 | $2,089/mo | 42% |
| Prince George's County, MD | 26 mi | $101,798 | $1,799/mo | 62% |
| Calvert County, MD | 26 mi | $133,922 | $1,759/mo | 87% |
| Westmoreland County, VA | 28 mi | $63,398 | $1,018/mo | 80% |
Charles County communities by population
13 Census places fall mainly inside Charles County; the 13 biggest are below. They account for 128,733 residents, leaving about 25% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Bensville ($170,072) and Potomac Heights ($71,786) mark the top and bottom of Charles County's income range among larger places. Rent is cheapest in Indian Head ($1,067) and steepest in Bensville ($2,722). Live in one of these Charles County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waldorf | CDP | 82,943 | $116,089 | $1,995 | 11 mi |
| Bensville | CDP | 15,848 | $170,072 | $2,722 | 10 mi |
| La Plata | town | 10,683 | $121,208 | $1,559 | 5 mi |
| Bryans Road | CDP | 9,371 | $118,361 | $2,169 | 10 mi |
| Indian Head | town | 4,055 | $89,063 | $1,067 | 12 mi |
| Hughesville | CDP | 2,098 | $106,250 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Potomac Heights | CDP | 1,351 | $71,786 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Cobb Island | CDP | 916 | n/a | n/a | 17 mi |
| Pomfret | CDP | 747 | $118,914 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Bryantown | CDP | 325 | $104,271 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Rock Point | CDP | 244 | n/a | $1,152 | 17 mi |
| Benedict | CDP | 148 | $41,118 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Port Tobacco Village | town | 4 | n/a | n/a | 3 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
People and households in Charles County
Degree holders: 33% of adults over 25. 4.6% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Charles County | +/- Maryland | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 33.5% | -10.0 pts | +11.3 pts |
| No vehicle | 3.9% | -4.9 pts | -1.6 pts |
| No high school diploma | 5.5% | -3.4 pts | n/a |
| Work from home | 16.4% | -2.9 pts | +7.8 pts |
| Poverty rate | 6.9% | -2.6 pts | -6.3 pts |
| No health insurance | 4.6% | -1.6 pts | -3.2 pts |
| Median age | 38.9 | -0.5 yrs | -2.6 yrs |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.8% | 0.0 pts | +0.4 pts |
| Commute length | Charles County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 13.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 21.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 21.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 15.3% |
| 60+ min | 29.1% |
Room for a loan payment in Charles County
DTI math using Charles County medians ($122,816 income, $1,920 rent):
- Median income divided by twelve: $10,235 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $1,920, takes 19% of that
- At 40%, room after rent is $2,174 a month
A household below the $122,816 median has less room than this, often none.
What the numbers mean for Charles County borrowers
What the Charles County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Long drives. With 44% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Charles County budgets.
- Strong-credit shopping. Many Charles County households (61%) earn six figures; prequalify with several lenders at once.
- Rent at $1,920. With 46% burdened, a short term and small amount keep risk down.
Before you sign
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Charles County.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Checking a lender's license in Maryland
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Charles County borrowers answers to the Maryland Office of Financial Regulation. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Maryland guide.
Related local guides
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
Is $122,816 a good income in Charles County?
It is the county median, so half of Charles County households earn more and half less; 61% earn $100,000 or more.
What do renters pay in Charles County?
$1,920 a month at the median, about 19% of median household income.
Is Port Tobacco Village covered?
Yes. Port Tobacco Village is one of 13 Census places in Charles County, and this guide covers all of them.
Can Charles County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Maryland county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
What agency protects Charles County borrowers?
The Maryland Office of Financial Regulation at the state level and the CFPB federally.