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Waldorf, Maryland
Location of Waldorf, Maryland
Location of Waldorf, Maryland
Waldorf, Maryland is located in Maryland
Waldorf, Maryland
Waldorf, Maryland
Location in Maryland
Waldorf, Maryland is located in the United States
Waldorf, Maryland
Waldorf, Maryland
Location in the United States
Country  United States
State  Maryland
County Charles
Government
 • Type No city government, Charles County Council / Executive system
Area
 • Total 36.47 sq mi (94.46 km2)
 • Land 36.24 sq mi (93.87 km2)
 • Water 0.23 sq mi (0.59 km2)
Elevation
207 ft (63 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 81,410
 • Density 2,246.23/sq mi (867.26/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
20601-20604
Area code(s) 301, 240
FIPS code 24-81175
GNIS feature ID 0588020

Waldorf is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Charles County, Maryland, United States. It is in the Southern Maryland region. It is located 23 miles (37 km) south-southeast of Washington, D.C. It is an urban area, the population (excluding the CDP of St. Charles) was 81,410 at the 2020 census and lies within 36.5 square miles. Waldorf has experienced dramatic growth, increasing its population 16 fold from fewer than 5,000 residents in 1980 to its current population. It is now the largest commercial and residential area in Southern Maryland as well as being a major suburb of Washington D.C.

History

Charles County, Maryland. The new theatre is contrasted with the old-time bar-lunchroom across the h . . . - NARA - 521552
Waldorf, 1941

Waldorf's original name was Beantown. During his post assassination flight, John Wilkes Booth told a road sentry he was headed to his home in Charles County near Beantown and was allowed to proceed. In 1880, the General Assembly of Maryland by an act changed the name to "Waldorf" in honor of William Waldorf Astor (1848–1919), the great-grandson of John Jacob Astor (1763–1848), who was born in Walldorf, Palatinate, Germany. On July 29, 1908, the city of Plumb Valley in Waseca County, Minnesota, changed its name to Waldorf after Waldorf, Maryland.

Once a tobacco market village, Waldorf came to prominence in the 1950s as a gambling destination after slot machines were legalized in Charles County in 1949. The boom lasted until 1968 when gambling was once again outlawed. Its subsequent substantial growth as a residential community began with a 1970 loan package from the Department of Housing and Urban Development which fueled the giant planned community of St. Charles, south of Waldorf.

St. Catharine, or the Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

Economy

Waldorf is predominantly a bedroom community for many residents who commute to work at other points in the Washington metropolitan area. Commuters work primarily in federal, professional services, and healthcare industries. Waldorf's local jobs are primarily in the service and sales industry, with healthcare and construction industries having a strong presence as well. St. Charles Towne Center, a two-story shopping mall, opened in 1988.

U.S. Route 301, the main highway through the city, boasts the "Waldorf Motor Mile," with car dealerships located primarily along the northbound side. In 2005, Waldorf opened its third public high school (North Point High School), which has advanced science/technology programs; the Capital Clubhouse 24-hour indoor sports complex and ice rink also opened that year. A fourth public high school opened in 2014 called St. Charles High School.

An office park with mid-rise office buildings was started; the Residence Inn opened there in 2010, and another new hotel opened across the road. In October 2017, Krispy Kreme opened a location in Waldorf.

Geography

Waldorf is located at 38°38′46″N 76°53′54″W / 38.64611°N 76.89833°W / 38.64611; -76.89833 (38.646173, -76.898217).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 36.5 square miles (94.5 km2), of which 36.2 square miles (93.8 km2) is land and 0.27 square miles (0.7 km2), or 0.72%, is water.

Most of Waldorf is flat, particularly the eastern part of the city. There are small hills to the west, and much of the southern and eastern parts of the city are wetlands, featuring very diverse wildlife in ponds and streams. Waldorf is forested, mostly with oak and pine trees.

Farming

Even though Waldorf is a rapidly developing urbanized area, the community is surrounded by farms. These farms include:

  • Shlagel Farms, a major strawberry farm that offers vegetables and flowers, along with Angus beef
  • Middleton's Cedar Hill farm
  • Middleton Manor Farms

Tobacco, once a dominant crop in Southern Maryland, has nearly disappeared as a crop grown by farmers, since most area farmers accepted buy-outs during the 1990s from the Maryland state government.

Surrounding places

Waldorf's neighbors are as follows: Prince George's County (north), Bennsville (west), La Plata (south). On the east, from north to south there are Cedarville State Forest, Malcolm and Bryantown.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Waldorf has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1970 647
1980 4,952 665.4%
1990 15,058 204.1%
2000 22,312 48.2%
2010 67,752 203.7%
2020 81,410 20.2%

2020

Data from the 2020 census:

  • Population was 81,410. Black or African American - 60.6%; White - 28.7%; White alone, not also reporting Hispanic or Latino - 24%; Hispanic or Latino - 7.5%; Two or more races - 5.8%; American Indian or Native Alaskan, alone - 0.7%; Asian - 0.7; Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander - 0%; foreign born residents - 8%.
  • Waldorf has the second largest African American community in Southern Maryland (49,334 people).
  • Language other than English spoken at home, 5 years old or older - 9.7%.
  • High school graduate or higher, 25 and older - 94.3%.
  • Bachelor's degree or higher, 25 and older - 29.5%.
  • Veteran population was 7,459 people (2015 - 2019).
  • Population was 569 primarily Native American people (0.7% of 81,410 people in Waldorf is 569).
  • Residents with a disability, under age 65 - 5.7%.
  • Residents without health insurance - 3.3%.
  • Median household income - $95,695; per capita income - $40,559; persons in poverty, 5.5% (5.5% of 81,410 people in Waldorf is 4,477).

2010

Population by Race in Waldorf Maryland (2010)
Race Population  % of Total
Total 67,752 100
African American 36,152 53
White 24,052 35
Hispanic 3,972 5
Two or More Races 3,078 4
Asian 2,664 3
Other 1,382 2
Three or more races 446 < 1%
American Indian 363 < 1%

2000

Charles County, Maryland. The new theatre is contrasted with the old-time bar-lunchroom across the h . . . - NARA - 521552
Waldorf, 1941

As of the census of 2000, there were 22,312 people, 7,603 households, and 5,991 families residing in the CDP. In the CDP, the population density was 1,746.0 people per square mile (674.1/km2). There were 7,827 housing units at an average density of 612.5 per square mile (236.5/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 61.11% White, 31.98% African American, 0.54% Native American, 2.59% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.88% from other races, and 2.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.91% of the population.

There were 7,603 households, out of which 45.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.2% were non-families. 14.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93 and the average family size was 3.24.

In the CDP the population was spread out, with 30.6% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 36.4% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 4.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $68,869, and the median income for a family was $71,439 (these figures had risen to $86,901 and $94,432 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $45,293 versus $35,386 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $24,728. About 2.7% of families and 4.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Major routes

Major routes in Waldorf include U.S. Route 301 which is the main commercial thoroughfare and bisects Waldorf running northeast–southwest, the southern leg of Maryland Route 5 (Leonardtown Road) which starts in Waldorf and runs south into St. Mary's County, to Leonardtown and then beyond to eventually reach Point Lookout State Park. Maryland Route 228 (Berry Road) which starts at 301 and cuts west-northwest across to Indian Head Highway, Maryland Route 925 (Old Washington Road) which starts on the southern branch of Route 5 and runs 3 miles southwest to White Plains, and the St. Charles Parkway which bypasses the congested commercial zone, acting as a primarily residential thoroughfare, going mostly parallel to Route 301 running southwest from Route 5, eventually turning north to t-bone into route 301.

Transit and proposed rail line

Public transportation is provided by Van-Go, a bus system administered by Charles County for most of the county, including Waldorf, and interconnecting to nearby St.Mary's County Transit System buses. MTA Maryland has four commuter routes (901, 903, 905, and 907, all operated by Dillons Transportation except the 903 which is serviced by Keller Transportation) that take commuters to and from downtown Washington, D.C., and ridership is rapidly growing. Waldorf has seven park & ride lots served by MTA Maryland routes: two at St. Charles Towne Center, one at St. Charles Towne Plaza, one at Smallwood Drive and US 301, one on Mattawoman Beantown Road, one at Smallwood Village Center, and one at Regency Furniture Stadium.

The Maryland Transit Administration is currently working with Prince George's County and Charles County in planning a transit line called Southern Maryland Rapid Transit, which would connect Waldorf to the Branch Avenue station of the Washington Metro.

Utilities

The Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative is the local electric company. Waldorf has its own municipal water supply. Charles County provides, builds and maintains the sewer systems.

The CPV St. Charles Energy Center is a natural gas facility in Waldorf. It generates electricity for over 700,000 regional customers. NRG Morgantown provides regional grid energy to the area from natural gas, coal and nuclear sources.

Sports

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Game - 51573836869
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs play at Regency Furniture Stadium, 2021

Regency Furniture Stadium is a 4,200 seat baseball park, soccer park and music concert center in Waldorf.

The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, established in 2006, complete in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, playing at Regency Furniture Stadium.

The Capital Clubhouse Is a 90,000 square foot sports complex, including an ice skating rink and multi-sports center; a recreational ice rink, a Hockey center and training facility, rock wall climbing gym, and numerous other sports and fitness gyms / fields in Waldorf.

Education

Charles County Public Schools is the area school district.

Westlake High School (Maryland), St. Charles High School (Maryland), North Point High School, and Thomas Stone High School are public high schools in Waldorf.

St. Peter's School is a Catholic kindergarten through 8th grade school in Waldorf. Children of all faiths may attend.

The Beddow School's Waldorf Montessori Campus is in Waldorf.

Notable people

  • William Waldorf Astor Politician, attorney, businessman and philanthropist, Waldorf (formerly "Beantown") was named after him
  • Thomas M. Middleton Politician, former Maryland state senator and employees rights advocate, lives on / operates a farm in the Waldorf area
  • Christina Milian - Movie and television actress and US top 40 singer (top 3 in the UK) and songwriter. Grew up in Waldorf until she was 13. Came back to Waldorf to attend West Lake High School.
  • Herbert ‘Herb’ Kalin Musician and singer of 1950s rock and pop. Lived in Waldorf, died there and is buried at Trinity Memorial Gardens in Waldorf.
  • Joel and Benji Madden - From the band Good Charlotte grew up in Waldorf.
  • Paul Thomas Musician, bassist for the band Good Charlotte went to High School with the Madden brothers, born in Waldorf
  • Jovan Adepo - British-American movie and television actor, raised in Waldorf
  • Asante Blackk (Asante Duah Ma’at) - Emmy Award-winning actor, born in Waldorf
  • John Flowers - Professional international basketball player, born in Waldorf
  • Marquis Wright - Professional international basketball player. Went to North Point High School in Waldorf
  • Adam Thorn - Singer and front man, lyricist for Indie-punk band Kudzu Wish. Born in Waldorf.
  • Ellie Stokes - Professional soccer player, attended North Point High School in Waldorf
  • Randy Starks - College and professional football player. Played for the Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns. Played College Football for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland, College Park. Grew up in Waldorf.
  • Marquel Lee - Professional and college football player - plays for the Las Vegas Raiders and previously the Oakland Raiders. Played college football for Wake Forest University. Attended Westlake High School in Waldorf.
  • Shawn Lemon - Professional football player for the Canadian Football League. Attended Westlake High school in Waldorf.
  • David Hayes - Professional and college soccer player, born in Waldorf
  • A.C. Crispin, science fiction writer.

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See also

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