The Top 7 Richest Counties in Maryland

7. Carroll County, Maryland

Starting off our list with number seven is Carroll County. It’s located along the state’s northern border and had a population of 172,891 as of the 2020 census. Carroll County is ranked as the 136th wealthiest county in the nation. The median income for residents in the county is $104,708. Meanwhile, its average investment income is $21,763. Finally, the median home value for Carroll County residents is an impressive $432,890. The county’s official county seat is located in the town of Westminster.

Several notable historical figures hail from Carroll County, including the author of The Star-Spangled Banner, Francis Scott Key. Kyle Snyder, an NCAA world wrestling champion, also is native to the county. Additionally, Isaac Newton Roop, an American politician and the first-ever elected governor of the Nevada Territory, was born there in 1822.

6. Frederick County, Maryland

Up next on the list of wealthiest counties in Maryland is Frederick County. It actually directly borders the aforementioned Carroll County. Its population as of the 2020 census was 271,717 residents, and its county seat is the town of Frederick. The median income of the county is a handsome $106,129, while its investment income is $23,589. Meanwhile, its average home value is a whopping $454,755. 

Frederick County is notable for being the location of US presidential retreat Camp David, as well as US army base Fort Detrick. Notably, Fort Detrick is also one of the county’s principal employers, with around 4,600 total employees as of November 2014. Shadrach Bond, the first-ever governor of Illinois, was also born in the county in 1773.

5. Queen Anne’s County, Maryland

Coming in at number five on the list of the top seven richest counties in Maryland is Queen Anne’s County, located along the state’s eastern shore. Its population was 49,874 residents according to the 2020 census. Centreville is its official county seat as well as the most populous municipality in the county. The county gets its name from Queen Anne of Great Britain, who was reigning during the colonial era when it was established back in 1706.

Although Queen Anne County’s median income is slightly lower than the previous counties at $99,597, its investment income is much higher at $34,188. Additionally, its median home value sits at a comfortable $453,101.

4. Anne Arundel County, Maryland

Also known to residents simply as A.A. County, Anne Arundel County gets its name from 1600s English noblewoman Anne Arundel, Lady Baltimore. It had a population of 588,261 as of the 2020 census. Its county seat, Annapolis, is also the state’s capital, which contributes largely to the county’s high population. The county was founded in 1650.

The median income of Anne Arundel County is $108,048, while its investment income is $36,268. Finally, its median home value is inches ahead of the previous counties on this list at $460,521. A number of famous historical figures hail from the county, such as Johns Hopkins, philanthropist and founder of Johns Hopkins University, as well as Pat Sajak, television host and entertainer.

3. Calvert County, Maryland

Coming in at number three of Maryland’s wealthiest counties is Calvert County, located along the state’s southernmost borders. According to the 2020 census, the county’s population was 92,783 residents. Its county seat is the town of Prince Frederick. The county gets its name from the family name of the original proprietors of the English Colony of Maryland, the Barons of Baltimore. It makes up part of the Calvert Peninsula, which borders the Chesapeake Bay to the east.

The median income of Calvert County’s residents is a comfortable $120,295 per year. Meanwhile, its average investment income is around $23,775. Finally, the average value of a home in Calvert County is $436,469.

As far as famous residents from Calvert County go, there are too many to list, with some of the more notable people being First Lady Louisa Adams, wife of John Quincy Adams, First Lady Margaret Taylor, wife of Zachary Taylor, and acclaimed author Tom Clancy.

2. Howard County, Maryland

Maryland’s second-richest county is Howard County, with a population of 334,529 as of the 2020 census. Its county seat is the unincorporated community of Ellicott City. Notably, Maryland’s official center of population is located in the Howard County town of Jessup. The county is known for its highly educated, wealthy residents and high standard of living, with nearly 64% of people living there having attained at least a bachelor’s degree. 

Howard County’s current median income is a whopping $129,549 per year. Its average investment income is $34,450, while its median home value is an astonishing $570,932. The county has earned a wide array of awards for its impressive quality of life, such as Forbes Magazine’s 4th richest county in America in 2017 and the best place to live in America according to CNN and Money Magazine multiple years from 2006 to 2016.

1. Montgomery County, Maryland

Finally, topping the list of Maryland’s richest counties is none other than Montgomery County. In addition to being the state’s richest county, it’s also the most populous, with a population of 1,062,061 as of the 2020 census. Its official county seat is located in Rockville, while the most populous city in the county is Germantown. As well as being Maryland’s wealthiest county, Montgomery County also ranked 20th in the entire country when it comes to average household income in 2020.

But let’s take a closer look at the county’s actual statistics. Its median income is an impressive $117,345, while its average investment income tops the list at $57,952. Meanwhile, the average value of a home in Montgomery County is $582,406.