Caroline Economic Development Corporation
Caroline County, Maryland
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Demographics
2008-2009 Brief Economic Facts (PDF)
Caroline's 610 businesses employ 7,400 workers; an estimated eight of these businesses have 100 or more workers. Manufacturing accounts for about 19% of total employment.
Major employers include Maryland Plastics, Solo Cup, Interactive Marketing Services, Mulholland-Harper, and Tri-Gas & Oil Co.
Caroline County is one seven jurisdictions participating in One Maryland Program, which offers significant tax credits for capital investments that create jobs.
Location
| Highway distance from Denton: | (In miles) | (In Kilometers) |
| Baltimore, MD | 61 | 98 |
| Boston, MA | 408 | 657 |
| Chicago, IL | 729 | 1,173 |
| Newyork. NY | 202 | 325 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 102 | 164 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 279 | 449 |
| Richmond, VA | 181 | 291 |
| Washington, DC | 75 | 121 |
Population
| Maryland | Caroline County | Upper Eastern Shore* | State |
| 1990 | 27,035 | 177,009 | 4,780,753 |
| 1995** | 28,900 | 188,000 | 5,034,600 |
| 2000** | 29,850 | 197,125 | 5,219,125 |
| 2005** | 31,050 | 205,025 | 5,455,175 |
| 2010** | 32,150 | 212,125 | 5,651,525 |
| 2015** | 33,100 | 218,625 | 5,844,375 |
Represents Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent and Talbot Counties.
**Projection (June, 1999).
Maryland Office of Planning.
Selected areas (1998 population):
| Denton | 2 | 948 |
| Federalsburg | 2 | 492 |
| Greensboro | 1 | 441 |
| Ridgely | 1 | 224 |
POPULATION DISTRIBUTION (1998)
Number
| Age | Male | Female | Total |
| Under 5 | 980 | 1,040 | 2,020 |
| 5-19 | 3,500 | 3,200 | 6,700 |
| 20-44 | 4,950 | 5,200 | 10,150 |
| 45-64 | 3,240 | 3,310 | 6,550 |
| 65 and Over | 1,750 | 2,310 | 4,060 |
| Total | 14,420 | 15,060 | 29,480 |
Percent
| Age | Male | Female | Total |
| Under 5 | 6.8 | 6.9 | 6.9 |
| 5-19 | 24.3 | 21.3 | 22.7 |
| 20-44 | 34.3 | 34.5 | 34.4 |
| 45-64 | 22.5 | 22.0 | 22.2 |
| 65 and Over | 12.1 | 15.3 | 13.8 |
| Total | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
Estimated by the Maryland Department or Health and Mental Hygiene, Division of Health Statistics.
LABOR AVAILABILITY
Caroline County Civillian Labor Force (1999 annual averages)*:
| Total Civilian Labor Force | 16,063 |
| Employment | 15,541 |
| Unemployment | 522 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% |
| Residents commuting outside the County to work (1999)**: |
7,867 50.6% |
Employment in selected occupations (1999)**:
| Professional and Technical | 1,934 | 12.4% |
| Manufacturing, Trade and Distribution | 8,874 | 37.8% |
| Unemployment | 522 | 1,934 |
*By place of residence.
**Estimated based on percentages from the 1990 Census.
Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, Office of Labor Market Analysis and Information; Maryland Office of Planning in conjunction with U.S. Bureau of Census.
EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION
Caroline County Civillian Labor Force (1999 annual averages)*:
Selected Employers
| Firm | Product | Employment | ||
| The Bartley Collection, Ltd. | Furniture reproduction kits | 50 | ||
| Benmatt Industries | Frames and castings | 61 | ||
| Boaters World Discount Marine Center | Marine products distributor | 80 | ||
| Burris Refrigerated Services | Transports refrigerated food products | 130 | ||
| Interactive Marketing Services | Business Services | 600 | ||
| Market, Inc. | Tubing | 20 | ||
| Maryland Plastics, Inc. | Plastics Materials | 435 | ||
| Mulholland-Harper Company, Inc. | Plastic and metal signs | 50 | ||
| Nuttle Lumber Co. | Lumber and hardware | 47 | ||
| Pillsbury, Inc. | Dehydrated carbohydrate fractions | 80 | ||
| Sisk Fulfillment Services, Inc. | Marketing services | 60 | ||
| Solo Cup | Paper Cups, containers | 600 | ||
| Tri-Gas & Oil Co. | Appliances, metered gas, fuel oil | 160 | ||
| UniSite Design, Inc. | Outdoor metal furniture | 76 | ||
| Xpert Xpress | Logistical warehousing and trucking | 31 | ||
| Yale Sportswear Co. | Active wear | 70 |
1998 Employment (by place of work)
| Annual Average | Average | Weekly | |
| Industry | Employment | % | Wage |
| Federal Government | 80 | 0.9 | $600 |
| State Government | 07 | 1.2 | 456 |
| Local Government | 1,109 | 12.7 | 517 |
| Private Employment | 7,428 | 85.2 | 459 |
| Construction | 478 | 5.5 | 473 |
| Manufacturing | 1,687 | 19.4 | 499 |
| Transportation,Communication and Utilities | 1,159 | 13.3 | 724 |
| Retail Trade | 1,491 | 17.1 | 343 |
| Finance, Insurance and Real Estate | 212 | 2.4 | 470 |
| Services | 1,815 | 20.8 | 356 |
| Other | 288 | 3.3 | 294 |
| Total | 8,724 | 100.0 | 467 |
Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
Office of Labor Market Analysis and information Wage Rates
1999 Hourly Wages
| Selected Occupations: | Median | Entry | Experienced |
| Bookkeeping/accounting clerks | $9.32 | $7.52 | $11.36 |
| Data and keyers | $7.34 | $5.91 | $8.71 |
| General Maintenance repairers | $10.89 | $6.75 | $12.58 |
| Helpers, laborers, material movers, hand | $9.13 | $6.69 | $9.90 |
| Industrial truck operators | $11.42 | $8.61 | $12.94 |
| Machinery maintenance mechanics | $11.60 | $10.66 | $12.94 |
| Machinists | $14.16 | $11.56 | $15.80 |
| Packaging and filling machine operators | $8.28 | $7.41 | $8.93 |
| Production inspectors | $9.94 | $7.53 | $11.35 |
| Receptionists | $8.24 | $7.12 | $9.03 |
| Secretaries | $10.68 | $7.74 | $12.03 |
| Shipping/receiving clerks | $11.94 | $7.41 | $15.07 |
| Stock clerks | $7.26 | $5.76 | $9.01 |
| Telemarketers | $10.60 | $6.78 | $12.29 |
Note: These wages are an estimate of what workers
might expect to receive on the Upper Eastern Shore (Caroline,
Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's and Talbot Counties).
Wages may vary by industry, employer, and locality.
Effective Buying Income
1998 Percent Households
| Distribution | Caroline County | Maryland U.S. | |
| Under $15,000 | 25.1 | 13.1 | 19.6 |
| $15,000-$24,999 | 19.6 | 12.5 | 15.7 |
| $25,000-$49,999 | 36.9 | 32.7 | 32.1 |
| $50,000-$74,999 | 14.0 | 23.7 | 19.0 |
| $75,000 and over | 4.4 | 18.0 | 13.6 |
| Median Household | $28,119 | $43,628 | $35,377 |
| Average Household | $32,842 | $52,040 | $45,504 |
| Per Capita | $12,135 | $19,133 | $16,895 |
| Total EBI (Millions) | $358 | $98,772 | $4,621,4925 |
Note: Effective Buying income is money income less personal tax and nontax payments.
It is commonly known as "disposable income.
Education Public Schools Private Schools
| Elementary Schools: | 5 | |
| Middle Schools: | 2 | |
| High Schools: | 3* |
(* Includes Caroline Career & Technology Center)
| Enrollment: | 5,685 (1998-99) |
| Cost/Pupil: | $5,985 (1997-98) |
| Staff/1,000 students: | 69 (1998-99) |
Career and Technical Education (CTE):
Courses are offered through the high schools and
the Career and Technology Center. Instruction is offered in
agriculture/aquaculture business and management, business data processing,
construction and maintenance trades, health occupations, and mechanics.
Higher Education:
Chesapeake College, a two-year regional community college, serves County residents by offering courses of study an A.A degree, certificate, and Letter of Recognition in both academic and career programs. It is at the intersection of U.S. Route 50 and Maryland 213.
Washington College in Kent County, Salisbury State University in Wicomico County, and the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore located in Somerset County are four-year colleges nearby.
Delaware Technical and Community College, a two-year college nearby Georgetown, offers vocational courses.
Taxes
Property Taxes
(Fiscal 2000-Per $100) Caroline Maryland County
| Real Property Tax Rate | $2.38* | $0.21 |
| Effective Rate (assessed at 40%) | $0.952 | $0.084 |
| Business Personal Property Tax Rate (taxed on depreciated value) | $2.38 | $0.00 |
| R&D machinery, equipment, materials and supplies Exempt | $0.00 | |
| Manufacturing machinery, equipment, materials and supplies Exempt | $0.00 | |
| Manufacturing/R&D inventory Exempt | $0.00 | |
| Warehousing Inventory Exempt | $0.00 |
* In an incorporated area, the County rate may vary and a municipal rate will also apply.
Upon application to the County, a manufacturer may be eligible for a five-year tax abatement on real property.
Income Taxes
| State Corporate Income Tax: | 7% of net income attributable to business transacted within Maryland. No County tax. | |
| State Personal Income Tax: | For 2,000, the top tax bracket is 4.85% of taxable income over $3,000, which is being reduced incrementally to 4.75% by 2002. | |
| County Personal Income Surtax: | 2.77% of taxable income. | |
| Sales and Use Tax State: | 5% on tangible personal property sold at retail or used in Maryland. Does not apply to a manufacturer's purchase of raw materials nor manufacturing machinery and equipment. | |
| Tax exemptions for R&D firms include: | Purchases of materials and equipment used in R&D and testing of finished products, and purchases of computer programs for reproduction or incorporation into another computer program for resale. | |
| County: | None. |
Other Statistics
Industrial Properties
There are 12 industrial sites throughout the County, ranging from 32 to 450 acres.
The Federalsburg Industrial Park, located one mile east of
downtown Federalsburg on Md Rt. 313, has 250 acres. Six prepared industrial sites are
available for purchase in the expanded Park, which has electricity, water, sewer, paved
streets, fire and police protection, and is bordered by Maryland & Delaware Railroad
branch line. Land is available for $18,000 per acre.
The Denton Industrial Park, located one mile southeast of downtown Denton on Md Rt. 404, has five acres available, and the Town has contracted to purchase 10 additional acres adjoining the park. Services include municipal water, sewer and paved streets, electricity, fire and police proctection. Land is presently vailable for $18,000 per acre. In addition, a 20,000 square foot shell building is available in the Park.
The Caroline Industrial Park is located one-half mile southwest of downtown Federalsburg. The Park has eight acres available, with municipal water, sewer and paved streets, electricity, natural gas, fire and police protection, and is bordered by a Maryland & Delaware Railroad branch line.
Transportation
| Highways: | Maryland arteries connect with U.S. 50, U.S. 301, and U.S. 13 | |
| Rail: | Served by Maryland-Delaware Railroad Company with access to Norfolk Southern. Chesapeake Railroad also provides service with access to Norfolk Southern and recreational excursions. | |
| Truck: | 22 motor freight common carriers serve the County | |
| Water: | Served by the Port of Baltimore, 50' channel; a leading U.S automobile andbreak-bulk port; 5 public terminals including a state-of-the-art container terminal (60 miles from Denton) | |
| Air: | Scheduled air service available at Salisbury-Ocean City Regional Airport (50 miles from Denton). Regular daily flight to Reagan Washington Airport from Easton Municipal Airport (15 miles from Denton). Charter services available at Easton, Cambridge Municipal Airporrt (30 miles from Denton), and Ridgely Air Park (6 miles from Denton). |
Utilities
| Electricity: | Conectiv Power Delivery and the Choptank Electric Cooperative, Inc. | |
| Gas: | Natural gas is available in Federalsburg from Chesapeake Utilities Corporation. | |
| Water: | Municipal systems in Denton, Federalsburg, Greensboro, Preston, and Ridgely. | |
| Sewer: | Municipal systes in Denton, Federalsburg, Greensboro, Preston, and Ridgely. | |
| Telecommunications: | Local Carriers- Bell Atlantic-Maryland and other local provider(s) that offer service on proprietary or leased infrastructure. Long Distance Carriers- AT&T, MCI WorldCom, Sprint, and over 250 additional carriers and resellers of WATS and MTS. |
General Information
| County Seat: | Denton | |
| Government: | Three commissioners elected at large for four year terms; home rule system. | |
| Elevation: | 40 to 60 feet above sea level | |
| Winter Temperature: | 36.0 (F) | |
| Land Area: | 321 square miles |
Climate
| Yearly Precipitation | 42.6 (Inches) | |
| Yearly Snowfall: | 16.5 (Inches) | |
| Summer Temperature: | 75.0 (F) | |
| Winter Temperature: | 36.0 (F) | |
| Duration of Freeze-Free Period: | 184 days |
Note: Date is based on 30 year averages
Maryland State Office of Climatology
Recreation
Tuckahoe State Park, near Hillsboro, provides 4,501 acre setting for hiking, camping, canoeing and fishing. Martinak State Park is 99 acre park near Denton that features camping, fishing, boating, and hunting along the Choptank River. Both Tuckahoe and Marshy Hope Creeks offer hunting, fishing, golf and tennis at various locations.
Holiday Park near Greensboro has camping, swimming, hiking trails, tennis and shuffleboard courts. Lake Bonnie near Goldsboro offers camping, swimming, fishing, and boat rentals.
Municipal parks in seven towns all offer field sports. The County owned marina at Choptank has a boat ramp and 70 slips.
There are two publicly-owned marinas, at Denton and Federalsburg with a boat ramp and 23 slips, and public boat ramps at six locations in the County.