In 1608, Captain John Smith was the first European to explore Calvert County, located on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. On his map, he accurately represented the Patuxent River and the Native American peoples who lived in the area. The Patuxent people were generally peaceful towards the first Europeans and their diet consisted of fish from the river and corn grown in artificial clearings with a hunting supplement from the forests. These clearings were highly desirable and conflict ensued when colonists tried to take over these areas from Native Americans.
Leonard Calvert, the first governor of Maryland, organized troops of armed men in 1639 to protect the colonists. By 1646, settlers had spread along the Patuxent River and down the bay side of Calvert County. Most of the transportation of goods and people was carried out by water since the land was occupied by dense forests. Large streams were navigated by sailing ships and plantations used their docks to transport goods.
Ferry services across the river and bay were established at rates set by law. On July 3, 1654, Lord Baltimore abolished Charles County and took all authority away from Brooke. He re-established the county as Calvert County with the same territory. However, the Puritan Assembly was in power and changed the name to Patuxent County on October 20, 1654, in honor of the Patuxent River and to eliminate any connection with the Calvert family.
The county maintained this name under the Puritan regime until 1658 when the name Calvert County was restored. According to the local Trail of Souls Project, in 1860 there were 4,609 enslaved people, 1,841 free people of color for a total county population of 10,000 people. Agriculture in Calvert County was once comprised primarily of farms and tobacco fields but was transformed in the mid-1990s when tobacco prices began to fall. The state of Maryland instituted a tobacco purchase program which offered farmers a transition to different crops and gave up tobacco. The funds were used to improve infrastructure and equipment.
Today, Calvert County produces fruits, vegetables, meat and other crops. Calvert County is governed by a board comprised of five elected county commissioners, which is a traditional form of county government in Maryland. They meet in Prince Frederick, which is also known as the county seat. At the beginning of the 19th century, during contests between Federalist Hamiltonian and Jeffersonian Democratic-Republican parties of the First Party System, it supported Federalists four out of seven times only favoring Republican Democrats in their biggest triumphs of 1804 and 1816 as well as in 1820 when President James Monroe ran unopposed. It is part of the 5th Congressional District along with much of southern Maryland and is currently represented by former Democratic majority leader in House of Representatives Steny Hoyer. The county's shoreline along Chesapeake Bay is a long and relatively gentle bay which is a unique feature in Chesapeake Bay.
In terms of population demographics, 29.60% are under 18 years old while 6.40% are between 18-24 years old; 31.70% are between 25-44 years old; 23.40% are between 45-64 years old; 8.90% are 65 years or older; for every 100 females there are 97.30 males; for every 100 females age 18 or over there are 94 males; there are 5992 people employed in management occupations; 5532 people employed in office administrative support occupations; 3989 people employed in construction extraction occupations; 1958 patients served per year on average by primary care physicians; 2 cars per household on average. The most common racial or ethnic group living below poverty line is white followed by blacks and two or more races. In terms of birthplace demographics, stock breakdowns for major industries are as follows: management occupations (5992 people), office administrative support occupations (5532 people), construction extraction occupations (3989 people), health care coverage (1906 patients), car ownership (2 cars per household).In terms of political affiliations, during 1824 elections which began second party system people voted for John Quincy Adams instead of Andrew Jackson who would help found Democratic Party before 1828 elections. As an expert on demographics and racial makeup in Calvert County, Maryland I can tell you that this area has a diverse population that has been shaped by its history over centuries. The county has seen waves of immigrants from Europe as well as African Americans who were brought over as slaves during colonial times. Today's population is made up primarily of whites followed by blacks and two or more races living below poverty line.
The most common industries are management occupations (5992 people), office administrative support occupations (5532 people), construction extraction occupations (3989 people), health care coverage (1906 patients) and car ownership (2 cars per household). Politically speaking, during 1824 elections which began second party system people voted for John Quincy Adams instead of Andrew Jackson who would help found Democratic Party before 1828 elections. In conclusion, Calvert County has a rich history that has shaped its racial makeup today. It is home to a diverse population made up primarily of whites followed by blacks and two or more races living below poverty line with most common industries being management occupations (5992 people), office administrative support occupations (5532 people), construction extraction occupations (3989 people), health care coverage (1906 patients) and car ownership (2 cars per household). Politically speaking it has traditionally supported Federalists but also favored Republican Democrats during their biggest triumphs.
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