Before visiting, many believe St. Mary's is just rural farmland—but it's anything but typical. It offers a suburban lifestyle without the downsides of big metro areas: no traffic, low crime, clean air, and plenty of amenities like exceptional schools, fine dining, breweries, shopping, recreation, and access to professional sports.
The region is surrounded by water—Patuxent & Potomac Rivers and the Chesapeake Bay—and offers protection from harsh northern weather. Snow is rare and short-lived. Housing options range from waterfront and farmland to new suburban developments.
Download the full relocation guide: St. Mary's Guide 2020 (PDF)
With 400+ miles of shoreline, St. Mary’s is just 55 miles from Washington DC and 36% more affordable. You can live rurally, suburbanly, or both.
St. Mary's County is a world-class hub for aerospace, defense, and technology—home to 200+ high-tech companies like Boeing, Lockheed-Martin, Northrup Grumman, and Raytheon. It has the highest per capita rate of PhDs and aerospace engineers in the country and produces over $3.6B in private sector output.
Enjoy fine dining, organic farmers markets, a wine trail with breweries and distilleries, major national chains (e.g., Outback, Olive Garden, Panera, Red Robin), as well as local gems, art galleries, and historic sites. Don't miss Solomons Island, a top regional destination.
Explore food & drink options in St. Mary’s County
St. Mary's is the fastest-growing county in Maryland, with over 130,000 residents and recently named the richest county in the state. You'll have easy access to Washington DC, Annapolis, Baltimore, and Richmond, plus three international airports within 90 minutes.
St. Mary's County, Maryland is home to a diverse and vibrant population that reflects a variety of ethnic backgrounds, languages, and cultural traditions.