Chester: Demographics & People
4,797 people call Chester home, in 2,117 households. Population grew 5.7% from 4,539 (2022) to 4,797 (2024). Median age 46.9 years. (2.2y older than Queen Anne's County; 7.6y older than Maryland). Children under 18 are 18% of the population. Population is 80% White (non-Hispanic) and 8% Hispanic or Latino. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.28). 58% of households are family-led. County is gaining 1,711 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 33% adult obesity, 13% smoke.
- 2.3 people per household.
- 42% non-family households (singles, roommates).
Population & Trend
Population grew 5.7% from 4,539 (2022) to 4,797 (2024) — about 9.5× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~5,073 (extrapolated at 2.8%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 5,456.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 49,874 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 5.7% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 4,539 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 4,797 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | booming |
| Population | 4,797 people |
| Population Estimate | 5,456 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 46.9y is 8.0 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 18% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 46.9 years (vs Maryland 39.3y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 18.0% |
| Age Summary · Character | established |
| Population under 18 | 865 |
| Median age | 46.9 years (vs Maryland 39.3y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 4,797 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.28 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 3,698 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 356 |
| Asian residents | 57 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 279 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 28.0% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 84.2% |
| Asian population | 1.4% |
| Black population | 7.1% |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 7.7% |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 80.5% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 0.1% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 8% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 2,800 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 1,589 |
| Share born in this state | 58.4% |
| Share born in another state | 41.6% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 33.1% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.1% |
| Naturalized citizens | 8.4% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 310 |
| From Europe | 8 |
| From Africa | 41 |
Households & Family Composition
2,117 households. Averaging 2.4 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 58% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 1,143 families, 23% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 941 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 1,143 |
| Married couples with children | 258 |
| Single-parent households | 32 |
| Average household size | 2.35 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 15.7% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 29 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 21 |
| Family households | 1,220 households |
| Households that are families | 57.6% |
| Total households | 2,117 households |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 9.6% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 1,711 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 9.6% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 52,072 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 50,361 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 1,711 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 250 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 5.6% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 18 residents live in group quarters (0.4% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 18 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 1 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | MD-01 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 24,035 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 24 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 35 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Queen Annes |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 8.5% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 6.70 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 10.80 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 24,035 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Queen Anne's County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Large fringe metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 1,304 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 24,035 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Queen Anne's County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 78.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 70.2% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 57.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 50,381 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 8.50 |
| Family Score · Schools | 14 |
| Family Score · Youth Sports Orgs | 1 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 18.0% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 4,797, booming, established, affluent, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 4,797 people |
| Town Summary · County | Queen Anne's County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade