Chester: Economy & Jobs
Earnings in Chester center on a median $102,399 (1.1× below Queen Anne's County median $112,826; about the same as Maryland median $104,408), with homes at a median value of $487,400. The surrounding county supports 16,269 jobs (avg $56,415).
- $109,731 avg taxable income per return — similar than the median household income.
Income & Affordability
Median household income $102,399 — near the Maryland median ($104,407). Poverty rate 8.1% (U.S. average ~12.5%). 46% of renters spend more than half their income on rent ("severely cost-burdened" by HUD definition; U.S. ~24%).
| Affordability · Home Price To Income | 4.8× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Home Affordability | moderate |
| Affordability · Rent Pct Income | 21.7% |
| Affordability · Rent Affordability | affordable |
| Affordability · Pct Severely Rent Burdened | 46.0% |
| Affordability · Poverty Rate | 8.1% |
| Affordability · Property Tax Pct Income | 3.8% |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $26,980 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $2,960,537 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $109,731 |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $103,625 |
| Median Household Income | $102,399 (vs Maryland $104,408) |
| Poverty Rate | 8.1% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | mixed |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Education Healthcare |
| Economic Character · Income Level | affluent |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $102,399 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 1.5% — below the U.S. average of ~4%. 13% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Mean Commute Min | 33.00 |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 13.0% |
| Commuter Profile · Profile | moderate commute |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 16,269 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $917,823,085 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $56,415 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 2,677,430 |
| Unemployment Rate | 1.5% (vs Maryland 5.1%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 55 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 31,942 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 580.80 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Crop Totals, Animal Totals, Poultry Totals, Grain, Corn |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 1,437 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 12,785 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 644,120 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 6 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Liquor Stores | 12 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 21 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 6 |
| Local Businesses · Clothing Stores | 12 |
| Local Businesses · Beauty Salons | 12 |
| Local Businesses · Pet Grooming | 6 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 31 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 38 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 9 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (4)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (5)
| Nearest Snap · Name | Walgreens 11283 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Total In Area | 7 |
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | QUEEN ANNES COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INC |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $380,114,591 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 7,621.50 |
| Federal Spending · Population | 49,874 people |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 74.2% |
|---|---|
| Pct Public Transit | 1.3% |
| Pct Walked | 13.0% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 46.9 years (vs Maryland 39.3y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 33.7% |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | older population, strong SS base, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | good |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12