Suitland-Silver Hill, Maryland

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Suitland-Silver Hill is a census-designated place (CDP) in Prince George's County, Maryland. The census area include separate unincorporated communities of Silver Hill, Suitland and other smaller communities. The population was 33,515 at the 2000 census.

The Suitland-Silver Hill area is known as having one of the highest crime rates in Prince George's County. The Suitland Manor neighborhood, located at the intersections of Md. Rt 218 (Suitland Road) and Md. Rt 458 (Silver Hill Road) has been targeted for demolition by the county because of the frequent occurrence of violent crime and drug trafficking in the area. As of late 2005, Prince George's County was in the process of purchasing all of the apartment buildings on the three roads that make up the neighborhood (Homer Avenue, Hudson Avenue, and Huron Avenue), so that they can be demolished and replaced with mixed commercial and residential properties. In 2005 , 7 people were shot and killed in this 3 block area, and another was killed in a hit and run. It is interesting to note that Suitland Manor is directly across Suitland Road from the Suitland Federal Center, which houses the national headquarters of the United States Census Bureau, among other government agencies.

Revitalization is being attempted by the Suitlandfest Community Development Corporation, which hosts and designs activities, programs and events that try to bring forth positive change and enhance the education, recreation, health and fitness, artistic development, and social and economical conditions in this at-risk but growing area. Suitland, however, remains one of the most dangerous places in the county.

[edit] Geography

Location of Suitland-Silver Hill, Maryland

Suitland-Silver Hill is located at 38°51′2″N, 76°55′25″W (38.850462, -76.923742)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 14.5 km² (5.6 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 33,515 people, 13,149 households, and 8,652 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,319.0/km² (6,008.0/mi²). There were 14,379 housing units at an average density of 994.9/km² (2,577.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 3.86% White, 93.01% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.60% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.64% from other races, and 1.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.86% of the population.

There were 13,149 households out of which 39.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 25.8% were married couples living together, 33.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 32.2% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 34.8% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 5.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 78.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 70.0 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $41,870, and the median income for a family was $43,635. Males had a median income of $33,633 versus $31,460 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $19,031. About 9.3% of families and 10.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.2% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.