Princess Anne, Maryland

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Princess Anne is a town in Somerset County, Maryland, United States. The population was 2,313 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Somerset County^GR6.

1 History
2 Geography
3 Demographics
4 Colleges and universities
5 Notable Residents
6 External links

[edit] History

With a population just under 2400 people, this hamlet at the head of the Manokin River was named for Princess Anne of Great Britain, daughter of King George II. It was established in 1733 and serves as the county seat for Somerset County (the southern most county in Maryland).

In the mid 18th century, Princess Anne gained considerable importance as a market center because of the river trade and the southward extension of the railroad on Maryland's Eastern Shore. At that time, the Manokin River was navigable as far as the bridge at Princess Anne.

Much of the town's architectural heritage from those days has been preserved. About 150 acres (0.6 km²) of the old town, containing about 300 structures, is entered on the National Register of Historic Places.

[edit] Geography

Princess Anne is located at 38°12′16″N, 75°41′42″W (38.204439, -75.695024)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.2 km² (1.2 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 2,313 people, 992 households, and 498 families residing in the town. The population density was 714.4/km² (1,843.2/mi²). There were 1,117 housing units at an average density of 345.0/km² (890.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 34.59% White, 62.86% African American, 0.56% Native American, 0.78% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.69% of the population.

There were 992 households out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 25.4% were married couples living together, 21.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.7% were non-families. 38.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the town the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 20.2% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 17.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 84.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $20,066, and the median income for a family was $26,351. Males had a median income of $19,492 versus $22,857 for females. The per capita income for the town was $10,944. About 30.1% of families and 39.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 53.8% of those under age 18 and 21.0% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Colleges and universities

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

[edit] Notable Residents

Samuel Chase, born April 17, 1741, Princess Anne; died June 19, 1811, Washington, D.C.; member of the colonial "Sons of Liberty"; signer of the Declaration of Independence; member of the Maryland Assembly 1764–84; delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses 1774–78 & 1784–85; Judge of the Baltimore Criminal Court 1788-96; Chief Judge of the Maryland General Court 1791-96; Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court 1796-1811 (appointed by George Washington), impeached in 1804 for political reasons (instigated by Thomas Jefferson), and acquitted in 1805 (presided by Aaron Burr)
Phillips Lee Goldsborough, born August 6, 1865; Governor of Maryland 1912-16; U.S. Senator for Maryland 1929-35