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Lexington Park is a
census-designated place A census-designated place (CDP) is a concentration of population defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes only. CDPs have been used in each decennial census since 1980 as the counterparts of incorporated places, suc ...
(CDP) in St. Mary's County,
Maryland Maryland ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean t ...
, United States, and the principal community of the Lexington Park, Maryland Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 11,626 at th
2010 census


History


Native American presence

Archeological research in the county has shown that Native American peoples inhabited the area for at least 10,000 years. At the time of the arrival of the first colonists, the area was inhabited by the Yaocomico branch of the Piscataway Indian Nation. The Piscataway Nation, although fragmented, still exists today, and has small communities and cultural centers in other parts of the county.


Colonial era

The area was expanded into by "planters" (mostly tobacco farmers) who moved into the area as the original settlement in St. Mary's City grew. Early plantations were first farmed by indentured and free labor, but in the late 1600s slavery began to establish itself in Maryland and the character of farming changed due to this. Wealth was concentrated in very few hands and small free farmers and laborers were pushed out or "down" (into poverty) due to competition with slave labor.


Pre-1940s community

Before the establishment of the
Patuxent Naval Air Station Naval Air Station Patuxent River , also known as NAS Pax River, is a United States naval air station located in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, on the Chesapeake Bay near the mouth of the Patuxent River. It is home to Headquarters, Naval Air Sys ...
, there were tobacco farms in what is now Lexington Park, or the base proper, and also crabbing, fishing and oyster harvesting communities in the waterfront areas. Many residents of these communities had roots going back more than 300 years in the area. Many were pushed out by
eminent domain Eminent domain (United States, Philippines), land acquisition (India, Malaysia, Singapore), compulsory purchase/acquisition (Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, United Kingdom), resumption (Hong Kong, Uganda), resumption/compulsory acquisition (Austr ...
land seizures during World War Two, in order to create the new military base. Memories of this loss are still strong among older county residents. The economic boost brought by the base was welcome, but many never felt sufficiently compensated for the loss of their centuries-old homes, landholdings and fishing and farming community. Nearby,
Dashiell Hammett Samuel Dashiell Hammett (; May 27, 1894 – January 10, 1961) was an American writer of hard-boiled detective novels and short stories. He was also a screenwriter and political activist. Among the enduring characters he created are Sam Spade ('' ...
, noted novelist, was born on May 27, 1894.


World War Two: Advent of naval base spurs establishment of "Lexington Park"

"Lexington Park" came into being in 1943 with the establishment of the
Patuxent Naval Air Station Naval Air Station Patuxent River , also known as NAS Pax River, is a United States naval air station located in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, on the Chesapeake Bay near the mouth of the Patuxent River. It is home to Headquarters, Naval Air Sys ...
during World War II, and was named for the recently sunk aircraft carrier. Prior to this Lexington Park was called "Jarboesville".
John Glenn John Herschel Glenn Jr. (July 18, 1921 – December 8, 2016) was an American Marine Corps aviator, engineer, astronaut, businessman, and politician. He was the third American in space, and the first American to orbit the Earth, circling ...
,
Alan Shepard Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr. (November 18, 1923 – July 21, 1998) was an American astronaut, naval aviator, test pilot, and businessman. In 1961, he became the second person and the first American to travel into space and, in 1971, he beca ...
, and many noted astronauts trained there. In 1977 the Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge spanning the Patuxent River linked the area to
Calvert County Calvert County is located in the U.S. state of Maryland. As of the 2020 census, the population was 92,783. Its county seat is Prince Frederick. The county's name is derived from the family name of the Barons of Baltimore, the proprietors of ...
and Solomons, Maryland. In recent years several aerospace and high-tech companies have located in the area bringing additional jobs. Continually expanding shopping centers along Maryland Route 235 ("Three Notch Road") and Great Mills Road have many department stores. Area students attend Great Mills High School.


Economy


Town

Lexington Park in seaside St. Mary's County is one of the nation's fastest-growing "micropolitan" areas, expanding by 14.6 percent since 2000, largely on the strength of military growth. The county population has surpassed 100,000 in 2010. In addition, Southern Maryland is the fast-growing area in the state, and a very desirable bedroom community for people who work in the District of Columbia, but unlike neighboring Charles and Calvert counties, many in St. Mary's County both work and live in the county.


Base

The Patuxent River Naval Air Station, which is based in Lexington Park, employs about 20,000 people, driving about 75 percent of the economy in St. Mary's County and providing roughly $3 billion to the state economy.


Civilian home prices

The average price of a home in St. Mary's County in 2014 is $252,100, compared with $337,501 in 2007, and about $200,000 in 2003. The area is surrounded by farmland and has a countryside charm with a historical appeal. In addition, there are many high tech jobs.


Area schools


Secondary schools

Lexington Park's schools include Town Creek Elementary, Greenview Knolls Elementary, Lexington Park Elementary, George Washington Carver Elementary, Esperanza Middle, and Spring Ridge Middle. Great Mills High, Chesapeake Public Charter, and Fairlead Academy are also close by in neighboring Great Mills.


Higher education


St. Mary's College of Maryland

St. Mary's College of Maryland is located seven miles south of Lexington Park and is one of only two public honors colleges in the nation. It is ranked "5th in the nation" under the "public colleges" category by U.S. News & World Report. It is also ranked "4th in the nation" under the category of "Best schools for veterans" by U.S. News & World Report.


College of Southern Maryland

The College of Southern Maryland, a community college, offers classes in and near the area.


Merchant Marine academy

The Paul Hall Center for Maritime Studies (a merchant marine academy) is only about 20 minutes away.


Notable historic sites


Archeological sites

Mattapany-Sewall Archeological Site Mattapany-Sewall Archeological Site is an archaeological site in St. Mary's County, Maryland. It is located at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station on a level terrace approximately 45' above sea level, less than 1000' south of the Patuxent River ...
was listed on the
National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic ...
in 1985. Other archeological research is done periodically on parts of the naval base (and its adjacent waters), focusing on Civil War, War of 1812 and colonial research.


United States Colored Troops Memorial Statue

The United States Colored Troops Memorial Statue is located in Lexington Park. It is a nationally recognized memorial to the more than 700 African-American soldiers and sailors from St. Mary's County who served in the Union forces during the
Civil War A civil war or intrastate war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government polici ...
. The memorial also includes an educational display. Special celebrations are also held there each year. The mission of the site is to welcome people of all backgrounds, to honor those who served and to tell their story. The memorial is located in John G. Lancaster Park on 21550 Willows Road.


St. Richards Manor

St. Richard's Manor was listed on the
National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic ...
in 1985.


Historic St. Mary's City

Historic St. Mary's City, seven miles south of Lexington Park, is the site of the founding of the Maryland colony as well as being recognized as the birthplace of
religious freedom Freedom of religion or religious liberty is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance. It also includes the freedo ...
in America. It is now a reconstructed colonial town, a museum complex, and a center for
living history Living history is an activity that incorporates historical tools, activities and dress into an interactive presentation that seeks to give observers and participants a sense of stepping back in time. Although it does not necessarily seek to ree ...
. The ''Maryland Dove'' a full-sized working replica of the sailing ship that bore the firsts colonists to the new Maryland colony is there as well. The complex shows what colonial life was like in what is now Lexington Park as well as both areas were originally part of the same settlement.


Geography

Lexington Park is located at (38.258906, −76.450592). According to the
United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of th ...
, the CDP has a total area of , of which is land and (1.24%) is water.


Climate

Lexington Park has a
humid subtropical climate A humid subtropical climate is a zone of climate characterized by hot and humid summers, and cool to mild winters. These climates normally lie on the southeast side of all continents (except Antarctica), generally between latitudes 25° and 40° ...
under the
Köppen climate classification The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by German-Russian climatologist Wladimir Köppen (1846–1940) in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen, nota ...
, with hot, humid summers and mild winters.


Demographics

As of the
census A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses inc ...
of 2000, there were 11,021 people, 3,923 households, and 2,459 families residing in the CDP. The
population density Population density (in agriculture: standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical term.Matt RosenberPopu ...
was 1,378.9 people per square mile (532.6/km2). There were 4,630 housing units at an average density of 579.3/sq mi (223.7/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 59.99%
White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White ...
, 30.00%
African American African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...
, 0.38% Native American, 4.22% Asian, 0.12%
Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the Pacific Islands. As an ethnic/ racial term, it is used to describe the original peoples—inhabitants and diasporas—of any of the three major subregions of O ...
, 1.81% from other races, and 3.48% from two or more races.
Hispanic The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad. The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to viceroyalties for ...
or Latino of any race were 4.78% of the population. There were 3,923 households, out of which 41.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.9% were
married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between ...
living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.3% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.34. In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 31.5% under the age of 18, 14.0% from 18 to 24, 39.3% from 25 to 44, 12.2% from 45 to 64, and 3.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females, there were 114.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 120.5 males. The median income for a household in the CDP was $39,214, and the median income for a family was $42,095. Males had a median income of $30,762 versus $24,155 for females. The
per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population. Per capita i ...
for the CDP was $17,605. About 9.9% of families and 11.9% of the population were below the
poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
, including 14.4% of those under age 18 and 10.6% of those age 65 or over.


References


External links


PAX River Online - Area Community and Business Resource

Southern Maryland Weather- Live Southern Maryland Weather Website

Lexington Park Growth Puts It on National Fast Track - WTOP News
{{authority control 1943 establishments in Maryland Census-designated places in St. Mary's County, Maryland Census-designated places in Maryland Maryland populated places on the Chesapeake Bay Populated places established in 1943