Site Selection

#3 in Maryland for Economic Performance⁽¹⁾

Top 11% of U.S. Counties for Innovation Capacity⁽²⁾

Home to the U.S. Navy’s largest concentration of energetics engineers and scientists

$128,311 Median Household Income⁽³⁾

Charles County’s location gives companies a strategic position in one of the nation’s most influential economic corridors. Approximately 40 minutes from Washington, D.C., Charles County provides direct access to federal agencies, defense installations, major employment centers, and decision-makers across the capital region. 

Our position within the Baltimore-to-Richmond corridor also connects businesses to Mid-Atlantic markets, interstate access, regional suppliers, and a broad customer base across Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. For companies evaluating access, workforce reach, and market position, Charles County presents a location case that is both practical and powerful. That regional story continues through the County’s transportation connections, employer base, and community indicators, giving site selectors a clearer view of how Charles County performs as a business location.

People and Innovation

Charles County’s talent story is defined by education, technical strength, diversity, and regional reach. With a civilian labor force of 90,531, the County gives employers access to a skilled workforce prepared to support a broad range of industries. More than 19.2% of adult residents hold a bachelor’s degree, and 18.2% hold advanced degrees⁽⁴⁾, strengthening the County’s position in a state known for educational attainment.

That educational foundation is reinforced by specialized innovation assets. Charles County is home to the U.S. Navy’s largest concentration of energetics engineers and scientists, while the College of Southern Maryland’s cybersecurity program was ranked #10 nationally for 2025. 

In 2022, Charles County was recognized as the wealthiest majority Black/African American county in the nation. For companies focused on workforce strategy, market alignment, and inclusive growth, that distinction reflects both economic strength and a community that mirrors the future of the U.S. economy.

Business Momentum 

Charles County’s economy is moving with measurable strength. Ranked #3 in Maryland⁽⁵⁾ for economic performance, the County is gaining ground as a competitive location for investment, expansion, and business formation. That momentum is supported a business environment with public-sector stability, private-sector activity, and a growing pipeline of local enterprise.

Entrepreneurship is a key part of the County’s economic picture. Self-owned businesses grew from 13,362 in 2020 to 15,710 in 2023, with year-over-year growth in 2021, 2022, and 2023⁽⁶⁾. That steady increase reflects local confidence, market opportunity, and a support network that helps businesses start, scale, and stay competitive.

For site selectors, the next step is seeing where that momentum is taking shape: major projects, available properties, and incentive programs that can help move business decisions forward.

Start Your Site Search in Charles County 

Charles County Economic Development Department works with site selectors, brokers, developers, and business decision-makers to provide data, property information, local connections, and guidance throughout the site selection process. The Charles County EDD team can help you move from information gathering to informed decision-making. 

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^{1 Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis (2024)}

^{2 Source: Charles County Maryland EDO Research Report May 2025}

^{3 Source: https://commerce.maryland.gov/documents/researchdocument/charlesbef.pdf}

^{4 Source: https://data.census.gov/profile/Charles_County,_Maryland?g=050XX00US24017}

^{5 Source: Based on 2024 Bureau of Economic Analysis data}

^{6 Source: NES 2023}