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Maryland Population Overview (2026 Projection)
Maryland is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, bordered by Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to the south and west; Pennsylvania to the north; and Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.
Maryland is the 18th most populous state in the United States. The total land area is 9,776 square miles (25,314 square kilometers), with an average of 619 people per square mile, making it the 5th most densely populated state in the US.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Maryland’s population in 2020 was 6,177,224 (6.1 million). The estimated population as of July 1, 2024, is 6,263,220 (6.2 million). Based on recent trends, population growth in Maryland is expected to continue steadily over the next few years.
👉 Projected Population of Maryland (2026): ~6.35 million
Maryland Population Growth (2010–2020)
Maryland has a population growth rate of 7% during 2010-2020. It has had a population increase of 403,672 since 2010. The median age in Maryland is approximately 38.3 years of age. The state’s gender ratio is 51.6% females and 48.4% males.
Maryland Census Snapshot (2020)
| Indicators | Data |
| Total Population | 6,177,224 (6.17 million) |
| Median age | 38.3 years |
| Population Rank | 18th |
| Total Land Area | 9,776 sq mi (25,314 km2) |
| Area Rank | 42nd |
| Population Density | 619/sq mi (238/km2) |
| Capital City | Annapolis |
| Largest City | Baltimore |
Source: US Census 2020 and estimates
Maryland Historical population
Maryland has experienced steady population growth over the past century. From a population of 1.29 million in 1910, it grew to 6.18 million by 2020, reflecting an increase of nearly 4.9 million over 110 years. While growth rates have slowed in recent decades, Maryland continues to expand steadily, driven by urban development and migration to the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area.
Decadal Population Change (1910–2020)
| Year | Population | % Change |
| 1790 | 319,728 | — |
| 1800 | 341,548 | 6.8% |
| 1810 | 380,546 | 11.4% |
| 1820 | 407,350 | 7.0% |
| 1830 | 447,040 | 9.7% |
| 1840 | 470,019 | 5.1% |
| 1850 | 583,034 | 24.0% |
| 1860 | 687,049 | 17.8% |
| 1870 | 780,894 | 13.7% |
| 1880 | 934,943 | 19.7% |
| 1890 | 1,042,390 | 11.5% |
| 1900 | 1,188,044 | 14.0% |
| 1910 | 1,295,346 | 9.0% |
| 1920 | 1,449,661 | 11.9% |
| 1930 | 1,631,526 | 12.5% |
| 1940 | 1,821,244 | 11.6% |
| 1950 | 2,343,001 | 28.6% |
| 1960 | 3,100,689 | 32.3% |
| 1970 | 3,922,399 | 26.5% |
| 1980 | 4,216,975 | 7.5% |
| 1990 | 4,781,468 | 13.4% |
| 2000 | 5,296,486 | 10.8% |
| 2010 | 5,773,552 | 9.0% |
| 2020 | 6,177,224 | 7.0% |
Source: US Census 2020
Maryland Demographics (Summary)
Religion in Maryland (Overview)
Christianity is the largest religious affiliation in Maryland, followed by a significant unaffiliated population.
Christian: ~69%
Protestant: 35%
Roman Catholic: 15%
Mormon (LDS): 1%
Eastern Orthodox: 1%
Other Christian groups: ~1%
Unaffiliated: ~23%
Other Religions: ~8%
Hinduism: 1%
Buddhism: 1%
Judaism: 3%
Islam: 1%
Other smaller faiths
🔗 Read detailed data: Religion in Maryland
Race and Ethnicity in Maryland (Overview)
Maryland has a diverse population, with strong African American and Hispanic communities.
White (Non-Hispanic): 47.2%
Black or African American: 29.1%
Hispanic or Latino: 11.8%
Asian: 6.8%
Two or More Races: 4.4%
Ancestry in Maryland (Overview)
Maryland’s population reflects a mix of European and American ancestries. Some of the largest ancestry groups include:
German
Irish
English
Italian
American
🔗 Read detailed data: Race and Ethnicity in Maryland
Top Cities and Counties in Maryland
As of 2022, Maryland is divided into 23 counties and one independent city (Baltimore), which functions as a county-equivalent for most purposes.
Most Populated County: Montgomery County – ~1.04 million residents
Largest County by Land Area: Allegany County
Smallest County by Land Area: Prince George’s County
Largest City: Baltimore – 586,131 residents
Other cities have populations under 100,000
🔗 Read more: Counties and Cities in Maryland
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