Denton, Maryland-The Daily Ledger

Denton is a town in Caroline County, Maryland, United States. The population of Denton was 4,418 as of the 2010 United States Census, and it is the county seat of Caroline County.

History

Denton was established in 1781. It was first called Eden Town, for Sir Robert Eden, the last royal governor of Maryland, and over time Eden Town was shortened to Denton. The town was incorporated in 1802.

Denton, Maryland

The town benefited from trade shipped along the adjacent Choptank river. Shipyards along the river serviced smaller sail and steamships plying their trade on the river, with most traffic flowing down to the larger town of Cambridge. The Choptank was deep enough to pose a formidable barrier to enslaved people fleeing north to freedom. Irish-American abolitionist Hugh Hazlett and a group of escaped slaves were detained near the town in 1858, with a plaque commemorating the event.

Denton, Maryland

The steamship trade began in 1840s and ended in the 1920s. Steamships carried passengers and goods from Denton to Cambridge and other communities on the Chesapeake.

Denton, Maryland

The Museum of Rural Life interprets the ag-based heritage of the town and surrounding area. A historic steamboat pier is preserved in the town.

Geography

Denton is located at (38.883853, -75.826556).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which is land and is water.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Denton has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 4,418 people, 1,606 households, and 1,034 families living in the town. The population density was . There were 1,791 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 71.8% White, 22.9% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 1.0% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.3% of the population.

There were 1,606 households, of which 38.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.7% were married couples living together, 18.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.6% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.17.

The median age in the town was 35.8 years. 26.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.1% were from 25 to 44; 23.1% were from 45 to 64; and 15.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 46.7% male and 53.3% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,960 people, 1,140 households, and 697 families living in the town. The population density was . There were 1,264 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 71.66% White, 25.44% African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.24% from other races, and 1.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.86% of the population.

There were 1,140 households, out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.7% were married couples living together, 17.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.3% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 22.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $34,936, and the median income for a family was $42,583. Males had a median income of $27,475 versus $20,504 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,631. About 6.6% of families and 8.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.4% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.