MARYLAND

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Annapolis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307

Baltimore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319

The State in Brief

Nickname: Old Line State, Free State

Motto: Fatti maschii, parole femine (Manly deeds, womanly words)

Flower: Black-eyed susan

Bird: Baltimore oriole

Area: 12,407 square miles (2000; U.S. rank: 42nd)

Elevation: Ranges from sea level to 3,360 feet above sea level

Climate: Temperate, with mild winters and hot summers; cooler in mountains

Admitted to Union: April 28, 1788

Capital: Annapolis

Head Official: Governor Robert L. Ehrlich (R) (until 2007)

Population

1980: 4,217,000

1990: 4,781,468

2000: 5,296,486

2004 estimate: 5,558,058

Percent change, 1990–2000: 10.8%

U.S. rank in 2004: 19th

Percent of residents born in state: 49.3% (2000)

Density: 541.9 people per square mile (2000)

2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 259,120

Racial and Ethnic Characteristics (2000)

White: 3,391,308

Black or African American: 1,477,411

American Indian and Alaska Native: 15,423

Asian: 210,929

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander: 2,303

Hispanic or Latino (may be of any race): 227,916

Other: 95,525

Age Characteristics (2000)

Population under 5 years old: 353,393

Population 5 to 19 years old: 1,139,572

Percent of population 65 years and over: 11.3%

Median age: 36 years (2000)

Vital Statistics

Total number of births (2003): 75,487

Total number of deaths (2003): 44,629 (infant deaths, 645)

AIDS cases reported through 2003: 12,911

Economy

Major industries: Electrical equipment, food products, transportation equipment, metals, tourism

Unemployment rate: 3.7% (December 2004)

Per capita income: $37,424 (2003; U.S. rank: 5th)

Median household income: $55,213 (3-year average, 2001-2003)

Percentage of persons below poverty level: 7.7% (3-year average, 2001-2003)

Income tax rate: Ranges from 2.0% to 4.75%

Sales tax rate: 5.0% (food and prescription drugs are exempt)