Perryville, Maryland

Perryville, Maryland
Name	Perryville
Settlement type	Town
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name1	Maryland
Subdivision name2	Cecil County
Established title	Founded
Established date	1882
Government type	Town commission
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Matt Roath
Area total km2	6.90
Area total sq mi	2.66
Area land km2	6.80
Area land sq mi	2.63
Area water km2	0.10
Area water sq mi	0.04
Elevation m	19
Elevation ft	62
Population as of	2020
Population total	4361
Population density km2	641.3
Population density sq mi	1658.2
Timezone	EST
Utc offset	-5
Timezone DST	EDT
Utc offset DST	-4
Coordinates	39, 33, 36, N...
Postal code type	ZIP Code
Postal code	21903
Area code	410 and 443
Blank name	FIPS code
Blank info	24-61100
Blank1 name	GNIS feature ID
Blank1 info	0586801
Website	https://www.perryvillemd.org/

Perryville, Maryland is a town in Cecil County located on the western bank of the Susquehanna River, directly across from Havre de Grace. Incorporated in 1882, its history is deeply intertwined with regional transportation, serving as a vital ferry crossing and later a key railroad junction. The town is a designated growth area within the county and is known for its strategic location along major highways and rail lines connecting Baltimore and the Northeastern United States.

History

The area's significance dates to the 17th century when it was part of the Susquehannock territory before European settlement. In the early 18th century, a ferry operation established by John Rodgers connected the area to Havre de Grace, a critical link on the post road between Philadelphia and Baltimore. During the Revolutionary War, the Rodgers Tavern served as a notable stop for figures like George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette. The town's modern identity was forged with the arrival of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad in the 1830s, and it was officially named Perryville in 1845 after local merchant John Perry. The railroad station became a major troop transfer point during the Civil War, and the town later hosted the Perryville Outpatient Center, a former psychiatric hospital.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.66 square miles, of which 2.63 square miles is land and 0.04 square miles is water. It is situated on the Atlantic Coastal Plain at the confluence of the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay. The town's topography is generally flat, with significant waterfront along the river. Key geographic features include the Perryville Community Park and the adjacent Susquehanna River National Wildlife Refuge. The town is bordered by Havre de Grace to the north across the river and is intersected by Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 40.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,361. The racial makeup was predominantly White and African American, with smaller populations of Asian and Hispanic or Latino residents. The population density was approximately 1,658 people per square mile. Household data indicates a mix of family and non-family units, with a median age slightly above the state average. The town has experienced steady growth, influenced by its proximity to major employment centers in Harford County, Baltimore County, and Delaware.

Economy

The local economy has historically been driven by transportation and logistics, leveraging its position at the crossroads of I-95, U.S. 40, and the Northeast Corridor rail line. Major employers have included the Hollywood Casino Perryville, the first VLT casino in Maryland, and large distribution centers for companies like Amazon and Medline Industries. The former Perryville Outpatient Center campus has been redeveloped for commercial and light industrial use. Retail and service sectors cater to both residents and travelers along the highway corridor.

Transportation

Perryville is a critical transportation hub. The Perryville station is a northern terminus for the MARC Penn Line providing commuter rail service to Baltimore and Washington, D.C.. The town is directly served by Interstate 95 (with an interchange at Route 222) and U.S. Route 40, the historic National Road. The Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge carries U.S. Route 40 across the Susquehanna River to Havre de Grace. The Port of Baltimore's influence extends to the area through related trucking and freight rail activity on the CSX and Amtrak lines.

Notable people

Notable individuals associated with the area include John Rodgers, the ferry operator and tavern owner; his son, Commodore John Rodgers, a hero of the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812; and Matthew Henson, the Arctic explorer who accompanied Robert Peary, who lived and worked at the Perryville Outpatient Center in his youth. Contemporary figures include professional athletes and artists who have hailed from the broader Cecil County region.

Category:Towns in Maryland Category:Populated places in Cecil County, Maryland