CountyScore

Cecil County

Maryland · MD

#16 in Maryland
63.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Cecil County, Maryland

Cecil meets national livability threshold

Cecil County's composite score of 63.7 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 27%, placing it in solid performing territory nationally. The county delivers reliable livability without excelling in any single standout dimension.

Competitive at state average level

At 63.7, Cecil essentially matches Maryland's state average of 63.9, positioning it squarely in the middle of the state's county rankings. The county represents a balanced, representative Maryland livability profile.

Balanced affordability and reasonable incomes

Cecil scores well on cost (59.1) with median home values of $311,800 and rents of $1,367, offering reasonable affordability for the region. A median household income of $91,146 and health score of 73.2 provide middle-class stability.

Income potential and risk warrant attention

The income score of 42.9 suggests limited high-wage opportunities compared to neighboring counties, constraining upward mobility. A risk score of 41.5 indicates environmental or economic factors that may affect long-term stability.

Solid choice for practical middle-class living

Cecil works well for practical families and workers seeking reliable, balanced livability without premium price tags or ambitions for wealth accumulation. It suits those valuing stability and affordability over maximum earning or status.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax74.7Cost59.1SafetyComing SoonHealth73.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome42.9Risk41.5WaterComing Soon
🏛74.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠59.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼42.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡41.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Cecil County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Jefferson County
Alabama
63.7
Median income: $64,589
Clay County
Florida
63.7
Median income: $86,094
Putnam County
Florida
63.7
Median income: $47,256
Decatur County
Georgia
63.7
Median income: $50,485
Lowndes County
Georgia
63.7
Median income: $55,887

Deep Dives

Cecil County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Cecil County

via TaxByCounty

Cecil County taxes modestly above median

Cecil County's effective tax rate of 0.981% sits just above the national median of 0.890%, placing it in roughly the 55th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $3,059 on homes valued at $311,800 reflects a moderate tax burden slightly below national norms.

Near Maryland's average rate

Cecil County's effective rate of 0.981% sits just above the state average of 0.957%, ranking it in the middle tier of Maryland counties. The median property tax of $3,059 falls below the state median of $3,328, reflecting lower home values rather than favorable tax rates.

Mid-range taxes among regional peers

Cecil's 0.981% rate falls between Caroline (0.922%) and Allegany (1.078%), making it a moderate option in northern Maryland. On a $311,800 median home, residents pay $3,059 annually—less than Baltimore County but slightly more than rural peers.

What you pay on a typical home

On Cecil's median home value of $311,800, the effective tax rate of 0.981% comes to roughly $3,059 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $3,123 per year, while those owning outright pay around $2,900.

You may be overassessed

Cecil County homeowners often don't realize their properties may be assessed above fair market value, missing the chance to reduce taxes. The county's assessment appeal process is available to all residents and can result in meaningful savings if your home is overvalued.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cecil County

via CostByCounty

Cecil County's solid affordability

Cecil County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.0% matches Maryland's 18.3% state average almost perfectly, indicating balanced housing costs relative to local incomes. With a median household income of $91,146 and $1,367 median rent, Cecil offers stable, middle-ground affordability.

Average Maryland affordability

Cecil County's 18.0% rent-to-income ratio places it virtually at the state average, making it a representative Maryland housing market. The county ranks in the middle tier of Maryland's 24 jurisdictions for affordability metrics.

Between affordable and premium

Cecil's $1,367 median rent sits between affordable Caroline County ($1,070) and costlier Anne Arundel ($1,990), positioning it as a moderate-price option. Home values at $311,800 offer reasonable entry points compared to premium suburban counties while remaining affordable for working professionals.

Cecil's middle-ground profile

Renters pay $1,367 monthly while homeowners carry $1,596 mortgage payments on homes averaging $311,800—solid middle-market pricing. With a median household income of $91,146, housing consumes 18.0% for renters and 21.0% for owners, within comfortable ranges for working families.

Cecil for practical relocators

Cecil County appeals to families earning $80,000–$110,000 seeking steady, predictable housing costs without surprise affordability shocks. The county's 18.0% rent-to-income ratio and $311,800 median homes provide reliable value in the regional housing market.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cecil County

via IncomeByCounty

Cecil County exceeds national income benchmark

Cecil County's median household income of $91,146 runs 22% above the national median of $74,755, solidifying its standing as a prosperous U.S. county. This reflects Cecil's position as both an independent economic center and a commuter community for Baltimore and Philadelphia.

Mid-to-upper tier income ranking in Maryland

Cecil County's median household income of $91,146 ranks in the upper-middle tier of Maryland counties, nearly matching the state average of $94,152. The county's per capita income of $42,560 trails the state average of $46,948 somewhat, reflecting income concentration.

Strongest income in northeast Maryland

Cecil County's median household income of $91,146 leads northern Maryland, exceeding Caroline County ($66,368) and Allegany County ($57,393), while competing closely with Baltimore County ($90,904). It ranks as the northeast's economic anchor.

Strong affordability across housing market

Cecil County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.0% indicates comfortable housing affordability, well below the 30% cost-burden threshold. Median home values of $311,800 remain accessible for households earning the county median income.

Build wealth through consistent investing

Cecil County's solid household incomes support both homeownership and meaningful retirement and investment savings. Establish automatic contributions to retirement accounts, explore low-cost index fund investments, and work toward building a diversified portfolio for long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Cecil County

via HealthByCounty

Cecil lags on longevity and health

Cecil County residents live to 73.7 years, 5.1 years below the U.S. average of 78.8 years. More than 1 in 6 residents report poor or fair health, reflecting ongoing health challenges across the county.

Below-average health outcomes

At 73.7 years, Cecil County's life expectancy trails Maryland's state average of 77.0 years by 3.3 years. The county's 16.4% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state median, placing Cecil among Maryland's lower-performing counties.

Limited provider network

Cecil's 73.7-year life expectancy exceeds only Allegany (73.5 years) among nearby counties. With 40 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 269 mental health providers per 100,000, Cecil offers limited options for specialized or complex care.

Modest uninsured rate, tight access

Cecil's uninsured rate of 5.4% is slightly below the state average of 6.4%, but the county provides only 40 primary care providers per 100,000 residents. Geographic isolation and limited provider density challenge residents seeking timely, accessible healthcare.

Ensure you're covered

Cecil County residents benefit from the state's strong insurance options. Visit marylandhealthcare.org or call 1-855-642-8572 to verify your coverage, explore plans that include telehealth access for rural care needs, and secure preventive services.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cecil County

via RiskByCounty

Cecil County faces near-average national disaster risk

Cecil County's composite risk score of 58.56 earns a "Relatively Low" rating, sitting just below the national average for natural disaster exposure. The county's northeast location on the Maryland-Pennsylvania border provides moderate insulation from coastal concentration effects.

Cecil ranks in Maryland's safer half

Cecil County's 58.56 score sits just below Maryland's state average of 60.22, placing it in the lower-risk half of Maryland's 24 jurisdictions. The county substantially outperforms Baltimore City (95.01), Baltimore County (93.99), and Anne Arundel (81.87).

Cecil competes with other northern counties

Cecil County (58.56) faces nearly identical risk to Allegany (58.52) and Carroll (59.51), forming a stable band of similar hazard exposure across northern Maryland. All three northern counties remain substantially safer than their Baltimore and Chesapeake Bay counterparts.

Earthquakes and hurricanes pose main threats

Cecil County residents contend with earthquake exposure (70.71) and hurricane danger (78.31), reflecting the county's Piedmont geology and Atlantic coastal proximity. Tornado risk (48.60) and flood hazard (60.75) remain moderate, while wildfire danger is minimal (25.29).

Earthquake and wind coverage rounds out basics

Cecil County homeowners should maintain standard coverage and add earthquake protection, which remains optional but prudent given regional seismic activity. Flood insurance is appropriate for properties in mapped flood zones or near water features, particularly along the Susquehanna River.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.