countyscore
42.2
County Score
Income & Jobs 92.4Schools 82Health 65.5

County Report Card

About Cecil County, Maryland

Economic Strength vs. National Median

Cecil County’s composite score of 42.2 falls below the national median of 50.0. High income and school scores are balanced out by lower marks in safety and infrastructure.

Below the Maryland Average

The county's 42.2 score is below the Maryland state average of 47.4. While it matches the state's high-income trend, it struggles with safety and water quality relative to other Maryland counties.

Education and Strong Earnings

Cecil excels in preparing the next generation with a school score of 82.0. The economy is also a highlight, featuring an income score of 92.4 and a median household income of $91,146.

Safety and Infrastructure Gaps

A safety score of 18.3 and a water score of 25.2 represent the county's primary challenges. These factors, combined with a cost score of 8.4, create pressure on the overall quality of life.

Good for Commuters with Kids

This county is best for high-earning professionals who prioritize school quality for their children. It offers strong economic opportunities, provided residents can overlook local infrastructure and safety concerns.

2040608010039.48.418.365.58292.441.525.259.4Tax39.4Cost8.4Safety18.3Health65.5Schools82Income92.4Risk41.5Water25.2Weather59.442.2/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Cecil County DNA

Foverall

How Cecil County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Cecil County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (92.4/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (8.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
39.4-12.600000000000001
Cost
8.4-39.6
Safety
18.3-36.7
Health
65.5+15.5
Schools
82+28
Income
92.4+41.400000000000006
Risk
41.5
Water
25.2-32.8
Weather
59.4
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$311,800

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$1,367/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$311,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$54,680/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $91,146/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

5.7

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Harford County
Maryland
50.1
Kent County
Maryland
52.8
New Castle County
Delaware
44.3
Chester County
Pennsylvania
51.1
Baltimore County
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Salem County
New Jersey
42.1
Baltimore city
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Queen Anne's County
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58.9

Deep Dives

Cecil County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 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

Safety in Cecil County

via CrimeByCounty

Cecil County Remains Safer Than National Average

Cecil County holds a safety score of 96.6, which reflects a secure environment overall. Its total crime rate of 2,168.0 per 100,000 residents stays below the national average of 2,385.5. Violent crime is also lower than the national benchmark, recorded at 326.4 versus 369.8.

Navigating Safety in Northeastern Maryland

Cecil County's safety score of 96.6 is slightly below the Maryland state average of 97.4. The county's total crime rate of 2,168.0 is higher than the state average of 1,638.3. Six agencies contribute to these numbers, providing a clear picture of the safety trends in the state's northeastern corner.

Comparing Cecil to Regional Neighbors

Cecil County experiences more crime than its Eastern Shore neighbor Caroline County, but stays safer than the national average. Its total crime rate is roughly 60% higher than Caroline's, reflecting its position as a transit corridor between major cities. Despite this, it remains a relatively safe region compared to urban centers.

Property Crime as the Primary Local Concern

Property crime in Cecil County is reported at 1,841.6 per 100,000, significantly outpacing the violent crime rate of 326.4. Residents are much more likely to deal with theft or property damage than violent encounters. This distribution is typical for counties with major highway access and regional commerce.

Smart Security for Cecil County Homes

Given that property crime is the most frequent issue, installing security cameras at entry points is a wise investment. Keep valuables out of sight in vehicles to discourage opportunistic theft in residential areas. A well-maintained security system provides an important extra layer of protection for your household.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Cecil County

via SchoolsByCounty

Education Infrastructure on the NE Corridor

Cecil County manages 29 public schools, including 17 elementary, 6 middle, and 5 high schools. This system supports 15,047 students through a single district that spans the area between the Susquehanna River and the Delaware border. The layout provides a high concentration of elementary schools to support local neighborhoods.

Exceeding State and National Benchmarks

The county delivers a strong 93.0% graduation rate, which is well above the national average of 87%. Academic performance is reflected in a school score of 62.0, surpassing the Maryland state average of 60.6. Investment is steady at $10,187 per pupil, focusing funds on student outcomes and secondary success.

Focused Growth in a Single District

Cecil County Public Schools serves as the sole district for the county's 15,047 students. There are currently no charter schools in the system, maintaining a traditional but high-performing public school model. High schools like Elkton and Rising Sun both enroll 1,106 students, serving as the largest academic centers in the region.

A Rural-Suburban Educational Mix

The county is divided between 16 rural and 13 suburban school locales, offering a diverse range of campus settings. With an average school size of 537 students, the campuses are slightly smaller than the state average, allowing for more personal student-teacher interaction. Larger high schools like North East High provide a more bustling suburban feel.

Strong Schools and Growing Communities

Cecil County’s 93% graduation rate is a compelling reason for families to explore the local real estate market. The district’s ability to outperform state averages while maintaining manageable school sizes makes it an attractive choice for home buyers. Look for homes near these top-performing secondary schools for lasting value.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

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

Water Quality in Cecil County

via WaterByCounty

High Violation Counts Result in F Compliance Grade

Cecil County recorded 47 health violations over the past five years, the highest count among the counties surveyed. This leads to a violation rate of 89.2 per 100,000 residents, more than triple the Maryland average of 25.7. Residents face a significantly higher risk of water system disruptions than the national norm.

Watershed Impairment Remains Below State Average

Approximately 40.3% of the 77 assessed water bodies are impaired, which is better than the Maryland state average of 43.1%. According to the 2022 data, the main issues are water temperature, phosphorus, and PCBs. While the streams are healthier than many in the state, industrial and thermal pollution remain concerns.

Comprehensive Monitoring Tracks Nutrient and Bacterial Loads

A network of 33 monitoring sites has produced 32,519 measurements over the last five years. The program tracks physical, nutrient, and microbiological data to ensure a clear understanding of watershed trends. This information is vital for managing the transition of water from rural streams into the public supply.

Octoraro Creek Experience Low Discharge Levels

Octoraro Creek is currently flowing at 79 cubic feet per second, representing 33% of its long-term average. This low flow reduces the creek's ability to dilute nutrients like phosphorus, potentially worsening impairment issues. Dry conditions are affecting the entire Octoraro drainage area.

Safety First Amidst High Violation Rates

Given the failing grade and high violation count, residents should prioritize home water testing and high-quality filtration. Be cautious of consuming fish from local waters due to PCB impairments listed in the watershed reports. Low streamflow suggests residents should be extra vigilant about water conservation to support the struggling system.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Soil Quality in Cecil County

via SoilByCounty

The Upper Shore's Productive Earth

Cecil County features a strong soil score of 62.8 and an average pH of 5.53. This puts its acidity levels slightly above the Maryland state average of 5.31, though still more acidic than the 6.5 national median. It serves as a transition zone between the Piedmont and the Coastal Plain, offering unique growing conditions.

Silty Loam Foundations

The composition is dominated by 44.7% silt and 34.0% sand, creating a texture that holds together well and supports deep root systems. With 14.2% clay, the soil has enough body to retain minerals but remains manageable for standard garden equipment. This mix is highly effective for both pasture land and row crops.

Top-Tier Water Retention Capabilities

Cecil County excels in water storage, with an available water capacity of 0.194 in/in, the highest among these eight counties. Organic matter sits at 5.16%, which is lower than the state average of 9.10% but provides a healthy biological base. The high water capacity is a major asset for maintaining lush lawns and productive gardens.

Reliable Moisture Management

Detailed drainage classifications are not available for the dominant soil, but the high water capacity suggests a deep, absorbent profile. The balanced silt-to-clay ratio helps mitigate the risks of both drought and flash flooding by regulating how water moves through the earth. This makes it a very forgiving soil for beginner gardeners.

Lush Landscapes in Zone 7b

In Hardiness Zone 7b, you can grow a diverse array of perennials, shrubs, and summer vegetables. The exceptional water capacity of Cecil's soil makes it particularly good for thirsty plants like hydrangeas or late-season squash. Join the local growing community and make the most of this water-rich landscape.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Cecil County

via LawnByCounty

Challenging Conditions in Northern Maryland

Cecil County’s lawn difficulty score of 42.5 indicates a tougher-than-average environment for homeowners. This falls below the state average of 49.8, meaning you’ll face more hurdles than your neighbors in Carroll or Allegany. Success in Zone 7b requires a more technical approach to lawn health.

High Rainfall Meets High Heat

With 47.7 inches of annual precipitation, water is rarely in short supply, which is a major benefit. However, 31 days of extreme heat per year can lead to fungal issues and heat stress if your lawn isn't properly aerated. This combination of moisture and heat requires careful monitoring for lawn diseases.

Address Soil Acidity for Nutrient Uptake

The soil pH of 5.53 is acidic enough to potentially lock out key nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen. A mix of 14.2% clay and 34.0% sand provides a standard texture that is generally easy to work with. Applying lime in the fall or spring will help bring your soil closer to the 6.0 target.

Managing 38 Weeks of Drought

Cecil has spent 38 weeks in drought conditions over the last year, with nearly the entire county currently abnormally dry. Even with high annual rainfall averages, these long dry spells can devastate unprepared turf. Focus on increasing your mowing height to 3 inches or more to help the soil retain moisture.

Reliable Grasses for Cecil County

Perennial ryegrass and tall fescue blends are excellent for the specific climate and soil challenges of Zone 7b. While specific local frost dates are unavailable, following the mid-October seeding deadline ensures your lawn survives the winter. Start with a soil test to ensure your amendments are actually hitting the mark.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cecil County's county score?
Cecil County, Maryland has a composite county score of 42.2 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Cecil County rank among counties in Maryland?
Cecil County ranks #18 among all counties in Maryland on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Cecil County, Maryland?
The median annual property tax in Cecil County is $3,059, with an effective tax rate of 0.98%. This earns Cecil County a tax score of 39.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Cecil County?
The median household income in Cecil County, Maryland is $91,146 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Cecil County earns an income score of 92.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Cecil County, Maryland a good place to live?
Cecil County scores 42.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #18 in Maryland. The best way to evaluate Cecil County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Cecil County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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