Waldorf, MD

Sitting 23 miles southeast of Washington, D.C., and covering 13 square miles, Waldorf is an unincorporated community in Charles County, Maryland. Known as a commuter stop for those headed to the nation's capital, Waldorf has grown into an urban center in recent decades, thanks in large part to a loan package from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. While the area has an extensive farming history, only a handful of farms remain in operation today, as residential development has overtaken much of the outlying farmlands. With a series of retail centers being developed in recent years, Waldorf is quickly becoming the residential and commercial hub of rapidly expanding Charles County.

Approximately 26,000 people live in Waldorf. Roughly 90 percent of residents are high school graduates, with 30 percent being college degree holders. Approximately 60 percent of residents are White, 32 percent are Black and 3 percent are Hispanic. There are prominent American Indian and Filipino communities here as well.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Waldorf's economy is mostly dependent on the industrial growth of its neighborhoods, as most of its residents commute to work at other areas, including Washington, D.C. Local jobs from this area are primarily in the service and sales industry. Waldorf is surrounded by some farming areas, such as Middleton Manor Farms, Middleton's Cedar Hill Farm and Shlagel Farms.

The unemployment rate for the city is 3 percent. Major employers from the city are St. Charles Sportsman Inc., Macy's, Wal-Mart, Sears, Target and Waldorf Dodge.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Waldorf is predominantly a bedroom community for many residents who commute to work in the Washington, D.C., area, especially personnel at Andrews Air Force Base. Even though Waldorf is a rapidly developing urbanized area, it is surrounded by farms, including Shlagel Farms, which is a major strawberry farm and Angus beef producer, Middleton's Cedar Hill farm and Middleton Manor Farm. Waldorf is a primarily residential area. The city accommodates about 7,800 houses with a little fewer than 5,900 houses occupied by owners or renters. For the Waldorf area, renter-occupied houses account to about 23 percent of total occupied houses.

FAMILY FUN

• The Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House is among the area's most notable historic sites, and is among the favorite destinations for visitors. Now a museum, the house was home to Samuel A. Mudd, the doctor who set the broken leg of John Wilkes Booth as he fled authorities after assassinating President Abraham Lincoln. After Booth's death, Dr. Mudd was arrested and charged with conspiracy. He was found guilty at trial and sentenced to life in prison. In 1869, Dr. Mudd was pardoned by President Andrew Jackson and returned to his home in Waldorf, where he died in 1883 at the age of 49. Today, the museum houses a range of Civil War-era farming implements, machinery and tools. The museum also hosts an annual Victorian Christmas celebration, a popular community event.
• The American Indian Cultural Center in Waldorf provides examples of Native American life before the arrival of European explorers. There is a full-scale, long house replica, as well as Indian arts, weapons and tools. Waldorf also celebrates its Native American Indian heritage with an annual festival and pow-wow.
• Pinefield Community Park serves the Waldorf area, as does the relatively new Capital Clubhouse, a 24-hour indoor sports complex and ice rink.
• Another Waldorf area event is the Annual Presidential Ball held at Middleton Hall, which features a dinner in honor of the elected president of the Charles County Chamber of Commerce.

SHOPPING

There are a growing number of malls and shopping centers being developed in Waldorf. Currently, there is a multi-million dollar retail and entertainment facility under construction in North Waldorf, which has emerged as the city's primary shopping district. Other shopping options include:

• St. Charles Town Center: A recently expanded mall featuring more than 100 vendors and retailers. This is the only major shopping mall in southern Maryland.
• Waldorf Festival Shopping Center: Currently under construction to include a new upscale lifestyle center and shopping area known as the Shops at Waldorf.
• The Waldorf Marketplace: Located on Route 228, this expansive shopping strip is under renovation to include several new major retailers.

EDUCATION

Waldorf is home to the Waldorf Center for higher education, which contains two accredited universities, including:

• College of Southern Maryland Waldorf Center: One of four campuses in the CSM system. Offers bachelor's degrees in five areas of study, including accounting, computer programming, general studies communications pathway, information services technology and management development.
• University Maryland University College: Offers certificates, bachelor's and master's degrees in a number of fields.
• Calvary Christian College: A non-denominational, independent college offering undergraduate and graduate courses in religious fields of study.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Waldorf is the home of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, an Atlantic League of Professional Baseball team. The Blue Crabs compete in the local Regency Furniture Stadium, which houses a picnic area, children's amusement area and a multi-purpose sports complex open to youth sports groups.

LOCAL MEDIA

Waldorf is predominantly served by Washington, D.C.'s, media. Media outlets located in Waldorf include:

• The Maryland Independent Newspaper: Published in Waldorf since 1872, this weekly paper has a circulation of around 28,000.
• The Calvert Recorder Newspaper: Published in Waldorf since 1940, this regional newspaper has a circulation of around 10,000.
• WWZZ 104.1 FM Radio-Christian contemporary