PRINCE FREDERICK — Calvert County Government released results from its latest community survey on November 20, 2025, gathering input from 861 residents on quality of life, services, and priorities to guide future decisions and resource allocation.
Conducted from July through September 2025 by a third-party firm, the survey found 71 percent of respondents rating the county’s overall quality of life as good or excellent. Sixty-one percent said they would recommend Calvert County as a place to live, while 63 percent indicated they are likely to remain residents five years from now. Overall satisfaction with county government services reached 55 percent, marking a 9 percent increase from the previous survey.
The independent survey employed a representative sampling method, aligning respondent demographics with U.S. Census Bureau data for race, ethnicity, age, and gender in Calvert County. Rake weighting adjusted any minor imbalances to prevent over- or under-representation of groups, ensuring statistically reliable results for policymaking.
Key strengths identified include the library system, where 83 percent expressed satisfaction — up 4 percent from the prior survey. Calvert County operates four branches: the main Fairview Library in Prince Frederick, Fairview Branch in Owings, Twin Beaches Branch in North Beach — recently featuring a new Chesapeake Bay-themed mural — and Southern Branch in Solomons. These facilities provide books, digital resources, programming, and community spaces under the Calvert Library system, funded through county budgets and state aid.
Public safety earned 75 percent satisfaction, a 2 percent rise. Calvert County recorded Maryland’s lowest crime rate in 2024 at 1,634 incidents per 100,000 residents, compared to the state average of 3,771, according to the Maryland National Incident-Based Reporting System dashboard. Enforcement involves the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police, and coordinated efforts tracked via uniform reporting standards mandated statewide.
Parks and recreation scored 74 percent satisfaction, increasing 7 percent. Recent upgrades include new tennis and pickleball courts at Dunkirk District Park, field improvements at Hallowing Point Park, and court replacements at Cove Point Park. Fiscal Year 2025 saw over 230,000 visitations across 2,400 programs, managed by the Department of Parks & Recreation, which oversees facilities like Edward T. Hall Aquatic Center, community centers, and natural areas along Routes 2/4 and the Patuxent River.
Arts and cultural events received 45 percent satisfaction, up 6 percent, with county murals viewable via an online guide at www.VisitCalvert.com/Murals.
Public transportation ease drew 25 percent agreement, improving 9 percent. The system features eight fixed routes and four demand-response/paratransit options connecting to shopping, medical appointments, and employment hubs. Free fares, approved by commissioners and effective since mid-2024 adjustments, aim to increase accessibility in a rural county reliant on personal vehicles along major corridors like Route 4.
Permits and zoning processes saw 31 percent finding them easy, a 7 percent gain, following adoption of an updated zoning ordinance in FY25 after public review, plus a refreshed comprehensive flood mitigation plan addressing Chesapeake Bay shoreline vulnerabilities.
Ease of providing public input rose 5 percent, with community engagement ranking second among what government does well, behind public safety. In 2025, sessions covered data centers, town center master plans for Owings, Huntingtown, and St. Leonard, supplemented by dozens of targeted surveys on topics from parks to digital services.
A dedicated traffic safety section, in partnership with the Calvert County Traffic Safety Council, identified congestion as the top roadway concern for 51 percent of respondents. Aggressive driving, distracted driving, and speeding topped safety issues, informing the council’s 2026 strategic plan updates.
When considering the Department of Public Safety, 74 percent associated it with law enforcement and traffic enforcement, followed by fire/EMS and disaster management. The department centralizes resources including Emergency Communications, Career EMS, Hazardous Materials Response, and oversight of volunteer fire/rescue divisions.
Full results are posted at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov/SurveyResults, offering detailed breakdowns for county leaders to align budgets, programs, and initiatives with resident priorities in areas like growth management along the Route 260 corridor and preservation of agricultural lands.
