With a population of about 80,000 residents, Waldorf is a fast-developing community in southern Maryland. “It’s a mix of country and up-and-coming development. Especially when I moved here over 30 years ago, it was a good compromise between being way out in the country and D.C.” says Mavis Wilson, a longtime Waldorf resident. Commuters frequently make the 30-mile drive north to Washington, D.C., but stay local for more relaxed recreation, as the area has plenty of parks and outdoor spaces. “There used to be a sign off the highway that said Waldorf: Maryland’s best kept secret,” Davis says. “But they had to take that down because people were catching on to it.” The increase in population, brought by new subdivisions in the area, has increased the stores and restaurants in Waldorf as well.
Welcome to Waldorf, one of the largest communities in Maryland.
Using traditional recipes, Walls Bakery has been in Waldorf since 1968.
Napoli Pizzeria in Waldorf offers fine Greek and Italian food.
Learn to skate play hockey or just have fun at Capitol Clubhouse in St. Charles.
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Newly built townhouses and Colonial Revivals
The median listing price for a home in Waldorf was about $420,000 in 2024, on par with the national median of about $430,000. "We still have undeveloped land, so we're seeing builders come in to put in more apartments and townhouses," Wilson says. Most properties are in organized subdivisions and were built in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, though there are some ranch-style houses from the mid-1900s in the mix. Colonial-inspired townhouses and smaller single-family homes are usually priced between $250,000 and $450,000. Large Colonial Revivals and New Traditional properties with neat yards are usually priced between $500,000 and $600,000.
Small, planned communities are in close proximity to shopping centers in St. Charles, Maryland.
Spacious single family homes line the streets of Saint Charles.
New townhome communities keep popping up in Waldorf.
Brick Ranches among other styles of homes line the streets of Waldorf.
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Career education programs through Charles County Public Schools
Students are zoned to the Charles County Public Schools district, which serves almost 28,000 students and has an overall B-plus rating from Niche. All high school students may apply to participate in the career and technical education programs at the district’s North Point High School. Programs include welding, collision repair, culinary arts and cosmetology. For post-secondary education, there’s the College of Southern Maryland; the nearest campus of the community college is 8 miles south, in La Plata. The campus has a population of about 6,000 students. La Plata is also where residents find the nearest hospital: the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center.
The Mary B. Neal Elementary School in St. Charles is a great place to start learning.
The St. Charles High School in White Plains is great at getting students ready for college.
North Point High School in Bennsville offers 16 career and technical programs.
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State forests and public parks near Waldorf
Locals often spend time at public parks, like the Pinefield Community Park. Youth sports teams play on the baseball and soccer fields, while younger kids run around the playground. The Cedarville State Forest, which is about 6 miles from the center of Waldorf, is a forested nature preserve with over 3,000 acres of woods and 19 miles of nature trails. The multi-use recreational trails are popular with horseback riders, hikers and mountain bikers. Anglers cast a line at the fishing pond, and residents can go hunting and trapping seasonally in a section of the park. Waldorf experiences all four seasons, and summers can be particularly hot and humid.
Enjoy a quiet bike ride or a stroll on the Indian Head Rail Trail in White Plains.
White Plains Regional Park Golf Course has Bermuda grass fairways and manicured greens.
Bring other picklers to White Plains Regional Park for a game of Pickleball.
Pinefield Community Park is a great place to relax in Waldorf.
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Reliable chain restaurants and retail stores at Waldorf Center
Shopping plazas and restaurants are clustered near the center of Waldorf, around the Robert S. Crain Highway. “We really don’t need to leave to go out to eat; we have tons of restaurants,” Wilson says. “In fact, we get people coming from Prince George’s County and King George in Virginia to eat in Waldorf.” Recognizable chains, like Chipotle Mexican Grill, Chick-fil-A, Panera Bread, Cava and Denny’s, make up most of the dining options, though there are some local eateries mixed in as well. Residents pick up groceries from Food Lion and Giant and go retail shopping at stores like T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods and Target.
Coem check out the expansive menu at the Silver Diner in Waldorf.
New electronics is what you will find at. one of may retailers in Waldorf.
If you are looking for a new car, every major brand of auto dealership is in Waldorf.
Find everything for your new home in Waldorf at Lowes Home Improvement store.
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Vendor markets and a local baseball team
The Shops at Waldorf Center is a hub for community gatherings, like the Saturday seasonal farmers market, where neighbors find fresh produce and handmade items. “There’s also the pop-up and grow market, which has been supporting small businesses,” Wilson says. The vendor fair showcases local artists and small shops. During the summer, baseball fans can cheer on the local minor league team, the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, at Regency Furniture Stadium.
SOMD's only professional baseball team plays at the Regency Furniture Stadium in St. Charles.
Come check out a Blue Crabs game this summer
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State routes and buses lead to Washington, D.C.
Commuters headed to Washington, D.C., can catch a bus operated by the Maryland Transit Authority at the Waldorf park-and-ride stop; the bus drops passengers off near downtown. Many others drive 30 miles north to the nation’s capital on State Route 5. "As more people have moved to the area, traffic has gotten worse. That's one of the only common complaints you hear people say," Wilson says. Though time can fluctuate, the drive usually takes between 35 and 70 minutes. The closest major airport is also in D.C.; Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is about 28 miles from Waldorf.
Route 301 is the main thoroughfare through Waldorf.
Hop on a bus in Waldorf to get you where you need to go.
WMATA offers a shuttle to DC and other points from Waldorf.
Enjoy the paves 13 mile trails of the Indian Head Rail Trail in nearby White Plains.
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Charles County crime rates are lower than the state average
Charles County, where Waldorf is located, reported 780 violent crimes per 100,000 people in Charles County in 2023, which is lower than the state rate of 1,020 per 100,000 people. The property crime rate was also lower than Maryland’s, as Charles County reported 1,806 crimes per 100,000 people compared to the state’s 3,053 crimes per 100,000 people.
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