Bennsville

Bennsville, located 25 miles south of Washington, D.C., on the outskirts of Waldorf, is a densely wooded community with a mix of leafy subdivisions and newer housing developments.

“It’s like a suburb with little pockets of communities,” says Theresa Shoptaw, Realtor with Century 21, “It’s still very affordable compared to Prince George’s County, so you get a little bit more for your money, only you’re a bit further away from D.C.”

The neighborhood’s subdivisions feature a variety of homes from the mid-to-late 1900s. You’ll find ranch-style, split-level and bi-level houses comingled on serene residential streets. Most homes are fixed on spacious lots with one to three acres of yard space surrounded by trees. They typically offer 1,500 to 2,500 square feet of living space with three to five bedrooms, ranging from $425,000 to $550,000. The neighborhood’s newer HOA developments feature contemporary Colonial and Craftsman-style homes on smaller quarter-acre lots. These modern homes from 2015 through today offer more living space with around 3,000 to 5,500 square feet, selling for around $550,000 to $650,000. Some newer developments feature three-story, 2,500-square-foot town houses as well, which range from $400,000 to $450,000. Many of these communities also come with amenities for neighbors to enjoy, such as outdoor pools and tennis courts.

Kindergarten through fifth-grade students are split between William A. Diggs, Dr. James Craik and J.C. Parks Elementary Schools, which all have B- to B+ ratings from Niche. Those who attend Diggs go on to Theodore Davis Middle School, rated a B-, and North Point High School, which is right next door. North Point boasts an A grade and is ranked the best of all seven schools in Charles County and the 38th best in the state. The high school focuses heavily on career and technology education with 17 programs such as engineering, construction and criminal justice. The two other elementary schools feed into Matthew Henson Middle School, which has a B- grade. Students there go on to B-rated Maurice J. McDonough High School, ranked the most diverse high school in the county.

Kids enjoy playing sports through several leagues at Bensville Park, which has five baseball, three soccer and one football field. The brightly colored basketball court built in 2022 is great for pickup games. The court was designed by Maryland artist Shelton Hawkins through his Play in Color initiative, which aims to bring life to basketball courts across the state. Children can have fun playing on the playground, especially on the zipline, which is always a big hit. When you want to explore nature and work on your cardio, you can head to the park’s access point to Indian Head Rail Trail. The 13-mile paved trail follows the path of a former railroad that transported U.S. Navy supplies. It runs from Indian Head to Bennsville’s neighboring town of White Plains with lots of nature to explore. “The rail trail is the best thing the county ever did,” says Shoptaw. “People are always out walking, jogging and riding their bikes. It’s all shaded with little ponds. I walk my dog there and even saw a beaver once.”

While locals typically drive six miles to the many big box stores and restaurants in Waldorf, there are also a few small businesses spread out around the Bennsville area. The small Westlake Square Shopping Center on the east side of town features a barber shop, nail salon and two local restaurants, including Chesapeake Doughnut Company, known for its cake-style doughnuts, and Julito’s, a popular spot for specialty Peruvian dishes. You can also hit up Crab Boat Seafood Bar on the north side of Bennsville for a wide range of seafood like crab cakes and seafood boils.

As you drive around Bennsville, you’ll come across several farms that make you feel like you’re in the rural countryside. But when you pull into your street, you’re accompanied by neighbors that remind you of a suburban community.

Written By

Nicolas Stuart

Photography Contributed By

Jesse Snyder

Video By

Adam Barkley