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Frequently asked questions

La Plata, MD

La Plata is a town in Charles County, Maryland, United States. The population was 10,159 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Charles County.

According to an unconfirmed local story, the town was named by one Colonel Samuel Chapman, whose family owned 6,000 acres (24 km²) of land in Charles County. The Colonel traveled to South America with his son George, who had contracted tuberculosis, in search of a cure. In his travels, the Colonel had encountered the Río de la Plata, which flows through Argentina and Uruguay, thus naming a portion of his property "La Plata".

In the 1870s, a section of the Pennsylvania Railroad had been constructed through the town of La Plata, leading to its 1888 incorporation.

The La Plata courthouse had been built soon after the 1819 Port Tobacco courthouse caught fire in 1895 under suspicious circumstances. In 1904, the historic Christ Episcopal Church in Port Tobacco, which dates to 1683 and was reconstructed in 1884, was dismantled and its stones were then transported by oxen and cart to its current lot in La Plata.

In 1940, the opening of the then Potomac River Bridge (later, the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge), which carries U.S. Route 301 over the Potomac River, provided a link to King George, Virginia and brought long-distance east coast traffic through the town as an alternative to U.S. 1 and, later, Interstate 95.

La Plata is located at 38°32′3″N 76°58′24″W (38.534258, -76.973377). On February 24, 2020, The Mayor and Town's Council unanimously adopted the Purple Martin as the official Town bird.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 7.45 square miles (19.30 km²), of which 7.40 square miles (19.17 km²) is land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km²) is water.

La Plata places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Meridian Fitness Club offers health and fitness memberships, a variety of group classes, personal/group training, daycare, and 24-hour club access. Planet Fitness offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. Charles County Family YMCA offers a variety of fitness classes, swimming pools, and wellness programs for all ages. La Plata Physical Therapy provides personalized physical therapy services to aid in rehabilitation and wellness. Port Tobacco Recreation Center features fitness equipment, group exercise classes, and recreational activities like basketball and volleyball. Southern Maryland Martial Arts & Fitness provides martial arts training and fitness classes aimed at improving physical and mental well-being 

Top sites in La Plata, MD: Silver Linden Park,  La Plata Train Station Museum, Laurel Springs Regional Park.

ZIP code: 20646. Area code: 301, 240. Elevation: 190 ft (58 m). Area: 7.43 sq mi (19.25 km²). Population: 10,159 (2020).

FAQs

What are the demographics of La Plata, MD?

La Plata is a city located in Charles County Maryland. La Plata has a 2024 population of 11,156. It is also the county seat of Charles County. La Plata is currently growing at a rate of 2.2% annually and its population has increased by 9.42% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 10,196 in 2020. According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of La Plata was: White: 54.24%, Black or African American: 37.41%, Two or more races: 4.52%, Asian: 2.54%, Other race: 0.68%, Native American: 0.61%, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0%

What is the history of La Plata, MD?

According to an unconfirmed local story, the town was named by one Colonel Samuel Chapman, whose family owned 6,000 acres (24 km²) of land in Charles County. The Colonel traveled to South America with his son George, who had contracted tuberculosis, in search of a cure. In his travels, the Colonel had encountered the Río de la Plata, which flows through Argentina and Uruguay, thus naming a portion of his property "La Plata".

What is the crime rate in La Plata, MD?

The crime rate in La Plata is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 29 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in La Plata is 1 in 35. Based on FBI crime data, La Plata is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Maryland, La Plata has a crime rate that is higher than 88% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Sources

Charles County

Wikipedia

World Population Review

Neighborhood Scout

Silver Linden Park

La Plata Train Station Museum

Laurel Springs Regional Park

University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center

Meridian Fitness Club

Planet Fitness

Charles County Family YMCA

La Plata Physical Therapy

Port Tobacco Recreation Center

Southern Maryland Martial Arts & Fitness 

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