Population growth is projected to be about 99,350 in the year 2005. Forty-five percent of the population is between the ages of 20 and 44. Southern Maryland tobacco is known for its distinctive slow burning qualities and is mostly sold to European markets. Other field crops include corn, hay, wheat, soybeans and various vegetables like green peppers and tomatoes. Some farmers are now growing sorghum as a replacement for tobacco.
Many people farm or fish part time to supplement income from regular jobs.
There are some experimental fish farms in the area. Mineral resources include sand and gravel which are moved by barges to building sites up the Potomac. D.C. St. Mary's County is home to the Patuxent River Naval Air Station, which includes Naval Air Systems, the Naval Air Warfare Center-Aircraft Division , and the Navy Test Pilot School. Our biggest city is Lexington Park where the Navy base is located. It is not unusual to see many of the airplanes in the Navy arsenal flying about the area.