EZ Search Moving Guide: Get to Know Lexington Park, MD

Chances are high that if you’re interested in living in Lexington Park, your work is military-related. This seaside Maryland area is built around a naval air station, both geographically and in its economy. But while its connections to the military run deep and wide, Lexington Park has become much more than a top place of employment. Scenic shores and a quiet, suburban vibe create a charming community with classic Main Street vibes. Get to know about Lexington Park and what to expect when moving there.

About Lexington Park

St Mary’s County is one of the most historic areas in an already historic state. The native peoples utilized the wealth of the rivers, bay, and fertile landscape. Evidence shows their prowess at fishing and oyster harvesting long before European ships sailed to the New World.

Colonists founded St. Mary’s City in the 1600s as one of America’s earliest cities. The region was primarily agricultural, concentrating on tobacco farming or plying the Chesapeake waters for fish, crabs, and oysters.

That changed after the post-World War establishment of Patuxent Naval Air Station, about seven miles north of St. Mary’s City in a hamlet renamed Lexington Park. The base hosts the testing and development division; early space program astronauts trained here. 

As an essential base in the Naval Aircraft Division, NAS Patuxent brought an economic boost to St. Mary’s. It brought highly skilled workers to help develop and refine technologies. Today’s culture is heavily integrated into the military lifestyle. 

While the hamlet did have some residents, what we see as Lexington Park grew around the base to support its workforce. It’s an unincorporated area without town or city status. Around 13,000 people live in this seaside area. 

Since it remains more like a small town, life in Cedar Point feels relaxed. It’s still surrounded by farmland and nature preserves, much like a century ago. However, residents live just 62 miles from Washington, DC. 

The Weather

Being waterfront helps moderate the climate, giving Lexington Park a subtropical classification. Expect hot, humid summers, especially at summer’s peak in July when high temperatures average 88F. Summers see the most rain; a tropical storm isn’t out of the question with its waterfront location. 

While it can and does snow in the winter, it’s rare. The yearly average is about 14 inches, with February being the snowiest month. Winters are usually mild compared to western Maryland. 

That same climate makes the fall and spring months absolutely pleasant to spend outside. A high number of days fall between 70-80F for the daily average temperatures. It earns high marks for being comfortable most of the year.

Lexington Park Cost of Living

On the whole, Maryland’s cost of living trends above the national average. Lexington Park continues that trend despite its small-town status. Overall, living here is 7% more expensive than other places in the nation. Groceries, utilities, and housing will cost more. However, Lexington Park is more affordable for Maryland living than the state figures.

Lexington Park Real Estate

Housing varies in Lexington Park. The once-rural area does have historic homes, but the base’s development means most homes are post-World War II construction. Short-term housing arrangements and homes catering to military families are available. Options include townhomes and single-family homes.

Even with the new housing developments, Lexington Park maintains its small-town appeal:

• The surrounding mature forests and green spaces
• The quiet of less traffic flow
• The friendly neighbors

Find places to live with waterfront acreage, large lots, or close to the shopping on Three Notch Road.

As of February 2024, Lexington Park’s median sale price was $312,000, up 17% year-over-year. However, as a small town, it sees little sales activity, which can impact reported prices. Only ten homes sold in that February. Meanwhile, in March 2024, list prices ranged from $17,000 to $2 million. See current homes for sale in Lexington Park for an updated look at the real estate market. 

Neighborhoods in Lexington Park include Southgate, Cedar Cove, Colony Square, and Hermanville.

Property taxes in St. Mary’s County for District 8 broke down as follows for 2023:

Education in Lexington Park

Lexington Park schools fall under the St. Mary’s County Public Schools system. The district uses the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) model, which is about inclusive and data-backed learning. Around 17,000 children are enrolled across the whole district. The school options include a career and tech-focused school and one charter school. The classes average a student-to-teacher ratio of 13:1.

There are no colleges in the town, but St. Mary’s College of Maryland is seven miles away. It is one of only two public honors colleges nationwide. The nearby College of Southern Maryland also has classes leading to two-year diplomas and certificates. The Merchant Marine Academy is about 20 minutes away.

Healthcare Access

Lexington Park lacks a major hospital, given that it is a Census-Designated Place. Providers are available in the immediate area, including a branch of the county health department. More extensive services are south in St. Mary’s City. MedStar is the primary operator of private practices and health care.

Lexington Park Economy

NAS Pax River is the economic driver for St. Mary’s County. One estimate indicates that it provides $3 billion to Maryland’s economy. Around 20,000 people work at the defense station, making it the rural county’s top employer.

Additionally, the base has attracted aerospace and high-tech defense-related companies to Lexington Park. These work here to better serve the needs of NAS Pax River. After the base, four of the following five top employers are in tech products, service, and operational management. These include well-known names like Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems.

Supporting a community requires additional services, like stores and grocers. Lexington Park’s professional services and retail sector has grown in response to the demand.

US Census figures show the median household income for a Lexington Park family was $86,944 from 2019-2023. It reflects the number of tech and engineering-related jobs available in this quiet corner of Maryland.

Things to Do

The most well-known attraction in Lexington Park is the Patuxent Naval Air Museum. The museum’s exhibits feature the base’s history, an art gallery, and historic aircraft. Visitors can see real moon dust, sit in an authentic ejection seat, and drive the simulation technology. The museum puts on events throughout the year. Take the kids to one of its regular STEAM days or holiday-themed events.

Lexington Park is a small town, so at some point, you’ll likely visit St. Mary’s City. This was the first colony in Maryland, beautiful architecturally and home to many historical sites. The museum complex and reconstructed colonial town provide a glimpse into where religious freedom was cemented as one of America’s tenets. 

Another historic site lies on the NAS Pax River base. The Mattapany-Sewall archaeological site dates to the late 1600s. The 3rd Baron Baltimore’s manor house served as a governmental meeting place. It was also home to the colonial arsenal and site of the Protestant Revolution of 1689.

The county has a recreation and parks department that operates parks and programs for all ages. Find swim classes, gymnastics, youth and adult sports, and more. One of its in-town parks, Lexington Manor, has public art installations, a disc golf course, and exercise stations. The Three Notch Trail is under construction. Sections of it are completed and are open for use. The pedestrian path will connect the NAS Pax River station to Hughesville when finished. 

Adjacent to Lexington Park is St. Mary’s River State Park, which has two separate sites. The first site has a 250-acre lake that is popular for freshwater fishing. Facilities include boat launches, a playground, and a picnic table. The second is 2,200 wildland acres with undeveloped facilities.

Lexington Park residents have three more state parks within an easy drive: Point Lookout, Calvert Cliffs, and Greenwell. All three have stunning water views and access to the Patuxent or Chesapeake.

Note that St. Mary’s County charges waterfront park fees during the summer high season. Everyone visiting public lands along its beautiful shores must pay the fee. 

Elms Beach Park is the nearest beach. It’s wide enough at 500 feet to fit a packed day at the shoreline in the summer. The park has a changing facility, playground, and picnic facilities. Dogs are allowed to swim in the water. 

Many retail and commercial corridors concentrate on Three Notch Road or Great Mills Road.

The base has an excellent complement of recreational options for military families, from a golf course to primitive camping sites. Watch discount movies in its theater, play at outdoor and indoor sporting facilities, or take the kids to a youth center. 

Living in Lexington Park

Moving to Lexington Park promises a well-rounded lifestyle. This is your chance to enjoy more time with your family or kick back with a laid-back lifestyle. Enjoy a beautiful setting and the charms of small town living at prices that are more affordable for Maryland. Let us know what questions you have about Lexington Park.