View source for Cambridge, Maryland

{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2011}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Cambridge, Maryland
| settlement_type    = City
| nickname           = 
| motto = {{force singular}} "Living, Working, Relaxing...And Loving It"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.choosecambridge.com/|title= City of Cambridge, Maryland|publisher= City of Cambridge, Maryland |access-date=August 24, 2012}}</ref>

<!-- Images -->| image_skyline      = File:Cambridge MD at sunset.png
| imagesize          = 250px
| image_caption      = Cambridge Creek at sunset
| image_flag         = Flag of Cambridge, Maryland.png
| image_seal         = Cambridge seal.png

<!-- Maps -->| image_map          = Dorchester_County_Maryland_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Cambridge_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 250x200px
| map_caption        = Location in Dorchester County and the State of Maryland
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = 
| pushpin_map        = Maryland#USA
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_label      = Cambridge
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within the U.S. state of Maryland
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{Flagu|United States}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{Flag|Maryland}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Maryland|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = {{Flagicon image|Flag of Dochester County, Maryland.png}} [[Dorchester County, Maryland|Dorchester]]
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Lajan Cephas
| leader_title1      = 
| leader_name1       = 
| established_title  = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date   = 1793<ref>{{cite web|title=Cambridge|url=http://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/37mun/cambridge/html/c.html|website=Maryland Manual|access-date=25 June 2017}}</ref>

<!-- Area -->| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_24.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=April 26, 2022}}</ref>
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_km2     = 33.53
| area_land_km2      = 27.58
| area_water_km2     = 5.96
| area_total_sq_mi   = 12.95
| area_land_sq_mi    = 10.65
| area_water_sq_mi   = 2.30

<!-- Population -->| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est     = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 13096
| population_density_km2 = 474.90
| population_density_sq_mi = 1230.02

<!-- General information -->| timezone           = [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset         = −5
| timezone_DST       = EDT
| utc_offset_DST     = −4
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 6
| elevation_ft       = 20
| coordinates        = {{coord|38|33|59|N|76|4|37|W|region:US-MD|display=inline}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 21613
| area_code          = [[Area code 410|410]]
| area_code_type     = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 24-12400
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 0589879
| website            = {{URL|www.choosecambridge.com}}
| footnotes          = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
}}
'''Cambridge''' is a city in [[Dorchester County, Maryland|Dorchester County]], [[Maryland]], United States. The population was 13,096 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="Cambridge city, Maryland">{{Cite web|title=Cambridge city, Maryland|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2412400|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=March 13, 2022}}</ref> It is the [[county seat]] of [[Dorchester County, Maryland|Dorchester County]] and the county's largest municipality. Cambridge is the fourth most populous city in Maryland's [[Eastern Shore of Maryland|Eastern Shore]] region, after [[Salisbury, Maryland|Salisbury]], [[Elkton, Maryland|Elkton]] and [[Easton, Maryland|Easton]].<ref name="census.gov">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |title=U.S. Census website |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=June 17, 2011 |df=mdy }}</ref><ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=2011-06-07 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 |df=mdy }}</ref> Almost half of Cambridge's residents were African American in 2020.

==History==
[[File:Maryland - Cambridge - NARA - 23940885 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Aerial view, 1932]]

===Colonial era===
[[Image:Cambridge Municipal Building.jpg|left|thumb|Rescue Fire Company Train Garden]]
Settled by English colonists in 1684, Cambridge is one of the oldest [[Colonial history of the United States|colonial]] cities in Maryland.<ref name="History Of Dorchester County, Maryland">{{cite book
 | url=https://archive.org/details/historydorchest00jonegoog
 | title=History Of Dorchester County, Maryland
 | year=1902
 | publisher=[[Williams & Wilkins]]
 | page=[https://archive.org/details/historydorchest00jonegoog/page/n72 60]
}}</ref> During the time of English colonization, the [[Algonquian languages|Algonquian]]-speaking [[Choptank people|Choptank]] Indians resided along the river bearing their name. Throughout the colonial years, English colonists developed farming on the Eastern Shore, with the largest plantations initially focusing on tobacco, before shifting to mixed farming. Slaves were purchased by the planters for labor in tobacco and mixed farming. Cambridge served as a regional trading center, with its town pier being a major hub for slave trading, a history extensively documented by historical markers scattered throughout the town center.

===National era===
Cambridge was officially incorporated in 1793,{{citation needed|date=March 2020}} taking over part of the former Choptank Indian Reservation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mdmunicipal.org/cities/index.cfm?townname=cambridge |title=Cambridge, Maryland |website=Maryland Municipal League |access-date=April 6, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606034832/http://www.mdmunicipal.org/cities/index.cfm?townname=cambridge |archive-date=June 6, 2011}}</ref> The town received its name from a city and county in England.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=2482|title=Profile for Cambridge, Maryland, MD|publisher=ePodunk|access-date=August 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910071115/http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=2482|archive-date=September 10, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Cambridge also became a stop on the [[Underground Railroad]], which provided a network of safe houses for enslaved people escaping to the north.

In the late 19th century, Cambridge developed food processing industries, specializing in the canning of [[oysters]], tomatoes, and [[sweet potatoes]]. The town's industrial growth was led by the [[Phillips Foods, Inc. and Seafood Restaurants|Phillips Packing Company]], which eventually became the region's largest employer. Winning contracts from the Department of Defense during the [[First World War|First]] and [[Second World War|Second World]] Wars greatly aided the company's growth. At its height, the company employed as many as 10,000 workers.<ref name="Phillips" /> However, shifting tastes brought a decline in business, causing Phillips to reduce its operations. By the early 1960s, the company had ceased operations entirely, leading to widespread unemployment and exacerbating the city's growing social issues.<ref name="Phillips">{{cite encyclopedia
 |first       = John R.
 |last       = Wennersten
 |editor-first       = Beatriz B.
 |editor-last       = Hardy
 |encyclopedia = [[Maryland Online Encyclopedia]] (MdOE)
 |title        = The Phillips Packing Company
 |url          = http://www.mdoe.org/phillipspackingco.html
 |access-date   = 2008-01-21
 |edition      = concept demonstration
 |date         = 2006-08-14
 |publisher    = jointly by [[Maryland Historical Society]], [[Maryland Humanities Council]], [[Enoch Pratt Free Library]], and [[Maryland State Department of Education]]
 |quote        = When the Phillips Company ceased its operations in the 1960s, an era had passed.
 |archive-url   = https://web.archive.org/web/20140717144341/http://www.mdoe.org/phillipspackingco.html
 |archive-date  = July 17, 2014
 |url-status   = dead
}}</ref>

===Cambridge movement===
{{Main|Cambridge movement (civil rights)}}

From 1962 to 1967, Cambridge was a center of protests during the [[Civil Rights Movement]], with local Black residents advocating for equal employment and housing opportunities, as well as the eradication of [[Racial segregation in the United States|racial segregation]] in schools and other public facilities. Riots broke out in Cambridge in [[Cambridge riot of 1963|1963]] and [[Cambridge riot of 1967|1967]], prompting the deployment of the [[Maryland National Guard]] to the city to help maintain peace.<ref>[http://www.crmvet.org/tim/timhis62.htm#1962cnac Cambridge MD – 1962; Cambridge, MD – 1963] ~ Civil Rights Movement Archive, accessed Mar 18, 2010</ref> The movement's leader was [[Gloria Richardson]], and with the enactment of the [[Civil Rights Act of 1964]], public segregation in Cambridge officially ended.

===Present===
In 2002, the opening of the 400-room [[Hyatt|Hyatt Regency]] Chesapeake Bay resort provided a significant boost to the city's economy through job creation and tourism. The resort features a [[golf course]], [[spa]], and [[marina]], and has hosted numerous high-profile events, including the 2007 U.S. [[House Republican Conference]], featuring an address by U.S. President [[George W. Bush]], as well as subsequent visits by U.S. President [[Barack Obama]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2007/01/20070126-3.html|title=President Bush Speaks to the House Republican Conference|website=georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov}}</ref>

Cambridge was designated a Maryland [[Main Street]] community on July 1, 2003. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development established Cambridge Main Street as a comprehensive downtown revitalization process with plans to enhance the economic potential of select cities across the state. This initiative has led to the improvement of [[heritage tourism]] attractions and, along with other cities on the Eastern Shore, has contributed to attracting more tourists to Cambridge. As a result, the downtown business district of Cambridge, part of which was declared a [[Historic districts in the United States|historic district]] in 1990, has undergone revitalization.<ref name="MDHistTrustD-699">{{cite web
 | url=http://mht.maryland.gov/NR/NRDBDetail.aspx?HDID=1068 
 | title=Cambridge Historic District, Wards I & III | access-date=2008-01-21
 | work=Maryland's National Register Database | publisher=[[Maryland Historical Trust]]
 | quote=Wards I and III of the Cambridge Historic District are a large residential, commercial, and governmental area in the northwest section of the city.
}}</ref>

Four different teams in the old [[Eastern Shore Baseball League]]{{emdash}}the Canners, Cardinals, Clippers, and Dodgers{{emdash}}were located in Cambridge.

The [[Brinsfield I Site]], [[Cambridge Historic District, Wards I and III]], [[Christ Episcopal Church and Cemetery (Cambridge, Maryland)|Christ Episcopal Church and Cemetery]], [[Dale's Right]], [[Dorchester County Courthouse and Jail]], [[Glasgow (Cambridge, Maryland)|Glasgow]], [[Goldsborough House]], [[LaGrange (Cambridge, Maryland)|LaGrange]], [[Annie Oakley House]], [[Patricia (log canoe)]], [[Pine Street Neighborhood Historic District]], [[Rock Methodist Episcopal Church]], [[Stanley Institute]], [[Sycamore Cottage]], and [[Yarmouth (Cambridge, Maryland)|Yarmouth]] are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>

==Geography==
Cambridge is located at {{coord|38|33|59|N|76|4|37|W|type:city|display=inline,title}}.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|12.64|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which, {{convert|10.34|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|2.30|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2013-01-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220065340/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=February 20, 2011 |df=mdy }}</ref>

Cambridge is on the southern bank of the [[Choptank River]].

===Climate and climate mitigation===
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.  According to the [[Köppen climate classification]] system, Cambridge has a [[humid subtropical climate]], abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=583181&cityname=Cambridge,+Maryland,+United+States+of+America&units=|title=Cambridge, Maryland Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase}}</ref>

A 4.3 MW solar farm in Cambridge supplies about 40% of the power for the [[National Aquarium (Baltimore)|National Aquarium]], and saves about 1,300 metric tons of [[Greenhouse gas|carbon dioxide]] during the summer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aqua.org/blog/2015/october/solar-energy|title=National Aquarium {{!}} Solar Solutions, FTW!|website=National Aquarium|language=en|access-date=2020-01-28|archive-date=March 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331232151/https://aqua.org/blog/2015/october/solar-energy|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oneenergyrenewables.com/news/national-aquarium-constellation-efforts-yield-major-summer-savings/|title=National Aquarium, Constellation efforts yield major summer savings|date=2015-09-30|website=OneEnergy Renewables|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-28}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 1862
|1870= 1642
|1880= 2262
|1890= 4192
|1900= 5747
|1910= 6407
|1920= 7467
|1930= 8544
|1940= 10102
|1950= 10351
|1960= 12239
|1970= 11595
|1980= 11703
|1990= 11514
|2000= 10911
|2010= 12326
|2020= 13096
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades|publisher=[[US Census Bureau]]|access-date=}}</ref><br> 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2/> 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2/>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Cambridge city, Maryland - Demographic Profile'''<br> (''NH = Non-Hispanic'')
!Race / Ethnicity
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Cambridge city, Maryland|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=1600000US2412400&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!Pop 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Cambridge city, Maryland|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=1600000US2412400&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2010
!% 2020
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|5,419
|5,001
|43.96%
|38.19%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|5,814
|6,208
|47.17%
|47.40%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|33
|26
|0.27%
|0.20%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|162
|192
|1.31%
|1.47%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|4
|2
|0.03%
|0.02%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Some Other Race]] alone (NH)
|19
|66
|0.15%
|0.50%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed Race/Multi-Racial]] (NH)
|265
|558
|2.15%
|4.26%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|610
|1,043
|4.95%
|7.96%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''12,326'''
|'''13,096'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|}
''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.''

Per the 2020 Census, the population was 16,823.<ref name="Cambridge city, Maryland"/>

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2013-01-25}}</ref> of 2010, there were 12,326 people, 5,144 households, and 3,040 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1192.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 6,228 housing units at an average density of {{convert|602.3|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 47.9% [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]], 45.9% [[White Americans|White]], 0.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.3% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 2.0% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 2.5% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 4.9% of the population.

There were 5,144 households, of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.0% were married couples living together, 24.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.9% were non-families. 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.93.

The median age in the city was 37.6 years. 24.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.9% were from 25 to 44; 25.6% were from 45 to 64; and 15.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 45.8% male and 54.2% female.

===2000 census===
As of the census<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website |df=mdy }}</ref> of 2000, there were 10,911 people, 4,629 households, and 2,697 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,622.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 4,629 housing units at an average density of {{convert|777.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 47.75% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 49.9% [[Black (U.S. Census)|Black]], 0.16% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.65% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.61% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.87% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.44% of the population.

There were 4,629 households, out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.7% were married couples living together, 23.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.7% were non-families. 36.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 24.4% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,967, and the median income for a family was $32,118. Males had a median income of $25,705 versus $21,221 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,647. About 17.2% of families and 20.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.0% of those under age 18 and 18.6% of those age 65 or over.

==Media==
[[Draper Holdings Business Trust|Draper Media]] broadcasts [[WCEM (AM)]], [[WCEM-FM]], [[WTDK|WTDK-FM]] and [[WAAI-FM]] radio stations from studios at Cambridge Marketplace. This facility also serves as the home to the Mid-Shore Bureau for [[WBOC-TV]]. Weeknights, they cover news affecting Cambridge and surrounding communities.

WHCP-LP 101.5 FM is a community sponsored low powered station broadcasting from studios in downtown Cambridge.

Cambridge is home to two weekly newspapers: the [[The Star Democrat|Dorchester Star]], which is affiliated with the Star-Democrat, and the [[Cambridge Daily Banner|Dorchester Banner]].  The Dorchester Banner was founded by Lindsay C. Marshall and Armistead R. Michie as The Daily Banner, notable for being the Eastern Shore's first daily newspaper. The first issue was published on September 22, 1897.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://speccol.mdarchives.state.md.us/msa/speccol/catalog/newspapers/cfm/dsp_number.cfm?id=413|title=Maryland State Archives, Guide to Special Collections|website=speccol.mdarchives.state.md.us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=n.d.|title=Dorchester Star|url=https://www.newspapers.com/paper/dorchester-star/5072/|url-status=live|access-date=14 December 2021|website=Newspapers.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012235815/https://www.newspapers.com/paper/dorchester-star/5072/ |archive-date=October 12, 2020 }}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
[[U.S. Route 50 in Maryland|U.S. Route 50]], a major east-west route of the U.S. Highway System, bisects Cambridge on its {{convert|3019|mi|abbr=on}} journey from [[Ocean City, Maryland]] to [[Sacramento, California]]. U.S. 50 is locally known as "Ocean Gateway", with the segment running from the Choptank River to Cambridge's eastern city limit designated "Sunburst Highway".

The [[Cambridge-Dorchester Airport]] (FAA Identifier: CGE) is a county-owned, public-use airport located just southeast of the city of Cambridge.  The airport is a general aviation facility with a lighted 4,477-foot asphalt runway.

The [[Maryland & Delaware Railroad]] (MDDE), a shortline railroad, provided freight rail service to Cambridge until recently.  The city had served as the western terminus of the railroad's Seaford Line. The Maryland & Delaware interchanges with the [[Delmarva Central Railroad]] at [[Seaford, Delaware]], which interchanges with the [[Norfolk Southern Railway]] at [[Clayton, Delaware]]. The line remains in place, though rail service was suspended in May 2016 due to derailment issues along the line south of [[Hurlock, Maryland]].

== Government ==

=== City Commission ===
Cambridge is governed by a mayor and a five-member city commission, who all serve four-year terms.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cambridge, Dorchester County, Maryland|url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/37mun/cambridge/html/c.html|access-date=2021-12-14|website=msa.maryland.gov}}</ref>

In 2008, [[Victoria Jackson-Stanley]] was elected mayor, the first woman and the first African-American to hold the position.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Daily Record Staff|date=2020-08-11|title=Victoria Jackson-Stanley {{!}} Maryland Daily Record|url=https://thedailyrecord.com/2020/08/11/victoria-jackson-stanley/|access-date=2021-12-14|language=en-US}}</ref> She would serve three terms before losing to Andrew Bradshaw in a runoff election in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-02|title="It's just an exciting time" – Andrew Bradshaw elected mayor of Cambridge in runoff election|url=https://www.wmdt.com/2020/12/its-just-an-exciting-time-andrew-bradshaw-elected-mayor-of-cambridge-in-runoff-election/|access-date=2021-12-14|website=47abc|language=en-US}}</ref>

Andrew Bradshaw was sworn in as the city's youngest mayor on January 4, 2021,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-04|title=Cambridge's Mayor Andrew Bradshaw sworn in, discusses priorities|url=https://www.wmdt.com/2021/01/cambridges-mayor-andrew-bradshaw-sworn-in-discusses-priorities/|access-date=2021-12-14|website=47abc|language=en-US}}</ref> but was arrested on November 15 and charged with fifty counts of distributing revenge porn, allegedly posting explicit photos and captions to Reddit in April and May 2021, some which also included racial slurs.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-15|title=Cambridge mayor behind bars after allegedly posting revenge porn to Reddit dozens of times|url=https://www.wmdt.com/2021/11/cambridge-mayor-behind-bars-after-allegedly-posting-revenge-porn-to-reddit-dozens-of-times/|access-date=2021-12-14|website=47abc|language=en-US}}</ref> City Council President Lajan Cephas assumed the responsibilities of mayor following his arrest.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Spy & WHCP Community Radio|date=13 December 2021|title=Cambridge Check in: Council President Lajan Cephas on Mayor Bradshaw's Status|work=Talbot Spy|url=https://talbotspy.org/cambridge-check-in-council-president-lajan-cephas-on-mayor-bradshaws-status/|access-date=14 December 2021}}</ref> On December 13, city commissioners unanimously voted to recommend that the city attorney remove Bradshaw from office.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cambridge City Commission votes to remove Mayor Bradshaw: City attorney will begin proceedings|url=https://baytobaynews.com/stories/cambridge-city-commission-votes-to-remove-mayor-bradshaw,66157|access-date=2021-12-14|website=Bay to Bay News|language=en}}</ref> A special election to elect a new mayor was held on August 23, 2022. No candidate received the majority of the vote, forcing a runoff between the top two candidates on September 20, 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Flaks |first1=Rob |title=Cambridge Mayor race heads to runoff between State Senator Addie Eckardt and former Commissioner Stephen Rideout |url=https://www.wmdt.com/2022/08/cambridge-mayor-race-heads-to-runoff-between-state-senator-addie-eckardt-and-former-commissioner-stephen-rideout/ |access-date=September 21, 2022 |work=[[WMDT]] |date=August 24, 2022}}</ref> Former Cambridge commissioner Stephen Rideout won the runoff election with 55 percent of the vote and became mayor in 2022. Cambridge is currently run by Lajan Cephas.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=Sen. Eckardt loses comeback bid in Cambridge mayoral election |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/09/21/sen-eckardt-loses-comeback-bid-in-cambridge-mayoral-election/ |access-date=September 21, 2022 |work=[[Maryland Matters]] |date=September 21, 2022}}</ref>

==== List of mayors (1896–present) ====

* 1896–1900 James G. James
* 1900–1904 Robert G. Henry
* 1904–1908 Clement G. Rogers
* 1908–1910 Zebedee Andrews
* 1910–1912 George M. Phillips
* 1912–1916 Clement G. Rogers
* 1916–1932 Earl W. Orem
* 1932–1940 Charles E. Brohawn
* 1940–1944 Irving B. Jackson
* 1944–1948 Dorsey E. Davis
* 1948–1952 Julian L. Tubman
* 1952–1960 Russell P. Smith, Jr.
* 1960–1964 Calvin W. Mowbray
* 1964–1976 Osvrey C. Pritchett
* 1976–1980 Albert B. Atkinson
* 1980–1992 C. Lloyd Robbins
* 1992–2000 David J. Wooten, Jr.
* 2000–2008 Cleveland L. Rippons
* 2008–2020 [[Victoria Jackson-Stanley]]
* 2020–2022 Andrew T. Bradshaw
* 2022–2025 Stephen Rideout
* 2025–present Lajan Cephas
<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cambridge Mayors, Dorchester County, Maryland|url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/37mun/cambridge/html/cmayors.html|access-date=2025-03-30|website=msa.maryland.gov}}</ref>

==Horn Point Laboratory==
Horn Point Laboratory is home to the largest oyster hatchery on the East Coast.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Taylor Robson |first1=Nancy |title=Planting Hope |magazine=[[Chesapeake Bay Magazine]] |date=November 19, 2018 |url=https://www.chesapeakebaymagazine.com/features/2018/11/19/planting-hope |access-date=June 2, 2019 |quote=...the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Horn Point Oyster Hatchery in Cambridge, the largest oyster hatchery on the East Coast.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=About Horn Point Oyster Hatchery |publisher= Horn Point Lab Oyster Hatchery |url=http://hatchery.hpl.umces.edu/overview/about-horn-point-oyster-hatchery/ |access-date=2 June 2019}}</ref>

A myth states that in 1699 [[William Kidd]] hid treasure, stolen from sugar traders, on land which today is Horn Point Lab. Students and researchers enjoy speculating where the treasure may be.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chesapeakebay.net/discover/history/pirates_on_the_chesapeake_bay|title=Pirates - Chesapeake Bay Program|website=chesapeakebay.net}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=June 2019}}

==Notable people==
* [[James A. Adkins]], 28th Adjutant General of Maryland and former Secretary of Veterans Affairs of Maryland
* [[Beatrice Arthur]], also known as [[Bea Arthur]] (1922–2009), Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress; star of the television sitcoms ''[[Maude (TV series)|Maude]]'' and ''[[The Golden Girls]]''; grew up in Cambridge, where her parents owned and operated a clothing store; voted "wittiest girl" by classmates at Cambridge High School<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/arthur-bea|title=Bea Arthur - Jewish Women's Archive|website=jwa.org}}</ref>
* [[John Barth]] (1930–2024), writer, born in Cambridge
* [[Stephen Allen Benson]] (1816–1865), second [[President of Liberia]]
* [[Troy Brohawn]] (born 1973), retired [[Major League Baseball]] player with the [[Arizona Diamondbacks]]
* [[Norman Chaney]] (1914–1936), played Chubby on ''Our Comedy'', also known as ''The Little Rascals'', 1928–30
* [[Darnell Clash]] (born 1962), former professional football player in Canada
*[[Willis Conover]] (1920–1996), "Voice of America" DJ, lived in Cambridge during the late 1930s
*[[Richard Ben Cramer]], journalist and author
*[[Shawn Corey Carter]], also known as [[Jay-Z]] (born 1969), lived in Cambridge for a short period, before pursuing a music career<ref>{{cite web |date=July 15, 2013 |title='Oh, I'm So Good at Math': Lessons From the Jay-Z Business Model |url=http://www.vulture.com/2013/07/lessons-from-the-jay-z-business-model.html}}</ref>
*[[Charles Goldsborough]] (July 15, 1765 – December 13, 1834), State Senator 1791–1795 and 1799–1801, U.S. Congressman 1789–1791, [[Governor of Maryland]] 1818–1819<ref>{{Cite web |title=Goldsborough, Charles |url=https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/G000261 |website=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress}}</ref> 
*[[Phillips Lee Goldsborough]] (August 6, 1865 – October 22, 1946), a member of the [[Republican Party (United States)]], was a United States Senator representing State of Maryland from 1929 to 1935, 47th [[Governor of Maryland]] from 1912 to 1916 and Comptroller of the Maryland Treasury from 1898 to 1900
* [[Emerson Columbus Harrington]] (March 26, 1864 – December 15, 1945), 48th [[Governor of Maryland]] in the United States from 1916 to 1920, [[Comptroller of Maryland|Comptroller of the Maryland Treasury]] from 1912 to 1916
* [[Andy Harris (politician)|Andy Harris]], U.S. Congressman for [[Maryland's 1st congressional district|Maryland's 1st District]], 2011 to present; Chair of the [[Freedom Caucus|House Freedom Caucus]], 2024 to present; Maryland state senator, 1999 to 2011<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hutzell |first=Rick |date=2025-03-16 |title=AWOL Andy wants me fired! Voters want a town hall. |url=https://www.thebanner.com/opinion/column/federal-workers-elon-musk-donald-trump-NU2F5OCZKZEE5CDOLTUL4D6KNY/ |access-date=2025-09-04 |website=The Baltimore Banner |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Christopher Harrison]], (1780–1868), 1st [[Lieutenant Governor of Indiana]]<ref>{{cite book|title=Stories of Indiana|author=Maurice Thompson|url=https://archive.org/details/storiesofindiana7215thom|year=1898|publisher=American Book Company|pages=[https://archive.org/details/storiesofindiana7215thom/page/128 128]–130}}</ref>
* [[Thomas Holliday Hicks]] (September 2, 1798 – February 14, 1865), 31st [[Governor of Maryland]] (January 13, 1858 – January 8, 1862), buried in Cambridge Cemetery
* [[Arty Hill]], country singer, was raised here<ref name=MSAC>{{cite web|title=Arty Hill & the Long Gone Daddys|url=https://www.msac.org/maryland-tradition/arty-hill-long-gone-daddys|publisher=Maryland State Arts Council|access-date=28 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705101300/https://www.msac.org/maryland-tradition/arty-hill-long-gone-daddys|archive-date=July 5, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Kripp Johnson]], singer of [[The Del-Vikings]]
* [[Antwan Lake]], [[National Football League|NFL]] defensive end who played with the [[Detroit Lions]], [[Atlanta Falcons]], and [[New Orleans Saints]]
* [[Henry Lloyd (governor)|Henry Lloyd]] (February 21, 1852 – December 30, 1920), 40th [[Governor of Maryland]] (1885 to 1888); lived in [[Dorchester County, Maryland|Dorchester County]] and Cambridge
* [[Carolyn Long]], opera singer
* [[William Vans Murray]], U.S. Congressman for [[Maryland's 5th congressional district|Maryland's 5th District]], 1789–1791
* [[Annie Oakley]], sharpshooter, lived in Cambridge from 1913 to 1915
* [[Charles Quinn]], reporter for [[NBC News]] from 1962 to 1980<ref name=wpost>{{cite news|first=Megan|last=McDonough|title=Charles N. Quinn, NBC news correspondent  |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/charles-n-quinn-nbc-news-correspondent/2013/07/22/e9e261da-f2e3-11e2-bdae-0d1f78989e8a_story.html |work=[[The Washington Post]] |date=2013-07-22|access-date=2013-08-01}}</ref>
* [[Gloria Richardson]] (1922–2021), leader of the Cambridge movement during the [[Civil Rights Movement]], 1962–1964
* [[Sheriff Robinson]], baseball player and coach
* [[Herbert M. St. Clair]] (1868–1949) businessman, real estate investor, local politician<ref name="Daily World-1945">{{Cite news |date=1945-05-27 |title=Friend of Foe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-world-friend-of-foe/172071385/ |access-date=2025-05-10 |work=Daily World |pages=18 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
* [[Harriet Tubman]] (1822–1913), escaped slave and activist on the [[Underground Railroad]]

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=35em}}

==Further reading==
* Peter B. Levy, ''Civil War on Race Street: The Civil Rights Movement in Cambridge, Maryland'', Gainesville, Florida: University of Florida Press, 2003
* John R. Wennersten, ''Maryland's Eastern Shore: A Journey in Time and Place'', Centreville, Maryland: Tidewater Publishers, 1992.

==External links==
{{Portal|Maryland}}
{{commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|Cambridge (Maryland)|Cambridge, Maryland}}
{{EB1911 poster|Cambridge (Maryland)|Cambridge, Maryland}}
*[https://www.choosecambridge.com/ Cambridge, MD Official Website]
*{{Cite Collier's|short=x|wstitle=Cambridge (Maryland)|display=Cambridge, a city of Maryland}}
*{{Cite NIE|short=x|wstitle=Cambridge (Maryland)|display=Cambridge. A city and county-seat of Dorchester County, Md.}}

{{Geographic Location
 | Center    = Cambridge
 | North     = [[Trappe, Maryland|Trappe]]<br/>{{jct|state=MD|US|50}}
 | Northeast = [[Choptank River]]
 | East      = [[Vienna, Maryland|Vienna]]<br/>{{jct|state=MD|US|50}}
 | Southeast = [[Airey, Maryland|Airey]]<br/>Bucktown Road
 | Southwest = [[Church Creek, Maryland|Church Creek]]<br/>{{jct|state=MD|MD|16}}
 | South     = [[Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge]]<br/>Maple Dam Road
 | West      = [[Algonquin, Maryland|Algonquin]]<br/>{{jct|state=MD|MD|343}}
 | Northwest =[[Choptank River]]
}}
{{Maryland}}
{{Dorchester County, Maryland}}
{{County Seats of Maryland}}
{{Salisbury metropolitan area}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cambridge, Maryland| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Dorchester County, Maryland]]
[[Category:County seats in Maryland]]
[[Category:Micropolitan areas of Maryland]]
[[Category:African-American history in Cambridge, Maryland|.]]
[[Category:English-American culture in Maryland]]
[[Category:Populated places in colonial Maryland]]
[[Category:1684 establishments in Maryland]]
[[Category:Cities in Maryland]]