Maryland: elevation, cities and highest point
Maryland has 6,265,347 people (2025) and 24 counties. Its highest point is Hoye-Crest, at 3,360 ft, and its lowest, the Atlantic Ocean, at sea level. Here you’ll find the elevation of its capital, its cities over 250,000 people and its summit, with a map of its counties.
By the Mapsfera Team
- Population (2025)
- 6,265,347
- The 19th most populous of the 50 states
- Land area
- 9,711 sq mi
- The 42nd largest state
- Counties
- 24
- According to the Census (2025)
- Lowest point
- Sea level
- Atlantic Ocean
Map of Maryland’s counties
- Capital’s county
- County with a city page
- City, by elevation
- Highest point
Elevation
The capital, Annapolis, sits at 44 ft (13 m): the 45th highest of the 50 state capitals. Maryland’s highest point, Hoye-Crest, is 161 mi away in a straight line and 3,316 ft higher.
Between its highest point (3,360 ft) and its lowest (sea level) there’s 3,360 ft of relief, according to the USGS table. Of the 50 state high points, Maryland’s is the 32nd highest.
Maryland has 2 cities with a page. The highest is Annapolis, at 44 ft, and the lowest is Baltimore, at 36 ft: 8 ft apart.
Maryland borders 4 states. Their highest points are Mount Rogers, in Virginia (5,729 ft), Mount Davis, in Pennsylvania (3,213 ft), Spruce Knob, in West Virginia (4,863 ft), and Ebright Azimuth, in Delaware (448 ft): Maryland’s is the 3rd highest of the 5. Their capitals: Richmond (213 ft), Harrisburg (334 ft), Charleston (596 ft), and Dover (28 ft).
- Hoye-Crest 3,360 ft
- Annapolis 44 ft
- Baltimore 36 ft
Population
Maryland had 6,265,347 residents on July 1, 2025, according to Census Bureau estimates, 1.4% more than in April 2020 (6,181,640). Across 9,711 sq mi of land, that’s 645 people/sq mi.
Its most populous place is Baltimore, with 569,997 people. The Census counts 536 cities, towns and census-designated places (CDPs) in Maryland.
| Place | Population | Land area | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | 569,997 | 80.9 sq mi | 36 ft |
| Columbia | 104,338 | 31.9 sq mi | — |
| Frederick | 92,059 | 24.6 sq mi | — |
| Germantown | 90,719 | 17.0 sq mi | — |
| Waldorf | 82,943 | 36.2 sq mi | — |
| Silver Spring | 81,462 | 7.88 sq mi | — |
| Ellicott City | 75,257 | 30.0 sq mi | — |
| Glen Burnie | 72,590 | 17.3 sq mi | — |
| Gaithersburg | 71,113 | 10.3 sq mi | — |
| Bethesda | 69,397 | 13.3 sq mi | — |
Neighboring states
Tools
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest point in Maryland?
Hoye-Crest, at 3,360 ft, according to the USGS table. It’s the 32nd highest of the 50 state high points.
What is the lowest point in Maryland?
The Atlantic Ocean, at sea level, according to the same USGS table.
What is the elevation of Annapolis, the capital?
44 ft above sea level, at its reference point in the USGS gazetteer. It’s the 45th highest state capital.
What is the highest city in Maryland?
Of the cities with a page (the capital and those over 250,000 people), Annapolis, at 44 ft. Some smaller towns are higher: look them up with the point elevation tool.
How many counties does Maryland have?
24, according to the Census Bureau in 2025.
Sources
- Population, land area and counties: U.S. Census Bureau (Vintage 2025 estimates and 2025 Gazetteer), public domain.
- Highest and lowest points: USGS, “Elevations and Distances in the United States” (and, for Denali, the 2015 survey), public domain.
- City elevations: USGS 3DEP at each city’s GNIS point, public domain.
- County map: U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 Cartographic Boundary Files (1:500,000).
Methodology and sources · Spotted a mistake? Let us know