Elkton was once known as the "Gretna Green of the West" because of its popularity as a place for eloping couples to marry until a state law was passed in 1938 requiring a 48-hour waiting period. Still, the town maintains several wedding chapels. Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller were married in the Main Street Chapel.
The crash of Pan Am Flight 214, which was struck by lightning, occurred in Elkton on December 8, 1963.
Geography
Elkton is located at (39.610016, -75.825883).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 21.3 km² (8.2 mi²). 20.8 km² (8.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.5 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (2.19%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,893 people, 4,446 households, and 2,898 families residing in the town. The population density was 571.8/km² (1,480.5/mi²). There were 4,743 housing units at an average density of 228.1/km² (590.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 85.85% White, 9.64% African American, 0.32% Native American, 1.17% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.78% from other races, and 2.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.97% of the population.
There were 4,446 households out of which 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.7% were married couples living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.8% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the town the population was spread out with 29.4% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 33.5% from 25 to 44, 17.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $38,171, and the median income for a family was $44,348. Males had a median income of $36,495 versus $25,543 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,789. About 9.4% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.0% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.
Public Transportation
Although in Maryland, Elkton is served by DART First State, Route 65, which runs into Newark, Delaware, connecting with the Newark Rail Station and other DART routes. The buses run roughly once every hour and a half, Monday through Friday. Elkton is not served by any Maryland-based transit agencies.
Notable residents
