The Community of Accokeek

Accokeek is an unincorporated, censusdesignated community at the southern end of Prince George’s County, Maryland with a population of slightly less than 14,000. Approximately 17 miles from Washington, D.C. and 50 miles from Baltimore, Accokeek is located along the Potomac River, encompassing approximately 28 square miles.

Accokeek is an affluent community with a median household income of $133,992, compared to Maryland’s median household income of $87,063. Seventy-seven percent of the population is over the age of 18; 13 percent are over 65; 23 percent are under 18. Forty-one percent of residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Almost 71 percent of residents are employed compared to 63 percent statewide. Although 47 percent of employed residents work for private businesses, 34 percent are employed by local, state or federal governments. The out-migration of workers is reflected in the average 46-minute travel time to their places of employment, with 73 percent traveling alone by automobile. The homeownership rate is 96.4 percent compared to 67.1 percent statewide. Eighty percent of dwellings are valued from $300,000 to $1 million. There is currently little housing available in Accokeek—out of 4,813 housing units, only 151 were vacant at the time of the 2020 Census. According to the 2020 U.S. Decennial Census, Accokeek’s population is primarily African American, followed by white, Hispanic or Latino, and Asian.

The landscape appears suburban when entering Accokeek on MD-210 (Indian Head Highway) and becomes rural when turning onto MD-373 (Livingston Road) and other smaller roads throughout the community. Near the library on Indian Head Highway is the building that was Accokeek’s first strip mall (currently housing offices) and a more recently built shopping center that includes a Weis grocery store, fast-food restaurants, a gas station and other shops. The areas around the intersection of Indian Head Highway and Livingston Road include B & J Carry-Out and a vacant restaurant building. Accokeek is framed by the Potomac River, Piscataway Creek, and Mattawoman Creek. Accokeek’s forested areas are interspersed with residential development. Longstanding businesses include Beretta U.S.A. Corporation and Anchors Kennel. Manning Road includes several housing developments including Manning Preserve and Mannington.

A defining characteristic of Accokeek is Piscataway Park, a 5,000-acre national park that spans parts of both Prince George’s and Charles counties along the Potomac River. Piscataway Park was established in 1968 to preserve sacred American Indian spaces and the historic view from George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Accokeek’s two major cultural heritage attractions, National Colonial Farm, operated by the Accokeek Foundation and Hard Bargain Farm, operated by the Alice Ferguson Foundation, are located within the park as is the Moyaone Reserve, a residential community of houses on five-acre wooded parcels.