A recent “America’s Dreamtowns” article by Bizjournals features a profile on Lexington Park, naming it the third most desirable on a list of 10 of dreamtowns in the U.S.
“We’re very pleased that Lexington Park has been identified in such a positive manner,” said Robin Finnacom, president and CEO of the St. Mary’s Community Development Corp. “When you look at the criteria they were using to compare areas, it’s not surprising that Lexginton Park, or St. Mary’s county as a whole, ranked high.”
“Some people may be surprised they identified Lexington Park specifically,” Finnacom went on, “but Lexington Park was recently named a micropolitan due to it’s growth in population.”
The article focuses on the emerging preference of Americans to live in small town America, as opposed to the hustle and bustle of big cities like Baltimore or Washington, D.C.
“It’s a very convenient place to live and we’re very thankful for our peninsula status,” said Francis Jack Russel, president of the St. Mary’s County Commission. “We can never get too hot. We can go stick our feet in the crick if we want to.”
The spotlight noted Lexington Park’s strengths as its proximity to the Chesapeake Bay, the appeal of being away from hectic D.C, but close enough to visit and the resulting community that blends small-town and suburban qualities. Also noteworthy, Lexington Park’s median household income is the highest in micropolitan America, according to Bizjournals.
“St. Mary’s County is seen as a wonderful place to retire as well as a wonderful place to raise their children,” said Mary Lynn Stone, Broker of Century 21 and Millenium. “There is a lifestyle in the sense of community here… we have great access to both the major cities in Virginia and in Maryland.”
Stone went on to say St. Mary’s County offers access to major airports and, “anything you could want.”
Lexington Park was grouped among the seaside towns with Oak Harbor, Wash. and is the only town on the east coast not in the New England area.
Bob Schaller, director of St. Mary’s County Department of Economic and Community Development, thinks the recognition is “great news.”
“It’s the only town east of the Mississippi river that’s not in New England that’s sited,” said Schaller. “It gives Lexington Park an uplifting kind of grade and we ought to build off it and capitalize off it.”