Annapolis exudes a presence shaped by centuries of history, maritime heritage, and community life. With a population that measured approximately 40,812 in the 2020 census and held steady near 40,552 by 2023, it remains a modestly sized city spread across just over seven square miles with a population density of around 5,660 residents per square mile. That stable growth reflects a city that still feels intimate while supporting a rich network of local activities, traditions, and enterprises.



Anyone who visits Annapolis quickly learns what it’s best known for: home to the United States Naval Academy and St. John’s College, both institutions contribute significantly to the character and rhythm of life here. The State House, where George Washington resigned his commission and where the Treaty of Paris was ratified, remains in continuous legislative use under a wooden dome built without nails—something rarely found nowadays.

Walking along the harbor and downtown, one might spot the Banneker‑Douglass‑Tubman Museum housed in a former Gothic church—a center meant to interpret African American history in Maryland that also serves as a performance and repository space for regional culture. Just across town, Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts offers exhibitions, theatre, classes, and local performances by the Annapolis Opera, Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, live arts, and ballet—all open to the public and peppered with free events.

The demographics of Annapolis reflect a community with a significant population of veterans—roughly 8.9 percent—higher than local and state averages, contributing a sense of tradition and broader perspective. Age distribution spans from young children to residents over sixty‑five; the city often has about one in five residents in the senior age group, supporting multi‑generational engagement and activities.

Local lore touches on tales from the colonial era: there’s a story that when General Washington resigned his commission, he stepped outside the State House and threw down his sword onto the marble stairs, setting a tone of republican virtue that still resonates during celebrations. In quieter moments at the dock, some say the tolling of boat bells at dawn echoes Irish settlers long gone, a whisper of Annapolis’s cultural layers.

Dining in Annapolis brings you close to Chesapeake Bay’s legacy. Cantler’s Riverside Inn remains much-loved for steamed crabs, crab dip, and Maryland crab soup served waterside while crab sorters store the fresh catch downstairs—an experience matched by few and still going strong today. Chick and Ruth’s Delly stands out downtown with jumbo lump crab cakes and its in‑house bakery turning out pies daily; locals often linger over desserts long after the crab courses have ended. McGarvey’s Saloon and Oyster Bar downtown is praised for its tomato‑based crab soup with jumbo lump crab meat and a spicy edge, plus creamy versions or the classic half‑and‑half blend, giving diners a chance to savor both styles in one bowl. Boatyard Bar and Grill, a block from the harbor, has earned the People's Choice award at the Maryland Seafood Festival for its hearty crab soup with bacon, cabbage, potatoes and Bay‑seasoned crab in a beef broth base—a flavor that keeps folks coming back.

Beyond dining, there’s plenty to do in Annapolis. Visitors and locals alike stroll through Colonial Annapolis National Historic Landmark District, where Calvert Street drips with history, and tour the State House and St. Anne’s Episcopal Church. The Naval Academy campus offers guided tours of “The Yard,” the Chapel, and its museum. During warmer months, boat cruises on the Chesapeake Bay offer scenic glimpses of sailboats, seafood shacks, and waterfront architecture, while kayak rentals open up paddling along the Severn River. Quiet Waters Park and Truxtun Heights Park provide trails, waterfront views, playgrounds, and in winter, ice skating—spaces that draw families, hikers, birders, and those seeking quiet recreation.

Annapolis marks the calendar with traditions such as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and May Day, and especially the Naval Academy Commissioning Week each spring, when midshipmen don dress whites and the harbor rings with celebrations as new officers embark on naval service—an event that locals treat with pride and visitors with wonder.

Popular local businesses extend beyond restaurants. Maryland Hall actively nurtures the arts, bringing in local and visiting artists and offering a hub of classes, gallery exhibitions, and performances that draw a diverse audience. Colonial Players theater on East Street stages an original musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol each winter, and the Summer Garden Theatre presents outdoor shows under the stars starting in spring through early fall, establishing themselves as seasonal highlights.

In Annapolis the mix of history, educational life, the Naval Academy spirit, parades, galleries, theatre, seafood culture, and waterfront recreation come together in a richly textured portrait. The city’s residents enjoy access to waterfront trails, arts centers, longstanding eateries, and annual rituals that echo the past while embracing the present.

We invite you to reach out to Fit Living In Progress for those occasions when your wellness journey turns toward integrative medicine, medical aesthetics, regenerative biologic therapies or broader medical care needs. Our team offers a nurturing approach that aligns with the dynamic lifestyle that Annapolis supports, from recovery after outdoor pursuits to age‑defying rejuvenation and preventive care. We look forward to being part of your health story—please contact Fit Living In Progress to explore how we can support your wellness in this community we serve together.