2010 census

As of the census^[7] of 2010, there were 3,572 people, 1,433 households, and 901 families living in the town. The population density was 1,734.0 inhabitants per square mile (669.5/km²). There were 1,651 housing units at an average density of 801.5 per square mile (309.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 87.2% White, 7.6% African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 1.0% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.3% of the population.

There were 1,433 households, of which 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.0% were married couples living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.1% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.03.

The median age in the town was 30.7 years. 26.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 11% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 31.1% were from 25 to 44; 22.1% were from 45 to 64; and 9.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.

2000 census

As of the census^[8] of 2000, there were 2,733 people, 1,081 households, and 701 families living in the town. The population density was 1,730.8 inhabitants per square mile (668.3/km²). There were 1,215 housing units at an average density of 769.5 per square mile (297.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 93.82% White, 3.18% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.88% Asian, 0.44% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.54% of the population.

There were 1,081 households, out of which 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.4% were married couples living together, 16.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 29.2% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $39,563, and the median income for a family was $39,417. Males had a median income of $34,545 versus $26,768 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,287. About 14.9% of families and 15.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.4% of those under age 18 and 14.1% of those age 65 or over.

Roads and highways

U.S. Route 40 is the main east–west road directly serving North East. It passes through a thin stretch of town on the north side via Pulaski Highway, providing connections east to Elkton and west to Perryville. Maryland Route 272 is the main north–south road through North East, passing through the center of town along the one-way pair of Mauldin Avenue northbound and Main Street southbound. Outside of the town, MD 272 heads south as Turkey Point Road to Elk Neck State Park and north as North East Road to Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Interstate 95 is the closest Interstate highway, passing just north of the town limits. It is accessible via an interchange with MD 272, from which point it heads south toward Baltimore and Washington, D.C. and north toward Wilmington and Philadelphia.

Public transportation

The Route 2 Cross-County Connection bus operated by Cecil Transit runs between Elkton, North East, Cecil College, Perryville (town and the Perryville station along MARC's Penn Line) and Perry Point Veteran's Medical Center.