1st Advantage MortgageThe median Wicomico County household earns $76,210, and 14% of residents live below the poverty line. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Wicomico County, MD: the basics
- Rent, home values and ownership in Wicomico County
- Household income in Wicomico County
- The Wicomico County job picture
- Wicomico County towns compared
- Regional comparison for Wicomico County
- Room for a loan payment in Wicomico County
- Borrowing situations common in Wicomico County
- Wicomico County households compared
- Before you sign
- Who licenses lenders for Wicomico County residents
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Wicomico County, MD: the basics
Roughly 104,914 residents live in Wicomico County, Maryland, 14th by population among the state's 24 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 374 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 280 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Salisbury, MD metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Of the 19 Census places inside Wicomico County, Salisbury leads by population with about 33,285; 8 of the 19 are incorporated.
Rent, home values and ownership in Wicomico County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,327 in Wicomico County versus $1,705 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 50% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $254,700, about 3.3 times the median household income. Owners occupy 62% of homes.
| Wicomico County | Maryland | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,327/mo | $1,705/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $254,700 | $419,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 62% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 51% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 27% | n/a |
Household income in Wicomico County
Half of Wicomico County households take in less than $76,210 a year and half take in more, 26% below the Maryland median of $103,678. That places it 18th among Maryland's 24 county-level areas.
| Yearly household income | Wicomico County | Gap to Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.9% | +5.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.3% | +10.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.5% | -4.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 9.4% | -10.9 pts |
The spread is wide: 36% of Wicomico County households make $100,000 or more, and 22% make less than $35,000. Census counts 13.9% of Wicomico County residents in poverty, against 9.4% across Maryland. None of these numbers decides a Wicomico County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
The Wicomico County job picture
The biggest employer of Wicomico County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 30% of workers, followed by retail trade (11%). Compared with Maryland, the county leans toward education and health care (30% against 24%). Averaged over the five survey years, 5.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 13% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 8% work from home. Households without a car make up 5.7% of the total (8.8% statewide).
| Industry | Share of Wicomico County workers | vs Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 29.7% | +5.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.3% | +2.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.4% | +5.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.3% | +1.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.4% | -8.1 pts |
| Construction | 6.6% | -0.6 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Wicomico County towns compared
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 19 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 49% of Wicomico County residents live in one of the 19. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $58,576 in Salisbury to $97,841 in Hebron. Live in one of these Wicomico County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salisbury | city | 33,285 | $58,576 | $1,318 | 3 mi |
| Fruitland | city | 5,801 | $64,004 | $1,586 | 3 mi |
| Delmar | town | 4,261 | $85,174 | $1,607 | 6 mi |
| Pittsville | town | 1,950 | $73,682 | $1,031 | 12 mi |
| Hebron | town | 1,566 | $97,841 | $1,556 | 5 mi |
| Willards | town | 1,280 | $75,333 | $1,460 | 15 mi |
| Sharptown | town | 874 | $85,938 | $1,185 | 13 mi |
| Mardela Springs | town | 493 | $64,432 | $1,364 | 9 mi |
| Nanticoke | CDP | 434 | $94,189 | n/a | 16 mi |
| Powellville | CDP | 230 | $119,531 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Bivalve | CDP | 175 | n/a | n/a | 14 mi |
| Parsonsburg | CDP | 166 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
| Tyaskin | CDP | 155 | $126,307 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Nanticoke Acres | CDP | 142 | n/a | n/a | 17 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Regional comparison for Wicomico County
Worcester County is closest, 20 miles from center to center; the sixth, Talbot County, is 40 miles off. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Wicomico County; Talbot County is highest at $84,811 and Dorchester County lowest at $61,839. Some neighbors are in Delaware. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Wicomico County resident follows Maryland rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wicomico County | - | $76,210 | $1,327/mo | 62% |
| Worcester County, MD | 20 mi | $81,745 | $1,159/mo | 78% |
| Dorchester County, MD | 23 mi | $61,839 | $1,032/mo | 66% |
| Somerset County, MD | 24 mi | $64,943 | $1,013/mo | 73% |
| Sussex County, DE | 26 mi | $81,497 | $1,238/mo | 82% |
| Caroline County, MD | 36 mi | $68,457 | $1,105/mo | 72% |
| Talbot County, MD | 40 mi | $84,811 | $1,256/mo | 75% |
Room for a loan payment in Wicomico County
Wicomico County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $6,351 gross per month ($76,210 / 12)
- Less median rent of $1,327, which is 21% of it
- At 36%, room after rent is $959 a month
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,404 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Wicomico County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Borrowing situations common in Wicomico County
Where the Wicomico County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Tight rental budgets. With 50% of Wicomico County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
Wicomico County households compared
College graduates make up 29% of the adult population. About 7% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Wicomico County | Maryland | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.2 | 39.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 29.5% | 43.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.2% | 8.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.7% | 6.3% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.7% | 8.8% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.9% | 19.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.9% | 9.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.9% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Wicomico County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 34.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 39.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.0% |
| 60+ min | 6.0% |
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Wicomico County residents:
- Price the Wicomico County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Who licenses lenders for Wicomico County residents
Before sharing details with a lender, a Wicomico County resident can confirm its license with the Maryland Office of Financial Regulation. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Maryland: Maryland personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Maryland guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Wicomico County earn?
The median is $76,210; 36% earn $100,000 or more and 22% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Wicomico County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,327 a month; 50% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Does this page cover Salisbury?
Yes, along with the other 18 Census places in Wicomico County, such as Fruitland, Delmar, Pittsville.
Is the fit check different in Wicomico County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Is there a Wicomico County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Maryland it is the Maryland Office of Financial Regulation.