1st Advantage MortgageWorcester County households have a median income of $81,745 and median rent of $1,159 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Worcester County by the numbers
- Employment and commuting in Worcester County
- How much Worcester County households make
- Worcester County housing compared with Maryland
- How Worcester County compares with nearby counties
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Worcester County
- Debt-to-income at Worcester County's medians
- Before borrowing in Worcester County
- Worcester County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- A Worcester County borrower's checklist
- Checking a lender's license in Maryland
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Worcester County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Worcester County's population at 53,700; only 16 of Maryland's 24 county-level areas are larger. Packed into 468 square miles, that is close to 115 residents for every square mile of land. No metropolitan area includes Worcester County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 11 Census places inside Worcester County, Ocean Pines leads by population with about 12,351; 4 of the 11 are incorporated.
Employment and commuting in Worcester County
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed Worcester County residents work in education and health care and 17% in arts, lodging and food service. Compared with Maryland, the county leans toward arts, lodging and food service (17% against 7%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 6.7% in Worcester County. 12% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 12% work from home. Households without a car make up 5.9% of the total (8.8% statewide).
| Where residents work | Worcester County | Difference from Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.2% | -2.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 17.2% | +9.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 12.2% | -4.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.9% | 0.0 pts |
| Public administration | 8.8% | -2.3 pts |
| Construction | 8.4% | +1.1 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Worcester County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
How much Worcester County households make
Worcester County households have a median income of $81,745 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 15th of 24 in Maryland.
| Yearly household income | Worcester County | Gap to Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 19.5% | +3.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.9% | +6.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 28.2% | -3.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 13.4% | -6.9 pts |
Some 20% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 42% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 9.9% of Worcester County residents in poverty, against 9.4% across Maryland. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Worcester County median.
Worcester County housing compared with Maryland
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,159 in Worcester County versus $1,705 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 55% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $374,700, about 4.6 times the median household income. Owners occupy 78% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1985.
| Measure | Worcester County | Maryland | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,159/mo | $1,705/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $374,700 | $419,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 78% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 55% | 51% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 33% | 27% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 4.8% | 1.3% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Worcester County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it. High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
How Worcester County compares with nearby counties
Six nearby counties, 20 to 53 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $58,993 in Accomack County to $81,497 in Sussex County; none of these neighbors top Worcester County's median. The list crosses into Delaware, Virginia, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester County | - | $81,745 | $1,159/mo | 78% |
| Wicomico County, MD | 20 mi | $76,210 | $1,327/mo | 62% |
| Sussex County, DE | 31 mi | $81,497 | $1,238/mo | 82% |
| Somerset County, MD | 31 mi | $64,943 | $1,013/mo | 73% |
| Accomack County, VA | 40 mi | $58,993 | $977/mo | 71% |
| Dorchester County, MD | 42 mi | $61,839 | $1,032/mo | 66% |
| Caroline County, MD | 53 mi | $68,457 | $1,105/mo | 72% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Worcester County
11 Census places fall mainly inside Worcester County; the 11 biggest are below. They account for 37,893 residents, leaving about 29% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. West Ocean City has the highest median household income on the list ($97,165) and Snow Hill the lowest ($48,382), counting places with at least 500 residents. No Worcester County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 11.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean Pines | CDP | 12,351 | $91,824 | $2,069 | 14 mi |
| Ocean City | town | 6,903 | $77,750 | $1,353 | 18 mi |
| Berlin | town | 5,232 | $81,438 | $1,091 | 9 mi |
| West Ocean City | CDP | 5,198 | $97,165 | $1,620 | 14 mi |
| Pocomoke City | city | 4,405 | $53,203 | $836 | 17 mi |
| Snow Hill | town | 2,659 | $48,382 | $981 | 6 mi |
| Bishopville | CDP | 516 | n/a | n/a | 16 mi |
| Newark | CDP | 244 | $92,361 | n/a | 3 mi |
| Whaleyville | CDP | 198 | $115,288 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Stockton | CDP | 110 | $84,306 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Girdletree | CDP | 77 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Debt-to-income at Worcester County's medians
How much room does a median Worcester County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $6,812 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $1,159, takes 17% of that
- At 35%, room after rent is $1,225 a month
- With a 45% ceiling, about $1,906 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Before borrowing in Worcester County
Based on the Worcester County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Fixed incomes. Worcester County's median age is 50.7. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- Higher earners. 42% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
- Renters under pressure. When 55% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
Worcester County residents: age, schooling, coverage
35% of Worcester County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 5.0%, against 6.3% for Maryland.
| Residents | Worcester County | Maryland | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 50.7 | 39.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 35.3% | 43.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.0% | 8.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.0% | 6.3% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.9% | 8.8% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 12.3% | 19.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.9% | 9.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.7% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Worcester County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 33.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 38.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.7% |
| 60+ min | 6.5% |
A Worcester County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in Worcester County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- A Maryland license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Checking a lender's license in Maryland
Before sharing details with a lender, a Worcester County resident can confirm its license with the Maryland Office of Financial Regulation. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: Maryland guide.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Maryland guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Worcester County?
$81,745 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $103,678 for Maryland. It ranks 15th of 24 in the state.
Is Worcester County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,159 against $1,705 statewide, and 55% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Worcester County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 78% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
I live in a small Worcester County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Ocean Pines, Ocean City, Berlin, West Ocean City, Pocomoke City and 6 more.
Can Worcester County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Maryland county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.