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Wicomico
Maryland

104K

Population

$69K

Median Income

$275K

Median Home

R+22

Politics

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What stands out

Three things set Wicomico County apart from the other 3,142 counties: homeownership is in the bottom 7% of American counties (60%), the overdose death rate is in the top 8% of American counties (36 per 100,000), and the typical two-bedroom rent is in the top 13% of American counties ($1,155 a month). Within Maryland it ranks 2nd of 24 counties for homeownership, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Wicomico County, Maryland. 103,815 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -234).

Maryland is the only state that levies both an estate tax and an inheritance tax, and its counties add their own income taxes of up to 3.2% on top of the state rate. Household income is the highest in the country, concentrated in the Washington suburbs of Montgomery and Howard counties. Social Security is not taxed and there is a pension exclusion for residents 65 and over.

Money

The typical household here brings in $69,421 a year, higher than 73% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $56,568. Unemployment runs 3.8%, higher than 65% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home.

Maryland takes 4.7% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,245 a year.

Home

The median home costs $276K, pricier than 63% of American counties, about 2.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,155 a month. Property tax is 0.90% of home value, roughly $2,033 a year on that median home, higher than 53% of American counties. 60% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.8 per 1,000 residents, lower than 54% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 36 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 75.0 years, shorter than 59% of American counties. There are 311 active physicians in the county, about 30.0 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 8.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

89% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 22 points. 61% of eligible voters turned out. Under Maryland law you need local approval to carry a concealed handgun, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 57°F, highs near 68 and lows near 47, warmer than 57% of American counties. About 40 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 87 out of 100, riskier than 87% of American counties; the county has had 14 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 263 Mbps down, faster than 80% of American counties. There are 7 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 5 breweries.

Written from the figures below. Percentiles compare this county with every other county that reports the same figure; missing figures are left out rather than guessed.

Economy

Median Household Income$69K
This county
national avg ~$75K
Poverty Rate12.6%
This county
national avg ~11.5%
Unemployment Rate3.8%
This county
national avg ~3.8%
GDP per Capita$63,777
Federal Spending per Capita$585
Median Individual Earnings$41K
This county
national avg $45K
Professional/Management Workers34.7%
Average Adjusted Gross Income$62K
Avg Credit Score661
Work From Home %6.2%
This county
national avg 17.0%
Population Under 1822.1%
This county
national avg 22.0%
Single-Person Households25.6%
This county
national avg 28.0%
Banks & Finance Firms68
Income (20th Percentile)$30K
Income (80th Percentile)$132K
Income (95th Percentile)$224K
Bachelor's Degree or Higher28.9%
This county
national avg 34.3%
Less Than High School11.4%
This county
national avg 11.0%
Knowledge Economy GDP %13.3%
Dependency Ratio0.62
Medicare Spending / Person$2,804
SS Benefits / Person$3,834
Education Wage Premium1.96x
Median Earnings (Bachelor's)$60K
Median Earnings (Graduate)$75K
Median Earnings (HS Diploma)$38K
Public Assistance Recipients2.8%
Average Annual Wage$57K
Professional Services Concentration0.64x national
This county
1.0 = national average share
Federal Government Jobs Located Here288
Federal Share of Jobs Located Here0.6%
Residents Who Work for the Federal Government2.2%
Federal Civilian Share of Earnings0.9%
Federal Contract Dollars Performed Here (FY2025)$15M
Contract Dollars Relative to Local Wages0.01x wages
Largest Award's Share of Contract Dollars47%

Housing

Sources: Zillow ZHVI · Census ACS 2022 · Tax Foundation 2023 (effective rates)

Median Home Value$275K
This county
$420K state avg
$303K national
Median Sale Price$250K
This county
$303K national
Market Rent (ZORI)$1623/mo
This county
$1950/mo state avg
$1400/mo national
Property Tax Rate0.90%
This county
0.97% state avg
1.10% national

Annual tax on median home: $2,033

Affordability & Supply

HUD Fair Market Rent (2BR)$1,378/mo
Home Price Change (1 yr)+5.7%no change since 2024
Home Value to Income Ratio2.7x income
Severely Cost-Burdened Households13.6%
Homeownership Rate59.7%
This county
national avg ~65%

Market Activity

Sources: Zillow Research monthly · Redfin

Sale-to-List Ratio— Buyers market — homes selling below list
97.5%
Listings with Price Cuts— Low — market moving fast
23.6%
Sold Above List Price
16.0%
Median Days to Close
34 days
Active Listings
356
New Listings / Month
93

Source: Zillow Research · Updated monthly

Health

Life Expectancy75.0 yrs
This county
national avg ~78.5 years
Hospital Rating4.0 / 5
This county
national avg 3.0 stars
Food Insecurity12.1%
This county
national avg ~11%
Food Environment Index7.3 / 10
This county
higher = better access
Primary Care Shortage Score21
This county
national avg 5
Mental Health Shortage Score22
Dental Care Shortage Score26
Healthcare Shortage Score23.0
Healthcare Offices220
Obesity Rate (BRFSS)40.9%
This county
national avg 32.0%
Smoking Rate (BRFSS)14.4%
This county
national avg 14.0%
Poor Health Rate (BRFSS)20.4%
This county
national avg 18.0%
Physical Inactivity (BRFSS)27.9%
This county
national avg 24.0%
High Blood Pressure (BRFSS)35.0%
This county
national avg 32.0%
Active Physicians311
Nursing Home Rating3.0 / 5
This county
national avg ~3 stars
ER Visits per 1,000 Medicare Patients664 / 1,000
Medicare Cost per Beneficiary$12,392
Uninsured (under 65)8.0%
This county
national avg ~10%
Adults with Depression22.0%

Education

HS Diploma Holders19,052
Bachelor's Degree Holders11,476
HS Completion Rate88.5%
This county
national avg ~85%
Private Schools24

Safety

Violent Crime Rate3.8 / 1,000
This county
national avg ~4.0
Firearm Fatality Rate11.4 / 100K
This county
national avg ~13.6/100K
Homicide Rate5.7 / 100K
This county
national avg ~7.5/100K
Drug Overdose Rate38.2 / 100K
This county
national avg ~21/100K
Traffic Fatalities66
Social Vulnerability (CDC SVI)79th pct
Drug Overdose Deaths (2024)36.3 / 100K
Suicide Rate11.8 / 100K
This county
national avg ~14/100K

Climate & Air Quality

Natural Amenity Scale-0.7
January Sunshine0.20
January Temperature0.38
Average Temp57°F-1.7% since 2022
Avg High Temp68°F-2.2% since 2022
Avg Low Temp47°F-1.3% since 2022
Median AQIAQI 47
Good Air Days215 days/yr
Unhealthy Air Days6 days/yr
Annual Precipitation39.8 in/yr-6.8% since 2022
Avg Storm Events13.8 storms/yr
Avg Annual Storm Damage$75K
Drought Index (2022)-0.56
Heating Degree Days4,192 HDD/yr
This county
national avg ~4,500 HDD/yr
Cooling Degree Days1,297 CDD/yr
This county
national avg ~1,200 CDD/yr
Heating Degree Days (1901–2000 Baseline)4,517 HDD/yr
Cooling Degree Days (1901–2000 Baseline)1,039 CDD/yr
Avg Tornadoes / Year0.4
Avg Flood Events / Year2.0
Avg Hail Events / Year0.6
Avg Hurricane Events / Year0.00
Avg Wildfire Events / Year0.0
Avg Winter Storms / Year0.0
Avg Heat Events / Year0.0
Natural Hazard Risk (FEMA)87 / 100
Community Resilience (FEMA)74 / 100
Federal Disaster Declarations14 since 1953
Fine Particulate Pollution (PM2.5)6.7 µg/m³
This county
EPA standard 9 µg/m³

Outdoor & Recreation

Historic Places (NRHP)23 properties
FAA-Registered Airports8 total
Airports (excl. heliports)7 airports

Brewery Scene

Total Breweries5 breweries
Microbreweries1 microbreweries
Brewpubs3 brewpubs

Internet & Remote Work

Download Speed263 Mbps
This county
national avg ~120 Mbps
Upload Speed30 Mbps
Fixed Internet (Q1 2026)400 Mbps
Mobile Internet (Q1 2026)180 Mbps
Mobile Upload (Q1 2026)37 Mbps
Mobile Latency (Q1 2026)30 ms
Households with 100Mbps+93.3%
This county
national avg 75.0%
Cellular-Only Internet12.9%
This county
national avg 8.0%
Fixed Upload Speed (Q1 2026)104 Mbps

EV Infrastructure

EV Charging Stations26 stations
DC Fast Chargers48 chargers
Level 2 EV Chargers60

Commute & Transit

Remote Workers3,115 workers
Public Transit Commuters339 workers
Walk to Work (workers)830 workers
Extreme Commutes (90+ min)1,178 workers
Bike Commuters0.1%
Walk to Work1.6%

Families & Childcare

Childcare Cost Burden23.5%
This county
national median ~27% of household income
Childcare Centers7.7 per 10K residents
Childcare Facilities18

Civic & Community

Voter Turnout60.7%
This county
national avg ~55%
Volunteering Rate1.0%
Income Inequality (Gini)4.424
Nonprofit Organizations457
Veterans Share6.7%
This county
national avg 7.0%
Married Adults44.4%
Never-Married Adults38.8%
Divorced Adults10.7%
Religious Organizations63
Asian Population2.8%
Native American Population0.2%
Membership Associations8.7 per 10K residents

Lifestyle & Services

Full-Service Restaurants0.61 per 1K residents
Colleges & Universities3
Nursing & Care Facilities72
Grocery Stores28
Arts & Entertainment Venues7
Hotels & Lodging23
Recreation Businesses14
Professional Services Firms207
Veterinary Practices23
Real Estate Firms131
Debt Burden
Avg Mortgage Balance$74K
Avg Student Loan Balance$11K
Avg Credit Card Balance$4K
Loan Delinquency Rate50.0%
This county
national avg 4.0%

Innovation

Inventor Rate0.13%

Politics

R+22

2024 Presidential · Maryland was D+24 statewide

vs Maryland State

Income tax
5.75%Same (state law)
Property tax
0.90%0.97% state avg
Politics
R+22D+24
COL Index
116state index (no county figure)

Population & Migration

Net Domestic Migration 2023

↓ -234

More people leaving than arriving

IRS Wealth Migration

Lower-income migration pattern (IRS: 0.84x avg income)

Economic Mobility

38%

chance a low-income child reaches the middle class

Source: Opportunity Insights

Real Estate

Find Homes in Wicomico County

Median home value: $276K

View on Zillow →View on Realtor.com →

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Full Maryland profile

Taxes, cost of living, crime, schools, gun laws and more.

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Data: Census ACS, BLS, Zillow, USDA Natural Amenities, OpenElections 2024, CMS, NCES. Vintage 2022–2025. News via Google News.

Your Priorities

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Quick Profiles

Dial in your priorities

Annual Income

$150K

Affects effective income tax rate

$0$500K$5M+

Retirement Savings

$0

Affects pension and SS tax burden

None$500K$10M+

Social Security

None

Annual Social Security benefit

None$150K/yr

My Property Is Worth

$400K

Affects property tax burden

Tax burden ↓$1M$50M+

Home Buying Budget

$400K

Compared to state median home price

Hard to find$250K$5M+

Monthly Rent Budget

Don't care

Compared to state median 2BR rent

Don't care$10K/mo

Job Market

Don't care

State unemployment and job growth

Don't careHot market

Airport Access

Don't care

Direct flight destinations from state hubs

Don't careMust have hub

City vs Country

Mid-size city

% urban population

Deep countryBig city

Sunshine

Don't care

Annual sunny days per state

Don't careMax sunshine

Food Scene

Don't care

Restaurants per 100K residents

Don't careWorld-class

Political Preference

Neutral

State's political lean

LiberalConservative

Gun Laws

Neutral

State gun law grade (Giffords)

Gun Control2A Freedom

Abortion Access

Neutral

State abortion access policy

Pro-ChoiceNeutralPro-Life

Community

None

Congregations per 100K residents

AvoidDon't careSeek

Sports & Entertainment

Don't care

Pro sports teams and major venues

Don't careMust have pro teams

Cannabis Laws

Neutral

State cannabis legality

Prefer LegalNeutralPrefer Prohibition

Retiree Community

Neutral

% population 65+ (Census)

Young areaRetirement-heavy

Dating Market

Neutral

% adults never-married (Census)

Singles sceneFamily community

Safety / Low Crime

Don't care

Violent crime rate per 100K (FBI)

Don't careVery safe

School Quality

Don't care

K-12 rank (Education Week)

Don't careTop-ranked

Healthcare Access

Don't care

Healthcare system rank (Commonwealth Fund)

Don't careTop-ranked

Childcare Affordability

Don't care

Cost of living proxy for childcare affordability

Don't careMust be affordable