Salisbury, MD Metro Area

Salisbury, MD · Metro Area

129,736Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 2 counties (1 central, 1 outlying), part of the Salisbury-Ocean Pines, MD combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $73,802
Median home value: $241,200
Land area: 694 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Wicomico County, MD	Central	104,914	$76,210	$254,700
Somerset County, MD	Outlying	24,822	$64,943	$173,200

Largest cities and towns

30 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Salisbury, MD	City	33,285	$58,576
Fruitland, MD	City	5,801	$64,004
Delmar, MD	Town	4,261	$85,174
Princess Anne, MD	Town	3,569	$69,116
Crisfield, MD	City	2,499	$50,139
Pittsville, MD	Town	1,950	$73,682
Hebron, MD	Town	1,566	$97,841
Willards, MD	Town	1,280	$75,333
Mount Vernon, MD	CDP	1,067	$113,938
Eden, MD	CDP	1,053	$39,559
Sharptown, MD	Town	874	$85,938
West Pocomoke, MD	CDP	548	$38,056
Mardela Springs, MD	Town	493	$64,432
Fairmount, MD	CDP	440	$51,827
Nanticoke, MD	CDP	434	$94,189
Smith Island, MD	CDP	345	$90,385
Deal Island, MD	CDP	341	$22,404
Chance, MD	CDP	230	$66,711
Powellville, MD	CDP	230	$119,531
Dames Quarter, MD	CDP	226	$83,750
Bivalve, MD	CDP	175	—
Parsonsburg, MD	CDP	166	—
Tyaskin, MD	CDP	155	$126,307
Nanticoke Acres, MD	CDP	142	$250,000+
Whitehaven, MD	CDP	80	—

Also in the Salisbury-Ocean Pines, MD combined area

Ocean Pines, MD · micro · 53,700

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

14.3%

Unemployment

6.1%

College Educated

27.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$73,802

Mean Household Income

$94,881

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

49.4%

Female

50.6%

Population Split

Male49.4%

Female50.6%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

English12.3%

Irish10.3%

German10.2%

Italian4.1%

Mexican2.8%

Polish2.0%

French1.4%

Scottish1.4%

African1.2%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

8.6%Foreign Born

91.4%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized45.8%

Non-Citizen54.2%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later40.2%

Before 201059.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

55,055

Median Rent

$1,274/mo

Median Home Value

$241,200

Median Year Built

1985

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

35,148

College Enrollment

31.6%

High School

18.2%

College Educated

27.4%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

23.2 min

Drive Alone Rate

78.6%

Public Transit

0.3%

Work From Home

8.1%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

21.6%

18-34 Years

26.6%

35-64 Years

34.9%

65+ Years

16.9%

Population Composition

Under 1821.6%

18-3426.6%

35-6434.9%

65+16.9%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

42.9%

Single Parent

7.1%

Living Alone

27.8%

Avg Size

2.47

Household Types

Married Couples42.9%

Single Parent7.1%

Living Alone27.8%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$36,173

SNAP Usage

18.5%

Health Insurance

93.9%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k16.5%

$25k - $50k16.6%

$50k - $100k32.3%

$100k+34.5%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

9.7%

Retail Trade

11.8%

Education & Health Care

29.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

12.4%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

93.9%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

88.7%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

94.9%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

95.6

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

154.7

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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