RANK #719 / 1001 NAT · #8 / 18 MD · POP 104,914
1YR FORECAST: +0.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +16%
Salisbury, the largest city in Wicomico County, Maryland, serves as a central hub on the Delmarva Peninsula, often called "The Crossroads of Delmarva." Located about 30 minutes west of Ocean City, the county offers a blend of urban amenities and a laid-back, coastal lifestyle. The Wicomico River winds through Salisbury, providing opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. Residents and visitors can explore over 50 parks and outdoor facilities, including Pemberton Historical Park with its nature trails and the Salisbury Zoo. Commuting within Salisbury averages around 20 minutes, shorter than the national average. Public transportation, including Shore Transit buses, operates throughout Wicomico, Somerset, and Worcester counties.
Life in Wicomico County offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to other parts of Maryland. The economy is diverse, with strong sectors in agriculture, healthcare, and education. Major employers include TidalHealth, Salisbury University, and Perdue Farms. Recent economic developments include new mixed-use business facilities near Routes 13 and 50, and an Amazon distribution center, indicating growth in the region. Wicomico County Public Schools serves over 15,000 students across 25 schools, including James M. Bennett High School, known for its academic programs.
Wicomico County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +1.7% YoY, population +0.8%, wages +3.9%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 9.8x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Wicomico County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties · counties where safety is improving.
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Amazon Distribution Center (Westwood Distribution Center)
Amazon / Opportunity Street, LLC
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Westwood Commerce Park
St. John Properties
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Salisbury Exchange
St. John Properties
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Porter Mill Solar
Urban Grid Solar
|
$46M | Planned |
|
Wicomico Wilber Solar Projects (3 co-located 5 MW AC arrays)
Wicomico Wilber 1, LLC, Wicomico Wilber 2, LLC, Wicomico Wilber 3, LLC
|
$45M | Proposed |
|
Renewable Natural Gas Facility at Newland Park Landfill
WB Wicomico LLC / WAGA Energy Inc.
|
$28M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 28/100, Wicomico County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $76,210 combined with job growth of +0.4% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Wicomico County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $254,700 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.30, with rents averaging $1,327/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Wicomico County's population is growing — up +0.8% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.4%). Home values shifted +1.7% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.77% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Wicomico County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.