RANK #867 / 996 · POP 52,827 · MD
PROJECTED GROWTH: -1.2%
Worcester County, Maryland, stands out as the state's only county bordering the Atlantic Ocean, offering a blend of coastal resort and rural charm. Ocean City, a notable town, draws visitors with its boardwalk and beaches, while Berlin, recognized as a "coolest small town," features historic architecture and an arts scene. The county is about 120 miles from Baltimore. Commute options within the county include Shore Transit, which provides fixed, deviated fixed, and on-demand services. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with opportunities for kayaking on the Pocomoke River, hiking in cypress swamps, and exploring Assateague Island National Seashore, home to wild ponies. The Worcester County Recreation and Parks Department maintains thirteen parks across the county.
Life in Worcester County offers a mix of lifestyles, from the active resort environment of Ocean City to the quieter, historic towns like Snow Hill and Berlin. The public school system, serving approximately 7,000 students across 14 schools, is highly rated. The economy is influenced by agriculture, particularly the poultry industry, and tourism. Recent economic developments include commercial ventures and residential construction. The county is also seeing investment in energy sectors. Worcester County's economic landscape is further supported by Maryland Enterprise Zones in Berlin, Snow Hill, and Pocomoke, which offer tax incentives for businesses.
Above national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 5.2x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
US Wind Offshore Wind Project
US Wind
|
$2,000M | Planned |
|
Worcester Resiliency Upgrade Project (LNG Storage Facility)
Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company (Chesapeake Utilities Corporation)
|
$80M | Under Construction |
|
TurningPoint Solar Farm (Berlin)
TurningPoint Solar
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Ocean City Convention Center Phase III Expansion
Worcester County
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Northern Worcester Athletic Complex Expansion
Worcester County
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Worcester County has a Boom Town Index score of 13/100, ranking #867 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +4.4% and a median household income of $76,689, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Worcester County is $310,300 with median rent at $1,144/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2471, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.0% year-over-year. Job growth: +4.4%. Home values changed -3.2% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.45% of Worcester County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.