Ocean City, Maryland Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ocean City, Maryland had a total population of 6,903, the 173rd largest town in Maryland, with a median household income of $77,750, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Ocean City Quick Facts
How Ocean City Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,887 | 6,903 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $69,675 | $77,750 | +11.6% |
| Median home value | $373,700 | $429,000 | +14.8% |
How Ocean City Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 68 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ocean City Rankings in Maryland
Explore Maryland Rankings
Other Cities in Worcester County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean Pines | 12,351 | $91,824 | 5.5% | $380,100 |
| Berlin | 5,232 | $81,438 | 18.9% | $423,500 |
| West Ocean City | 5,198 | $97,165 | 6.4% | $423,700 |
| Pocomoke City | 4,405 | $53,203 | 15.3% | $199,000 |
| Snow Hill | 2,659 | $48,382 | 18.4% | $222,900 |
| Bishopville | 516 | N/A | 0.0% | $623,000 |
| Newark | 244 | $92,361 | 0.0% | $337,500 |
| Whaleyville | 198 | $115,288 | 3.0% | $187,800 |
| Stockton | 110 | $84,306 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Girdletree | 77 | N/A | 0.0% | $187,500 |
Cities Similar to Ocean City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowleys Quarters | 7,006 | $99,534 | $400,100 | 30.4% | 11.2% |
| Fountainhead-Orchard Hills | 6,567 | $103,340 | $333,000 | 39.1% | 8.8% |
| Taneytown | 7,932 | $87,621 | $338,400 | 23.5% | 11.2% |
| Riverside | 6,585 | $105,785 | $246,100 | 39.5% | 5.7% |
| Frostburg | 6,977 | $52,977 | $181,700 | 41.5% | 28.8% |
Population Overview
Ocean City is a small city located in Maryland, within Worcester County. The total population is 6,903. It ranks as the 173rd most populous out of 527 Census-designated places in Maryland.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ocean City is 55.6 years. This is 41% higher than the state median of 39.4 years. Only 9.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 12.2% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ocean City is $77,750. This is 25% lower than the state median of $103,678. It is also 4% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.9%. This is 16% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 5.7%. This is 17% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $429,000. Housing costs are 2% higher than the state median of $419,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x. 74.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ocean City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (84.0% vs 46.6%). The Black or African American population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 28.9%. The Asian population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 6.5%.
Education
41.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% lower than the state rate of 43.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.0%. Notably, 16.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ocean City, Maryland is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Maryland state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 527 Census-designated places in Maryland. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ocean City, Maryland?
Ocean City, Maryland has a population of 6,903 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ocean City, MD?
The median household income in Ocean City is $77,750, which is 4% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ocean City, MD?
The poverty rate in Ocean City is 10.9%. This means approximately 745 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ocean City, Maryland?
Ocean City's population is 84.0% White, 1.6% Black, 9.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ocean City, MD?
The median home value in Ocean City is $429,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x.
How educated is Ocean City, Maryland?
41.7% of adults (25+) in Ocean City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.