Ridgely, Maryland Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ridgely, Maryland had a total population of 1,772, the 292nd largest town in Maryland, with a median household income of $62,048, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 10.8% is notably above the national average.
Ridgely Quick Facts
How Ridgely 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 | 1,685 | 1,772 | +5.2% |
| Median household income | $64,432 | $62,048 | -3.7% |
| Median home value | $236,000 | $276,700 | +17.2% |
How Ridgely 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 68 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ridgely Rankings in Maryland
Explore Maryland Rankings
Other Cities in Caroline County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denton | 4,936 | $66,510 | 12.8% | $234,600 |
| Federalsburg | 2,837 | $33,571 | 34.0% | $156,500 |
| Greensboro | 2,634 | $53,611 | 15.9% | $251,100 |
| Preston | 852 | $100,000 | 3.8% | $267,000 |
| Williston | 391 | $129,479 | 2.6% | $532,700 |
| Goldsboro | 248 | $39,643 | 31.9% | $232,500 |
| Choptank | 186 | $127,791 | 9.1% | $286,000 |
| Marydel | 149 | $49,750 | 10.7% | $184,100 |
| Henderson | 132 | $100,938 | 12.9% | $75,800 |
| Hillsboro | 127 | $66,875 | 23.6% | $254,200 |
Cities Similar to Ridgely
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson-Conococheague | 1,663 | $64,296 | $224,600 | 12.6% | 18.0% |
| Williamsport | 1,949 | $61,607 | $227,900 | 21.4% | 23.3% |
| Pittsville | 1,950 | $73,682 | $208,900 | 12.4% | 14.3% |
| Mountain Lake Park | 2,167 | $60,875 | $216,100 | 23.0% | 15.2% |
| Kingstown | 1,713 | $93,625 | $293,000 | 49.4% | 19.7% |
Population Overview
Ridgely is a small community located in Maryland, within Caroline County. The total population is 1,772. It ranks as the 292nd most populous out of 527 Census-designated places in Maryland.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ridgely is 34.3 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 39.4 years. With 30.7% of the population under 18, Ridgely has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ridgely is $62,048. This is 40% lower than the state median of $103,678. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.8%. This is 35% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 10.8%. This is 122% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $276,700. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $419,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 62.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ridgely is White (non-Hispanic), making up 68.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.9%. The Black or African American population (10.5%) is well below the state average of 28.9%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 6.5%.
Education
12.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 71% 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 82.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ridgely, 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.
Free data download: Get all Maryland city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ridgely, Maryland?
Ridgely, Maryland has a population of 1,772 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ridgely, MD?
The median household income in Ridgely is $62,048, which is 23% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ridgely, MD?
The poverty rate in Ridgely is 12.8%. This means approximately 225 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ridgely, Maryland?
Ridgely's population is 68.2% White, 10.5% Black, 13.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ridgely, MD?
The median home value in Ridgely is $276,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
How educated is Ridgely, Maryland?
12.6% of adults (25+) in Ridgely hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.