Salisbury, Maryland Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Salisbury, Maryland had a total population of 33,285, the 37th largest city in Maryland, with a median household income of $58,576, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 8.8% is notably above the national average.
Salisbury Quick Facts
How Salisbury 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 | 33,080 | 33,285 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $56,402 | $58,576 | +3.9% |
| Median home value | $217,500 | $227,300 | +4.5% |
How Salisbury 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 68 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Salisbury Rankings in Maryland
Explore Maryland Rankings
Other Cities in Wicomico County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruitland | 5,801 | $64,004 | 19.9% | $227,200 |
| Delmar | 4,261 | $85,174 | 10.0% | $226,500 |
| Pittsville | 1,950 | $73,682 | 14.3% | $208,900 |
| Hebron | 1,566 | $97,841 | 23.8% | $235,300 |
| Willards | 1,280 | $75,333 | 22.1% | $216,100 |
| Sharptown | 874 | $85,938 | 5.6% | $192,500 |
| Mardela Springs | 493 | $64,432 | 10.1% | $247,200 |
| Nanticoke | 434 | $94,189 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Powellville | 230 | $119,531 | 5.2% | $229,300 |
| Bivalve | 175 | N/A | 25.7% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Salisbury
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| College Park | 34,540 | $69,721 | $437,900 | 52.7% | 33.2% |
| Milford Mill | 30,829 | $69,711 | $273,600 | 31.2% | 8.7% |
| Middle River | 31,712 | $78,398 | $271,700 | 32.3% | 14.7% |
| Chillum | 34,871 | $79,864 | $393,600 | 22.6% | 12.4% |
| Parkville | 30,549 | $79,178 | $260,400 | 33.2% | 8.6% |
Population Overview
Salisbury is a mid-sized community located in Maryland, within Wicomico County. The total population is 33,285. It ranks as the 37th most populous out of 527 Census-designated places in Maryland.
Age Demographics
The median age in Salisbury is 30.1 years. This is 24% lower than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Salisbury is $58,576. This is 44% lower than the state median of $103,678. It is also 27% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.3%. This is 157% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 8.8%. This is 80% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $227,300. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $419,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 27.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 60% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Salisbury is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 40.5%. The Asian population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 6.5%.
Education
25.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% 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 87.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Salisbury, 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 Salisbury, Maryland?
Salisbury, Maryland has a population of 33,285 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Salisbury, MD?
The median household income in Salisbury is $58,576, which is 27% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Salisbury, MD?
The poverty rate in Salisbury is 24.3%. This means approximately 7,815 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Salisbury, Maryland?
Salisbury's population is 40.9% White, 40.5% Black, 7.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Salisbury, MD?
The median home value in Salisbury is $227,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Salisbury, Maryland?
25.7% of adults (25+) in Salisbury hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.