Shady Side, Maryland Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shady Side, Maryland had a total population of 4,727, the 211th largest community in Maryland, with a median household income of $153,661, which is 48% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Maryland.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.8% — among the lowest in Maryland.
Shady Side Quick Facts
How Shady Side 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 | 4,460 | 4,727 | +6.0% |
| Median household income | $138,346 | $153,661 | +11.1% |
| Median home value | $446,800 | $503,500 | +12.7% |
How Shady Side 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+)
Shady Side Rankings in Maryland
Explore Maryland Rankings
Other Cities in Anne Arundel County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glen Burnie | 72,590 | $88,280 | 9.3% | $348,900 |
| Severn | 58,402 | $134,423 | 5.7% | $479,200 |
| Odenton | 45,002 | $128,441 | 4.5% | $435,300 |
| Annapolis | 40,720 | $113,860 | 7.8% | $548,900 |
| Severna Park | 40,228 | $169,953 | 2.8% | $647,200 |
| Pasadena | 34,309 | $129,727 | 5.7% | $423,400 |
| Crofton | 29,549 | $150,577 | 2.9% | $519,900 |
| Arnold | 24,303 | $141,639 | 3.1% | $564,200 |
| Maryland City | 19,186 | $117,337 | 8.9% | $424,900 |
| Lake Shore | 18,249 | $130,689 | 6.4% | $473,600 |
Cities Similar to Shady Side
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leonardtown | 4,808 | $153,819 | $575,300 | 54.7% | 1.6% |
| Kingsville | 4,687 | $128,563 | $567,400 | 46.6% | 6.8% |
| Sykesville | 4,491 | $139,556 | $453,400 | 56.7% | 3.1% |
| West Laurel | 4,428 | $164,688 | $541,000 | 46.8% | 2.6% |
| Hillandale | 5,060 | $164,871 | $520,300 | 50.1% | 3.5% |
Population Overview
Shady Side is a small community located in Maryland, within Anne Arundel County. The total population is 4,727. It ranks as the 211th most populous out of 527 Census-designated places in Maryland.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shady Side is 49.8 years. This is 26% higher than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shady Side is $153,661. This is 48% higher than the state median of $103,678. It is also 90% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.8%. This is 60% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 4.4%. This is 10% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $503,500. Housing costs are 20% higher than the state median of $419,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 88.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% higher than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Shady Side is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 9.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (79.5% vs 46.6%). The Black or African American population (9.5%) is well below the state average of 28.9%.
Education
37.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 14% 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 98.9%. Notably, 17.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shady Side, 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 Shady Side, Maryland?
Shady Side, Maryland has a population of 4,727 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shady Side, MD?
The median household income in Shady Side is $153,661, which is 90% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shady Side, MD?
The poverty rate in Shady Side is 3.8%. This means approximately 180 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shady Side, Maryland?
Shady Side's population is 79.5% White, 9.5% Black, 6.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shady Side, MD?
The median home value in Shady Side is $503,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Shady Side, Maryland?
37.4% of adults (25+) in Shady Side hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 17.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.