Shaft, Maryland Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shaft, Maryland had a total population of 285, the 425th largest community in Maryland, with a median household income of $86,958, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Shaft Quick Facts
How Shaft 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 | 298 | 285 | -4.4% |
How Shaft 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+)
Shaft Rankings in Maryland
Explore Maryland Rankings
Other Cities in Allegany County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cumberland | 18,804 | $48,162 | 25.1% | $123,200 |
| Frostburg | 6,977 | $52,977 | 28.8% | $181,700 |
| Cresaptown | 5,121 | $68,370 | 3.3% | $142,600 |
| La Vale | 4,196 | $77,500 | 4.6% | $170,800 |
| Bel Air | 1,837 | $97,685 | 0.2% | $195,700 |
| Westernport | 1,588 | $47,688 | 22.2% | $86,300 |
| Bowmans Addition | 1,102 | $82,475 | 29.0% | $187,300 |
| Potomac Park | 978 | $53,221 | 17.3% | $139,400 |
| Bowling Green | 966 | $76,140 | 7.7% | $132,000 |
| Lonaconing | 889 | $54,250 | 20.9% | $89,400 |
Cities Similar to Shaft
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairlee | 299 | N/A | $270,600 | 5.4% | 58.9% |
| San Mar | 306 | N/A | $240,500 | 12.0% | 32.0% |
| Chewsville | 314 | $87,115 | $238,100 | 59.3% | 0.0% |
| Tilghmanton | 282 | $106,875 | $227,700 | 3.0% | 0.0% |
| Gilmore | 288 | $110,179 | N/A | 15.8% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 285, Shaft's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Shaft is a small community located in Maryland, within Allegany County. The total population is 285. It ranks as the 425th most populous out of 527 Census-designated places in Maryland.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shaft is 48.9 years. This is 24% higher than the state median of 39.4 years. Only 2.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shaft is $86,958. This is 16% lower than the state median of $103,678. It is also 8% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.4%. This is 11% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Shaft, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 48% higher than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Shaft was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 100.0% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
59.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% higher than the state rate of 43.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample. Notably, 37.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shaft, 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 Shaft, Maryland?
Shaft, Maryland has a population of 285 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shaft, MD?
The median household income in Shaft is $86,958, which is 8% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shaft, MD?
The poverty rate in Shaft is 8.4%. This means approximately 24 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shaft, Maryland?
Shaft's population is 100.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shaft, MD?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Shaft — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Shaft, Maryland?
59.7% of adults (25+) in Shaft hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 37.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.