Worcester County, Maryland Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Worcester County is located in Maryland with a total population of 53,279. It is the 17th most populous county out of 24 in Maryland.

Age Demographics

The median age in Worcester County is 50.7 years. This is 29% higher than the state median of 39.3 years. 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 Worcester County is $81,455. This is 20% lower than the state median of $101,652. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 4% higher. The poverty rate stands at 8.1%. This is 13% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 6.5%. This is 31% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $348,100. Housing costs are 12% lower than the state median of $397,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 76.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 67.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Worcester County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 12.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (78.5% vs 47.4%). The Black or African American population (12.0%) is well below the state average of 29.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.9%) is well below the state average of 12.1%. The Asian population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 6.4%.

Education

32.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 24% lower than the state rate of 42.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.7%.