Worcester County

As of the latest available data, Worcester County, Maryland, has a population of approximately 52,276. The racial composition is 83.3% White, 12.7% African American, 1.0% Asian, and 2.9% Hispanic or Latino. The county has a median household income of around $62,000, with 11.2% of residents living below the poverty line. The population is spread across various age groups, with 20.8% aged 65 or older, reflecting a relatively aging population.

As of recent data, Worcester County, MD, has a median home value of around $323,300. The median rent is approximately $1,150 per month. Homeownership rate sits at about 68%, while the median household income is roughly $64,800. The area experiences a relatively low vacancy rate of 13.3%, suggesting steady demand for housing. New housing developments and luxury properties boost the market, especially in desirable coastal areas like Ocean City.

Worcester County, Maryland conducts elections for various local, state, and federal offices. The primary local government body is the Board of County Commissioners, consisting of 7 members, each representing one of the county’s districts.

In the 2022 general election, notable races included:

• County Commissioners:

  • District 1: Chip Bertino (R) - unopposed
  • District 2: Diana Purnell (D) - 60% vs. Warner Sumpter (R) - 40%
  • District 3: Bud Church (R) - 55% vs. Zach Tyndall (D) - 45%
  • District 4: Ted Elder (R) - 58% vs. Virgil Shockley (D) - 42%

• Governor:

  • Republican candidate: Dan Cox - 42%
  • Democratic candidate: Wes Moore - 54%

Voter turnout for the 2022 general election was approximately 68%.

Worcester County, Maryland, boasts a relatively high educational attainment. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 89.4% of residents aged 25 and older have at least a high school diploma, which is slightly higher than the national average of around 88%. Furthermore, about 33.1% of the county's population holds a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of approximately 33.1%, indicating parity with the national level.

In comparison to the state of Maryland, where around 90.7% have a high school diploma and 40.9% hold a bachelor's degree or higher, Worcester County falls slightly behind in terms of higher education attainment but remains competitive in overall high school graduation rates. This suggests that while Worcester County residents are well-educated, there is room for growth, particularly in higher education, compared to the broader state metrics.

As of recent data, Worcester County, MD, exhibits a labor force of approximately 25,000 individuals. The unemployment rate stands around 5.1%, which is slightly higher than the national average of about 4.3% and the Maryland state average of about 4.9%.

Top industries in Worcester County include tourism and hospitality, healthcare, retail trade, and education. Tourism is particularly robust due to attractions like Ocean City. The healthcare and retail sectors employ a significant portion of the county's workforce, followed by educational services.

Comparison to National and State Averages:

• Tourism & Hospitality: Higher than national average due to Ocean City
• Healthcare: Comparable to state and slightly higher than national averages
• Retail Trade: Comparable to national and state averages
• Education: Comparable to state and national averages but influenced by local universities and schools.

As of the latest available data, Worcester County, MD, has a median household income of approximately $58,000. In contrast, the median household income in Maryland is higher at around $84,805. Nationally, the median household income in the United States stands at approximately $68,700.

This data shows that Worcester County's median household income is significantly lower than both the state of Maryland and the national average.

As of the latest available data, Worcester County, MD has a diverse crime profile. The crime rate is relatively low compared to national averages. According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, the following table details the types and numbers of crimes reported:

These figures illustrate the distribution of various crimes within the county, emphasizing that property crimes constitute the majority of incidences. Enhanced community policing and preventive measures contribute to the relatively controlled crime levels.