Population 53,700 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Worcester County
Household size in Worcester County
| Period | Worcester County | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.33 | 2.68 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.50 | 2.73 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.34 | 2.74 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.26 | 2.68 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.08 | +0.01 | −0.03 |
Worcester County is a place of small households, averaging 2.26 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 2.33, mirroring the country. Only one other Maryland county has smaller households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Worcester County
| Period | Worcester County | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 47.6 | 38.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 48.3 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 49.9 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 49.5 | 40.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.9 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 49.5, Worcester County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 47.6, as it has nationally. Only one other Maryland county is older.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Worcester County
| Period | Worcester County | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.7% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.7% | 12.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.6% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.0% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in ten households in Worcester County (10.0%), a little below the national share of 11.6%. Compared with other Maryland counties, Worcester County has a lower share of single-parent households than most.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Worcester County
Renters in Worcester County
| Period | Worcester County | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.4% | 31.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 23.2% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.9% | 33.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 22.0% | 32.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.7 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
Worcester County is largely a place of homeowners: only 22.0% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Just over four in ten owners (41.4%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged up 0.7 points, in line with the national trend.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Worcester County
| Period | Worcester County | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.6% | 9.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 36.5% | 8.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 33.5% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 29.7% | 7.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.0 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 29.7% of the housing in Worcester County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. No other Maryland county has a higher vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Worcester County
| Period | Worcester County | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1980 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1983 | 1975 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1983 | 1976 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1986 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in Worcester County are newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1986, versus 1980 across the U.S. The median year built has moved up from 1980 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the north, the oldest in the southwest.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Worcester County
| Period | Worcester County | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $951 | $1,249 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,072 | $1,363 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,204 | $1,576 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,366 | $1,869 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$415 | +$620 | +$606 |
Rent in Worcester County runs $1,366 a month at the median, utilities included, below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $415 a month since 2006–10, up 44%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 33.8% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. The priciest rents are in the north; the most affordable are in the southwest.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Worcester County
Bachelor's degrees in Worcester County
| Period | Worcester County | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.5% | 36.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 28.5% | 37.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 29.0% | 40.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 35.3% | 43.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +9.8 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are about as common in Worcester County as nationally: 35.3% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share is lower than in Maryland as a whole (43.4%). Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 9.8 points, as it has nationally.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Worcester County
| Period | Worcester County | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 88.0% | 88.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 89.1% | 89.1% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.3% | 90.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.7% | 90.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.7 pts | +2.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Worcester County is above the national rate: 93.7% of adults have a diploma, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 5.7 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Worcester County
| Period | Worcester County | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.3% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.8% | 8.1% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.8% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.7% | 5.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.6 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment runs a little high in Worcester County: 6.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Few Maryland counties have higher unemployment: only two of 24. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Worcester County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester County | 2.26 | 49.5 | 10.0% | 22.0% | 29.7% | 1986 | $1,366 | 35.3% | 93.7% | 6.7% |
| Wicomico County | 2.54 | 37.4 | 12.8% | 37.7% | 8.8% | 1982 | $1,346 | 29.1% | 90.5% | 5.9% |
| St. Mary's County | 2.72 | 38.4 | 11.9% | 26.8% | 9.6% | 1993 | $1,749 | 36.6% | 92.7% | 3.7% |
| King George County | 2.80 | 38.7 | 9.9% | 23.8% | 6.1% | 1999 | $1,501 | 35.5% | 92.1% | 3.3% |
| Stafford County | 3.10 | 37.4 | 9.6% | 19.5% | 5.2% | 1997 | $2,155 | 44.1% | 92.7% | 3.9% |
| Fredericksburg City | 2.31 | 33.5 | 10.4% | 60.3% | 6.1% | 1984 | $1,605 | 45.1% | 92.0% | 4.4% |
| Spotsylvania County | 2.82 | 39.0 | 10.8% | 19.9% | 6.6% | 1997 | $1,814 | 34.7% | 90.9% | 5.3% |
| Orange County | 2.58 | 42.4 | 9.1% | 21.3% | 9.1% | 1991 | $1,515 | 29.1% | 90.9% | 2.9% |
| Culpeper County | 2.83 | 39.7 | 12.1% | 25.0% | 5.4% | 1992 | $1,461 | 27.4% | 87.1% | 2.6% |
| Madison County | 2.52 | 46.6 | 8.4% | 22.2% | 10.6% | 1981 | $1,206 | 27.2% | 89.1% | 4.8% |
| Greene County | 2.67 | 42.9 | 11.8% | 16.6% | 8.5% | 1993 | $1,284 | 31.8% | 91.2% | 1.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Macoupin County, IL · Lawrence County, IN · Lawrence County, OH · Lawrence County, TN · Le Flore County, OK · Lenoir County, NC · Levy County, FL · Lincoln County, MO · Lincoln County, OR · Lincoln Parish, LA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Worcester County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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