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CITY

West Ocean City

Maryland · 5,198 residents · 4.19 sq mi
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Part of the Ocean Pines micropolitan area
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The short version

West Ocean City is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $97,165. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 57% since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $423,700. With a median age of 49.5, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 49.5
US median: 38.9
Average education
38% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 54%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,198
+57%since 2000
from 3,311 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
1,241 / sq mi
+57%since 2000
from 790 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
49.5
+14%since 2000
from 43.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K3K4K5K6K1990201020202024West Ocean City
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$97,165
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $42,279 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$71,916
+156%since 2000
from $28,132 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
60.8%
+14.9 ptssince 2009
from 45.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
6.4%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 5.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.532
+27%since 2010
from 0.418 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information8.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services6.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade6.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration3.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance3.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction3%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food2.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Retail trade2.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$423,700
+54%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $151,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,620
+46%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $609 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
81.9%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 79.9% in 2000
18.1% rent
Vacancy rate
27.9%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 27.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
19.9%
−10.6 ptssince 2009
from 30.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
43.9%
−6.8 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.4
+22%since 2000
from 3.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
41
RELATED:See current rent listings in West Ocean City on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94.7%(3,137)
Black1.6%(53)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(47)
Asian0.6%(21)
Other0%
Diversity Score9%(300)
2024
White, non-Hispanic89%(4,628)
Black1.8%(91)
Hispanic / Latino5.3%(277)
Asian0.5%(28)
Other3.3%(174)
Diversity Score25.4%(1,319)
Diversity Score
25
+180%since 2000
from 9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
38.2%
+17.5 ptssince 2000
from 20.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
95.4%
+14.2 ptssince 2000
from 81.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
14.9%
+6.8 ptssince 2000
from 8.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.6 min
+66%since 2000
from 11.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
85.6%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 83.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.6%
−4.8 ptssince 2009
from 9.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.9%
+4.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.6%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.9%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
2.5%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 5.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
10.7%
+3.5 ptssince 2011
from 7.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
67.5%
+4.2 ptssince 2011
from 63.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.4%
−4.8 ptssince 2009
from 17.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
41.6%
−27.5 ptssince 2009
from 69.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.7%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Female
50.3%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Foreign born
4.5%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 4.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.2%
−40.3 ptssince 2009
from 48.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
11.7%
+0.4 ptssince 2012
from 11.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.2%
−88.3 ptssince 2013
from 92.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
94.2%
+11.2 ptssince 2017
from 83.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
92.8%
−0.2 ptssince 2016
from 93.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
4.7%
+2.0 ptssince 2016
from 2.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare West Ocean City to nearby cities

WEST OCEAN CITY VS
Ocean Pines
Income$91,824−5%
Home value$380,100−10%
Population12,351+138%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST OCEAN CITY VS
Salisbury
Income$58,576−40%
Home value$227,300−46%
Population33,845+551%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST OCEAN CITY VS
Georgetown
Income$49,719−49%
Home value$281,400−34%
Population8,291+60%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST OCEAN CITY VS
Seaford
Income$54,016−44%
Home value$224,300−47%
Population9,165+76%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in West Ocean City, Maryland?

West Ocean City, Maryland has about 5,198 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in West Ocean City, Maryland?

The typical household in West Ocean City, Maryland earns about $97,165 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is West Ocean City, Maryland expensive?

In West Ocean City, Maryland, the median home is worth about $423,700, and the typical rent is about $1,620 a month.

How educated are people in West Ocean City, Maryland?

About 38.2% of adults age 25 and over in West Ocean City, Maryland hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in West Ocean City, Maryland?

About 6.4% of people in West Ocean City, Maryland live below the federal poverty line.

Has West Ocean City, Maryland grown since 1990?

Yes, West Ocean City, Maryland has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,198 residents, a change of about 160 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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