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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Dorchester County

Maryland · 32,531 residents · 540.765 sq mi
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The short version

Dorchester County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $52,799. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $187,300. With a median age of 45.1, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 39% less than the Maryland median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 45.1
US median: 38.8
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 42%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
32,531
+6%since 2000
from 30,674 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
60 / sq mi
+6%since 2000
from 57 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
45.1
+11%since 2000
from 40.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
30K31K31K32K33K1990201020202024Dorchester County
202433K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$52,799
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,077 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,860
+58%since 2000
from $18,929 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
34.4%
+8.1 ptssince 2009
from 26.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
16.2%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 13.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information11.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade10.4%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade6.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction4%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services3.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Transportation & warehousing3%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration2.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.1%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$187,300
+42%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $88,000 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$865
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $456 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
65.8%
−4.3 ptssince 2000
from 70.1% in 2000
34.2% rent
Afford Score
3.5
+37%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Dorchester County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic68.8%(21,117)
Black28.2%(8,658)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(385)
Asian0.6%(199)
Other0%
Diversity Score54.3%(16,665)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic61.1%(19,891)
Black27.7%(9,017)
Hispanic / Latino5.5%(1,777)
Asian1.1%(355)
Other5.2%(1,676)
Diversity Score68.6%(22,312)
Segregation Score37.7%(12,262)
Diversity Score
69
+26%since 2000
from 54 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
38
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.9%
+7.9 ptssince 2000
from 12.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
87.0%
+12.8 ptssince 2000
from 74.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.2%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 5.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.3 min
+60%since 2000
from 17.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
78.6%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 81.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 9.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.3%
−4.9 ptssince 2011
from 12.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
60.8%
−4.8 ptssince 2011
from 65.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
31.0%
−30.8 ptssince 2009
from 61.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.7%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 46.9% in 2009
Female
53.3%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 53.1% in 2009
Foreign born
4.1%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.9%
−84.3 ptssince 2013
from 89.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Dorchester County

Madison County
Pop 32,919
Christian County
Pop 33,443
Fulton County
Pop 32,901
Jefferson County
Pop 36,147
Places similar to Dorchester County
Head to head

Compare Dorchester County to nearby counties

DORCHESTER COUNTY VS
Wicomico County
Income$76,210+44%
Home value$254,700+36%
Population106,899+218%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DORCHESTER COUNTY VS
Talbot County
Income$84,811+61%
Home value$409,700+119%
Population38,238+14%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DORCHESTER COUNTY VS
Somerset County
Income$64,943+23%
Home value$173,200−8%
Population24,973−26%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DORCHESTER COUNTY VS
Calvert County
Income$133,922+154%
Home value$460,200+146%
Population94,484+181%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Dorchester County, Maryland?

Dorchester County, Maryland has about 32,531 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Dorchester County, Maryland?

The typical household in Dorchester County, Maryland earns about $52,799 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Dorchester County, Maryland expensive?

In Dorchester County, Maryland, the median home is worth about $187,300, and the typical rent is about $865 a month.

How educated are people in Dorchester County, Maryland?

About 19.9% of adults age 25 and over in Dorchester County, Maryland hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Dorchester County, Maryland?

About 16.2% of people in Dorchester County, Maryland live below the federal poverty line.

Has Dorchester County, Maryland grown since 1990?

Yes, Dorchester County, Maryland has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,295 residents, a change of about 8 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

10 census tracts
Census Tract 9702Census Tract 9706Census Tract 9703Census Tract 9707.02Census Tract 9705Census Tract 9704Census Tract 9701Census Tract 9708.04Census Tract 9709Census Tract 9900
16 ZIP codes
ZIP 21613ZIP 21643ZIP 21631ZIP 21659ZIP 21869ZIP 21664ZIP 21634ZIP 21677ZIP 21622ZIP 21835ZIP 21626ZIP 21648ZIP 21672ZIP 21669ZIP 21675ZIP 21627
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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