Worcester County, Maryland

Worcester County is a county located in the U.S. State of Maryland. It was named for the Earl of Worcester. Its county seat is Snow Hill.

Table of contents 1 History 2 Law and Government 3 Geography 4 Demographics 5 Cities and Towns

History Worcester County was created from Somerset County in 1742.

Law and Government Worcester County was granted home rule in 1976 under a state code.

Geography Worcester County includes four municipalities:

• 1 City:
  1. Pocomoke City (incorporated 1865)
• 3 Towns:
  1. Berlin (incorporated 1868)
  2. Ocean City (incorporated 1880)
  3. Snow Hill (incorporated 1812)

Unincorporated areas are also considered as towns by many people, but they lack local government. The United States Census Bureau recognizes the following Census-Designated Places in Worcester County:

1. Girdletree
2. Newark
3. Ocean Pines
4. Stockton
5. West Ocean City
6. Whaleyville

Other entities, such as the United States Postal Service, use a different selection of local place names. In all these cases, since the places are unincorporated, the boundaries are determined by the classifying authority.

The county has a total area of 1,799 km² (695 mi²). 1,226 km² (473 mi²) of it is land and 574 km² (221 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 31.88% water.

Demographics As of 2000, there are 46,543 people, 19,694 households, and 13,273 families residing in the county. The population density is 38/km² (98/mi²). There are 47,360 housing units at an average density of 39 persons/km² (100 persons/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 81.20% White, 16.66% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. 1.28% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 19,694 households out of which 24.50% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.20% are married couples living together, 10.80% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 32.60% are non-families. 26.30% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.60% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.33 and the average family size is 2.79.

In the county the population is spread out with 20.50% under the age of 18, 6.20% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 26.90% from 45 to 64, and 20.10% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 43 years. For every 100 females there are 95.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $40,650, and the median income for a family is $47,293. Males have a median income of $31,735 versus $24,319 for females. The per capita income for the county is $22,505. 9.60% of the population and 7.20% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 17.00% are under the age of 18 and 6.40% are 65 or older.

Cities and Towns

• Germantown