Somerset County, MD

County

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2023 Population

24,685

0.0527% 1-year growth

US Senator

Chris Van Hollen

Democratic Party

US Senator

Angela Alsobrooks

Democratic Party

2023 Median Age

38.1

0.263% 1-year increase

2023 Poverty Rate

20.1%

1.41% 1-year increase

2023 Median Household Income

$52,462

0.6% 1-year growth

2023 Median Property Value

$164,300

4.52% 1-year growth

2023 Employed Population

9,226

4.5% 1-year decline

About

In 2023, Somerset County, MD had a population of 24.7k people with a median age of 38.1 and a median household income of $52,462. Between 2022 and 2023 the population of Somerset County, MD grew from 24,672 to 24,685, a 0.0527% increase and its median household income grew from $52,149 to $52,462, a 0.6% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Somerset County, MD are White (Non-Hispanic) (51.2%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (37.9%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (5.41%), Black or African American (Hispanic) (1.64%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (1.19%).

None of the households in Somerset County, MD reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

97.7% of the residents in Somerset County, MD are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Somerset County, MD are University of Maryland Eastern Shore (445 degrees awarded in 2022).

In 2023, the median property value in Somerset County, MD was $164,300, and the homeownership rate was 68.8%.

Most people in Somerset County, MD drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24.5 minutes. The average car ownership in Somerset County, MD was 2 cars per household.

Somerset County, MD borders Dorchester County, MD, St. Mary's County, MD, Wicomico County, MD, Worcester County, MD, Accomack County, VA, and Northumberland County, VA.

United States Maryland Salisbury, MD-DE

Population & Diversity

Somerset County, MD is home to a population of 24.7k people, from which 97.7% are citizens. As of 2023, 3.64% of Somerset County, MD residents were born outside of the country (898 people).

In 2023, there were 1.35 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (12.6k people) in Somerset County, MD than any other race or ethnicity. There were 9.34k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 1.34k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97.7%

2023 Citizenship

97.8%

2022 Citizenship

As of 2023, 97.7% of Somerset County, MD residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2022, the percentage of US citizens in Somerset County, MD was 97.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Somerset County, MD compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Somerset County, MD

White (Non-Hispanic)
12.6k ± 87
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
9.34k ± 569
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
1.34k ± 585

4.45%

Hispanic Population

1.1k people

4.45% of the people in Somerset County, MD are hispanic (1.1k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Somerset County, MD as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Maryland.

Most Common Origin

El Salvador
115,960 ± 8,281 people
India
61,668 ± 6,066 people
Nigeria
45,887 ± 5,240 people

In 2022, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Maryland was El Salvador, the natal country of 115,960 Maryland residents, followed by India with 61,668 and Nigeria with 45,887.

Foreign-Born Population

3.64%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

898 people

4.45%

2022 Foreign-Born Population

1.1k people

As of 2023, 3.64% of Somerset County, MD residents (898 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.8%. In 2022, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Somerset County, MD was 4.45%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Somerset County, MD compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
533 ± 140
Gulf War (1990s)
210 ± 120
Gulf War (2001-)
196 ± 99

Somerset County, MD has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.54 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Somerset County, MD employs 9.23k people. The largest industries in Somerset County, MD are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,407 people), Educational Services (1,388 people), and Retail Trade (1,266 people), and the highest paying industries are Public Administration ($66,000), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($63,188), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting ($63,188).

Males in Maryland have an average income that is 1.24 times higher than the average income of females, which is $77,266. The income inequality in Maryland (measured using the Gini index) is 0.454, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

9.23k

2023 Value

± 786

−4.5%

1 Year decline

± 12.3%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in Somerset County, MD declined at a rate of −4.5%, from 9.66k employees to 9.23k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Somerset County, MD, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,144 people), Sales & Related Occupations (805 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (655 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Somerset County, MD.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Maryland (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

9.23k

2023 Value

± 786

−4.5%

1 Year decline

± 12.3%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in Somerset County, MD declined at a rate of −4.5%, from 9.66k employees to 9.23k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Somerset County, MD, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,407 people), Educational Services (1,388 people), and Retail Trade (1,266 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Somerset County, MD, though some of these residents may live in Somerset County, MD and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$39,265

Median earning men ± $6,715

$35,546

Median earning women ± $5,742

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2023 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($180,234), Public Administration ($90,865), and Wholesale Trade ($64,808).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2023 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($72,000), Wholesale Trade ($55,673), and Public Administration ($55,543).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Maryland.

Y-Axis

0.617%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 2.69M people employed in Maryland. This represents a 0.617% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 13.9%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Maryland.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

41
Other Services (except Public Administration)
32
Construction
25
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Depending on the option selected, the visualization shows the number of employees or number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$58.8k
Wholesale Trade
$42.4k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$21.2k
Manufacturing

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Somerset County, MD went to Donald J. Trump with 56.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (41.8%), followed by Other (0.838%).

Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks are the senators currently representing the state of Maryland. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Maryland is currently represented by 8 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (56.6%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (41.8%)
Democratic Party
Other (0.838%)
Green and Other Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Somerset County, MD went to Donald J. Trump with 56.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (41.8%), followed by Other (0.838%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Somerset County, MD for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Maryland

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Maryland.

Chris Van Hollen

Senator from Maryland

Assumed office on January 3, 2017

Angela Alsobrooks

Senator from Maryland

Assumed office on January 3, 2025

Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks are the senators currently representing Maryland.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Maryland over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Maryland

Maryland is currently represented by 8 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Maryland have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2022, universities in Somerset County, MD awarded 445 degrees. The student population of Somerset County, MD in 2022 is skewed towards women, with 1,092 male students and 1,426 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Somerset County, MD are Black or African American (232 and 53.7%), followed by White (77 and 17.8%), Unknown (64 and 14.8%), and Two or More Races (31 and 7.18%).

The largest universities in Somerset County, MD by number of degrees awarded are University of Maryland Eastern Shore (445 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Somerset County, MD are Pharmacy (44 and 9.89%), Criminal Justice - Police Science (37 and 8.31%), and General Biological Sciences (32 and 7.19%).

The median tuition cost in Somerset County, MD for a public four year colleges is $5,637 for in-state students and $16,467 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2022 in Somerset County, MD, the percentage of applicants admitted was 81.6%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 10.7%. The number of students enrolled in 2022 was 2,518 (43.4% men and 56.6% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2022 there were 2,518 students enrolled in Somerset County, MD, 43.4% men and 56.6% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Black or African American with 1,726 records, of which 57.9% were women and 42.1% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Biological Sciences
32 degrees awarded
Kinesiology & Exercise Science
25 degrees awarded
Criminal Justice - Police Science
37 degrees awarded

In 2022, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Somerset County, MD was General Biological Sciences with 32 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Somerset County, MD according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

445 degrees awarded

In 2022, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Maryland Eastern Shore with 445 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2022, 182 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Somerset County, MD, which is 0.692 times less than the 263 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2022 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Black or African American students. These 232 degrees mean that there were 3.01 times more degrees awarded to Black or African American students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 77 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($5,637) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2022.

Public, 4-year or above ($3,261) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2022.

Public, 4-year or above ($2,000) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Maryland.

Measure

In 2022, 1.12% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 1.05% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Maryland.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2022 were High School or Equivalent (1.2M), Bachelors Degree (1.04M), and Some college (961k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Somerset County, MD was $164,300 in 2023, which is 0.542 times smaller than the national average of $303,400. Between 2022 and 2023 the median property value increased from $157,200 to $164,300, a 4.52% increase. The homeownership rate in Somerset County, MD is 68.8%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 65%.

People in Somerset County, MD have an average commute time of 24.5 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Somerset County, MD is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Somerset County, MD is $52,462. In 2023, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Somerset County, MD was Census Tract 9305 with a value of $72,200, followed by Census Tract 9302 and Census Tract 9301.02, with respective values of $66,397 and $60,859.

In 2023, 22.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Somerset County, MD. From 2014 to 2023, the indicator grew 5.16%.

Housing

Property

$164,300

Median Property Value 2023

±$14,949

$5,710

Median Property Taxes

±$537

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Somerset County, MD the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Somerset County, MD compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

68.8%

Homeownership

2023

59.9%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2023

In 2023, 68.8% of the housing units in Somerset County, MD were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 67.5%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Somerset County, MD compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9305
Census Tract 9302
Census Tract 9301.02

In 2023, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Somerset County, MD was Census Tract 9305 with a value of $72,200, followed by Census Tract 9302 and Census Tract 9301.02, with respective values of $66,397 and $60,859.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Somerset County, MD colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$52,462

Median Household Income

± $6,287

8.3k

Number of Households

± 717

In 2023, the median household income of the 8.3k households in Somerset County, MD grew to $52,462 from the previous year's value of $52,149.

The following chart displays the households in Somerset County, MD distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Somerset County, MD is from Maryland.

0.454

2022 Wage GINI in Maryland

0.456

2021 Wage GINI in Maryland

In 2022, the income inequality in Maryland was 0.454 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.498% decline from 2021 to 2022, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Maryland was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Maryland in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Maryland across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2023

Drove Alone (74.1%)
Carpooled (10.1%)
Worked At Home (8.77%)

In 2023, 74.1% of workers in Somerset County, MD drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (10.1%) and those who worked at home (8.77%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

24.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Somerset County, MD have a shorter commute time (24.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.6 minutes). Additionally, 2.36% of the workforce in Somerset County, MD have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Somerset County, MD compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Somerset County, MD distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Somerset County, MD have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2023, 22.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Somerset County, MD. From 2014 to 2023, the indicator grew 5.16%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

20.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Somerset County, MD (3.96k out of 19.7k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Males 6 - 11.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Somerset County, MD is Black, followed by White and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2023, 30.4% of the children was living in poverty in Somerset County, MD. From 2014 to 2023, the indicator declined 4.8%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

96.6% of the population of Somerset County, MD has health coverage, with 36.3% on employee plans, 33.4% on Medicaid, 13.8% on Medicare, 11.9% on non-group plans, and 1.18% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Somerset County, MD see 3182 patients per year on average, which represents a 24.2% increase from the previous year (2562 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 464 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 323 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.9% were men and 53.1% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

3,182 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Somerset County, MD

Primary care physicians in Somerset County, MD see an average of 3,182 patients per year. This represents a 24.2% increase from the previous year (2,562 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Somerset County, MD in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2023, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 23.2% under 18 years, 22.4% between 18 and 34 years, 35.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 18.9% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.9% were men and 53.1% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

3.4%

Uninsured

36.3%

Employer Coverage

33.4%

Medicaid

13.8%

Medicare

11.9%

Non-Group

1.18%

Military or VA

Between 2022 and 2023, the percent of uninsured citizens in Somerset County, MD declined by 13.6% from 3.94% to 3.4%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Somerset County, MD changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2023, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 91.7 in Somerset County, MD.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Somerset County, MD.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2023, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 40.4% in Somerset County, MD.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Somerset County, MD.