Dorchester County, MD

County

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2020 Population

31,994

0.448% 1-year decline

US Senator

Ben Cardin

Democratic Party

US Senator

Chris Van Hollen

Democratic Party

2020 Median Age

44.8

0.448% 1-year increase

2020 Poverty Rate

16.2%

2.47% 1-year increase

2020 Median Household Income

$52,799

0.223% 1-year decline

2020 Median Property Value

$187,300

2.18% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

14,706

1.04% 1-year decline

About

In 2020, Dorchester County, MD had a population of 32k people with a median age of 44.8 and a median household income of $52,799. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Dorchester County, MD declined from 32,138 to 31,994, a −0.448% decrease and its median household income declined from $52,917 to $52,799, a −0.223% decrease.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Dorchester County, MD are White (Non-Hispanic) (62.6%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (25.4%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (5.1%), White (Hispanic) (2.38%), and Other (Hispanic) (1.95%).

None of the households in Dorchester 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 Dorchester County, MD are U.S. citizens.

In 2020, the median property value in Dorchester County, MD was $187,300, and the homeownership rate was 67.5%. Most people in Dorchester County, MD drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 27.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Dorchester County, MD was 2 cars per household.

Dorchester County, MD borders Sussex County, DE, Calvert County, MD, Caroline County, MD, St. Mary's County, MD, Somerset County, MD, Talbot County, MD, and Wicomico County, MD.

United States Maryland Cambridge, MD

Diversity

Dorchester County, MD is home to a population of 32k people, from which 97.7% are citizens. As of 2020, 4.07% of Dorchester County, MD residents were born outside of the country (1.3k people).

In 2020, there were 2.47 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (20k people) in Dorchester County, MD than any other race or ethnicity. There were 8.11k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 1.63k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Dorchester County, MD

White (Non-Hispanic)
20k ± 15
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
8.11k ± 384
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
1.63k ± 383

5.75%

Hispanic Population

1.84k people

5.75% of the people in Dorchester County, MD are hispanic (1.84k people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

4.07%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

1.3k people

3.85%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

1.24k people

As of 2020, 4.07% of Dorchester County, MD residents (1.3k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Dorchester County, MD was 3.85%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.6

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 3.8

In 2020, the median age of all people in Dorchester County, MD was 44.8. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 45, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 47. But people in Dorchester County, MD are getting getting older. In 2019, the average age of all Dorchester County, MD residents was 45.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

El Salvador
106,672 ± 7,947 people
India
60,671 ± 6,017 people
China
43,639 ± 5,110 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Maryland was El Salvador, the natal country of 106,672 Maryland residents, followed by India with 60,671 and China with 43,639.

Citizenship

97.7%

2020 Citizenship

97.7%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 97.7% of Dorchester County, MD residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Dorchester County, MD was 97.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
662 ± 138
Gulf War (2001-)
307 ± 100
Korea
233 ± 99

Dorchester County, MD has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.16 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Maryland. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Maryland, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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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Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in Maryland. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

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

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Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Maryland across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in Dorchester County, MD is $52,799. In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Dorchester County, MD was Census Tract 9707.02 with a value of $72,132, followed by Census Tract 9701 and Census Tract 9708.04, with respective values of $67,008 and $65,052.

Males in Maryland have an average income that is 1.25 times higher than the average income of females, which is $67,182. The income inequality in Maryland (measured using the Gini index) is 0.457, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Dorchester County, MD employs 14.7k people. The largest industries in Dorchester County, MD are Health Care & Social Assistance (2,514 people), Retail Trade (1,719 people), and Manufacturing (1,529 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($62,554), Wholesale Trade ($53,643), and Information ($52,146).

Wages

Median Household Income

$52,799

2020 value

± $3,779

−0.223%

1 Year Growth

± 9.46%

Households in Dorchester County, MD have a median annual income of $52,799, which is less than the median annual income of $64,994 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $52,917 in 2019, which represents a −0.223% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Dorchester County, MD compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

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

$84,190

Average Male Salary in Maryland

± $1,749

$67,182

Average Female Salary in Maryland

± $1,324

In 2020, full-time male employees in Maryland made 1.25 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Maryland by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Maryland

Asian
$76,835 ± $4,304
White
$74,484 ± $1,528
American Indian
$63,630 ± $21,128

In 2020 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Maryland workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.03 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Maryland.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Maryland by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

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

0.457

2020 Wage GINI in Maryland

0.461

2019 Wage GINI in Maryland

In 2020, the income inequality in Maryland was 0.457 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.855% decline from 2019 to 2020, 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.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9707.02
Census Tract 9701
Census Tract 9708.04

In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Dorchester County, MD was Census Tract 9707.02 with a value of $72,132, followed by Census Tract 9701 and Census Tract 9708.04, with respective values of $67,008 and $65,052.

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

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

16.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Dorchester County, MD (5.11k out of 31.5k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Males 6 - 11.

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.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
2,497 ± 346
Black
2,084 ± 343
Two Or More
414 ± 206

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

14.7k

2020 Value

± 803

−1.04%

1 Year decline

± 7.43%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Dorchester County, MD declined at a rate of −1.04%, from 14.9k employees to 14.7k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Dorchester County, MD, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,669 people), Sales & Related Occupations (1,392 people), and Management Occupations (1,318 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Dorchester County, MD.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Dorchester County, MD, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,669 people), Sales & Related Occupations (1,392 people), and Management Occupations (1,318 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Dorchester County, MD has an unusually high number of residents working as Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (2.79 times higher than expected), Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors (1.98 times), and Health Technologists & Technicians (1.94 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Dorchester County, MD, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($80,125), Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($78,523), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($78,182).

Industries

Employment by Industries

14.7k

2020 Value

± 803

−1.04%

1 Year decline

± 7.43%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Dorchester County, MD declined at a rate of −1.04%, from 14.9k employees to 14.7k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Dorchester County, MD, are Health Care & Social Assistance (2,514 people), Retail Trade (1,719 people), and Manufacturing (1,529 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Dorchester County, MD, though some of these residents may live in Dorchester County, MD and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Dorchester County, MD, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (2,514 people), Retail Trade (1,719 people), and Manufacturing (1,529 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Dorchester County, MD has an unusually high number of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (3.25 times higher than expected), Public Administration (1.37 times), and Health Care & Social Assistance (1.22 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Dorchester County, MD, by median earnings, are Utilities ($62,554), Wholesale Trade ($53,643), and Information ($52,146).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Maryland to other states, or from other states to Maryland.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Maryland product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $29.2B, followed by Mixed freight ($23.2B) and Electronics ($20.6B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Maryland products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Maryland.

$217B

2020 Value in Maryland

$445B

Projected 2050 Value in Maryland

105% growth

In 2020, total outbound Maryland trade was $217B. This is expected to increase 105% to $445B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Maryland trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Maryland to other states, or from other states to Maryland.

Most Common Trade Partners

Virginia
$21.2B
Pennsylvania
$18.1B
New York
$10.1B

In 2020, the top outbound Maryland domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Virginia with $21.2B, followed by Pennsylvania with $18.1B and New York and $10.1B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Maryland shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Dorchester County, MD went to Donald J. Trump with 54.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (42.9%), followed by Other (1.14%). The most partisan county was Prince George's County, MD with 89.3% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen 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 Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (54.9%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (42.9%)
Democratic Party
Other (1.14%)
Green and Other Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Dorchester County, MD went to Donald J. Trump with 54.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (42.9%), followed by Other (1.14%).

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

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Maryland.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Dorchester County, MD

54.9% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Maryland

Prince George's County, MD
89.3% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Baltimore City, MD
87.3% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Montgomery County, MD
78.6% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in Maryland was Prince George's County, MD with 89.3% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

The following map shows the counties in Maryland colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from Maryland

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

Ben Cardin

Senator from Maryland

Assumed office on January 3, 2007

Chris Van Hollen

Senator from Maryland

Assumed office on January 3, 2017

Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen 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 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.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Dorchester County, MD was $187,300 in 2020, which is 0.815 times smaller than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $183,300 to $187,300, a 2.18% increase. The homeownership rate in Dorchester County, MD is 67.5%, which is higher than the national average of 64.4%. People in Dorchester County, MD have an average commute time of 27.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Dorchester County, MD is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$187,300

2020 Median

± $12,614

$183,300

2019 Median

± $11,430

In 2020, the median property value in Dorchester County, MD grew to to $187,300 from the previous year's value of $183,300.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Dorchester County, MD compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Dorchester County, MD the largest share of households have a property value in the $200k - $250k range.

Household Income

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

$52,799

Median Household Income

± $3,779

13.4k

Number of Households

± 746

In 2020, the median household income of the 13.4k households in Dorchester County, MD declined from $52,799 from the previous year's value of $52,917.

The following chart displays the households in Dorchester 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 $75k - $100k range.

Property Taxes

$800 - $1,499

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Dorchester County, MD distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Dorchester County, MD the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

Rent vs Own

67.5%

2020 Homeownership

68%

2019 Homeownership

In 2020, 67.5% of the housing units in Dorchester County, MD were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 68%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 64.4%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Dorchester County, MD compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

27.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Dorchester County, MD have a longer commute time (27.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 4.4% of the workforce in Dorchester County, MD have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (78.6%)
Carpooled (12.1%)
Worked At Home (5.6%)

In 2020, 78.6% of workers in Dorchester County, MD drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (12.1%) and those who worked at home (5.6%).

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.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Health

95.1% of the population of Dorchester County, MD has health coverage, with 38.2% on employee plans, 27.2% on Medicaid, 16.5% on Medicare, 12.2% on non-group plans, and 1.13% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Maryland was $8,602 in 2014. This is a 4.27% increase from the previous year ($8,250).

Primary care physicians in Dorchester County, MD see 2133 patients per year on average, which represents a 7.14% decrease from the previous year (2297 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1451 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 389 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Dorchester County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (18.9%). Additionally, Somerset County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (41.9%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,133 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Dorchester County, MD

Primary care physicians in Dorchester County, MD see an average of 2,133 patients per year. This represents a 7.14% decrease from the previous year (2,297 patients).

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

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

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

$8,602

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Maryland

$4,343

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,677

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$12,000

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Maryland (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4.27%, from $8,250 to $8,602.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

4.86%

Uninsured

38.2%

Employer Coverage

27.2%

Medicaid

16.5%

Medicare

12.2%

Non-Group

1.13%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Dorchester County, MD declined by 10.2% from 5.41% to 4.86%.

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