Wicomico County
MD · Pop. 104,117 · Mixed County
Wicomico County, Maryland covers 374 square miles with a population of 104,117 and a density of 278.4 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on corn, soybeans, wheat. The median home price is $239,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.89%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 216-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.5°F and average winter lows of 31.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 45.9 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Tidalhealth Peninsula Regional, Inc is 1.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.1% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 216-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.89% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 99.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Tidalhealth Peninsula Regional, Inc, with an emergency room, is just 1.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- At 278.4 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Wicomico County, MD is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 56/100
- Median home price
- $239k
- Property tax
- 0.89%
- Growing season
- 216 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 45.9"
- Broadband
- 99.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Tidalhealth Peninsula Regional, Inc, 1.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Wicomico County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Wicomico County?
- Wicomico County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 216-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.5°F, and average winter lows of 31.5°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $239,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.89%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Tidalhealth Peninsula Regional, Inc is 1.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals in the county.
Explore Maryland Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Maryland
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The closest counties to Wicomico County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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