Worcester County
MD · Pop. 53,279 · Mixed County
Worcester County sits in Maryland across 468 square miles, home to 53,279 people at 113.8 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, corn, wheat. A median home price of $348,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.76% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 187-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.6°F and average winter lows of 29.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 46.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Atlantic General Hospital is 9.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.9% 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 187-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.76% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 98.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Atlantic General Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 9.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low poverty rate of 8.1% signals a relatively stable local economy.
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.
- Flood risk is high, so low-lying parcels deserve careful evaluation before purchase.
At a glance
Worcester County, MD is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 53/100
- Median home price
- $348k
- Property tax
- 0.76%
- Growing season
- 187 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 46.1"
- Broadband
- 98.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Atlantic General Hospital, 9.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Worcester County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Worcester County?
- Worcester County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 187-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.6°F, and average winter lows of 29.3°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $348,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.76%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Atlantic General Hospital is 9.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Maryland Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Maryland
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The closest counties to Worcester 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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