Worcester County Information in Maryland

Worcester County is located on the eastern boundary of the state of Maryland and is the only county in Maryland to border the Atlantic Ocean. Worcester County is situated on the Delmarva Peninsula, which it shares with Delaware, Virginia, and eight other Maryland counties.

Worcester County has two barrier islands, Fenwick Island and Assateague Island, which shield a series of large Intracoastal bays.

Ocean City is a popular holiday destination in Worcester County, attracting millions of visitors every year, and Snow Hill is the county seat.

Real estate in Worcester County includes a range of waterfront and canal homes, beach houses, farmland, and small-town suburbs.

Besides the beaches, islands, and bays, other natural attractions in Worcester County include the Pocomoke State Forest and Assateague State Park.

Worcester County Real Estate

Located at the easternmost point of Maryland, Worcester County is far removed from the metropolitan areas of Baltimore and Washington DC. This quiet, relaxed coastal area is deeply rooted in history, peppered with small towns featuring incredible centuries-old architecture, historical sites and incredible atmosphere. Worcester County real estate offers a variety of options to suit your needs.

Whether you are looking for stately waterfront homes, vacation properties, single-family homes in quiet small-town neighborhoods, or farmland, learn about what this amazing area has to offer. With varying price points, you’ll be guaranteed to find something to suit your budget.

Coastal towns like Ocean City and Berlin feature homes in a range of seaside designs, from shingle-style beach cottages, to beautiful Victorian and Craftsman-inspired homes. With miles of coastline and canals, there is no shortage of homes with water access.

Ocean City features high-rise condominiums and townhomes, with beautiful ocean and bay views, close to local attractions. These units offer excellent value as vacation homes, or investment properties. Berlin features many mid-century character homes, tastefully updated for modern lifestyles, as well as newer homes in quiet neighborhoods.

While listings are more limited in smaller inland communities, there are still charming homes to be found, from beautifully maintained farmhouses, to modern homes on acreages. If you are in the market for properties for hobby or commercial farming, the county has many options.

Worcester County also features a large variety of commercial real estate, especially in the vibrant Ocean City area. From retail space, to hotel properties, to industrial land, there are many business investment opportunities.

Worcester County History

The area was first established as the larger Sommerset County in 1669. The Pocomoke River provided access to Chesapeake Bay, aiding settlement and commerce. The area was originally settled by European immigrants of British and Irish descent, along with slaves of mainly West African descent. During the colonial period, Worcester County was divided into several Church of England parishes, with meeting houses for Quakers, Presbyterians and Methodists. As a result, the county had a high proportion of free people of color for many decades prior to the Civil War.

Worcester County was formed in 1742, when Sommerset County was divided. Its borders were under debate through the early colonial period, due to competing territorial claims. Its boundaries were not totally settled until the Mason Dixon Line was established in 1764.

Worcester County was primarily an agricultural area, first with tobacco, and later expanding into wheat, corn and livestock. Early industrial activity included an iron ore in a furnace in Furnacetown in the early 19th century. Logging also began along the Pocomoke River, as well as shingle manufacturing and shipbuilding. The arrival of steam- powered water transport and then the railroad allowed Worcester to export seafood to markets like Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York. Later in the 19th Century, the seaside resort town of Ocean City was founded.

Truck farming and the canning industry emerged during the early 20th century; however, both went into decline in the mid-century due to overfishing and other emerging farming areas. The advent of large-scale poultry industry filled this gap, and to this day Worcester County is the second-largest producer in the state.

The expansion of Ocean City since the 1960s has turned the northern part of the county from a summer resort area, to a thriving year-round community. Tourism and hospitality are now the largest industry, and primary supplier of jobs in Worcester County.

Worcester County: Highlights & Attractions

As Maryland's only seaside county, Worcester County is known for its pristine beaches and dunes, inland forests, rich history, and relaxed atmosphere. Located just south of Delaware, and removed from the hustle and bustle of Baltimore and Washington DC, residents live life at their own pace in this natural coastal paradise.

The best known destination in Worcester, Ocean City, is Maryland`s premier vacation resort town, with 10 miles of clean, free beaches to explore. When you're not enjoying the beach, various watersports or any of its three waterparks, the city features other great attractions. Stroll the famous Ocean City Boardwalk, hit Trimper's Rides and Amusement Park, take a walking tour of downtown`s historical buildings, visit the Life saving Station Museum, , tour unique local boutiques or indulge at amazing local seafood restaurants like the Delmarva Boil Company, Hobbit Restaurant or Cafe Mirage.

Assateague Island National Seashore is another local gem, featuring 37 miles of beaches, bikes paths and undeveloped natural habitat offering amazing scenery and wildlife for visitors. Wild ponies wander the marshes, birds chase the waves in search of clams and crabs, brown pelicans skim the shores, large schools of fish troll the waters, and dolphins frolic just outside the breakers. There are State Park and National Park sections of the island, both offering camping, fishing, and beaches, as well as a myriad of programs and activities.

Berlin is a small town bursting with charm, just outside Ocean City. Known as the Antique Capital of the East Shore, it is brimming with unique antique and second-hand stores, local artisans and galleries, and so much more. It has a jam-packed local events calendar, with regular events like weekly farmers markets, live music and classic car shows. It also features a great variety of local cafes, restaurants and even a local brewery.

Snow Hill, the county seat, is another small community bursting with history. Founded in 1686 as a port town, a large number of its churches, homes, and sites are listed on the National Register of Historical Places, and it features numerous museums celebrating local history. Located on the shores of Pocomoke River, it is also a great locale for canoeing and kayaking.

The Pocomoke River State Park features almost 15,000 acres of loblolly pine and cypress swamps along the Pocomoke River. Visitors can enjoy outdoor activities like camping, fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, and hiking.

Worcester County is home to more than a dozen championship golf courses to challenge everyone from novices to professionals. Highlights include Ocean City`s Golf Club`s two 18-hole courses, Eagle`s Landing Golf`s beautiful seaside course, the Gary Player-designed River Run Golf Course, among many more.

Worcester County At A Glance

• Maryland’s only seaside county
• One of the top-ranked school systems in Maryland
• #1 Best County for Retirees in Maryland- Niche.com