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Mardela Springs, Maryland

Mardela Springs is a town in Wicomico County, Maryland, United States. The population was 357 at the 2010 census. It is included in the Salisbury, Maryland-Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
The area around Mardela Springs was home to indigenous tribes. Europeans brought fur trading to the area. Mineral springs attracted tourists in the 19th century and a spring water company.

Geography
Mardela Springs is located at 38.46°N, -75.75583°W (38.460098, -75.755785).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.40 sqmi, of which 0.39 sqmi is land and 0.01 sqmi is water.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Mardela Springs has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 347 people, 134 households, and 97 families living in the town. The population density was 889.7 PD/sqmi. There were 160 housing units at an average density of 410.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 88.2% White, 6.9% African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.6% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 3.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.3% of the population.

There were 134 households, of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.7% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.6% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.00.

The median age in the town was 37.9 years. 27.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.9% were from 25 to 44; 25.3% were from 45 to 64; and 13% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 50.7% male and 49.3% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 364 people, 135 households, and 93 families living in the town. The population density was 1,009.2 PD/sqmi. There were 159 housing units at an average density of 440.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 90.93% White, 5.49% African American, 0.55% Native American, 1.92% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.40% of the population.

There were 135 households, out of which 37.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 29.1% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $37,500, and the median income for a family was $46,250. Males had a median income of $35,125 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,580. About 6.8% of families and 6.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 2.9% of those age 65 or over.

Notable person

 * Erin Burnett, CNN anchor

title: Mardela Springs, Maryland


text:
Pittsville, Maryland

Pittsville is a town in Wicomico County, Maryland, United States. The population was 1,417 at the 2010 census. It is included in the Salisbury, Maryland-Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Pittsville is located at 38.39482°N, -75.40929°W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.68 sqmi, all land.

Pittsville played the part of the backwater Iowa town in the 1974 made-for-TV movie The Rimers of Eldritch starring Rue McClanahan and Susan Sarandon.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,417 people, 591 households, and 382 families living in the town. The population density was 843.5 PD/sqmi. There were 668 housing units at an average density of 397.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 90.3% White, 4.8% African American, 0.1% Native American, 1.6% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.9% of the population.

There were 591 households, of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.4% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.93.

The median age in the town was 39.1 years. 23.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.4% were from 25 to 44; 28.9% were from 45 to 64; and 12.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 47.6% male and 52.4% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,182 people, 477 households, and 321 families living in the town. The population density was 677.3 PD/sqmi. There were 506 housing units at an average density of 289.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 87.56% White, 6.60% African American, 0.17% Native American, 3.89% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 1.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.61% of the population.

There were 477 households, out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% were married couples living together, 16.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.5% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.8% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 34.1% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $32,500, and the median income for a family was $39,375. Males had a median income of $31,141 versus $20,759 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,966. About 8.3% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.7% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Pittsville, Maryland


text:
Salisbury, Maryland

Salisbury is a city in and the county seat of Wicomico County, Maryland, United States. Salisbury is the largest city in the state's Eastern Shore region, with a population of 33,050 at the 2020 census. Salisbury is the principal city of the Salisbury, Maryland-Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is a commercial hub of the Delmarva Peninsula.

History
Salisbury's location at the head of Wicomico River was a major factor in growth. At first, it was a small colonial outpost set up by Lord Baltimore. Salisbury was established in 1732.

Salisbury's location at the head of the Wicomico River was seen to be a convenient location for trading purposes. Due to the similar physical attributes as well as the nationality of Salisbury's founders, many historians believe that the name was inspired by the city of Salisbury, England, an ancient cathedral city.

Salisbury was officially incorporated as a city in 1854.

Salisbury also had a role in the American Civil War, as it served as a location where Union forces encamped in order to search for sympathizers from the South. These Union forces also worked to inhibit the movement of contraband to Confederate forces in the South.

Fires struck Salisbury in both 1860 and 1886, burning through two-thirds of the Town. Despite the fires, Salisbury and the country that surrounded it continued to grow, and Salisbury was considered to be the major town of the county. In 1909, the Humphrey's Dam burst, flooding portions of Salisbury.

In 1867, when Wicomico County was formed out of parts of both Somerset and Worcester Counties, Salisbury became the government seat.

In 1898 and 1931, three Black men were lynched in Salisbury. Town leaders, including the fire chief and police chief, were allegedly complicit in the lynchings.

In 1968, protests occurred in Salisbury after a police officer fatally shot a deaf and mute African-American man. The protests prompted Maryland Governor Spiro Agnew to declare Martial Law and send the Maryland National Guard to Salisbury.

Today, Salisbury attracts a wide variety of different businesses in addition to the county, state, and federal government offices.

Adding to the diversity of Salisbury, the City is host to a wide variety of events celebrating local culture and the arts. These events include 3rd Friday, an event held in downtown Salisbury on the third Friday of each month, celebrating local music, artists, and nonprofit organizations.

Salisbury is also home to a historical City Park, the Salisbury Zoo, The Centre at Salisbury shopping mall, and the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center.

The Gillis-Grier House, Honeysuckle Lodge, Sen. William P. Jackson House, Pemberton Hall, Perry-Cooper House, Poplar Hill Mansion, Union Station, and F. Leonard Wailes Law Office are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.87 sqmi, of which 13.40 sqmi is land and 0.47 sqmi is water. The city is situated 17 to 45 ft above sea level.

The nearest major cities are Baltimore, 106 mi away, Washington, D.C., 119 mi away, and Philadelphia, 128 mi away.

Climate
Salisbury's location on the Atlantic Coastal Plain in Maryland gives it a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa), with hot, humid summers and, on average, cool to mild winters. The monthly daily average temperature at nearby Wicomico Regional Airport ranges from 36.8 °F in January to 77.9 °F in July; on average, there are 30 days of 90 °F+ highs annually and 7 days where the high fails to rise above freezing. On average, Salisbury annually receives around 47.49 in of precipitation, with 8.0 in of snowfall per year. Record temperatures range from −10 °F on January 11, 1942, up to 106 °F on July 21, 1930 and August 7, 1918. However, temperatures reaching 0 °F and lower, or 100 °F and higher, are rare, having last occurred January 9, 2017 and July 27, 2012, respectively.

Demographics
Salisbury is the principal city of the Salisbury, Maryland-Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area, which consists of Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties in Maryland and Sussex County in Delaware.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 23,743 people, 9,061 households, and 4,802 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,145.5 PD/sqmi. There were 9,612 housing units at an average density of 868.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 60.71% White, 32.32% African American, 0.23% Native American, 3.19% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.47% from other races, and 2.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.39% of the population.

There were 9,061 households, out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.4% were married couples living together, 18.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.0% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 3.00. In 2005, 324 new single family homes were built, with an average value of $119,358.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 21.8% under the age of 18, 21.8% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 17.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,191, and the median income for a family was $35,527. Males had a median income of $26,829 versus $21,920 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,228. About 16.5% of families and 23.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.9% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 30,343 people, 11,983 households, and 6,040 families residing in the city. The population density was 2264.4 PD/sqmi. There were 13,401 housing units at an average density of 1000.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 55.7% White, 34.4% African American, 0.3% Native American, 3.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.1% from other races, and 3.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.0% of the population.

There were 11,983 households, of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 26.4% were married couples living together, 19.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 49.6% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.04.

The median age in the city was 28.1 years. 21.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 22.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.4% were from 25 to 44; 18.8% were from 45 to 64; and 11.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.3% male and 53.7% female.

2020 census
As of the census of 2020, there were 33,050 people and 12,542 households in the city. The population density was 2265.2 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 41.2% White, 42.0% African American, 0.5% Native American, 3.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 7.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.2% of the population.

The average household had 2.50 persons.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 6.9% under the age of 5, 16.0% from 5 to 17, 65.6% from 18 to 64, and 11.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 45.7% male and 54.3% female.

The median income for a household in the city was $41,905. The per capita income for the city was $21,990. About 24.7% of the population were below the poverty line.

Notable crimes
Garfield King (c. 1880 – May 25, 1898) was a black man lynched by a mob in Salisbury. He was hung next to the courthouse after he reportedly shot Herman Kenney, a 22-year-old white man with a revolver after arguing with him.

In December 1931, Salisbury was the site of another lynching of a black man. Matthew Williams was accused of murdering his white employer, Daniel J. (DJ) Elliot, at his office on Lake Street. The authorities found D.J. Elliot dead at his desk, his son, James Elliot present, and Matthew Williams incapacitated by several gunshot wounds. After being taken to Peninsula General Hospital, a 300-man white mob threw Williams from a second-floor window to the crowd below, where he was stabbed, tied to a truck and dragged three blocks to the county court house. There they hanged him from a tree, before he had any chance of a trial. The mob paraded Williams' body through the black part of Salisbury for intimidation, and mutilated and burned him. It was the 32nd lynching in Maryland since 1882. No one was prosecuted for Williams' killing, as was typical in lynchings. As of 2007, there was no commemoration of the extrajudicial killing.

A 2017 memorial for Matthew Williams reignited the call for commemoration of the lynchings, with the known location of Matthew Williams' lynching (Wicomico County Circuit Courthouse lawn) emerging as the focal point. On this site, however, stood a sign some saw as antithetical to the sacred nature of the site as the location of one of the last lynchings in Maryland: a marker commemorating Confederate General John H. Winder. A 2018 documentary film (The Sign) was produced, documenting and unraveling the complexities of this conflict, "exposing deep wounds from the complicated history of the Eastern Shore."

In January 2020, Mayor Jake Day announced the formation of a Lynching Memorial Task Force which was tasked with "coordinating with the Equal Justice Initiative's Community Remembrance Project to facilitate the creation of a permanent monument in honor and solemn remembrance of the three American citizens who lost their lives at the hands of lynch mobs in Wicomico County."

On July 5, 2023, a mass shooting occurred during a block party just outside of the city limits, leading to the death of a 14-year-old child and seven other injuries. Following an investigation involving the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office and the Salisbury Police Department, the suspected shooter was arrested on September 11.

Statistics
Crime in 2019 was the lowest in the city's history, with the five safest years on record being 1986, 1996, 2016, 2018, and 2019. Part One crimes, which are included in the table to the right, consist of the more serious crimes, including shoplifting, burglary, assault, theft, and rape.

Government
Salisbury is a municipality within Wicomico County. The form of government is strong-mayor, as defined by the City Charter. In this form, executive functions are vested in a popularly elected mayor who serves a four-year term; currently John 'Jack' R. Heath. The Mayor is the chief executive officer and the head of the administrative branch of the city government. In that role, he is responsible for overseeing the various departments in the city, ensuring that the ordinances of the city are executed, providing an annual report on the financial condition and accomplishments of the city, appointing the heads of all departments and members of committees and commissions, prepare an annual budget, and supervise the City Administrator who manages day-to-day functions. The City Administrator is the supervisor of all department heads, except the City Clerk and City Attorney. The City Administrator may also perform all other tasks delegated by the Mayor. Legislative and oversight functions are the purview of the elected council. The five council members are elected to four-year terms from the city's five districts. City elections are non-partisan. The council meets in regular session the second and fourth Monday of each month in Council Chambers. Council work sessions are held the first and third Monday of each month. The council also holds the ability to fill vacancies in the council or appoint an acting mayor when a vacancy occurs.

Mayors of Salisbury
there have been 29 mayors of Salisbury, listed to the right.

During times of extended absence, a mayor may delegate the majority of their duties to the City Administrator, such in 2020 when Mayor Jacob R. Day was deployed to Africa as an information operations officer with the 110th Information Operations Battalion of the Maryland Army National Guard. Mayor Day said "City Administrator Julia Glanz will take over executive duties for the duration of the deployment". Vacancies in the office of the mayor are filled by a majority vote of the City Council, with an Acting Mayor.

All-America City Award
On June 18, 2010 Salisbury received the All-America City Award. The City received the award for three projects:
 * The revitalization of Rose and Lake Street neighborhoods in partnership with nonprofit organization Salisbury Neighborhood Housing, Inc, the State of Maryland, Parkside High School CTE program, Hebron Savings Bank, and a grant from the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore.
 * The Youth Leadership Academy which developed leadership in students in grades 8–11.
 * Homeless initiatives including the Code Blue Shelter operated by nonprofit organization Hope And Life Outreach (HALO) with assistance for veterans from nonprofit NATRA, Inc., which provides counseling services.

Economy and businesses
According to the US Conference of Mayors, the Salisbury MD-DE Metropolitan Statistical Area had the 7th fastest rate of job growth in the nation in 2016, with a 4.2% increase in employment.

Perdue Farms, a multi-national poultry corporation, is headquartered in Salisbury. Other industries in Salisbury include healthcare, accommodation and foodservice, electronic component manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, shipbuilding, and agriculture.

Some of the major employers in Salisbury include: Salisbury University, Verizon, Peninsula Regional Medical Center, The Knowland Group, Handy Seafood and Pepsi Bottling of Delmarva. Peninsula Regional Medical Center employs more Salisbury residents than any other company, while Perdue Farms is the largest employer headquartered in Salisbury (with nearly 22,000 employees). The labor market for Wicomico County is 45,033 and for the lower shore three counties a total of 86,798 (as of May 2017).

Piedmont Airlines, a regional airline, is headquartered in unincorporated Wicomico County, on the grounds of Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport near Salisbury.

Education
Public schools are under the jurisdiction of Wicomico County Public Schools. Several private institutions maintain academic programs within the city.

Post secondary: Public: Salisbury University and Wor-Wic Community College

Secondary:

Public: James M. Bennett High School, Parkside High School, Wicomico High School, Salisbury Middle School, Wicomico Middle School, and Bennett Middle School

Private: Faith Baptist School, Salisbury Baptist Academy, St. Francis de Sales, Salisbury Christian School, Stepping Stones Learning Academy, The Salisbury School, and Wicomico Day School

Elementary: Public: Chipman, East Salisbury, Glen Avenue, North Salisbury, Pemberton, Pinehurst, Prince Street, West Salisbury, and Westside Intermediate Private: Faith Baptist School, Salisbury Christian School, St. Francis de Sales, Stepping Stones Learning Academy, The Salisbury School, and Wicomico Day School

Libraries:

Some of the libraries in Salisbury are branches of the Wicomico Public Library. The Paul S. Sarbanes branch, the largest branch in the system, is located in downtown Salisbury.

Periodicals

 * The Daily Times
 * Salisbury Independent – weekly publication of Independent Newsmedia Inc.
 * The Metropolitan Magazine – monthly magazine
 * Wicomico Weekly – weekly publication of the Daily Times

Radio

 * WGBZ – 88.3 FM – Christian contemporary
 * W206AY – 89.1 FM – Religious
 * W282AW – 104.3 FM – Classic hits
 * WSCL – 89.5 FM – National Public Radio, Classical
 * W204AY – 89.9 FM – Religious
 * WDIH – 90.3 FM – Religious
 * WESM – 91.3 FM – Jazz
 * W220CT – 91.9 FM – Christian contemporary
 * WNKZ-FM – 92.5 FM – Christian contemporary
 * WZBH – 93.5 FM – Rock
 * WKDB – 95.3 FM – Adult contemporary
 * WKZP – 95.9 FM – Top 40
 * WXSU – 96.3 FM – College
 * WAVD – 97.1 FM – Classic hits
 * WKTT – 97.5 FM – Hip-Hop
 * WUSX – 98.5 FM – Country
 * WSBY – 98.9 FM – Urban adult contemporary
 * WWFG – 99.9 FM – Country
 * WRBY-LP – 100.5 FM – multi-categorical broadcasting in Haitian Creole
 * WICO-FM – 101.1 FM Classic country
 * WJKI-FM – 103.5 FM – Classic rock
 * WRDE-FM – 103.9 FM – Country
 * WQHQ – 104.7 FM – Adult contemporary
 * W286AX – 105.1 FM – Christian contemporary
 * WLSW – 105.5 FM – Gospel/Christian
 * WGBG-FM – 107.7 FM – Classic rock
 * WTGM – 960 AM – Sports
 * WJKI – 1320 AM – Classic rock
 * WJDY – 1470 AM – Fox Sports Radio

Television

 * WBOC Channel 16, DT 16.1 CBS
 * WBOC-DT2 (Fox 21 Delmarva) DT 21.2 Fox
 * WBOC-LD (Telemundo Delmarva) Channel 42, DT 42.1/42.2 Telemundo
 * WRDE-LD Channel 31, DT 31.1 NBC
 * WRDE-LD2 (MyCoziTV) DT 31.2 MyNetworkTV & Cozi TV
 * WMDT Channel 47, DT 47.1 ABC
 * WMDT-DT2 (The CW 3 Delmarva) DT 47.2 The CW
 * WMDT-DT3 (MeTV) DT 47.3 MeTV
 * WGDV-LD (Azteca América) Channel 32, DT 32.1
 * WCPB Channel 28, DT 58.1 & 58.2 PBS—additional subchannels 58.3–58.5
 * PAC 14 Public, Educational, and Government Access Television Channel 14 (Comcast)

Culture
Museums and other historic facilities include: Salisbury University Arboretum, Salisbury Zoo, Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, Edward H. Nabb Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Chipman Cultural Center, and Poplar Hill Mansion.

Parks, playgrounds, and community centers
The City, with input from its Parks and Recreation Committee, maintains numerous parks including Comfort Safety Zone Playground, Doverdale Park and Playground, Elizabeth W. Woodcock Park and Playground, Jeannete P. Chipman Boundless Playground (fully handicapped accessible), Lake Street Park and Playground, Newtown Park, Newtown – Camden Tot Lot Playground, Riverwalk Park, Salisbury City Park and Zoo, Waterside Park, and Naylor Mill Forest Trail. Naylor Mill Forest Trail, at over 92 acres, contains the largest conservation easement inside a municipality, in the State of Maryland. Additionally, the Port of Salisbury Marina is located near downtown Salisbury, in the Marina District. The community manages three Community Gardens, located in Waterside Park, Newton-Camden Tot Lot Playground, and Jeannete P. Chipman Boundless Playground.

Wicomico County Public Schools maintains recreational fields and courts at each of the county schools. The county also maintains other parks in the Salisbury area: Billy Gene Jackson Sr. Park, Coulbourn Mill Pond Park, Crooked Oak Playground, Indian Village Playground, Leonards Mill Park, Pemberton Historical Park, Schumaker Park, and Winterplace Park.

The City operates two community centers, the Truitt Street Community Center and the Copeland House at Newton Community Center. These centers provide recreational opportunities in addition to arts & crafts, poetry & creative writing, music, and homework assistance for youth and continuing education courses for adults through a partnership with Wor-Wic Community College.

Sports
The Eastern Shore Baseball League was headquartered in Salisbury; two franchises, the Salisbury Cardinals and the Salisbury Indians, called the city home. Today, the Delmarva Shorebirds represent the town in the Low-A East. The Eastern Shore Baseball Hall of Fame is housed at the Arthur W. Perdue Stadium. The Shorebirds are a Single-A Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles.

Salisbury also is home to Division 3 Salisbury Seagulls. The Seagulls have been dominant in football, field hockey, baseball, Men's Rugby and lacrosse, including multiple NCAA lacrosse national titles. Seagull Stadium hosts the university's football team while Maggs Gymnasium hosts basketball.

Salisbury also has the Wicomico Stallions, a minor league football team; the Salisbury Rollergirls, an all-female, competitive, WFTDA-member, flat-track roller derby league; Doverdale Youth Lacrosse; the Salisbury Rhinos Youth Football; and many programs through the county's Recreation and Parks department.

Events

 * Maryland Folk Festival - Began as the National Folk Festival, which was hosted in Salisbury in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022.   The City continued the festival as the Maryland Folk Festival, beginning in 2023.
 * SBY Marathon – A marathon, half-marathon, and 5K held in Salisbury. The marathon is a qualifier for the Boston and New York City Marathons.
 * Sea Gull Century – Cycle 62 mi or 100 mi of Maryland's Eastern Shore each October (hosted by Salisbury University).
 * Dance for Kindness – Freeze mob/flash mob held in downtown Salisbury each Sunday prior to World Kindness Day. Celebrating kindSBY and Salisbury's designation as USA's first World Kindness USA City by the World Kindness Movement.

Organizations
Community participation through various groups fosters friendliness and betterment. Organizations that sponsor events within the city include: Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, The Salisbury Junior Chamber of Commerce (aka Salisbury Jaycees), Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore, Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, Salisbury Symphony Orchestra, Salisbury Community Band, Community Players of Salisbury, and the Peace Alliance of the Lower Shore. Several churches within the community also boast impressive musical programs, notably Wicomico Presbyterian Church and Asbury United Methodist Church. Salisbury also contains a number of scout troops, chartered at organizations across the city.

Sister cities
Salisbury's sister cities are:
 * 🇪🇨 Salinas, Ecuador
 * 🏴 Salisbury, England, United Kingdom
 * 🇪🇪 Tartu, Estonia

Transportation
Salisbury is served by two major highways—U.S. Route 13, one of the major north–south routes of the Delmarva Peninsula, and U.S. Route 50, one of the major east–west routes on the peninsula. US 13 connects Salisbury to Dover, Delaware and Norfolk, Virginia and is known as the Ocean Highway, while US 50 serves as the main route between the Baltimore/Washington region and many of the major cities on Delmarva, including Ocean City; it is known as the Ocean Gateway. US 13 and US 50 originally passed through the central business district, but have been subsequently rerouted onto the Salisbury Bypass, a 3/4 beltway around the city that allows through traffic on US 13 and US 50 to bypass the downtown area; earlier routes of both highways are now U.S. Route 13 Business and U.S. Route 50 Business. Earlier still, US 13 was routed along Division Street and US 50 along Main Street.

The city is also served by Maryland Route 12, a rural highway that connects Salisbury to the town of Snow Hill, and Maryland Route 349, a rural highway that connects Salisbury to Nanticoke and Quantico.

The Delmarva Central Railroad provides freight rail service to Salisbury.

The city is served by daily scheduled American Eagle service to both Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Charlotte, North Carolina at the Wicomico Regional Airport. Additionally, the Port of Salisbury offers respite for recreational boaters and commercial tug boats. Salisbury's navigable stop on the Wicomico River is the second largest and second busiest commercial port in Maryland.

The city is also served by Shore Transit, which provides local bus service throughout the city, and also services points outside the city within the tri-county area, such as Ocean City's public transportation system. The major transfer point is on Calvert Street, in downtown Salisbury.

Greyhound Lines provides intercity bus service to Salisbury from a bus stop at the Shore Transit Tri-County facility. From this stop, direct service is provided to various locations including the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City, Wilmington, Delaware, the Baltimore Greyhound Terminal in Baltimore, Norfolk, Virginia, and Richmond, Virginia. BayRunner Shuttle offers shuttle service from the Baltimore-Washington International Airport and the BWI Rail Station to Salisbury. Amtrak Thruway service is available via the BayRunner Shuttle to the BWI Rail Station.

Notable people

 * Alex Azar, former secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services
 * James Cannon Jr., bishop for the Methodist Episcopal Church
 * Norman Conway, Maryland state delegate from 1987–2014
 * Alexis Denisof, actor
 * John Glover, actor
 * Fernando Guerrero, professional boxer
 * Linda Hamilton, actress
 * John Woodland Hastings, expert in bioluminescence
 * Bruce Howard, MLB pitcher
 * William Humphreys Jackson, Congressman from 1901–1905 and 1907–1909
 * William Purnell Jackson, Maryland Congressman from 1912–1914, State Treasurer 1918–1920
 * Reid Klopp, professional soccer player
 * Ogden Nash, author and poet
 * Frank Perdue, businessman
 * Jessica Lee Rose, actor
 * Paul Sarbanes, Maryland's second longest-serving U.S. Senator, retired 2007
 * Mike Seidel, meteorologist at The Weather Channel since 1992
 * Kevin Shaffer, NFL football player
 * Matthew Williams, victim of racial violence
 * Darnell Savage Jr., NFL football player for the Green Bay Packers

title: Salisbury, Maryland


text:
Sharptown, Maryland

Sharptown is a town in Wicomico County, Maryland, United States. The population was 651 at the 2010 census. It is included in the Salisbury, Maryland-Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
San Domingo School was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.

Geography
Sharptown is located at 38.54056°N, -75.71889°W (38.540630, -75.719021).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.46 sqmi, of which 0.41 sqmi is land and 0.05 sqmi is water.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 651 people, 251 households, and 176 families living in the town. The population density was 1587.8 PD/sqmi. There were 290 housing units at an average density of 707.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 92.6% White, 5.1% African American, 0.5% Asian, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.2% of the population.

There were 251 households, of which 35.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.9% were non-families. 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.06.

The median age in the town was 39.2 years. 26.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.7% were from 25 to 44; 26.8% were from 45 to 64; and 14.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 46.4% male and 53.6% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 649 people, 258 households, and 180 families living in the town. The population density was 1,581.2 PD/sqmi. There were 283 housing units at an average density of 689.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 94.92% White, 3.70% African American, 0.15% Asian, and 1.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.31% of the population.

There were 258 households, out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.3% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $40,200, and the median income for a family was $44,500. Males had a median income of $31,125 versus $18,977 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,190. About 4.5% of families and 8.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.1% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.

title: Sharptown, Maryland


text:
Willards, Maryland

Willards is a town in Wicomico County, Maryland, United States. The population was 958 at the 2010 census. It is included in the Salisbury, Maryland-Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Willards is located at 38.39°N, -75.35028°W (38.389927, -75.350254), roughly halfway between Ocean City and Salisbury.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.07 sqmi, all land.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 958 people, 356 households, and 256 families living in the town. The population density was 895.3 PD/sqmi. There were 398 housing units at an average density of 372.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 87.7% White, 8.8% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.5% of the population.

There were 356 households, of which 43.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.5% were married couples living together, 18.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 28.1% were non-families. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.13.

The median age in the town was 32.6 years. 28.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.9% were from 25 to 44; 24.7% were from 45 to 64; and 8.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.1% male and 50.9% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 938 people, 364 households, and 259 families living in the town. The population density was 978.3 PD/sqmi. There were 386 housing units at an average density of 402.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 88.91% White, 6.29% African American, 2.99% Asian, 0.96% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.77% of the population.

There were 364 households, out of which 39.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 15.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.6% were non-families. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 29.0% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 17.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $32,059, and the median income for a family was $32,625. Males had a median income of $29,643 versus $18,500 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,745. About 9.2% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.7% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.

title: Willards, Maryland


text:
Berlin, Maryland

Berlin is a town in Worcester County, Maryland, United States which includes its own historical Berlin Commercial District. The population was 4,485 at the 2010 census, and has since grown in population. It is part of the Salisbury, Maryland-Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
The town of Berlin lies over land that was originally the 300-acre Burley Plantation, patented by William Tomkins in 1677. With the development of ancient Native American migratory and hunting trails into colonial highways, the Burley Plantation became a crossroads of a post road leading to Philadelphia (today's Main Street) and the Sinepuxent Road. Berlin developed in the early-19th century at this crossroads, where a tavern, blacksmith shop, and livery were among the first established businesses in the new town. Regional tradition asserts that the pronunciation of the town's name, "Burl'in" with emphasis on the first syllable, stems from the "Burley Inn", the early tavern that stood at the crossroads of the Philadelphia Post and Sinepuxent Roads.

Soon after the Civil War, Berlin was incorporated as a town in 1868 and a period of significant growth ensued. Within the next decade, the arrival of the Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia Railroad made Berlin into a commercial center for upper Worcester County. After a fire in 1895 leveled a significant portion of the central commercial district, Victorian structures displaying elements of Queen Anne, Italianate, and Second Empire styles were erected along Main Street. The rise of nearby Ocean City as a tourist destination in the early-twentieth century also aided Berlin's economy by making the town a convenient rest stop. Just to the north of the town center of Berlin is Ocean Pines, Maryland, a waterfront census-designated place (CDP) that shares the same ZIP code as Berlin.

Since the late 1980s, the town has undergone considerable revitalization of its historic downtown commercial district and adjacent residential areas. Berlin's historic residential areas feature nearly two centuries of architectural heritage from three distinct periods: Federal, Victorian, and 20th Century. Forty-seven of these structures have been noted in the National Register of Historic Places and the Berlin Commercial District. Berlin has also been designated as a "Main Street Community" by the State of Maryland in recognition of its revitalization progress.

In addition to the Berlin Commercial District, the Buckingham Archeological Site, Burley Manor, Caleb's Discovery, Fassitt House, Genesar, Henry's Grove, Merry Sherwood and Williams Grove are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography
Berlin is located at 38°20'N 75°13'W (38.3311,-75.2140).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.15 sqmi, all land.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 4,485 people, 1,688 households, and 1,155 families residing in the town. The population density was 1423.8 PD/sqmi. There were 1,953 housing units at an average density of 620.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 68.8% White, 23.3% African American, 0.6% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 2.7% from other races, and 3.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.5% of the population.

There were 1,688 households, of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 19.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.6% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.07.

The median age in the town was 38.4 years. 25.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.1% were from 25 to 44; 24% were from 45 to 64; and 17.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 45.5% male and 54.5% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,491 people, 1,347 households, and 880 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,587.2 PD/sqmi. There were 1,427 housing units at an average density of 648.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 63.74% White, 32.03% African American, 0.20% Native American, 1.52% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.97% from other races, and 1.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.38% of the population.

There were 1,347 households, out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.2% were married couples living together, 21.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.1% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 20.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $33,438, and the median income for a family was $36,653. Males had a median income of $29,946 versus $20,293 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,303. About 12.9% of families and 14.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.6% of those under age 18 and 12.5% of those age 65 or over.

Climate
Berlin experiences a Humid subtropical climate (cfa) with all year precipation, warm to hot summers and snowy, wet winters.

 * source 3 = normals on NOAA places https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/

Education
The town also includes four public schools as well as one private school, which have approximately 5,000 students combined. Worcester County Public Schools is one of the two top employers for the Town of Berlin.

Public

 * Buckingham Elementary School
 * Berlin Intermediate School
 * Stephen Decatur Middle School
 * Stephen Decatur High School

Private

 * Worcester Preparatory School

Transportation
Berlin is located at the junction of east-west U.S. Route 50 and north-south U.S. Route 113, which meet at a cloverleaf interchange to the northeast of the town. US 50 bypasses the town to the north on the Ocean Gateway and heads west to Salisbury and east to Ocean City. US 113 bypasses the town to the east on Worcester Highway and heads north to Selbyville, Delaware and south toward Snow Hill and Pocomoke City. Maryland Route 818 runs north-south through the center of Berlin on Main Street and connects to US 113 on both ends of town. Maryland Route 346 passes through the northern part of Berlin on Old Ocean City Boulevard, connecting to US 50 east and west of the town. Maryland Route 374 begins at MD 818 in the center of town and heads west on Broad Street before leaving town and following Libertytown Road west toward Powellville. Maryland Route 375 is the unsigned designation for one-way Commerce Street, running from MD 818 west to MD 374. Maryland Route 376 begins at MD 818 in the downtown area and heads east on Bay Street before leaving the town limits and following Assateague Road toward Assateague Island. Maryland Route 377 runs along Williams Street in Berlin from MD 376 north to MD 346.

Shore Transit provides bus service to Berlin from Salisbury and to Ocean City and Pocomoke City along Route 432 and from Pocomoke City and Ocean City and to Salisbury along Route 452.

The Snow Hill Line of the Maryland and Delaware Railroad runs north-south through Berlin.

Utilities
The Berlin Electric Utility Department provides electricity to Berlin, serving 3,500 customers. The electric utility operates a power plant along Williams Street in Berlin that generates some of its electricity while it also purchases power from outside sources. On September 19, 2006, residents of Berlin voted in favor of selling the town's electric department to Choptank Electric Cooperative, a move supported by the mayor and town council because of the utility's debt and high rates but opposed by the Berlin Utility Commission because of the feared loss of revenue. Under this arrangement, Choptank Electric Cooperative would have taken over the distribution system while Old Dominion Electric Cooperative would have taken over the town's power plant. The sale fell through in 2007 after Old Dominion Electric Cooperative backed out of the deal because it felt the town's power plant did not meet the environmental standard for a residential area; Choptank Electric Cooperative soon backed out too.

The Water Resources Department provides water, wasterwater service, spray irrigation, and stormwater management to Berlin. The Sanitation Division of the Public Works department provides trash and recycling collection to Berlin. Sandpiper Energy, a subsidiary of Chesapeake Utilities, provides natural gas to Berlin.

Health care
Atlantic General Hospital, a 62-bed hospital, is located in Berlin. Founded in 1993 AGH serves the Worcester County area. The hospital has an emergency room, endoscopy center, bariatric center, and cancer center among other services.

Notable people

 * Stephen Decatur (1779–1820), American Naval hero of Barbary Wars and War of 1812. Youngest Commodore in US Navy history
 * Linda Harrison (b. 1945), actress
 * David H. Jarvis (1862–1911), US Revenue Cutter Service (now USCG) officer who led the 1897 winter rescue by dogsled of eight stranded whaling ships off Point Barrow, AK.
 * James Lee Purnell Jr. (1937–2021), politician and civil rights activist.
 * Oliver Purnell (b. 1953), men's basketball coach at DePaul University
 * William H. Sutphin (1887–1972) represented New Jersey's 3rd congressional district from 1931 to 1943, and retired to Berlin in 1951.
 * Ben Tate (b. 1988), running back for the Cleveland Browns of the NFL
 * Calvin B. Taylor (1857–1932), banker, politician, lawyer, and educator
 * Charles Tindley (1851–1933), minister and composer
 * Spiro Agnew (1918–1996), Former Vice President died in Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin, Maryland of Leukemia at age 77 on September 17, 1996.

Berlin in popular culture
Two major motion pictures have been filmed in or around the town of Berlin and its historical downtown district:
 * For Runaway Bride (1999), starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts, Berlin's Main Street and some of the outlying areas were altered to become the fictional town of Hale, Maryland.
 * For Tuck Everlasting (2002), starring Sissy Spacek, Ben Kingsley, and William Hurt, alteration of the streets and sidewalks transformed Berlin into the fictitious town of Treegap.
 * Berlin was the home of the great racehorse Man o' War (1917–1947). He trained at Glen Riddle Farm and was owned by Samuel D. Riddle.

title: Berlin, Maryland


text:
Girdletree, Maryland

Girdletree is a census-designated place in Worcester County, Maryland, United States. The population was 149 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Salisbury, Maryland-Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Girdletree is located at 38.09444°N, -75.4°W (38.094394, −75.400132).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 0.7 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 117 people, 48 households, and 32 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 212.86 PD/sqmi. There were 56 housing units at an average density of 83.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 71.79% White, 23.08% African American, 1.71% from other races, and 3.42% from two or more races.

There were 48 households, out of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.8% were married couples living together, 18.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 26.5% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.5 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $27,750, and the median income for a family was $27,321. Males had a median income of $38,636 versus $15,865 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $20,951. There were 11.8% of families and 11.8% of the population living below the poverty line, including 32.3% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.

title: Girdletree, Maryland


text:
Newark, Maryland

Newark is a census-designated place (CDP) in Worcester County, Maryland, United States. The population was 339 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Salisbury, Maryland-Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Queponco Railway Station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

Geography
Newark is located at 38.26528°N, -75.27167°W (38.265176, −75.271768).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 9.6 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 339 people, 135 households, and 93 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 35.4 PD/sqmi. There were 152 housing units at an average density of 15.9/sq mi (6.1/km$2$). The racial makeup of the CDP was 77.29% White, 19.76% African American, 1.18% from other races, and 1.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.47% of the population.

There were 135 households, out of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 23.6% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 29.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $38,333, and the median income for a family was $37,250. Males had a median income of $26,250 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $18,478. About 6.1% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.8% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

title: Newark, Maryland


text:
Ocean City, Maryland

Ocean City, officially the Town of Ocean City, is an Atlantic resort town in Worcester County, Maryland, along the East Coast of the United States. The population was 6,844 at the 2020 U.S. census, although during summer weekends the city hosts between 320,000 and 345,000 vacationers and up to eight million visitors annually. During the summer, Ocean City becomes the second most populated municipality in Maryland, after Baltimore. It is part of the Salisbury metropolitan area as defined by the United States Census Bureau.

In the summer, businesses and government agencies are augmented with approximately 100 seasonal police officers, plus extra firefighters, and other workers. Numerous events take place within the town during the shoulder-season, including Sunfest, Springfest, Bike Week, Cruisin' Weekend, Winterfest of Lights and Reach the Beach, which take place on the Boardwalk and in the Roland E. Powell Convention Center. Ocean City is also home to the annual Maryland State Firefighters Convention, a week-long event in June that honors the state's firefighters.

19th century
Before the European colonization of what is now Maryland in the 17th century, the shoreline of the Delmarva Peninsula had been populated for thousands of years by Indigenous peoples including the Algonquian-speaking Assateague and Nanticoke peoples. The land on which the city was built and much of the surrounding area was obtained by Thomas Fenwick, an Englishman, from the Indigenous peoples of the region. In 1869, businessman Isaac Coffin built the first beach-front cottage to receive paying guests. During those days, people arrived by stagecoach and ferry.

Soon after, other simple boarding houses were built on the strip of sand, with the activity attracting prominent businessmen from the Maryland Eastern Shore, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Wilmington, Delaware. They came not so much to visit as to survey the spit. A decision was made to develop it and 250 lots were cut into it, and a corporation was formed to help with the development of the land. The corporation stock of 4,000 shares sold for $25 each.

Before 1870, what is now Ocean City was known as "The Ladies' Resort to the Ocean".

The Atlantic Hotel, the first major hotel in the town, opened July 4, 1875. The Atlantic Hotel originally was owned by the Atlantic Hotel Company, but eventually Charles W. Purnell bought it in 1923. , it is still owned and operated by the Purnell family. Besides the beach and ocean, it offered dancing and billiard rooms to the visitors of its more than 400 rooms, and for years it was the northernmost attraction in Ocean City. By 1878, tourists could come by the Wicomico & Pocomoke Railroad from Berlin to the shores of Sinepuxent Bay across from the town. By 1881, a line was completed across Sinepuxent Bay to the shore, bringing rail passengers on the Baltimore, Chesapeake and Atlantic Railroad directly into the town to a train station on Philadelphia Avenue and returning to larger city markets with locally caught fish from Ocean City.

20th century

In 1930, Ocean City Beach Patrol was formed in order to better protect the bathers that now frequented the shoreline. It was done in collaboration with Mayor William W. McCabe and Coast Guard Captain William Purnell. The first guard, Edward Lee Carey, watched over bathers who swam out of sight from the original Coast Guard tower on Caroline Street.

The Ocean City Inlet was formed during a significant hurricane in 1933, which also destroyed the train tracks across the Sinepuxent Bay. The inlet separated what is now Ocean City from Assateague Island. The Army Corps of Engineers took advantage of nature's intervention and made permanent the inlet at the south end of Ocean City. The inlet eventually helped establish Ocean City as an important Mid-Atlantic fishing port, as it offered easy access to the Atlantic Ocean fishing grounds.

In the late 1930s, the Army Corps of Engineers dredged a new channel on the bayside of Ocean City to allow larger boats to have access to Sinepuxent Bay. The dredge was pumped back onto the western shore of Ocean City allowing the creation of Chicago Avenue and St. Louis Avenue, leading to new development where previously only marshland had been.

Ocean City has undergone a fairly rapid expansion that took place during the post-World War II boom. In 1952, with the completion of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Ocean City became easily accessible to people in the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area. In 1964, with the completion of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, a whole new pathway to the south was opened. This tunnel connects Northampton County on the Delmarva Peninsula to Southeast Virginia. Ocean City has become one of the largest vacation areas on the East Coast.

By the 1970s, big business flourished and gave birth to the construction of more than 15,000 condominium units, creating high-rise condominiums that gave investors a glimpse of the ocean and pounding surf. However, throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s, the width of the beach began to shrink, prompting the first of a series of beach replenishment projects.

A fire during the annual Sunfest destroyed five boardwalk businesses in 1994. There was a small water park and giant walk-through haunted house with live actors near the end of the pier and a New Orleans-style Hollywood in Wax Museum on the boardwalk side. In the late 1980s, the wax museum was turned into a Photon laser tag arena. The building now houses the Ripley's Believe it or Not! museum.

21st century

In 2002, Ocean City undertook a multi-million dollar beach restoration program in an attempt to slow the westward migration of its beaches. The program pumped tons of sand from offshore and deposited it onto the beach. A dune line was also re-established in front of Ocean City's building line. Another similar project began after the 2006 tourist season closed.

In 2006, the city erected the Ocean City Firefighter's Memorial to honor local firefighters as well as firefighters who died in the September 11 attacks. In addition to a statue of a firefighter, the monument incorporates a piece of steel beam from one of the towers destroyed at the World Trade Center.

In 2011 the resort area accommodated approximately 8 million visitors per year.

In 2022, the Town of Ocean City announced the inaugural Oceans Calling Festival, a four-day music event drawing major artists such as the Dave Mathews Band, Cyndi Lauper, The Lumineers, and Alanis Morissette. However, Tropical Storm Ian forced the event to be rescheduled for fall 2023.

Ocean City continues to sprawl westward across the bay, toward Berlin and Ocean Pines. It was part of the Ocean Pines micropolitan statistical area until that was subsumed by the Salisbury metropolitan area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 36.37 sqmi, of which 4.41 sqmi is land and 31.96 sqmi is water.

Ocean City is on the barrier spit called Fenwick Island, which encompasses Ocean City, as well as South Bethany and Fenwick Island, Delaware. Ocean City's southern point is an inlet formed by the 1933 Chesapeake–Potomac hurricane. Rainfall and tides swelled the rivers and bays surrounding Ocean City until the overflowing water cut a 50-foot crevasse from the bay to the ocean. Ocean City businessmen had long sought funding to create an inlet to support a harbor, so residents seized upon the opportunity and built jetties to ensure the city's land remained divided from what is now Assateague Island.

Climate
According to the Köppen climate classification system, Ocean City, Maryland has a humid subtropical climate with long, warm to hot and humid summers, cool winters and year-round precipitation. Ocean City receives 2300 hours of sunshine annually (higher than the USA average). Temperatures are moderated in Ocean City due to its location on the Atlantic coast. During the summer months, a cooling afternoon sea breeze is present on most days with an average of only 10 days annually reaching 90 °F. However, in 2010 the temperature rose to 103 °F which was the hottest air temperature on record, and episodes of extreme heat combined with tropical humidity can occur with heat index values ≥ 100 °F. The prominence of the Outer Banks of North Carolina to the south means direct hits from tropical storms and hurricanes are rare, although they sometimes brush the area. The Atlantic hurricane season extends from June 1 through November 30, sharply peaking from late August through September.

During the winter months, Ocean City has cool weather with an average high of 45 F (7.5 C), however periods of mild temperatures in the 50 to 60 F range are common. The air temperature fails to rise above freezing 5.8 days on average and the plant hardiness zone is 7b with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of 9.1 °F. On rare occasion, episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur with wind chill values under 5 °F. The coldest temperature on record was -6 °F. The average seasonal (Dec-Mar) snowfall total is small, with 6 to 12 in, and the average snowiest month is February which corresponds with the annual peak in nor'easter activity.

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, 6,844 (estimated at 6.900 as of 2022) people resided full time in the Town of Ocean City, with 3,723 households. The population density was 1,510.5 inhabitants per square mile. There were 30,028 total housing units, with 3,820 occupied year-round and 26,208 vacant. The resident racial makeup of Ocean City was 90.0% White, 5.8% Hispanic, 0.8% African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaskan Native, 0.8% Asian, and 2.2% two or more races.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 7,102 people, 3,852 households, and 1,784 families residing in the town. The population density was 1610.4 PD/sqmi. There were 30,119 housing units at an average density of 6829.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 92.2% White, 2.7% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 2.2% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.9% of the population.

There were 3,852 households, of which 11.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.8% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 53.7% were non-families. 42.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.84 and the average family size was 2.41.

The median age in the town was 54.2 years. 9.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.8% were from 25 to 44; 33.8% were from 45 to 64; and 29.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 51.4% male and 48.6% female.

Economy

Ocean City now extends just more than 9 mi from the southern inlet to the Delaware line. The strip now supports hotels, motels, apartment houses, shopping centers, residential communities, and condominiums. The southern tip houses the Ocean City Boardwalk. The boardwalk is the main shopping district and entertainment area of the town. The Boardwalk has two amusement parks, Trimpers Rides and The Pier, which was recently renamed Jolly Roger at The Pier, after its sister uptown local amusement park. The downtown neighborhood, Old Town, is marked by Victorian style houses and other older buildings.

Ocean City has a long history of fishing, both commercial and recreational. The town bills itself as the "White Marlin Capital of the World." During the summer, numerous charter and private boats fish for billfish, tuna, wahoo, and other game fish. In early August, the White Marlin Open, one of the larger fishing tournaments in the world, is held. Prize money for the largest white marlin, blue marlin, and tuna can range over $1 million.

Ocean City Boardwalk and Trimper's

The Ocean City Boardwalk currently runs from South 2nd Street at the Ocean City Inlet in South Ocean City (by the Ocean City Life Saving Station Museum) up to 27th Street in South Ocean City. The boardwalk is home to food, shops, arcades, and amusements.

Originally called the "Atlantic Avenue", the first Ocean City boardwalk was constructed in 1902. After being damaged by a storm in 1962, the boardwalk was rebuilt to stretch a total of 2.25 miles, which is its current length. In 1985, the boardwalk suffered extensive storm damage during Hurricane Gloria, which pummeled Ocean City with 89 MPH winds; however, the boardwalk was refurbished and a concrete sea wall was soon constructed to prevent further damage. The aftermath of Hurricane Gloria led to the first phase of extensive beach replenishment projects in Ocean City.

In 2012, the Ocean City Boardwalk was damaged again as a result of Hurricane Sandy, which flooded and destroyed half the boardwalk. The boardwalk has since been rebuilt to its original length and attracts many tourists.

Also located in South Ocean City is Trimper's Rides, a historic amusement park founded in 1893 as The Windsor Resort. Trimper's Rides is home to one of the United States' oldest operational carousel rides. Colloquially known as "The Pride of the Boardwalk," the 1912 Herschell-Spillman carousel received the National Carousel Association's Historic Carousel Award in 1996.

Dining and nightlife
The Midtown section of Ocean City stretches from 28th Street to 90th Street and is home to dining along the bay and nightlife. Located in Midtown are the Jolly Roger Amusement Park and the Roland E. Powell Convention Center. This area also features the Seacrets entertainment complex on 49th Street, one of the highest-grossing bars in the country, known for bringing in hundreds of coconut palms and other tropical plants in the summer.

Historical sites

Historical sites include:
 * The Sandy Point Site and St. Paul's by-the-sea Protestant Episcopal Church, which are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
 * An anchor recovered from the sailboat wreck in 1870 of the commercial clam vessel Star Light.
 * The Atlantic Hotel. After a fire destroyed the original and first hotel in Ocean City, the Atlantic Hotel was rebuilt in 1926 and is one of the oldest hotels in Ocean City.
 * The Ocean City Life Saving Station Museum. The station was part of the coastal system. It was built in 1891 and dedicated as a museum in 1978.

Senior Week
Ocean City is known for its Senior Week activities when recently graduated high school seniors from Maryland and surrounding states travel to Ocean City. Senior Week historically begins the first week after graduation, and the graduates often are referred to as "June Bugs".

Other
The city is home to the Brine Beach Lax Festival (Lacrosse) on the second week of June. The Ocean City Film Festival takes place every year in early March.

Skatepark and other attractions
First opened in June 1976, Ocean Bowl Skatepark in South Ocean City was the first skate park to open on the East Coast in the United States, and it is the longest-running municipal skatepark in the United States today. Due to time, wear and the current needs of skaters, the original bowl and steel halfpipe ramp were torn down in the Fall of 1997 and the newly constructed skatepark opened in July 1998 on the same site. The park has attracted the National Dew Tour for several years.

Government

Ocean City has a council-manager system of government with a mayor and seven-member city council. The mayor is elected at-large to two-year terms while the city council is elected at-large to staggered four-year terms. The city council elects a council president who presides over and sets the agenda for city council meetings. The mayor represents the town to state and local agencies. Both the mayor and city council hire a city manager who is in charge of all daily operations of the town and serves as its chief financial officer. As of 2017, the mayor of Ocean City is Rick Meehan, and the members of city council are council president Matt James, council secretary Tony Deluca, Frank Knight, Carol Proctor, William Savage, John Gehrig Jr., and Peter Baus

Radio
Ocean City has an emergency advisory radio system broadcast on two FM frequencies.

WOCM broadcasts from studios located at the popular restaurant, nightclub, distillery, and entertainment venue Seacrets. The call letters stand for "We are Ocean City Maryland". Music

Ocean City is mentioned in the Car Seat Headrest song “Beach Life-In-Death”.

Road and bridges
Ocean City has a single major north−south thoroughfare, Maryland Route 528, known as the Coastal Highway for most of its length. Two bridges connect the mainland to Ocean City:
 * U.S. Route 50, also known as Ocean Gateway, crosses the Harry W. Kelley Memorial Bridge. Ocean City is the eastern terminus of US 50.
 * Maryland Route 90 (Ocean City Expressway), crosses the Assawoman Bay Bridge.

Public transit
Ocean City also has a public transportation system called Ocean City Transportation. This agency operates the Coastal Highway Beach Bus, the West Ocean City Park-N-Ride Beach Bus, the Express Beach Bus for special events, and a trackless train shuttle called the Boardwalk Tram. Ocean City Transportation also offers paratransit service. The Boardwalk Tram operates during the summer months along the entire length of the Ocean City Boardwalk.

Ocean City's transit service connects with Shore Transit, which connects with other destinations.

From May to September, the DART First State Beach Bus connects with the Coastal Highway Beach Bus.

Ocean City Municipal Airport, located 3 mi west of downtown Ocean City serves general aviation and charter aircraft.

Utilities
Delmarva Power, a subsidiary of Exelon, provides electricity to Ocean City. Sandpiper Energy, a subsidiary of Chesapeake Utilities, provides natural gas to the town. The Town of Ocean City Municipal Water Department provides water to the town, operating 25 wells, 3 treatment plants, 6 above-ground storage tanks, and an underground storage tank. The Public Works department provides wastewater service to Ocean City, operating the Ocean City Wastewater Treatment Plant. Trash and recycling collection in Ocean City is handled by the Public Works department, with the town's trash transported by Covanta Energy to the Energy Resource Recovery Facility in Fairfax, Virginia, a waste-to-energy plant.

Police and fire department
Police services in Ocean City are provided by the Ocean City Police Department, which consists of 105 full-time officers and from 100 to 110 seasonal officers. Fire protection in Ocean City is provided by the Ocean City Fire Department, which consists of over 200 volunteer members and over 100 career members.

Notable people

 * Spiro Agnew, former U.S. vice president
 * Carmen M. Amedori, Maryland State Delegate, actor, author, former journalist
 * Charles L. Calhoun, first Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard
 * Devin Dodson, racing driver
 * James N. Mathias Jr., Maryland state senator, and past mayor
 * Erica Messer, television writer
 * Michael Sorce, former radio talk show host known by his on-air name Don Geronimo
 * Jennifer Hope Wills, actress, Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway

Sister cities
Ocean City has three sister cities:
 * 🇮🇹 Finale Ligure, Italy
 * 🇪🇪 Pärnu, Estonia
 * 🇺🇸 Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.

title: Ocean City, Maryland


text:
Ocean Pines, Maryland

Ocean Pines is a census-designated place (CDP) in Worcester County, Maryland, United States. The population was 11,710 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Salisbury, Maryland-Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area. It shares the same ZIP code as Berlin.

The community began as a small resort in 1968 and today is the largest residential community in Worcester County. It hosts the largest concentration of retirees on the Eastern Shore. During the summer months, Ocean Pines' population swells by more than 50 percent.

History
Prior to the late 1960s, Ocean Pines was a small community, composed primarily of retirees. On May 16, 1968, the Eastern Shore Times newspaper reported the rumor that a multi-million dollar land development project was being considered by the Boise Cascade Corporation in the "Hog Skull" area just north of Berlin. The company began development of the first phase of Ocean Pines on July 12, 1968 and continued at a rapid pace throughout the 1970s. Boise Cascade utilized unique marketing strategies to sell lots "in the middle of nowhere", including Hawaiian luaus, a private clubhouse and pool on the beach of Ocean City, and transportation to Ocean Pines by a double-decker bus and an engine-operated paddlewheel boat named the "Amy Ross". During the 1980s and 1990s, it was normal for 400 new homes to be constructed in the area annually. At the end of 1996, there were 7,381 platted lots and 5,269 dwelling units in the CDP.

In 1969, the Maryland State Highway Administration completed construction on Maryland Route 90, which ran through Ocean Pines and provided access to Ocean City.

Cable television first came to Ocean Pines in 1979 with Triad CATV. Simmons Cable TV took over the agreement with the Ocean Pines Association after acquiring Triad in 1987. Simmons was sold to American Cable TV Investors 5 Ltd. in 1992 and was later acquired by Mediacom in 1997. Mediacom was the only cable and internet service provider in the CDP until 2019, when the Association ratified a 10-year agreement with Comcast.

In 1984, Gerald S. Klein bought $55 million in property for development using Merritt Commercial Savings and Loan assets including a $2 million Maryland Marine wastewater plant. Maple Lawn and Burleigh developer partner Stuart Greenbaum, purchased 800 additional acres for subdivision. In 1985, Worcester County commissioners condemned the Maryland Marine Systems Merritt Commercial Savings and Loan owned sewer system embroiled in the Jeffery Levitt Scandal in order to remove a development moratorium. The system had failed to implement $1.3 million in required maintenance to prevent sewer overflow into the streets creating the moratorium.

In 1994, Balfour Holdings purchased $6–8 million in property. In 1995, Balfour representatives presented the Ocean Pines Association with a plan for a library, post office, church, recreational complex, school, and shopping areas. In October, Balfour and the Ocean Pines Association entered into a turnover agreement for the land.

In 2018, Ocean Pines celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Geography
Ocean Pines is located at 38.38361°N, -75.15278°W (38.383692, −75.152755).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 9.4 sqmi, of which 6.7 sqmi is land and 2.7 sqmi (29.0%) is water.

Demographics
At the 2010 census, there were 11,710 people, 5,471 households and 3,457 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,758.5 PD/sqmi. There were 8,870 housing units at an average density of 1323.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 94.5% White, 2.4% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.4% of the population.

There were 5,471 households, of which 10.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.0% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.50.

16.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 4.1% from 18 to 24, 15.4% from 25 to 44, 32.0% from 45 to 64, and 34.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 57.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.

The median household income was $46,328 and the median family income was $76,123. Males had a median income of $51,489 compared with $42,261 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $40,418. About 1.5% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.0% of those under age 18 and 2.9% of those age 65 or over.

Parks and recreation
Ocean Pines is home to the Ocean Pines Golf Club, which was designed by Robert Trent Jones in 1970 and opened on June 5, 1972. It also homes 13 different parks, with the largest being White Horse Park.

Community parks:
 * Bainbridge Park
 * Bridgewater Park
 * Dog Park
 * Huntington Park
 * Manklin Meadows Park
 * Pintail Park
 * Robin Hood Park
 * Skate Park
 * Somerset Park
 * Swim and Racquet Club Park
 * Terns Landing Park
 * White Horse Park
 * Veterans Memorial Park

Government
In 1971, Boise Cascade formed the Ocean Pines Association. The company turned over control to the Association in August 1973. The current OPA Board of Directors consists of President Colette Horn, Vice President Frank Daly, Treasurer Larry Perrone, Secretary Josette Wheatley, Director Richard Farr, and Directors Doug Parks and Amy Peck. The board holds annual elections to elect its members.

In April 1993, the Worcester County Commissioners established Election District Six, which represents Ocean Pines in the county government. Today, the town is represented by Districts 5 and 6 in the Board of County Commissioners, which are currently represented by Republicans Anthony W. "Chip" Bertino, Jr. and Madison J. Bunting, Jr.

Ocean Pines is included in Maryland's 1st congressional district.

Education
Ocean Pines is served by the Worcester County Public Schools system.

Public schools that serve students in the Ocean Pines area:
 * Berlin Intermediate School
 * Showell Elementary School
 * Stephen Decatur Middle School
 * Stephen Decatur High School
 * Ocean City Elementary School

Worcester Preparatory School and Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic School are a private schools in the Ocean Pines area.

title: Ocean Pines, Maryland


text:
Pocomoke City, Maryland

Pocomoke City, dubbed "the friendliest town on the Eastern Shore",  is a city in Worcester County, Maryland, United States. Although renamed in a burst of civic enthusiasm in 1878, the city is regularly referred to by its inhabitants simply as Pocomoke. The population was 4,184 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Salisbury, Maryland-Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area. Pocomoke City is a center for commerce on the lower shore, home to an industrial park currently playing host to defense contractors, aerospace engineering, and plastics fabrication. Pocomoke City is located near the Wallops Island Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Virginia.

History
Beginning in the late seventeenth century, a small settlement called Stevens Landing (sometimes Stevens Ferry) grew at the ferry landing on the south bank of the Pocomoke River. The town was incorporated as Newtown (or New Town) in 1865, but was reincorporated in 1878 as Pocomoke City, after the American Indian name of the river, meaning "black water."

Stevens Landing, and then Newtown, remained a modest river crossing until the construction through the town in the 1880s of the trunk railroad line along the Delmarva Peninsula from Wilmington, Delaware, to Cape Charles on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The line eventually became part of the Pennsylvania Railroad. In addition to agriculture, industry such as lumber milling and shipbuilding and, in the twentieth century, factories making barrels and baskets for truck crops, and the canning of those crops, aided the town's growth.

In 1922, the business district of Pocomoke City was destroyed in a large fire; on one side of town this continued up to the church on third Street, known as St. Mary's Episcopal Church, but the downtown was quickly rebuilt. While truck farming declined during the 1900s, the poultry industry rose to take its place. NASA, the U.S. Navy, and the Coast Guard helped with continued growth by bringing jobs to the area.

Pocomoke City was named an All-America City by the National Municipal League, and for the years 1984–85, Pocomoke City was one of the nine Finalist Communities.

Historic locations
The Sturgis One Room School Museum, a one-room schoolhouse, was moved to its present location in the downtown area as a museum of local African-American history. In addition to the MarVa Theater and Costen House, Beverly, Littleton T. Clarke House, Crockett House, Hayward's Lott, Pocomoke City Historic District, Puncheon Mill House, and Young-Sartorius House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Museums and arts
Pocomoke City is home to the Delmarva Discovery Museum, an interactive museum focusing on local ecology and history, and The Isaac Costen House Museum. The MarVa Theater is a 1927 Art Deco auditorium known for its superior acoustics, and is being restored as a regional center for the performing arts.

Sports
In the past, Pocomoke City held a franchise in the Eastern Shore Baseball League, at times hosting the Salamanders, the Red Sox, and the Chicks.

Notable murders
On June 14, 1906, the city was the site of a lynching. A farmhand named Edd Watson was murdered by a mob.

In October 1933, George Armwood, a Pocomoke City man was taken from a jail cell in nearby Princess Anne and killed by a mob.

Education
Three Worcester County Public Schools are located in Pocomoke City: Pocomoke Elementary, Pocomoke Middle, and Pocomoke High. Both the elementary and high schools are named a Blue Ribbon School.

Geography
Pocomoke City is located at 38.06889°N, -75.56167°W (38.068904, -75.561718).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.94 sqmi, of which 3.69 sqmi is land and 0.25 sqmi is water.

Climate
Its climate is characterized by hot and humid stretches of weather in summer, but they are often broken up by cold fronts from the north offering several days of mild temperatures. Both spring and fall are pleasant with cool to mild temperatures and lower humidity. Winters are relatively mild compared to areas to the north and northwest, but cold spells send temperatures well below freezing. Due to the impact of the Atlantic Ocean nearby, average snowfall amounts only range from 5 to 10 inch; however, this varies considerably from year to year and occasional nor'easters can produce significant snowfalls over 1 ft. The Blizzard of 2018, for example, produced 10 to 15 inch of snow, temperatures in teens, and winds gusting over 40 mph. Tropical storms occasionally impact the region during summer and fall.

The Köppen climate classification subtype for this climate is "Cfa" (Humid Subtropical Climate).

Municipal status
References to the municipality's status as a city or town varies according to sources. The Census Bureau accounts Pocomoke City a city, while official state documents differ. According to the Maryland State Archives, many more official documents refer to the "Town of Pocomoke City" than to the "City of Pocomoke City." The most recent references to the "Town" are from 1963, however, while the most recent references to the "City", which come from its Charter, are from 1990. Other sources also differ: the Maryland Manual Online calls it as a city, while the Maryland Municipal League speaks of it as a town. While cities and towns are significantly different in some states, Maryland's cities and towns, classed simply as "municipalities", are treated equally in state law.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,098 people, 1,596 households, and 1,058 families living in the city. The population density was 1,346.5 PD/sqmi. There were 1,764 housing units at an average density of 579.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 50.73% White, 46.36% African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 1.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.05% of the population.

There were 1,596 households, out of which 35.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.6% were married couples living together, 24.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 30.5% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,938, and the median income for a family was $34,722. Males had a median income of $32,175 versus $19,362 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,301. About 13.6% of families and 18.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.8% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 4,184 people, 1,626 households, and 1,077 families living in the city. The population density was 1133.9 PD/sqmi. There were 1,894 housing units at an average density of 513.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 49.5% White, 45.8% African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 1.0% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.5% of the population.

There were 1,626 households, of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.5% were married couples living together, 24.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.8% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.10.

The median age in the city was 36.4 years. 27.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.4% were from 25 to 44; 24.4% were from 45 to 64; and 15.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 55.6% female and 44.4% male.

Notable people

 * George Armwood, victim of last recorded lynching in Maryland lived in Pocomoke City.
 * Hugh Latimer Dryden, director of NACA (1947–1958) and Deputy Administrator of NASA (1958-1965) was born in Pocomoke City.

Controversy
Pocomoke City was the subject of a 2019 documentary, The Friendliest Town, which investigated the abrupt and unexplained firing in 2015 of the town's first Black police chief, Kelvin Sewell. Sewell subsequently filed suit in federal court together with former lieutenant Lynell Green and former detective Franklin Savage, alleging a pattern of "rampant racial discrimination and retaliation" by city, county, and state officials. In 2019, Pocomoke City agreed to settle Sewell and Green's federal lawsuits, and the town entered a consent decree requiring it to reform its policies and procedures around policing.

title: Pocomoke City, Maryland


text:
Snow Hill, Maryland

Snow Hill is a town and the county seat of Worcester County, Maryland, United States. The population was 2,156 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Salisbury, Maryland-Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Snow Hill was founded in 1686 in Somerset County by English settlers, who may have named it after a street and neighborhood of the City of London called "Snow Hill" despite the location's elevation of just 16 ft above sea level and the infrequency of snowfall. The town received its first charter on October 26, 1686, and was made a port of entry in 1694.

In 1742, Worcester County was carved out of the eastern half of old Somerset County and Snow Hill, centrally located in the new county and at the head of navigation on the Pocomoke River, was made the county seat.

Major fires in 1844 and 1893 destroyed the center of Snow Hill, including two successive court houses, but some 18th-century structures survived both fires. Following the second fire, much of the commercial area was rapidly rebuilt, so the downtown today contains many historic buildings of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Snow Hill Historic District, which includes approximately 80% of the town, was created in 2002.

In December 2010, a Snow Hill businessman started a petition to remove the town's incorporation and revert the area to county control. The reasons given were lower county taxes, better services provided to the town, and a need for revitalization. The push was abandoned in January 2011.

The All Hallows Episcopal Church, Chanceford, Old Friendship United Methodist Church, Samuel Gunn House, Makemie Memorial Presbyterian Church, James Martin House, Nassawango Iron Furnace Site, Nun's Green, George Washington Purnell House, and Gov. John Walter Smith House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography
Snow Hill is located at 38.175°N, -75.39083°W (38.175024, -75.390738).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.12 sqmi, of which 3.01 sqmi is land and 0.11 sqmi is water.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 2,103 people, 871 households, and 557 families residing in the town. The population density was 698.7 PD/sqmi. There were 1,005 housing units at an average density of 333.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 57.0% White, 39.0% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.

There were 871 households, of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.7% were married couples living together, 21.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.1% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.90.

The median age in the town was 44.7 years. 23.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.3% were from 25 to 44; 29.4% were from 45 to 64; and 20.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 45.9% male and 54.1% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,409 people, 862 households, and 555 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,806.2 PD/sqmi. There were 964 housing units at an average density of 722.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 56.00% White, 42.34% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.08% of the population.

There were 862 households, out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.6% were married couples living together, 20.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.0% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $29,730, and the median income for a family was $38,657. Males had a median income of $25,439 versus $20,625 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,560. About 14.8% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.5% of those under age 18 and 13.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Snow Hill is the location of:
 * Snow Hill Elementary School
 * Snow Hill Middle School
 * Snow Hill High School
 * Cedar Chapel Special School

Religion
A number of Protestant religious denominations have churches in Snow Hill; several are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:
 * All Hallows Episcopal Church
 * Makemie Memorial Presbyterian Church
 * Bates Memorial United Methodist Church
 * Whatcoat United Methodist Church
 * Ebenezer United Methodist Church
 * Snow Hill Christian Church
 * Liberty Church on the Rock Ministries
 * Old School Baptist Church
 * Mt. Zion Baptist Church
 * Hutt's Memorial United Methodist Church

Notable people

 * Fannie Birckhead (1935–2022), interim mayor of Snow Hill in 1998
 * Janeen L. Birckhead, military official serving as the adjutant general of Maryland since 2023
 * Arch Johnson, stage, film, and television actor died in Snow Hill in 1997.
 * Judy Johnson, was a player in the Negro Baseball Leagues and later a scout in the major leagues. In 1975, Johnson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.  He was born William Julius "Judy" Johnson in Snow Hill on October 26, 1900.
 * Sherron Mills, professional basketball player, 1971-2016
 * John Walter Smith, Congressman for Maryland 1st District, 1899–1900; 44th Governor of Maryland, 1900–1904; U.S. Senator, 1907-1919. Born in Snow Hill on February 5, 1845.
 * Ben Tate, NFL running back, who attended Snow Hill HS during his senior year in 2006; led team to the Maryland state championship game.
 * R. V. Truitt, first lacrosse coach at the University of Maryland, 1919–1927. Founder of the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory in Solomons, Maryland (1925), now part of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. World renowned marine ecologist who studied blue crab and oyster.
 * Ephraim King Wilson II, U.S. Senator, 1885–1891; Congressman for Maryland 1st District, 1873-1874. Born in Snow Hill on December 22, 1821.

Snow Hill in popular culture
In 1999, some scenes of the film Runaway Bride (starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere) were shot at the Snow Hill High School. The scenes at the baseball and football games were filmed behind the school.

At the end of each episode of Adult Swim's Children Hospital is an old advertisement for The Corddry Co Snow Hill, MD. The lead actor, writer, and producer is comedian Rob Corddry, whose father is from Snow Hill. He uses the advertisement as his production banner.

title: Snow Hill, Maryland