Living in Smith Island, Maryland
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Smith Island · Census data 2020–2024
Smith Island has 345 residents with a median age of 52.1. The median household income is $90,385 (13% lower than the Maryland median), the median home value is $109,200.
Smith Island is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Smith Island at a glance
- Population
- 345
- Median age
- 52.1State: 39.4
- Median household income
- $90,385State: $103,678
- Median home value
- $109,200State: $419,900
- Homeowners
- 83%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 2.2%
- Average commute
- 14 min
Is Smith Island a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 74% lower than the state median; an average commute of 14 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 13% lower than the Maryland median; unemployment of 8.6%; a poverty rate of 9.6%.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Smith Island
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Smith Island the median home value is $109,200, 67% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of — per month. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,040 a month in housing costs.
Smith Island median household income
The median household income in Smith Island is $90,385 and the income per person is $45,609. 9.6% of residents live below the poverty line (Maryland: 9.4%).
Housing in Smith Island: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 253
- Owner-occupied
- 83%
- Renter-occupied
- 17%
- Vacant
- 30.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1947
- Average household size
- 1.96
30.4% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Smith Island has many vacation and second homes.
Smith Island demographics
- Population
- 345
- Median age
- 52.1
- Under 18
- 19.4%
- 65 and older
- 28.4%
- Households
- 176
- Foreign-born
- 1.4%
- Veterans
- 12.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Smith Island ›
Education in Smith Island
2.2% of adults 25 and older in Smith Island have a bachelor's degree or higher (Maryland: 43.4%), and 0.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Smith Island
- Unemployment rate
- 8.6%State: 4.9%
- Average commute
- 14 minState: 31 min
- Work from home
- 23%
- Drive alone
- 48%
- Public transit
- 2.7%
- Walk to work
- 12.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 67%
Smith Island vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smith Island | 345 | $90,385 | $109,200 | — |
| Crisfield | 2,499 | $50,139 | $137,900 | $766 |
| Tangier | 252 | $35,991 | $157,900 | — |
| Deal Island | 341 | $22,404 | $134,800 | $1,615 |
| Fairmount | 440 | $51,827 | $146,200 | — |
| Chance | 230 | $66,711 | $259,100 | — |
| Dames Quarter | 226 | $83,750 | $232,000 | — |
| Schooner Bay | 223 | $51,154 | — | — |
| Nanticoke | 434 | $94,189 | — | — |
More for people moving to Smith Island
Smith Island ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Smith Island: FAQ
What is the median household income in Smith Island, MD?
The median household income in Smith Island is $90,385, 13% lower than the Maryland median of $103,678 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Smith Island?
The median home value in Smith Island is $109,200, compared with $419,900 in Maryland.
Is Smith Island, MD a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 74% lower than the state median; an average commute of 14 minutes. Minuses: median household income 13% lower than the Maryland median; unemployment of 8.6%; a poverty rate of 9.6%.
What is the median age in Smith Island?
The median age in Smith Island is 52.1 years (Maryland: 39.4).
How long is the commute in Smith Island?
The average commute to work in Smith Island is 14 minutes; 23% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Smith Island?
The unemployment rate in Smith Island is 8.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Smith Island?
2.2% of adults in Smith Island have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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