City profile · Maryland · Census ACS 2023

Salisbury, MD

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Salisbury - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

33,080
Residents
$56,402
Median income
$217,500
Median home
$1,378
Median rent (state)

Salisbury - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Salisbury places in the 29th percentile for household income and the 8th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

29th
percentile, household income
48th
percentile, home value
53rd
percentile, median rent
8th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Salisbury, MD

Maryland's Salisbury is a small city, with 33,080 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $56,402 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 14.8%. Typical homes in Salisbury are valued around $217,500, and the median resident age is 29.9 years. About 28.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 58.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 103 residential building permits were authorized in Salisbury (Rapid Growth), up 43% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Salisbury's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 3960.3 crimes per 100,000 residents, above the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 58.7°F with 48.0 inches of precipitation per year.

Maryland carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Maryland at 105.0 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Above Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,378 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $255 across Maryland, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 20.5 minutes, with 75.2% driving alone and 4.8% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 60.8 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Moderate).

Population

33,080 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Maryland

Median Household Income

$56,402 /yr

Poverty 14.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

105.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Maryland average

How does Salisbury compare to other US cities?

Here's how Salisbury stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 29% higher than other cities
Home value 48% pricier than other cities
Median rent 53% pricier than other cities
Safety 8% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Maryland alone, Salisbury ranks #56 of 70 Maryland cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Salisbury's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Maryland, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

29thIncome percentile
8thSafety percentile

29th percentile nationally for median household income · 8th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Salisbury's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Salisbury's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 29 Avg. percentile National median
Salisbury's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Salisbury's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$217,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 52% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Salisbury $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Salisbury, MD Salisbury, MD's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Salisbury, MD-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Salisbury, MD median $56,402/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Salisbury, MD's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Salisbury, MD. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 28.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 14.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.8%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
33,080
Median Income
$56,402
Median Home Value
$217,500
Median Age
29.9
Poverty Rate
14.8%
Labor force participation
58.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
28.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3960.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
954.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3005.6
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
58.7°F
Annual Precipitation
48.0"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
15
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
32,500 residents33,000 residents33,500 residents34,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 32,964 residents 33,845 residents ▲ +2.7%
Salisbury's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
103
housing units authorized
Single-Family
59
detached homes
Multifamily
44
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 72
2020 92
2021 27
2022 95
2023 78
2024 103

Permit volume increased 43% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
20.5 minutes
Drive Alone
75.2%
Carpool
13.0%
Public Transit
1.0%
Walk
3.8%
Work from Home
4.8%
Other
2.2%

Based on 15,023 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Maryland - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$120
avg/month
Natural Gas
$80
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$55
avg/month
Total Utilities
$255
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Maryland state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Maryland state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Salisbury sits in

Cost of Living Index
105.0
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,378/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
60.8 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Maryland

Pasadena
32,717 people
Montgomery
34,161 people
Milford Mill
31,939 people
Pikesville
34,253 people
College Park
34,397 people
Middle River
31,616 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Salisbury's 33,080 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Dover, NH
33,070 people
Bethel Park, PA
33,070 people
Franklin, MA
33,067 people
Helena, MT
33,126 people
East Lake, FL
33,019 people
Martinez, GA
33,019 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Salisbury's $56,402 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Douglas, AL
$56,406 median income
Lost Bridge, AR
$56,406 median income
Edinburgh, IN
$56,406 median income
Clemons, IA
$56,406 median income
Lincoln, NH
$56,406 median income
Schenectady, NY
$56,398 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Salisbury, MD Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Salisbury, MD - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 44.8% 41.1% 9.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.9% White 44.8% Black or African American 41.1% Asian 3.1% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.2% Two or more races 9.6% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Salisbury compares to nearby Maryland cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Salisbury (this city) 33,080 $56,402
Pasadena 32,717 $119,393
Montgomery 34,161 $96,487
Milford Mill 31,939 $76,676
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MD FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Salisbury, MD?

What is the population of Salisbury, MD? +

Salisbury, MD has a population of 33,080 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Salisbury, MD? +

In Salisbury, the typical household earns $56,402 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Salisbury? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Salisbury; the closest available measure is the Maryland state average, a cost of living index of 105.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Maryland vary by metro area.

Is Salisbury, MD safe? +

Salisbury has a total crime rate of 3960.3 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Salisbury, MD? +

A typical home in Salisbury is worth $217,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Salisbury? +

Climate normals put Salisbury's yearly average temperature at 58.7°F, 48.0 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.