Dorchester County Area Home Supply Charts

This page looks at a variety of Dorchester County Maryland housing market data taken from the most recent 2021 American Community Survey census data. Housing units are structures such as a single family home, apartment community, mobile home park, public housing, etc. where a person or family live and live separately from other residents of the building. Figure 1 shows the total number of housing units for each city. Dorchester County depicts it has a Housing Units of 16,754 which is less than most other counties in the surrounding region.

Figure 2 illustrates the housing density in the Dorchester County housing market as measured by housing units per square land mile (includes single family homes, apartments, etc.) Dorchester County shows it has a Housing Density of 31.0 which is the smallest when sorted by housing density of all the other counties in the area. The county with the highest housing density in the area is Calvert County which shows a density of 166.2 ( very much bigger). Comparing housing density to the United States average of 39.2, Dorchester County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, measured against the state of Maryland, housing density of 253.4, Dorchester County is approximately an eigth the size.

In Figure 4, Dorchester County area change in the number of housing units and is a forward gauge (along with population change) for any potential housing shortage. Dorchester County shows it has a Housing Unit Change of 1.2% which is the smallest when sorted by change in the housing units of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest change in the housing units in the area is St Marys County which shows a housing units of 11.1% ( considerably bigger). Comparing change in the housing units to the United States average of 6.5%, Dorchester County is approximately a fifth the size. Also, compared to the state of Maryland, change in the housing units of 3.4%, Dorchester County is approximately a third the size.

Figure 5 shows the percentage of rental property based on that they are occupied by renters as a percent of the total number of households in the community (including homes, apartments, etc.) Dorchester County depicts it has a Renter Percent of 32.5% which is the third most of all other counties in the local area. Figure 6 illustrates the total number of housing units that are occupied by owners. it has a Owner Percent of 67.5% which is less than most other counties in the metropolitan area.

Dorchester County Home Cost Charts

Looking at the housing data provided in Figure 7, the average Dorchester County home price is illustrated for this community and a useful analysis of affordable housing. Dorchester County shows it has a Median Home Value of $187,300 which is less than most other counties in the local area. The county with the highest median home price in the area is Calvert County which indicates a home price of $364,800 (about twice as large). Figure 8 provides aggregate comparative data for the Dorchester County Maryland metro area in terms of the median housing rental rate, apartment rent, etc. Dorchester County shows it has a Median Gross Rent of $865 which is the second smallest in order of rental rates of all the other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest rental rates in the area is Calvert County which depicts a rental rates of $1,461 (68.9% larger). Comparing rental rates to the United States average of $1,096, Dorchester County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, in contrast to the state of Maryland, rental rates of $1,415, Dorchester County is approximately three-fourths the size.

Figure 9 provides the frequency distribution of home prices for the area and is useful for understanding affordable housing fund. Dorchester County has one of the largest proportions of home price worth less than $50,000 at 13% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Somerset County with 21%. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of home price worth between $50,000 to $100,000 at 36% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Somerset County (41%), and #1 Wicomico County (43%) are larger.

Median owner costs for the real estate market are shown in Figure 10 and include the costs associated with any mortgage, utility expenses, insurance, and other miscellaneous costs. Dorchester County indicates it has a Median Owner Cost of $953 which is the second smallest in terms of median ownership cost of all the other counties in the metropolitan area. Figure 11 shows the median amount of cost as a percent of total household income for people who own homes in the Dorchester County metro area. it has a Owner Cost as % of HH Income of 20% which is the second most cost as a percent of household income of all the counties in the greater Dorchester County region.

The next chart, Figure 12, provides a comparison chart of the median home cost as a percent of a median worker take home earnings and is thus a valuable measure of affordable housing. Dorchester County shows it has a Median Home Value as Percent of Median Earnings of 426% which is less than most other counties in the metro area.

Figure 14 depicts the median cost of housing for owners with also have a mortgages (versus those who do not have a mortgage because mortgage cost is included.) Dorchester County depicts it has a Median Owner Costs-With Mortgage of $1,405 which is less than most other counties in the metropolitan area. Figure 15 is a chart that shows the median housing costs for owners who do not have mortgages (and therefore the cost of home ownership does not include mortgage cost.) it has a Median Owner Costs-Without Mortgage of $543 which is in the mid point range of other counties in the greater region.

Figure 16 shows the distribution in total housing cost for owners of property (so not renters.) This cost includes mortgages, lines of credit interest, utilities, taxes, insurance, etc. Dorchester County has one of the largest proportions of owner cost less than $300 at 14% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Somerset County with 15%. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of owner cost between $300 and $500 at 16% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Somerset County with 16%. Third, it has the largest proportion of owner cost between $500 and $700 at 18% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has in the mid range of other counties in the local area as measured by owner cost between $3,500 and $4,000 at 1% of the total.

Next shown in Figure 17 is the housing cost as a percent of household income for people who own their homes and have a mortgages (thus the cost of financing the home is included.) Dorchester County depicts it has a % of Income Owner Costs-With Mortgage of 23% which is the second most of all the counties in the greater region. The county with the highest cost as a percent of household income in the area is Caroline County which shows a cost as a percent of household income of 24% (only about 5.2% larger). Housing cost as a percent of household income for owners who do not have a mortgage is shown in Figure 18. This analysis can be useful for understanding the affordable housing for home ownership excluding any financing cost in the area shown. Dorchester County shows it has a % of Income Owner Costs-No Mortgage of 13% which is the second most cost as a percent of household income of all the counties in the greater Dorchester County region. The county with the highest cost as a percent of household income in the area is Somerset County which depicts a cost as a percent of household income of 14% (6.2% larger).

Figure 19 looks at the cost of rent for rental property using the percent of total household income which is a valuable measure of financial health for the area. (The higher the proportion of rent payments to total household income is a sign of greater financial stress. Also, rent can be covered by rent assistance and rent assistance programs in the form of rent assistance.) Dorchester County has the largest proportion of rent as a percent of income is between 20pct to 30pct at 22% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has less than most other counties in the local area when sorted by rent as a percent of income is between 40pct to 50pct at 21% of the total.

Figure 20 shows the total housing cost for both home owners and apartment community renters in the area. Dorchester County has the largest proportion of housing cost between $500 and $700 at 22% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 21 shows median amount of real estate taxes paid for home owners in the region. it has a Median Real Estate Taxes Paid of $2,000 which is less than most other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest median real estate taxes paid in the area is Calvert County which depicts a taxes paid of $3,456 (72.8% larger). Comparing median real estate taxes paid to the United States average of $2,551, Dorchester County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, in comparison with the state of Maryland, median real estate taxes paid of $3,508, Dorchester County is approximately half the size.

Figure 22 shows the percentage of renters who pay for utilities in Dorchester County Maryland. This is calculated as the percent of renters who pay separately for utilities versus the people who have utilities included as part of amenities. Dorchester County has the smallest proportion of pay extra for utilities at 3% of the total.

Figure 23 shows the rental rate distribution for this area. Dorchester County Maryland has the largest proportion of rent less than 300 dollars at 11% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of rent between 500 and 750 dollars at 25% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Talbot County with 25%. Third, it has the second smallest in order of rent less than 300 dollars of all the other counties in the area in order of rent between 1000 and 1500 dollars at 7% of the total.

Dorchester County Home Financing Charts

The analysis in Figure 25 shows the detailed distribution of owned homes by mortgage status. Dorchester County has the percentage of With mortgage less than most other counties in the area at 50% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of No 2nd Mortgage or HELOC at 7% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of Primary Mortgage with 2nd Mortgage and HELOC at 5% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of Primary Mortgage and HELOC at 2% of the total. In addition, it has the largest proportion of Mortgage and 2nd Mortgage at 1% of the total and is ranked #1. Furthermore, it has one of the largest proportions of With HELOC no Primary Mortgage at 42% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Somerset County with 42%.

Figure 26 shows the proportion of houses with a mortgage versus those without a mortgage. Dorchester County has one of the largest proportions of houses with mortgages at 42% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Somerset County with 42%.

Dorchester County Home Characteristics Charts

Figure 28 shows the household size for families living in the area and it has a Family size of 3.0 which is less than most other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest family members per housing unit in the area is Calvert County which shows a family members per housing unit of 3.3 (10.1% larger). Comparing family members per housing unit to the United States average of 3.3, Dorchester County is about 10.1% smaller. Also, compared to the state of Maryland, family members per housing unit of 3.3, Dorchester County is about 11.2% smaller.

Figure 29 show the median number of rooms in a typical home for each location in this area. it has a Median Number of Rooms of 5.9 which is less than most other counties in the local area. The county with the highest average number of rooms in a house in the area is Calvert County which depicts an average number of rooms in a house of 7.2 (22.0% larger). Figure 30 shows, for the average house in each location, the median year that a house was built. This can be useful for understanding the relative age of one neighborhood versus another for a real estate investor. it has a Median Year Built of 1974 which is the smallest in terms of year built of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest year built in the area is Calvert County which shows a year built of 1990 ( about the same size).

Figure 31 looks at the distribution of housing units by the median age that the homes were built. has the smallest proportion of homes built between 2000 to 2009 at 11% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of homes built between 1990 to 1999 at 10% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of homes built between 1960 to 1969 at 9% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of homes built between 1950 to 1959 at 6% of the total and is ranked #1. In addition, it has the largest proportion of homes built between 1940 to 1949 at 21% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 32 shows the difference in the number of housing units based on whether they are occupied by owners versus occupied by renters. has the percentage of owner housing units less than most other counties in the local area at 4,365 of the total.

Figure 33 shows the difference in the number of housing units based on whether they are occupied by owners or renters. it has the largest proportion of 3 or 4 units at 5% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of mobile home at 0% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 34 shows the median value of homes broken down by the median year that the homes were built. has the percentage of value of homes built 2014 or later less than most other counties in the area at $253,700 of the total. Second, it has the second smallest when sorted by value of homes built 2014 or later of all the other counties in the area as measured by value of homes built 2010 to 2013 at $225,900 of the total. Third, it has less than most other counties in the area as measured by value of homes built 2000 to 2009 at $204,600 of the total. Also, it has in the mid point range of other counties in the area in order of value of homes built 1990 to 1999 at $216,100 of the total. In addition, it has less than most other counties in the metro area in order of value of homes built 1980 to 1989 at $169,400 of the total. Furthermore, it has less than most other counties in the metro area when ranked by value of homes built 1970 to 1979 at $186,800 of the total. Next it has in the mid point range of other counties in the local area in terms of value of homes built 1960 to 1969 at $165,300 of the total. Additionally, it has the second smallest in terms of value of homes built 2014 or later of all the other counties in the metro area when ranked by value of homes built 1950 to 1959 at $110,700 of the total. And then, it has less than most other counties in the greater region as measured by value of homes built 1940 to 1949 at $161,800 of the total.

Figure 35 compares the total number of occupied housing units to vacant housing units. This analysis can be used to understand any housing shortage in the community. it has one of the largest proportions of occupied housing units at 20% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Somerset County with 26%.

The next two charts show both the average household size of homeowners versus the average household size of renters. Starting with Figure 36 we see the household size of homeowners for Dorchester County residents. it has a Owner-Household Size of 2.3 which is the second smallest in order of homeowner household size of all the other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest homeowner household size in the area is Calvert County which shows a homeowner household size of 2.8 (21.6% larger).

Figure 37 shows the household size for renters. Dorchester County depicts it has a Renter-Household Size of 2.4 which is less than most other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest renter household size in the area is Calvert County which depicts a renter household sizes of 2.7 (15.1% larger). Figure 38 shows the year that people who own homes moved into this region. has the percentage of owners moved in 2019 or later the second smallest in terms of owners moved in 2019 or later of all the other counties in the greater region at 15% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of owners moved in 2000 to 2009 at 18% of the total and is ranked #1. Figure 39 shows the year that people who rent moved into the area. Dorchester County has the percentage of renters moved in 2019 or later the second smallest when ranked by renters moved in 2019 or later of all the other counties in the greater region at 44% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of renters moved in 2015 to 2018 at 29% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 40 compares the median year that home owners moved into their home. it has a Owner Median Year Moved In of 2003 which is less than most other counties in the surrounding region. Figure 41 compares the median year that renters moved into their home. Dorchester County depicts it has a Renter Median Year Moved In of 2015 which is in the mid range of other counties in the area.

Figure 42 shows the frequency distribution of various types of energy sources used for homes in the community. has the smallest proportion of home using bottled, tank, or lp gas at 56% of the total. Second, it has less than most other counties in the local area when sorted by homes using coal or coke at 2% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of homes using wood at 1% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next two charts show the number of people living in group quarters and includes temporary as well permanent housing which may be run by the Dorchester County housing department, Maryland department, or other housing authority or public housing agency. beginning with Figure 43 which shows the total number of people. Dorchester County indicates it has a Total In Group Quarters of 581 which is less than most other counties in the area.

Figure 44 shows the percentage of people who are living in group quarters to the total population for Dorchester County residents (these may include colleges and jails but also community centers for homelessness or that require a housing choice voucher which are run by certain nonprofits or an affordable housing department.) Dorchester County has the smallest proportion of number of people under 18 years of age and in group quarters at 93% of the total.