| City: | Sharptown, Maryland |
| County: | Wicomico County |
| Timezone: | Eastern (GMT -05:00) |
| Local Time: | 10:03:22 PM |
| Population: | 830 [See All] |
| Area Codes: | 410 / 443 / 667 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 38.5394, -75.7191 |
| Land Area: | 2.604 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Sharptown sits along the Nanticoke River in rural Wicomico County, Maryland. This historic river town of 830 residents operates as a PO Box Only Zone, meaning there's no alternative mail delivery across the community's 2.3 square miles. With 352 PO Boxes serving 329 households, the post office maintains a 1.07 adoption rate that extends slightly beyond the immediate town.
The town's street names tell the story of its waterfront heritage. Water Street, Ferry Street, and Nanticoke Street connect to the river that shaped the community's development. State Street and Main Street form the historic commercial core, while numbered streets (4th Street) indicate an established grid pattern. Rural carrier routes serve the surrounding area, but residents within town limits rely exclusively on PO Box service.
Sharptown's 830 residents live in 329 occupied homes, with 78% of households owning their properties. Median household income stands at $85,714, above the national average. The median age of 38.9 years indicates a working-age population rather than retirees. About 30% of workers commute by driving alone, while another significant portion works in transportation and warehousing (likely related to Delmarva Peninsula logistics). Roughly 30% of workers operate from home, a rate higher than typical for rural Maryland.
All mail to Sharptown addresses must use a PO Box. Street addresses are not valid for delivery. Format: PO Box [number], Sharptown, MD 21861.
Street names preserve Sharptown's identity as a historic Nanticoke River port with Water Street, Ferry Street, and Nanticoke Street connecting to the waterfront.
ZIP Code 21861 has 830 residents and 329 households (average 2.52 persons per household). The median age is 38.9 years, about the same as the state (38.8) and about the same as the nation (38.8). The gender split is 50.8% male and 49.2% female, which is slightly higher than the state male share (48.2%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (90.1%, much higher than the state average of 48.7% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Black or African American (3.7%, much lower than the state average of 29.5% and well below the national average of 12.4%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 2.0%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More: Population Over Time By Age & Gender By Race By Gender Nativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 830Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 920Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 318.7 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $86,027Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 329Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $192,100Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.52Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.78Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 948 | 1,118 | 962 | 1,003 | 1,023 | 969 | 867 | 815 | 689 | 687 | 738 | 776 | 806 | 920 |
| Decennial Census | 757 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 830 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 38.9
Male Median Age: 37.3
Female Median Age: 40.7
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 30 | 34 | 29 | 35 | 22 | 20 | 29 | 31 | 16 | 24 | 27 | 24 | 35 | 19 | 19 | 14 | 12 | 2 |
| Female | 20 | 29 | 26 | 24 | 15 | 34 | 23 | 27 | 21 | 26 | 22 | 30 | 26 | 21 | 20 | 12 | 17 | 15 |
| Total | 50 | 63 | 55 | 59 | 37 | 54 | 52 | 58 | 37 | 50 | 49 | 54 | 61 | 40 | 39 | 26 | 29 | 17 |
| White: | 748 | 92.46% |
| Black: | 31 | 3.83% |
| Hispanic:* | 17 | 2.10% |
| Asian: | 2 | 0.25% |
| American Indian: | 4 | 0.49% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 7 | 0.87% |
| Total: | 809 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 422 | 50.84% | 37.3 years |
| Females: | 408 | 49.16% | 40.7 years |
| Total: | 830 | 100% | 38.9 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 895 | 97.28% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 7 | 0.76% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 16 | 1.74% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 2 | 1.96% |
| Total Population: | 920 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 902 | 98.04% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 18 | 1.96% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $86,027, which is well under the state median ($101,652), is up $41,652 (93.9%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $20,218. Family households earn a median of $89,643 versus $41,319 for nonfamily households (a difference of $48,324). By gender, male median income is $67,614 and female is $50,385, which is far less than the state female median ($68,044), with a current gap of $17,229 that has widened from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 69.3%, which is higher than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 3.5%, which is generally lower than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (29.0%).
Explore More: Income Over Time Household Income Employment Status By Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $44,375 | $43,438 | $42,933 | $43,616 | $52,159 | $56,250 | $61,250 | $62,159 | $65,809 | $70,625 | $74,609 | $83,125 | $85,714 | $86,027 |
| Median Family Income | $51,083 | $50,156 | $34,063 | $48,500 | $53,542 | $58,036 | $64,375 | $70,208 | $73,750 | $70,000 | $81,500 | $86,563 | $90,833 | $89,643 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $26,406 | $35,625 | $42,955 | $34,688 | $43,889 | $41,719 | $40,500 | $34,531 | $35,875 | $0 | $31,705 | $0 | $0 | $41,319 |
| Median Male Income | $43,194 | $38,897 | $53,583 | $36,518 | $44,063 | $36,429 | $40,208 | $40,625 | $42,232 | $43,333 | $43,977 | $49,286 | $65,192 | $67,614 |
| Median Female Income | $41,750 | $42,000 | $40,859 | $43,088 | $40,481 | $37,396 | $37,632 | $36,250 | $34,750 | $35,227 | $37,500 | $43,333 | $41,786 | $50,385 |
| Employed: | 500 | 66.93% |
| Unemployed: | 18 | 2.41% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 229 | 30.66% |
| Total: | 747 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 145 | 29.00% |
| Service: | 53 | 10.60% |
| Sales and Office: | 141 | 28.20% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 72 | 14.40% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 89 | 17.80% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 500 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $192,100, which is far less than the state median ($397,700), is up $17,800 (10.21%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $37,600. The median gross rent is $1,185, which is considerably lower than the state median ($1,662), is up $465 (64.58%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $315. Of occupied housing, owners make up 86.06% (67.29% with a mortgage, 32.71% free-and-clear) and renters 13.94% - making this ZIP Code more home ownership than the state and under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 9.69%, which is far higher than the state rate (8.09%).
Explore More: Compare Home Value Home Value Over Time Rent & Over Time Housing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $174,300 | $159,300 | $157,200 | $142,500 | $142,600 | $135,600 | $141,300 | $146,900 | $154,500 | $145,900 | $146,600 | $164,100 | $186,700 | $192,100 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 6 | 11.54% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 34 | 65.38% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 3 | 5.77% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 9 | 17.31% |
| Total: | 52 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $720 | $748 | $813 | $845 | $845 | $864 | $850 | $890 | $870 | $956 | $990 | $1,185 | $1,118 | $1,185 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 216 | 57.91% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 105 | 28.15% |
| Renter Occupied: | 52 | 13.94% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 373 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 373 | 90.31% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 40 | 9.69% |
| Total Housing Units: | 413 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 399 | 96.61% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 14 | 3.39% |
| Other Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 413 | 100% |
In 2024, 19.30% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is markedly below the state rate (42.70%). High school or higher is 93.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.40%). The uninsured rate is 5.40%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.60%). Public coverage is 46.60%, which is notably higher than the state rate (34.20%). The share of people in poverty is 3.60%, which is far lower than the national rate (8.70%), down 14.40 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 1.40 percentage points. This points to a pronounced improvement in local conditions - rising incomes, firmer consumer demand, and a stronger tax base. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (41.49%). College enrollment is 19.92%, which is on par with the state rate (28.00%), meaning the community mirrors broader higher-education participation.
Explore More: Educational Attainment Health Insurance Poverty Over Time School Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 11 | 1.75% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 33 | 5.25% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 253 | 40.29% |
| Some college, no degree: | 141 | 22.45% |
| Associate's degree: | 69 | 10.99% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 70 | 11.15% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 51 | 8.12% |
| Total: | 628 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 584 | 92.99% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 121 | 19.27% |
| Private Insurance: | 609 | 55.97% |
| Public Insurance: | 429 | 39.43% |
| No Insurance: | 50 | 4.60% |
| Total: | 1,088 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 1,038 | 95.40% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 16.9% | 16.6% | 22.0% | 17.5% | 13.8% | 6.8% | 5.8% | 1.0% | 1.1% | 0.5% | 0.9% | 0.9% | 2.5% | 3.6% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 3 | 1.24% |
| Kindergarten: | 15 | 6.22% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 100 | 41.49% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 75 | 31.12% |
| College or graduate school: | 48 | 19.92% |
| Total: | 241 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 18 | 7.47% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 190 | 78.84% |
ZIP Code 21861 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 10 business establishments, employing about 30 people with an annual payroll of $1,409,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 371Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 10Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $304,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $1,409,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 30Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 21861 is located in Wicomico County, Maryland, within the Salisbury, MD Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 41540) and Maryland's 1st Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 125,203 people, about 0.66% of whom live in ZIP Code 21861. It covers 2.604 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.487 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Salisbury, MDSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 41540Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 125,203Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 2.604 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.487 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 01Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 3977.06 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 2471650Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Sharptown town; MarylandSource: Census |
We could not locate which school district 21861 belongs to, but we will update this once new district data is released. There are no public schools nor private schools with a mailing address in this ZIP Code. Listing Nearby schools instead. It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on February 1, 2026.