Betterton ZIP Codes — Kent County, MD

There is one unique ZIP code in Betterton, Maryland and it is 21610. Area code: 410/667.
1
ZIP codes
1.06
sq mi land
0.01
sq mi water
410/667
area code
Betterton, MD ZIP code map

About Betterton, MD

Betterton is a charming town located in Kent County, Maryland, known for its scenic views and small-town vibe. This quaint community along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay offers residents and visitors a peaceful retreat. With its serene environment and historical significance, Betterton serves as a delightful destination for those seeking tranquility.

Location & geography

Betterton is situated on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay and spans a land area of 1.06 square miles, with a minor water area of 0.01 square miles. This picturesque town is surrounded by the natural beauty characteristic of Kent County, with nearby cities including Chestertown, approximately 10 miles southwest, and Rock Hall, about 6 miles south. The terrain is primarily flat, contributing to its accessibility and making it an ideal location for outdoor activities.

Community & economy

The community in Betterton is tight-knit and embraces a friendly atmosphere, making it an inviting place to live and visit. Though small, the town has a diverse range of industries, including local tourism focused on its waterfront and recreational amenities. Residents enjoy a relaxed lifestyle with various activities centered around the bay, fostering a strong sense of community pride.

Transportation

Betterton is accessible via several local roads, with Maryland Route 445 providing connection to nearby areas. The closest major airports include the Chesapeake Executive Airport, about 20 miles away, and the Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport, located roughly 35 miles to the south. Public transportation options are limited given the town's size, but local roadways facilitate easy travel.

History

Founded in the 18th century, Betterton became a notable summer resort destination along the Chesapeake Bay, particularly during the Victorian era. The town drew visitors with its sandy beaches and medicinal waters, leading to the establishment of various hotels and recreational facilities. Today, remnants of its past can still be observed in the community and its enduring charm.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Betterton is that it was once a prominent destination for health-seeking tourists in the late 1800s due to the perceived therapeutic qualities of the bay waters. Additionally, it is home to one of the few remaining public beaches on the eastern shore of Maryland, enhancing its appeal to visitors.

ZIP codes for Betterton, MD (1)
ZIP code City County Map
21610 Betterton Kent View map

Demographics & statistics

363
Population
52.8
Median age
$62,750
Median household income
$34,188
Per capita income
$235,900
Median home value
$900
Median monthly rent
63.1%
Home ownership
10.6%
Poverty rate
24.1%
Unemployment
241
Housing units
36.3%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
10
Under 5
12
8
5–9
11
4
10–14
5
5
15–19
7
9
20–24
11
12
25–34
15
19
35–44
25
15
45–54
19
6
55–59
8
36
60–64
46
13
65–74
17
12
75–84
16
10
85+
12
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 186217.1%
18 and over30182.9%
65 and over8022.0%
Median age52.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 74.7%
Black or African American 14.9%
Hispanic or Latino 5.2%
Two or more races 5.2%
GroupCount%
White28674.7%
Black or African American5714.9%
Hispanic or Latino205.2%
Two or more races205.2%

Household income

$10k–$15k 0.6%
$15k–$25k 7.6%
$25k–$35k 6.4%
$35k–$50k 8.3%
$50k–$75k 33.1%
$75k–$100k 10.2%
$100k–$150k 23.6%
$150k–$200k 8.9%
$200k+ 1.3%
Range% of households
$10k–$15k0.6%
$15k–$25k7.6%
$25k–$35k6.4%
$35k–$50k8.3%
$50k–$75k33.1%
$75k–$100k10.2%
$100k–$150k23.6%
$150k–$200k8.9%
$200k+1.3%
Median income$62,750

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 1.0%
$50k–$100k 2.0%
$100k–$150k 7.1%
$150k–$200k 23.2%
$200k–$300k 48.5%
$300k–$500k 14.1%
$500k–$1M 3.0%
$1M+ 1.0%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$235,900
Median rent / month$900
Owner occupied63.1%
Renter occupied36.9%
Vacant47.5%
Single-family detached67.6%
Large apartment buildings1.3%
Mobile homes1.3%
Median rooms6.0
Avg household size (owned)2.33

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20190.3%
2000–20091.7%
1990–199917.4%
1980–198915.4%
1970–19797.7%
1960–19690.0%
1950–195911.7%
1940–19494.7%
1939 or earlier41.1%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.7%
1 bedroom12.7%
2 bedrooms30.1%
3 bedrooms43.1%
4 bedrooms9.7%
5+ bedrooms3.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle4.5%
1 vehicle34.4%
2 vehicles29.3%
3 or more31.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas6.4%
Electricity53.5%
Propane / LP gas17.8%
Fuel oil18.5%
Wood3.8%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family6541.4%
Cohabiting couple2717.2%
Male householder, no spouse2616.6%
Female householder, no spouse3924.8%
Households with children under 183119.7%
Households with seniors (65+)5937.6%
Average household size2.31

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married25.9%23.5%
Married56.6%38.2%
Separated2.8%10.6%
Widowed1.4%14.7%
Divorced13.3%12.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.0%
Some HS, no diploma 4.6%
HS graduate 44.5%
Some college, no degree 11.4%
Associate's degree 3.2%
Bachelor's degree 18.5%
Graduate / professional 17.8%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher95.4%
Bachelor's or higher36.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool23.4%
Kindergarten1119.0%
Elementary school1729.3%
High school1220.7%
College / grad school1627.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 38.3%
Manufacturing 17.5%
Retail trade 12.5%
Arts, food & hospitality 5.8%
Public administration 5.8%
Agriculture & mining 5.0%
Construction 5.0%
Professional & management 4.2%
Wholesale trade 1.7%
Transportation & utilities 1.7%
Finance & real estate 1.7%
Information 0.8%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts45.0%
Service22.5%
Sales & office15.0%
Natural resources & construction6.7%
Production & transportation10.8%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector81.7%
Government17.5%
Self-employed0.8%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone80.7%
Carpool8.4%
Public transit0.0%
Walk2.5%
Other means0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)26.5

Poverty

All people 10.6%
Under 18 years 1.7%
18 and over 12.3%
Married-couple families 1.5%
Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security54.1%
Retirement income33.8%
Supplemental Security4.5%
Cash public assistance1.3%
Food stamps / SNAP20.4%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure36.0%
High cholesterol35.8%
Heart disease6.5%
Stroke2.9%
Asthma10.0%
Arthritis26.8%
Kidney disease2.8%
Pulmonary disease6.8%
Cancer7.6%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking15.5%
No physical activity19.7%
Less than 7 hrs sleep32.7%
Fair or poor health11.6%
Poor mental health13.5%
Poor physical health9.1%
No health insurance9.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)76.1%
Visited dentist68.6%
Cholesterol screening93.0%
Teeth loss9.3%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans3210.6%
Disability%
Any disability12.7%
Under 180.0%
18–64 years7.2%
65 and over37.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance66.7%
Public insurance43.0%
Uninsured under 190.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only34193.9%
Spanish20.6%
Other Indo-European10.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)35597.8%
Born in same state35096.4%
Born in different state21158.1%
Foreign born51.4%
Naturalized citizen82.2%
Not a US citizen787.5%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Italian7821.5%
French5114%
English92.5%
AncestryCount%
Polish51.4%
Norwegian41.1%
Irish30.8%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access43.3%
Internet access92.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Betterton, MD have?
Betterton, MD has one ZIP code: 21610. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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