Ocean City ZIP Codes — Worcester County, MD

There are 2 unique ZIP codes in Ocean City, Maryland. Area code: 410/443/667.

ZIP codes

9.16

sq mi land

12.15

sq mi water

410/443/667

area code

Ocean City, MD ZIP code map

About Ocean City, MD

Ocean City, MD is a vibrant coastal town located along the eastern shore of Maryland. Known for its welcoming atmosphere and beautiful sandy beaches, it draws millions of visitors each year. This popular resort destination offers a variety of recreational activities and attractions for people of all ages.

Location & geography

Ocean City is situated in Worcester County, Maryland, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east. The closest cities include Berlin, located about 10 miles to the west, and Salisbury, approximately 30 miles to the northwest. The town's terrain consists of both land and water, with a land area measuring 9.16 square miles and a water area of 12.15 square miles.

Community & economy

The community of Ocean City is characterized by its strong focus on tourism, with hospitality and entertainment serving as the primary industries. Residents and visitors alike enjoy the daily activities offered, such as water sports, dining, and local festivals. The town has a friendly, small-town feel, enhanced by its seasonal population influx during the summer months.

Transportation

Ocean City is accessible via several major highways, including U.S. Route 50, which connects it to the rest of Maryland and beyond. The nearest major airport is Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport, located about 30 miles from the city. Public transportation options include local buses that provide convenient travel throughout the area.

History

Ocean City was established in the late 19th century and quickly developed into a premier vacation spot due to its picturesque beaches and boardwalk. Key industries have historically revolved around tourism, fishing, and seasonal hospitality services. The town is well-known for hosting events such as the annual White Marlin Open, which attracts fishing enthusiasts from far and wide.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Ocean City is that it has a dedicated group of 'beach ambassadors' who help maintain the cleanliness of the shore. Additionally, the town boasts a famous boardwalk that stretches over three miles, featuring shops, restaurants, and entertainment options.

ZIP codes for Ocean City, MD (2)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
21842	Ocean City	Worcester	View map
21843	Ocean City	Worcester	View map

Demographics & statistics

10,951

Population

53.1

Median age

$68,626

Median household income

$64,880

Per capita income

$364,200

Median home value

$1,224

Median monthly rent

73.6%

Home ownership

8.2%

Poverty rate

6.1%

Unemployment

31,076

Housing units

38.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

206

Under 5

228

167

5–9

186

202

10–14

225

146

15–19

163

388

20–24

430

602

25–34

669

476

35–44

528

535

45–54

593

446

55–59

496

506

60–64

562

971

65–74

1,077

370

75–84

410

175

85+

194

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,454	13.3%
18 and over	9,497	86.7%
65 and over	3,197	29.2%
Median age	53.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 85.1%

Hispanic or Latino 4.7%

Two or more races 3.7%

Black or African American 3.4%

Other race 2.5%

Asian 0.5%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	9,776	85.1%
Hispanic or Latino	537	4.7%
Two or more races	427	3.7%
Black or African American	391	3.4%
Other race	292	2.5%
Asian	54	0.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native	11	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 4.3%

$10k–$15k 2.7%

$15k–$25k 5.8%

$25k–$35k 11.0%

$35k–$50k 13.6%

$50k–$75k 17.7%

$75k–$100k 10.2%

$100k–$150k 15.3%

$150k–$200k 6.4%

$200k+ 12.9%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.3%
$10k–$15k	2.7%
$15k–$25k	5.8%
$25k–$35k	11.0%
$35k–$50k	13.6%
$50k–$75k	17.7%
$75k–$100k	10.2%
$100k–$150k	15.3%
$150k–$200k	6.4%
$200k+	12.9%
Median income	$68,626

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.5%

$50k–$100k 0.7%

$100k–$150k 3.3%

$150k–$200k 7.5%

$200k–$300k 22.9%

$300k–$500k 32.1%

$500k–$1M 25.2%

$1M+ 5.7%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$364,200
Median rent / month	$1,224
Owner occupied	73.6%
Renter occupied	26.4%
Vacant	82.5%
Single-family detached	14.9%
Large apartment buildings	43.1%
Mobile homes	4.1%
Median rooms	3.9
Avg household size (owned)	1.91

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.1%
2010–2019	2.5%
2000–2009	14.1%
1990–1999	7.2%
1980–1989	35.3%
1970–1979	30.1%
1960–1969	6.3%
1950–1959	1.8%
1940–1949	1.4%
1939 or earlier	1.2%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	3.6%
1 bedroom	14.9%
2 bedrooms	40.5%
3 bedrooms	33.2%
4 bedrooms	6.5%
5+ bedrooms	1.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	8.2%
1 vehicle	40.5%
2 vehicles	40.6%
3 or more	10.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	15.3%
Electricity	72.6%
Propane / LP gas	7.1%
Fuel oil	2.8%
Wood	0.5%
Solar	0.4%
No fuel used	1.0%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,183	38.3%
Cohabiting couple	371	6.5%
Male householder, no spouse	1,151	20.2%
Female householder, no spouse	2,000	35.1%
Households with children under 18	910	16.0%
Households with seniors (65+)	2,366	41.5%
Average household size	1.91

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	31.3%	23.7%
Married	53.2%	42.6%
Separated	1.1%	6.3%
Widowed	3.0%	10.1%
Divorced	11.3%	17.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.3%

Some HS, no diploma 3.2%

HS graduate 27.1%

Some college, no degree 22.1%

Associate's degree 7.6%

Bachelor's degree 24.0%

Graduate / professional 14.5%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	95.5%
Bachelor's or higher	38.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	34	2.0%
Kindergarten	25	1.5%
Elementary school	626	36.7%
High school	353	20.7%
College / grad school	668	39.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Arts, food & hospitality 29.3%

Education & healthcare 13.5%

Professional & management 12.4%

Finance & real estate 11.5%

Retail trade 8.2%

Public administration 7.6%

Construction 6.9%

Transportation & utilities 3.5%

Other services 2.3%

Manufacturing 2.2%

Wholesale trade 1.1%

Information 1.0%

Agriculture & mining 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	39.4%
Service	28.0%
Sales & office	19.9%
Natural resources & construction	7.5%
Production & transportation	5.2%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	74.9%
Government	15.2%
Self-employed	8.9%
Unpaid family workers	1.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	74.8%
Carpool	4.1%
Public transit	2.6%
Walk	3.8%
Other means	2.6%
Avg commute (minutes)	19.7

Poverty

All people 8.2%

Under 18 years 12.6%

18 and over 7.5%

Married-couple families 1.7%

Female-led households 7.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	44.3%
Retirement income	34.6%
Supplemental Security	1.8%
Cash public assistance	3.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	4.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	40.8%
High cholesterol	40.1%
Heart disease	7.9%
Stroke	3.5%
Asthma	9.0%
Arthritis	30.0%
Kidney disease	3.3%
Pulmonary disease	7.6%
Cancer	8.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.0%
No physical activity	24.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	28.0%
Fair or poor health	13.1%
Poor mental health	12.8%
Poor physical health	9.6%
No health insurance	9.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.4%
Visited dentist	65.1%
Cholesterol screening	93.2%
Teeth loss	10.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	902	9.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	15.6%
Under 18	7.0%
18–64 years	10.6%
65 and over	29.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	69.2%
Public insurance	46.0%
Uninsured under 19	8.3%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	10,517	96.0%
Spanish	302	2.9%
Other Indo-European	155	1.5%
Asian & Pacific Islander	101	1.0%
Other languages	37	0.4%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	9,924	90.6%
Born in same state	9,815	89.6%
Born in different state	5,687	51.9%
Foreign born	109	1.0%
Naturalized citizen	1,027	9.4%
Not a US citizen	450	43.8%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	2,417	22.1%
French	1,745	15.9%
Arab	515	4.7%
Polish	125	1.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	107	1%
Irish	77	0.7%
Norwegian	40	0.4%
German	13	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	52.1%
Internet access	95.3%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Ocean City, MD have?

Ocean City, MD has one ZIP code: 21842. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.