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West Ocean City, MD
Census-designated place in Worcester County, Maryland. ZIP codes: 21842.
Population
5,198
Land area
4.2sq mi
People per sq mi
1,241
ZIP codes
1
West Ocean City and its ZIP codes
West Ocean City at a glance
- West Ocean City is 94% denser than Maryland as a whole.
- The median household income is $97,165, 6% below the Maryland median of $103,678.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $423,700 and median rent is $1,620 a month.
Local data for West Ocean City, MD
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
West Ocean City, MD, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$97,165
Poverty rate
6.4%
Median home value
$423,700
Median rent
$1,620/mo
Homeownership
81.9%
Bachelor's or higher
38.2%
Median age
49.5
Average commute
19.6 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (1,207), Irish Americans (1,070), Italian Americans (736).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Worcester County. PPP loans are for West Ocean City.
Unemployment rate
3.4%
Aug 2026, -0.6 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$47,233
26,246 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$73,572
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$528M
FY 2026, $10,069 per person
How people get to work
West Ocean City, MD, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone85.6%
- Carpooled4.6%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked2.6%
- Bicycle0.9%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.3%
- Worked from home5.9%
Average one-way commute: 19.6 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
West Ocean City, MD, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: hurricane
Storm events since 1996
473
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
7,870
23.9% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
84° / 28°F
42.6 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in West Ocean City, MD, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
31.4%
U.S. 33.3% -1.9 pts
Diabetes
11.5%
U.S. 12.1% -0.6 pts
Smoking
11.3%
U.S. 12.8% -1.5 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
5.9%
U.S. 11.1% -5.2 pts
ZIP codes in West Ocean City
1 in or overlapping West Ocean City. Population shown
Cities near West Ocean City
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean PinesCensus-designated place | 3.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Ocean CityTown | 3.6 mi | 4.4 |
| BerlinTown | 5.7 mi | 3.4 |
| BishopvilleCensus-designated place | 8.3 mi | 2.9 |
| Fenwick Island, DETown | 8.5 mi | 0.3 |
| NewarkCensus-designated place | 10 mi | 9.4 |
| WhaleyvilleCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 1 |
| Selbyville, DETown | 11 mi | 3.9 |
| South Bethany, DETown | 12 mi | 0.5 |
| Ocean View, DETown | 13 mi | 2.8 |
| Millville, DETown | 13 mi | 2.5 |
| WillardsTown | 13 mi | 1.1 |
| Bethany Beach, DETown | 14 mi | 1.1 |
| Frankford, DETown | 14 mi | 1.2 |
| PowellvilleCensus-designated place | 15 mi | 1.6 |
| Dagsboro, DETown | 16 mi | 1.4 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is West Ocean City, MD in?
- West Ocean City is in Worcester County, Maryland.
- What ZIP codes are in West Ocean City, MD?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping West Ocean City include 21842.
- What is the population of West Ocean City, MD?
- About 5,198 people live in West Ocean City, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near West Ocean City?
- Nearby places include Ocean Pines (3.2 mi), Ocean City (3.6 mi), Berlin (5.7 mi), Bishopville (8.3 mi), Fenwick Island, DE (8.5 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023