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County in Maryland

Dorchester County, Maryland

Dorchester County, in Maryland, has 32,754 residents: No. 21 of 24 by population. Dorchester County has an FHA limit of $541,287 for one-unit homes. The typical home value here is $262,400. HUD's Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $1,159 a month; to pay it without spending more than 30% of your income, you need to earn about $22.29 an hour.

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  • Typical home price

    $262,400

    −38% vs. Maryland −21% vs. U.S.

    Half of owner-occupied homes are worth more and half are worth less.

    • Dorchester
    • Maryland
    • United States

    Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

  • Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms

    $1,159 a month

    −45% vs. Maryland −34% vs. U.S.

    HUD's reference rent for a two-bedroom apartment, with basic utilities.

    • Dorchester
    • Maryland
    • United States

    Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

  • FHA limit 2026, 1 unit

    $541,287

    FHA national floor limit

    The most you can borrow with an FHA loan for a one-unit home here.

    • Dorchester
    • Floor
    • Ceiling

    Source: HUD, 2026 data

  • Property tax

    0.94% of value per year

    −3% vs. Maryland Same as the U.S.

    $2,456 a year for the typical owner

    • Dorchester
    • Maryland
    • United States

    Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$268,747
0.9% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,854 a month

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Data from October 2026

In short

What is housing like in Dorchester County today?

The monthly payment on a typical home with FHA would be about $2,176, that is, 42% of the typical household income in Dorchester County. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $93,271 a year; the typical income here is $61,839. Homes here are worth 38% less than the average across Maryland. The typical property tax is $2,456 a year (about 0.94% of home value), lower than in Maryland.

Renting is a stretch: 56% of renters put 30% or more of their income toward housing. There are 1 agency with HUD-approved housing counselors who speak Spanish near here.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); HUD (Retrieved November 6, 2026).

Only here

What sets Dorchester County apart

  1. From 2020 to 2025, home prices in Dorchester County rose 59% on FHFA's index, faster than in Maryland (40%).

  2. Among the neighboring counties, Somerset County has the lowest typical home value ($173,200), 34% below the $262,400 in Dorchester County.

  3. 15% of homes in Dorchester County (2,374) are in FEMA's high-risk flood zone, and only 49% of those carry NFIP flood insurance.

  4. At $61,839, Dorchester County ranks 2nd among the 24 counties in Maryland for the lowest typical household income.

  5. Dorchester County has the 2nd largest share of rent-burdened renters of the 24 counties in Maryland (56%).

  6. 11% of households in Dorchester County have no internet at home, against 5% in Maryland.

Sources: FHFA (2025 data); U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); FEMA (As of August 3, 2026).

The homes here

Housing in Dorchester County

What homes there are in Dorchester County, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

Detached houses, standing on their own, make up 73% of homes here, against 51% in Maryland.

There are more mobile homes here than in Maryland: 7% of homes, against 1%.

Year built

The typical home in Dorchester County was built in 1975, 4 years before the typical one in Maryland.

There are fewer big homes in Dorchester County than in Maryland: 63% have 3 bedrooms or more, against 66%.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes

The FHA loan limit for this county is $541,287, and about 87% of owner-occupied homes in Dorchester County are worth less than that.

Monthly rent with utilities

Measured against HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,159), about 58% of rented homes in Dorchester County cost less.

With a mortgage

$1,704 a month

Maryland: $2,347 a month

Without a mortgage

$597 a month

Maryland: $753 a month

Owners with a mortgage

55%

Maryland: 71%

In Dorchester County, 55% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $1,704 a month, against $2,347 in Maryland. Without one it drops to $597.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

The typical home value in Dorchester County rose 43% since 2015–2019, more than in Maryland (33%).

The typical rent in Dorchester County rose 17% over the same time; in Maryland, it rose 23%.

While home values in Dorchester County changed +43% and rent +17%, the typical household income rose 17%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureDorchester CountyMarylandUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate4.7%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate0.8%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate2.5%3.4%
People per household 2.382.572.53
Drive alone 79%65%69%
Carpool 10%8%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimate4%3%
Walk or bike 2%2%3%
Work from home 7%19%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate2%2%
Typical commute 20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Households in Dorchester County are smaller: 2.38 people on average; in Maryland, 2.57.

In Dorchester County, 79% of workers drive alone to work; in Maryland, 65%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month in Dorchester County?

A typical home costs more than the typical income allows

We start with a typical home of $262,400, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 42% of the typical household income here, which is $61,839 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $93,271 a year.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Dorchester County. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $9,184 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$2,176

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$257,647
Total interest
$370,694
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $4,431 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,443 a month

  • Tight

    $1,443 to $1,855 a month

  • Hard

    more than $1,855 a month

    Your payment · 42%

Compared with the typical household income in Dorchester County ($61,839 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$2,176
Principal & interest$1,745
Property tax$206
Home insurance$109
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$116

You need at least $9,184 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

Buying a home

Buying a home in Dorchester County

Here you'll see how prices have changed, how Dorchester County compares with Maryland and the country, and what you'd pay each month with four kinds of loans.

How have home prices changed?

According to the FHFA House Price Index, home prices in Dorchester County rose 88% in the 10 years through 2025. FHFA's index follows the price of the same homes over the years.

Period Here Maryland United States
In 2025 +2.8% +2.7% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +59% +40% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +88% +60% +85%
See each year's change

The index follows the prices of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals on loans bought or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Dorchester County compared with Maryland and the United States

Home value, rent and household income, side by side. "Typical" is the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Dorchester $262,400
  • Maryland $419,900
  • United States $332,700
Typical rent a month
  • Dorchester $1,032
  • Maryland $1,705
  • United States $1,413
Typical household income a year
  • Dorchester $61,839
  • Maryland $103,678
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Dorchester compared with Maryland and the United States
MeasureHereMarylandU.S.
Residents32,7546,206,011334,922,499
Typical home value$262,400$419,900$332,700
Typical household income$61,839$103,678$80,734
Typical rent$1,032$1,705$1,413
Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms)$1,159$2,103$1,750
Hourly wage to rent a 2-bedroom$22.29$40.44$33.65
Typical property tax$2,456$4,093$3,119
Effective tax rate0.94%0.97%0.94%
Households that own their home66%68%65%
Renters spending 30% or more on rent56%51%51%
FHA limit (1 unit)*$541,287$630,200$541,287

FHA limit: Maryland shows the median of its counties; the United States, the national floor. Download CSV

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Dorchester County

For a typical $262,400 home at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, the county's property tax, an example homeowners insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

Loan Monthly payment Down payment Loan amount Rate Mortgage insurance Cash to close Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down $2,176 $9,184 $257,647 7.18% FHA MIP · $116 $17,056 580
Conventional, 5% down $2,128 $13,120 $249,280 7.18% PMI · $125 $20,992 620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,737 $52,480 $209,920 7.18% None $60,352 620*
ITIN, 15% down (example) $1,980 $39,360 $223,040 8.18% None $47,232 Set by the lender
  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Closing costs

Loan limits

FHA loans in Dorchester County use the national floor limit: it isn't a high-cost area. If the loan you need is above these amounts, it doesn't fit FHA or it becomes a "jumbo" loan.

VA loans. If you have full VA entitlement, VA doesn't cap the loan amount. If you've used part of your entitlement, the calculation uses the county limit ($832,750 for one unit). VA loan limits (va.gov)

USDA loans. They're for homes in eligible rural areas and households with incomes within USDA's limit. Check whether the address and your income qualify on the official site. USDA eligibility (usda.gov)

Home type FHA limit Conforming limit
1 unit $541,287 $832,750
2 units $693,050 $1,066,250
3 units $837,700 $1,288,800
4 units $1,041,125 $1,601,750

Source: HUD, 2026 data · Source: FHFA, 2026 data

Taxes and risks

Property tax and flooding in Dorchester County

Two costs that change a lot from place to place and that a house payment does include: property tax and, in risk zones, flood insurance.

Property tax

In Dorchester County, the typical owner pays $2,456 a year: about 0.94% of the home's value. That is close to the rest of Maryland and close to the national average.

  • Dorchester 0.94%
  • Maryland 0.97%
  • United States 0.94%

What Maryland publishes Homestead tax credit (cap on yearly assessment increases) (Maryland General Assembly (Annotated Code of Maryland, Tax-Property Article))

Exemptions and deadlines in Maryland

Is there a flood risk?

According to FEMA, in Dorchester County 15% of homes (2,374) are in a high-risk flood zone. Of those homes, 49% have NFIP flood insurance.

  • A high-risk zone (Special Flood Hazard Area) has a 1% or greater chance of flooding each year. (44 CFR 59.1)
  • If the home is in that zone and the loan comes from a regulated lender, federal law requires flood insurance for the life of the loan, in communities that take part in the NFIP. (42 U.S.C. 4012a)
  • Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. (FEMA, FloodSmart)

Source: FEMA, As of August 3, 2026

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Owning a home here

Owning a home in Dorchester County

The natural hazards FEMA measures in Dorchester County, a maintenance plan for your climate and what the trades earn in your area.

Risks to your home

FEMA, National Risk Index 1.20.0 (December 2025)

In Dorchester County, FEMA rates the natural hazard risk as relatively low.

FEMA builds that rating from three parts: expected loss, social vulnerability and community resilience.

In all, FEMA estimates natural hazards cause about $15.7 million in losses a year in Dorchester County, across buildings, people and crops.

The hazard that would do the most damage to homes and buildings here is coastal flooding: about $5.8 million a year.

Loss FEMA expects each year to homes and buildings, by hazard
  1. Coastal floodingRelatively high $5.8 million a year
  2. Inland floodingVery low $2 million a year
  3. HurricaneRelatively moderate $1.9 million a year
  4. WildfireRelatively low $476,607 a year
  5. EarthquakeVery low $225,439 a year

What it means for your home

The ratings are FEMA's own. FEMA says its data is meant for planning and does not replace a local study. Drought is not shown: FEMA counts its loss in crops only.

National Risk Index, version 1.20.0 (December 2025), retrieved November 6, 2026

FEMA notice: This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).

Climate and upkeep

Department of Energy (PNNL), 2021 IECC zones

The home energy code (IECC) puts Dorchester County in zone 4A: mixed and humid.

The zone's number says how hot or cold it gets; the letter says how humid: A is moist, B is dry and C is marine.

  • Spring

    • Book the air conditioner's check-up before the heat: ENERGY STAR advises checking the cooling system in the spring, because contractors get busy once summer comes. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
    • Clean and repair the roof gutters. EPA

  • Summer

    • Keep indoor humidity below 60 % (ideally between 30 % and 50 %). A humidity meter is inexpensive and sold at hardware stores. EPA
    • Keep the air conditioner's drip pan clean and its drain line flowing: a plugged drain can cause water damage in the house. ENERGY STAR (EPA)

  • Fall

    • Book the heating check-up in the fall. If it runs on gas or oil, the technician should check the connections: faulty ones are a fire hazard. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
    • Look for drafts at windows and doors: close the window on a piece of paper; if it moves back and forth easily, it needs thicker weather stripping. ENERGY STAR (EPA)

  • Winter

    • Get the house ready for the cold with insulation, caulking and weather stripping, and learn how to keep pipes from freezing. Ready.gov (FEMA)
    • Seal the air ducts that run through the attic, crawlspace, basement or garage with duct mastic or foil tape, then wrap them in insulation. ENERGY STAR (EPA)

All year

  • Check the air filter every month, especially in heavy-use months. If it looks dirty, change it; change it at least every 3 months. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
  • Test the smoke alarms every month and replace their batteries at least once a year. USFA (FEMA)

Each task comes from the official page beside it. The spring air-conditioning and fall heating check-ups are the timing ENERGY STAR advises; the rest is a suggested order.

Climate zones by county, 2021 IECC

What the trades charge here

BLS, wages for May 2025

TradeTypical hourly wage8 in 10 earn between
Electricians$28.19$21.66 and $46.38
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters$27.51$17.90 and $48.61
Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics$28.63$21.16 and $37.00
Roofers$22.95$19.18 and $41.95
Carpenters$23.24$15.00 and $34.37
Painters, construction and maintenance$21.69$16.31 and $25.37
Maintenance and repair workers, general$22.27$17.00 and $31.00

An electrician earns about $28.19 an hour in the Maryland nonmetropolitan area, and a plumber, about $27.51.

These are workers' hourly wages, not the price of a job.

Need help paying for a repair?

Renting

Renting in Dorchester County

The typical rent in Dorchester County is $1,032 a month. HUD also publishes a “fair market rent” by unit size: it's the one programs like Section 8 use.

56% of renter households in Dorchester County spend 30% or more of their income on housing. 29% spend half or more.

Fair market rent by size

To pay the fair market rent without spending more than 30% of income, working full time (40 hours a week).

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Income needed per year
Studio $868 $16.69 $34,720
1 bedroom $970 $18.65 $38,800
2 bedrooms $1,159 $22.29 $46,360
3 bedrooms $1,605 $30.87 $64,200
4 bedrooms $1,937 $37.25 $77,480

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

Free help in Dorchester County

Programs and counseling in Dorchester County

We didn't find HUD-approved agencies with an office in this county. These are the 4 nearest; many serve by phone or online.

Official programs for the down payment and loans for buyers. Check which ones you might qualify for with your income and your county.

A family roasts marshmallows over a campfire at a forest campsite.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Maryland down payment programs

  1. MMP 1st Time Advantage

    Maryland Mortgage Program mortgages for first-time buyers, with a deferred 0% second mortgage for the down payment: $6,000, or 3%, 4% or 5% of the loan

    First-time buyers only. Run by Maryland Mortgage Program (Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development).

    Deferred Verified November 5, 2026

  2. MMP Flex Loans

    Maryland Mortgage Program mortgages for first-time buyers and for people who have owned a home before; Flex 6000 brings $6,000 and Flex 3% brings 3% of the loan for the down payment, as a deferred 0% second loan

    No first-time requirement. Run by Maryland Mortgage Program (Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development).

    Deferred Verified November 5, 2026

  3. Maryland SmartBuy

    Maryland Mortgage Program loan of up to 15% of the price (maximum $25,000) to pay off your student debt when you buy a home; no interest or monthly payments, and forgiven after five years if you stay in the home

    First-time buyers only. Run by Maryland Mortgage Program (Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development).

    Forgivable Verified November 5, 2026

Which programs do I qualify for? See all Maryland programs

Help in Spanish in Dorchester County

1 of the 4 agencies on this list says it serves in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Public housing agencies

They run public housing and Section 8 vouchers (Housing Choice Vouchers) in this county.

Free legal help

If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.

Find legal aid (lsc.gov)

Housing counseling nearby

These are the nearest agencies, with the distance in miles. Many help by phone or online. Official HUD list. Confirm hours and fees with the agency before you go.

  • Habitat for Humanity Choptank

    29349 Maple Ave, Trappe · 16 miles away

    • Budget and financial counseling
    • Budget and credit workshops
    • and 8 more
    (410) 476-3204

  • Salisbury Neighborhood Housing Service, Inc

    560 Riverside Dr Ste A102, Salisbury · 24 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 7 more
    (410) 543-4626

  • Telamon Corporation - Salisbury Branch

    31901 Tri County Way, Salisbury · 30 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 7 more
    (919) 899-9911
See every agency in Maryland

Places

Cities in Dorchester County

This site has no city pages of Dorchester County. The neighboring counties are below.

See all 1 cities of Dorchester County

Nearby counties

Each row compares its typical value, typical rent and FHA limit with Dorchester County.

Read next

Guides that help here

We picked them by this county's numbers: what weighs most here is what's worth understanding first.

Frequently asked questions

What is the FHA loan limit in Dorchester County in 2026?

Dorchester County has an FHA limit of $541,287 for a one-unit home. For 2 units it's $693,050, for 3 it's $837,700 and for 4 it's $1,041,125. It's the national floor limit.

What is the conforming loan limit in Dorchester County?

Dorchester County has a conforming limit of $832,750 for one-unit conventional loans in 2026. A bigger loan is a “jumbo” loan.

How much does a typical home cost in Dorchester County?

The typical home value in Dorchester County is $262,400 (Average 2020–2024, U.S. Census). Across Maryland it's $419,900.

How much does it cost to rent in Dorchester County?

Dorchester County has a typical rent of $1,032 a month (Average 2020–2024, U.S. Census). HUD's fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $1,159 (Fiscal year 2027).

How much do you need to earn to rent a 2-bedroom apartment in Dorchester County?

About $22.29 an hour working full time (2,080 hours a year), or $46,360 a year, so the fair market rent of $1,159 stays under 30% of income.

Sources: American Community Survey (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (Fiscal year 2027); Income Limits (Fiscal year 2026); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (As of August 3, 2026); National Risk Index (2025 data); IECC climate zones by county (2021 data); Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (2025 data); Census Bureau cartographic boundary files (2024 data).