WICOMICO COUNTY
Administrative Offices
125 North Division Street
Salisbury, MD 410-548-4801
www.wicomicocounty.org
Chamber of Commerce
144 East Main Street
Salisbury 410-749-0144
www.salisburyarea.com
Highways
U.S. 50, U.S. 13
As the regional center of the four-season wonderland of the Eastern Shore, Wicomico County provides endless opportunities for your favorite outdoor adventures and activities. This remarkably varied and scenic landscape stretches west from the windswept Atlantic barrier islands across lush countryside, woodlands and uniquely beautiful rivers to the shores of the Chesapeake Bay—all within a 30-mile radius! The delightful college town of Salisbury is the hub of activity and amenities for the county—a vibrant community of historic charm, colleges and a regional hospital, eateries, restaurants and wonderful shops.
The county’s centralized location in relationship to other Eastern Shore communities makes it a convenient place to live, work, play and do business. Ocean City, distinguished as one of the nation’s premier beach resorts, is just a short drive from home in neighboring Worcester County. The close proximity of these two areas translates into virtually unlimited recreational opportunities for residents of Wicomico County. Exceptional natural resources in forests and parklands combine with Ocean City’s sprawling shopping centers, amusements, theme parks, entertainment spots, three-mile boardwalk, glittering nightlife and miles of white-sand beaches.
Economy and Transportation
From its agricultural and maritime roots, Wicomico County has developed a viable and growing economic base. The City of Salisbury serves as the undisputed center of commercial and industrial activity. Here, a flourishing poultry industry led by Perdue joins diverse companies like Grumman and Campbell’s Soup in addition to an expanding service sector. Salisbury also brings education and healthcare to the forefront of the county’s economic profile with a regional hospital and two institutions of higher education including a state university.
Via U.S. 50, an efficient network of major highways forms connections to the area’s interstates and bridges, linking Worcester County with the major metropolitan areas like Baltimore and Washington, D.C. but also with key points across the state line in Delaware. Trucking, rail and shipping facilities combine with international airports in the Baltimore/Washington statistical area to meet the distribution needs of business and industry.
Education and Healthcare
Area youth receive a quality education in the public school district, served by a dedicated staff and modern, well-equipped classrooms. The presence of two colleges in the county intensifies the emphasis placed on education and fosters an intellectually stimulating environment for students of all ages. Both parochial schools and independent schools provide options for a private education from preschool through 12th grade. Those seeking a higher education can find a wealth of resources just beyond their front doorstep.
Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury provides a wealth of educational opportunity for a five-county region. Continuing education, college-track programs, Associate’s degrees, certifications, and training programs in collaboration with local businesses are all included in the expansive curriculum. Salisbury State University, also located in Salisbury, is part of the Maryland State University System and awards both undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Salisbury also serves as the medical center for Wicomico County and surrounding rural areas. The Peninsula Regional Medical Center is a 400-bed healthcare provider that provides a full range of medical and surgical specialties from trauma services to neurosurgery and oncology. This outstanding facility employs approximately 2,000 professionals and maintains a medical staff of over 200 highly qualified physicians.
Lifestyle
Leisure hours in Wicomico County usually revolve around the water. Around every corner is a boat rental shop, charter boats, boat ramp, dockage or marina. Out on the Chesapeake Bay, you’ll see watermen at work, laboring at a trade that has spanned the centuries. On any given weekend, you might decide to cruise the Wicomico River, rent a canoe in Snow Hill and paddle the Pocomoke River, or perhaps cross the bay to Tangier and Smith Islands on daily excursions from Crisfield. Perhaps you’ll want to take a headboat from Crisfield into Tangier Sound for sea trout, perch and flounder. Ocean City’s charter fleet departs in search of tuna, dolphin and marlin. Drop your fishing line from the Choptank River Pier in Cambridge or fish any of the prolific rivers and ponds that are brimming with bass.
Whether or not you decide to grow “sea legs,” Wicomico County excels in recreational opportunities. In fact, few locales in the nation can rival the mix of first-rate urban amenities and services like those found in Salisbury with unspoiled and diverse wilderness. Endless outdoor adventures are waiting between the Pocomoke and Nanticoke Rivers. Throughout the county, you’ll delight in countless species of birds and wildlife, dazzling varieties of trees and wildflowers, scenic rivers and marshes and primeval forests that hold the mysteries of the ages. The backroads and byways as well as designated parkland trails are ideal for biking, hiking, jogging and horseback riding.
Those who enjoy shopping for antiques and collectibles will find a plethora of distinctive shops and boutiques tucked away in charming historic districts. For expanded shopping, Ocean City’s array of outlet stores and malls are just minutes from home. Minor league baseball with the Delmarva Shorebirds, collegiate sports, special events and festivals, historic sites and fine museums are all a part of Wicomico life.
Those with an appreciation for the visual and performing arts will be delighted with Salisbury State University’s calendar of cultural events. Dance concerts, lectures, live stage productions, international films and art exhibits ensure a constant flow of quality engagements. Other galleries and cultural centers in the area include the Art Institute Gallery with exhibits of Eastern Shore artists. One of the more unique venues is the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, a showcase for the handiwork of decoy carvers. These magnificent pieces have evolved beyond hunter’s tools and transitioned into a respected fine art form. The museum’s periodic competitions are especially mesmerizing to watch. For live waterfowl, stop by the Salisbury Zoo—acclaimed as one of the top small zoos in the nation.
As you might imagine in an area that was settled in the early 1600s, historic sites abound. Popular attractions include Pemberton Hall and Park, a 1741 plantation home noted for its interior paneling, or the Poplar Hill mansion with its Federal period styling. Even a ride across the Wicomico River can be an historic occasion when you board one of the cable-operated ferries that have been in operation for nearly 300 years!
Housing options in this enchanting “land between the waters” range from modest older homes nestled in quiet neighborhoods to impressive Colonials and Victorians lining the walks of meticulously landscaped historic districts. Waterfront properties, country estates, cozy bungalows, expansive ranches and magnificent luxury homes with generous acreage are just a few of the possibilities. For an evening out, local restaurants offer everything from mouth-watering, all-you-can-eat crab feasts to gourmet specialties. Once you savor the pleasures of Chesapeake Bay living, it’s likely that Wicomico County will be your choice as the ideal place to call home.
Salisbury
City Offices
410-548-3140
https://salisbury.md
Chamber of Commerce
410-749-0144
www.salisburyarea.com
Ideally situated along the Wicomico River, Salisbury offers a well-maintained waterfront graced by scenic pathways and enhanced by a lively commercial district. Swimming, fishing, hunting, camping and boating are popular pastimes. Local colleges offer a variety of spectator sports, while professional tennis and golf tournaments regularly attract top-name players. Serving as the county’s retail and industrial center, Salisbury is also home to a regional hospital, a regional community college and Salisbury State University. The admission-free Salisbury Zoo provides naturalistic enclosures for almost 500 species native to North, Central and South America. Pemberton Park offers 207 acres that includes 4.5 miles of nature trails, environmental education, historical interpretation and special event activities.
