CountyScore

Caroline County

Maryland · MD

#10 in Maryland
65.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Caroline County, Maryland

Caroline outperforms national baseline

Caroline County's composite score of 65.4 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 31%, indicating solid livability across diverse households. The county delivers above-average performance despite being a smaller, more rural jurisdiction.

Slightly above Maryland's state average

At 65.4, Caroline edges above Maryland's 63.9 state average, ranking it in the upper-middle tier of the state's counties. The county performs well despite its rural character and smaller economic footprint.

Affordability and tax burden shine bright

Caroline excels with a cost score of 69.0, median rent of $1,070, and median home values of just $272,400—among the state's most affordable. The tax score of 76.3 and effective rate of 0.922% make property ownership accessible.

Income and health scores need strengthening

The income score of 26.7 reflects a median household income of $66,368, significantly below state averages and limiting wealth-building potential. A health score of 66.2 suggests room for improvement in healthcare access and outcomes.

Ideal for rural families and retirees

Caroline suits families prioritizing affordability and rural living over high wages and urban amenities, plus retirees on modest incomes. It works best for those valuing space and financial accessibility over maximum earning potential.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax76.3Cost69SafetyComing SoonHealth66.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.7Risk54.3WaterComing Soon
🏛76.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠69
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡54.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Caroline County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Barrow County
Georgia
65.4
Median income: $77,477
Grady County
Georgia
65.4
Median income: $54,312
Tattnall County
Georgia
65.4
Median income: $52,351
Vanderburgh County
Indiana
65.4
Median income: $60,938
Barber County
Kansas
65.4
Median income: $57,615

Deep Dives

Caroline County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Caroline County

via TaxByCounty

Caroline County taxes near national median

Caroline County's effective tax rate of 0.922% sits just above the national median of 0.890%, placing it in roughly the 50th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $2,513 on homes valued at $272,400 represents a balanced tax burden close to national norms.

Slightly below Maryland's average

Caroline County's effective rate of 0.922% sits just below the state average of 0.957%, ranking it in the middle range of Maryland counties. The median property tax of $2,513 falls well below the state median of $3,328, reflecting both lower home values and a modest tax rate.

Favorable compared to nearby counties

Caroline's 0.922% rate beats Cecil (0.981%) and Allegany (1.078%) but trails Anne Arundel (0.852%) and Calvert (0.876%). On home values similar to state median, Caroline residents pay significantly less in annual property taxes than most Maryland jurisdictions.

What you pay on a typical home

On Caroline's median home value of $272,400, the effective tax rate of 0.922% comes to roughly $2,513 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $2,536 per year, while those owning outright pay around $2,478.

You may be overassessed

Caroline County homeowners should verify that their property assessments reflect current market values, as overvaluation occurs even in modest housing markets. Filing an appeal is free and straightforward, and successful challenges can meaningfully reduce your annual tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Caroline County

via CostByCounty

Caroline County's rural affordability

Caroline County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.4% is slightly above Maryland's 18.3% state average but remains affordable compared to urban and premium suburban markets. With a median household income of $66,368 and $1,070 median rent, the county offers accessible housing for working-class families.

Below-average costs, below-average income

Caroline County ranks toward the bottom of Maryland's income distribution but maintains reasonable housing affordability through proportionally low rents at $1,070 per month. The county's 19.4% rent-to-income ratio reflects a balance between modest wages and modest housing costs.

Affordable rural alternative

Caroline's $1,070 median rent is lower than neighboring Cecil County ($1,367) and considerably less than Baltimore County ($1,566) and Anne Arundel ($1,990). However, Caroline's lower median income of $66,368 means residents have fewer overall resources compared to wealthier neighboring counties.

Caroline's working-family reality

Renters pay $1,070 monthly while homeowners pay $1,314 for mortgages on homes averaging $272,400 in value—accessible prices for rural Maryland. With a median household income of $66,368, housing consumes 19.4% for renters and 23.7% for owners, manageable for families with stable employment.

Caroline for rural seekers

Caroline County appeals to families earning $60,000–$80,000 who prioritize low housing costs and rural living over urban amenities. Compare Caroline's $1,070 rents and $272,400 homes to Baltimore City or Anne Arundel to appreciate the county's affordability advantage for budget-conscious relocators.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Caroline County

via IncomeByCounty

Caroline County trails national income average

Caroline County's median household income of $66,368 runs 11% below the national median of $74,755, reflecting the economic constraints of rural Eastern Shore communities. The county's per capita income of $33,898 also lags national benchmarks.

Lower-middle tier in Maryland income rankings

Caroline County's median household income of $66,368 ranks in the lower-middle tier of Maryland counties, trailing the state average of $94,152 by nearly $28,000. The county's per capita income of $33,898 falls well below the state average of $46,948.

Comparable to other rural Eastern Shore counties

Caroline County's median household income of $66,368 exceeds only Allegany County ($57,393) among Maryland's smaller jurisdictions, but trails Cecil County ($91,146) and other northern counties. Eastern Shore communities generally face steeper income challenges than Baltimore region or Western Maryland.

Affordable housing supports household budgets

Caroline County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.4% indicates manageable housing costs, well below the 30% cost-burden threshold. With median home values of $272,400, the county offers relatively affordable homeownership for regional standards.

Start small, build steadily over time

Caroline County's lower incomes require disciplined financial planning, but affordable housing creates opportunities for savings and investment. Open a high-yield savings account, contribute even modest amounts to retirement accounts, and explore employer benefits that match or enhance your contributions.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Caroline County

via HealthByCounty

Caroline faces serious health gaps

Caroline County residents live to just 74.5 years, 4.3 years below the U.S. average of 78.8 years. More than 1 in 5 residents report poor or fair health—among the highest rates nationally—signaling a county in health crisis.

Worst health outcomes in Maryland

At 74.5 years, Caroline County's life expectancy ranks among Maryland's lowest, trailing the state average of 77.0 years by 2.5 years. The county's 21.6% poor/fair health rate is the highest in the state by a significant margin.

Severe provider shortage

Caroline County has the fewest primary care providers in Maryland at just 30 per 100,000 residents—compared to Cecil's 40 and Allegany's 53. Mental health support is critically sparse at 69 providers per 100,000, creating a dual crisis of health need and scarcity of providers.

Uninsured rate compounds crisis

Caroline's uninsured rate of 8.7% is the highest in Maryland and 2.3 percentage points above the state average. Combined with severe provider shortages and a rural geography, residents struggle to access basic primary and mental health care.

Get covered—don't delay

If you're uninsured in Caroline County, health coverage is essential and available. Call 1-855-642-8572 or visit marylandhealthcare.org to enroll in an affordable plan and connect with the primary care and mental health support your community desperately needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Caroline County

via RiskByCounty

Caroline County's risk falls modestly below national norms

Caroline County's composite risk score of 45.71 earns a "Relatively Low" rating, placing it safely below the national average for natural disaster exposure. The county's Eastern Shore location insulates it from some—but not all—major hazard types.

Mid-pack safety within Maryland

Caroline County's 45.71 score sits substantially below Maryland's state average of 60.22, ranking it in the safer half of Maryland's 24 jurisdictions. The county avoids the extreme risk levels of Baltimore City and County while facing greater hazards than Calvert County (28.91).

Caroline ranks safer than most regional peers

Caroline County (45.71) faces lower overall risk than Anne Arundel (81.87), Baltimore County (93.99), and Baltimore City (95.01), but higher risk than Calvert County (28.91). Its Eastern Shore position creates geographic insulation from the worst urban and coastal concentrations.

Hurricanes and wildfires pose main threats

Caroline County residents face elevated hurricane risk (88.15) and significant wildfire exposure (63.74), reflecting its Eastern Shore location and forested terrain. Earthquake (52.77) and flood (53.40) hazards remain moderate, while tornado danger is minimal (24.14).

Focus on wind and forest fire protection

Caroline County homeowners should prioritize windstorm coverage for hurricane season and verify adequate protection for wildfire risk, particularly in forested areas. Flood insurance is advisable for properties in designated zones, and periodic policy reviews ensure coverage stays current.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.