Somerset County Demographics

A map of Somerset County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	12,613	12,886	50.8%	52.3%
Black	9,559	9,449	38.5%	38.4%
Multiracial	1,155	810	4.7%	3.3%
Hispanic	1,144	1,075	4.6%	4.4%
Asian	185	250	0.7%	1.0%
Native American/Other	166	150	0.7%	0.6%

Somerset County, Maryland has an estimated population of 24,822, a less than 1% change from the 24,620 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 50.8% White, 38.5% Black, 4.7% Multiracial, 4.6% Hispanic, 0.7% Asian, and 0.7% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Somerset County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Somerset has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Maryland overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Somerset County, that probability was 57.6% in 2020 and 58.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Somerset County is ranked the 23rd most populous county in Maryland, out of 24 counties. Somerset County was ranked the 23rd most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Somerset County's White Population

12,613 residents of Somerset County, or 50.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Somerset County is slightly higher than in Maryland overall, where 46.6% of the population is White. Somerset County ranks 18th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 24 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Somerset County's White population has declined by an estimated 2.1%. White residents' share of Somerset County's population has decreased from 52.3% to 50.8%.

Somerset County is less White than neighboring Accomack County (58.1% White), Wicomico County (57.9% White), Dorchester County (60.7% White), Northumberland County (68.3% White), and Worcester County (77.8% White).

Somerset County's Black Population

9,559 residents of Somerset County, or 38.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Somerset County is higher than in Maryland overall, where 28.9% of the population is Black. Somerset County ranks 4th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 24 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Somerset County's Black population has grown by an estimated 1.2%. Black residents' share of Somerset County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 38.5%.

Somerset County is more Black than neighboring Accomack County (27.1% Black), Wicomico County (26.5% Black), Dorchester County (24.8% Black), Northumberland County (19.1% Black), and Worcester County (12% Black).

Somerset County's Asian Population

185 residents of Somerset County, or 0.7% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Somerset County is lower than in Maryland overall, where 6.5% of the population is Asian. Somerset County ranks 23rd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 24 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Somerset County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 26.0%. Asian residents' share of Somerset County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Somerset County is less Asian than neighboring Wicomico County (2.4% Asian), Dorchester County (1.2% Asian), Northumberland County (4.4% Asian), and Worcester County (1.4% Asian).

Somerset County's Hispanic Population

1,144 residents of Somerset County, or 4.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Somerset County is lower than in Maryland overall, where 12.5% of the population is Hispanic. Somerset County ranks 21st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 24 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Somerset County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 6.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Somerset County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.6%.

Somerset County is more Hispanic than neighboring Northumberland County (3.5% Hispanic), and Worcester County (4% Hispanic). Somerset County is less Hispanic than neighboring Accomack County (10.9% Hispanic), Wicomico County (7.1% Hispanic), and Dorchester County (6.1% Hispanic).

Somerset County's Native American/Other Population

166 residents of Somerset County, or 0.7% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Somerset County is comparable to the share in Maryland overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Somerset County ranks 16th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 24 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Somerset County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 10.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Somerset County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Somerset County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Accomack County (0.4% Native American/Other), and Wicomico County (0.6% Native American/Other). Somerset County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Dorchester County (0.8% Native American/Other), Northumberland County (0.9% Native American/Other), and Worcester County (0.8% Native American/Other).

Somerset County's Multiracial Population

1,155 residents of Somerset County, or 4.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Somerset County is comparable to the share in Maryland overall, where 4.6% of the population is Multiracial. Somerset County ranks 21st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 24 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Somerset County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 42.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Somerset County's population has increased from 3.3% to 4.7%.

Somerset County is more Multiracial than neighboring Accomack County (2.8% Multiracial), Northumberland County (3.7% Multiracial), and Worcester County (4% Multiracial). Somerset County is less Multiracial than neighboring Wicomico County (5.4% Multiracial), and Dorchester County (6.4% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.