At a Glance
Median Income
$62,596
$24,240 per capita
Home Value
$209,600
Zillow: $235,372
Median Rent
$839/mo
27.8% of income on rent
Violent Crime
823/100K
1,946/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
7.8%
90.0% high school+
Unemployment
6.0%
6.8% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
37.6%
16.0% smoking rate
How Blades Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Blades's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Blades a Good Place to Live?
C+
2.8 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Blades residents earn a median household income of $62,596 , which is 17% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $24,240. The unemployment rate stands at 6.0% (67% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 6.8% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 11,171 business establishments, including 688 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Blades is $209,600 , 26% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $235,372. Median rent is $839/month, with 27.8% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 99.8 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1976.
Safety & Crime
Blades reports 823 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 117% above the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 1,946/100K.
Education
7.8% of adults in Blades hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(77% below the national average).
90.0% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.9/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Blades has an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C).
Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 43.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.
Data Overview
People
Population1,055
Median Age35.9 yrs
Density1,918/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Foreign Born10.3%
Veterans4.0%
Economy
B+
Median Income$62,596
Per Capita$24,240
Unemployment6.0%
Poverty6.8%
County GDP$23,356M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,059
Housing
A+
Home Value$209,600
Rent$839
Ownership83.2%
Zillow$235,372
Housing Units420
Rent Burden27.8%
Crime
F
Violent823/100K
Property1,946/100K
Health
Obesity37.6%
Diabetes11.5%
Smoking16.0%
Heart Disease5.8%
Premature Death9,330/100K
Climate
Avg Temp58°F
Rain43.9 in/yr
AQI40 (Good)
Elevation21 ft
Education
D
Bachelor's+7.8%
High School+90.0%
Graduate+3.3%
School Score5.9/10
Community
2024 VoteR 55% / D 44%
Commute27 min
Broadband93.1%
Internet Speed132 Mbps
EV Stations4
Libraries15
Did You Know?
Blades was founded in 1850.
The median home in Blades was built in 1976.
The nearest airport is Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional (21 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.457 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA.
17.6% of the population has a disability.
10.3% of residents are foreign-born.
Average internet download speed is 132 Mbps.
There are 688 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 42 fatal vehicle crashes.