Maryland · Metropolitan Area
Shady Side is a small town in Maryland with a population of 4,460. Residents earn $138,346 per year, which is 84% above the national average.
Based on current data, Shady Side receives an overall livability score of 4.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, long commute times. Shady Side stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.
The median household income in Shady Side is $138,346, which is significantly higher than the national average — 84% above $75,149. This places Shady Side among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.2%. Only 4.4% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 38 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.
The median home value in Shady Side is $446,800, making it a premium housing market at 58% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,204 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 3.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.
Educational attainment is solid, with 35.8% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 98.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.
Shady Side enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.
| English Only | 96.3% |
| 23% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 3.7% |
| 72% below US avg |
| Median HH Income | $138,346 |
| 84% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $65,833 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,530 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $108,818 |
| Unemployment | 2.2% |
| 39% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 4.4% |
| 65% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 15,974 |
| County GDP | $69,946M |
| Restaurants | 1,302 |
| Healthcare | 1,531 |
| Retail | 1,788 |
| Manufacturing | 227 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $5,568 |
| 59% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 1.25% |
| Commute Time | 37.7 min |
| Work from Home | 12.5% |
| Census Median | $446,800 |
| 58% above US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $417,928 |
| Median List Price | $525,000 |
| Median List Price | $525,000 |
| $/Sq Ft | $321 |
| Homes Sold | 5 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 97.7% |
| Price Drops | 25.0% |
| Inventory | 16 |
| Census Median Rent | $2,204 |
| 90% above US avg |
| Studio | $1,312 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,400 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,648 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,123 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,442 |
| Owner-Occupied | 87.2% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $5,568 |
| 59% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 1.25% |
| Obesity | 33.4% |
| 4% above US avg | |
| Diabetes | 8.2% |
| Heart Disease | 4.6% |
| High Blood Pressure | 30.1% |
| Asthma | 10.3% |
| COPD | 4.6% |
| Stroke | 2.4% |
| Binge Drinking | 19.3% |
| Physical Inactivity | 18.1% |
| Depression | 22.4% |
| Mental Distress | 16.1% |
| Physical Distress | 11.0% |
| Insurance Rate | 98.3% |
| Checkup Rate | 77.3% |
| Premature Death | 7,001/100K |
| Food Environment | 8.8/10 |
| Exercise Access | 93.3% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 1,531 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 46 |
| Annual Average | 58.8°F |
| 9% above US avg | |
| January Average | 37°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 8 ft (2 m) |
| Area | 6.7 sq mi (17.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 671/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.8290°N, 76.5196°W |
| County FIPS | 24003 |
Winner: Democrat by 13.9 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% |
| 6% above US avg | |
| High School+ | 98.5% |
| School Test Score | 5.85 |
| RUCC Code 1 | Metro — 1 million+ |
| Population Density | 671/sq mi |
| Total Area | 6.7 sq mi |
| Public Libraries | 16 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 1,531 |
| Restaurants | 1,302 |
| Retail Stores | 1,788 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 46 |
| Avg Commute | 37.7 min |
| Work from Home | 12.5% |