🏡 About Somerset County
Somerset County is Maryland's smallest county by population — approximately 24,000 residents on Maryland's lower Eastern Shore — and one of its most economically challenged. Yet this remote peninsula has a cultural richness, natural beauty, and genuine community character that make it truly distinctive. Princess Anne is home to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), a historically Black university with 3,000+ students that serves as the county's cultural and economic anchor.
Crisfield, the county's second city, is Maryland's self-proclaimed 'Crab Capital' — a working waterman city on Tangier Sound that has harvested blue crabs from the Chesapeake Bay for generations. The authentic waterman culture, the boat trips to Smith Island and Tangier Island, and the raw beauty of the Bay make Somerset County a genuinely unique Maryland community.
With 4 mobile home parks, Somerset County offers Maryland's most affordable lot rents — as low as $225–$400/month — in a setting of extraordinary natural beauty and cultural authenticity. This is not for everyone, but for residents who value affordability, outdoor access, and genuine community over urban amenities, Somerset County offers an unmatched combination.
💰 Lot Rent
- Princess Anne area: $275–$400/month
- Crisfield area: $250–$375/month
- Deal Island/rural area: $225–$350/month
- Westover area: $250–$375/month
- Maryland's most affordable county
🚗 Commuting
- Salisbury via Route 13 north: 30 minutes
- Crisfield to Smith Island ferry: seasonal service
- Virginia border via Route 13: 15 minutes
- Ocean City via Route 413/50: 75 minutes
- No MARC service — car-dependent region
- UMES campus: walking distance from Princess Anne parks
🏢 Major Employers
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES): major employer
- PRMC/TidalHealth system (Salisbury nearby)
- Somerset County Public Schools
- Seafood processing and watermen industry
- Somerset County Government
- Agriculture and aquaculture
- UMES athletics and cultural events
🏫 Schools & Amenities
Somerset County Public Schools serves approximately 2,800 students. UMES is the county's primary four-year institution, offering a range of degree programs and serving as a major cultural anchor. Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury is accessible via Route 13. Shopping is limited in Somerset County — a Dollar General network serves small towns while residents travel to Salisbury's Walmart Supercenter for major shopping. Healthcare is anchored by TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury (30 min). J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake in Crisfield (July) is one of Maryland's most beloved community festivals.
⚖️ Tenant Rights
Maryland law: 90 days notice for rent increases, 6 months before closure, right of first refusal if park sold. Free help: Maryland Legal Aid (800) 639-6137
📍 Key Areas
Princess Anne (21853): The county seat and home to UMES. Anchor Management at 10936 Market Lane (410-651-2000) provides the primary mobile home community near the university campus and Route 13 corridor. Princess Anne has a charming historic district, the Teackle Mansion, and the cultural energy of a college town.
Crisfield (21817): Maryland's iconic crab capital on Tangier Sound. Crisfield Mobile Home Estates serves this tight-knit waterman community famous for blue crabs, soft-shell crabs, and the ferry service to Smith Island — Maryland's only inhabited offshore island, home to a unique dialect and community that has changed little in 300 years. The National Hard Crab Derby (Labor Day weekend) is one of Maryland's most beloved annual events.
Deal Island (21821): One of Maryland's most remote and authentic communities — a true tidal island accessible by road via Route 363. Deal Island Mobile Home Park serves this small waterman community known for its skipjack sailboat fleet, the last working commercial sailing fleet in the United States. The Deal Island Skipjack Race (Labor Day) is a beloved annual tradition.
Westover (21871): A small community on Route 13 in rural Somerset County. Westover Mobile Home Court serves this area with affordable housing along the county's main transportation corridor.
❓ FAQ
What is Smith Island and how do you get there from Somerset County?
Smith Island is Maryland's only inhabited offshore island — accessible only by boat. The Smith Island ferry operates seasonally from Crisfield, taking about 45 minutes each way. Smith Island is famous for the Smith Island cake (Maryland's official state dessert), its unique Chesapeake dialect, and an authentic waterman lifestyle unchanged for generations. Somerset County mobile home park residents can take the ferry as a day trip.
Is UMES a good university?
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is one of Maryland's historically Black universities (HBCUs) with strong programs in agriculture, marine sciences, pharmacy, and engineering. UMES has a growing research profile and provides significant cultural and economic benefit to Princess Anne and Somerset County.
How affordable is Somerset County really?
Somerset County's lot rents of $225–$400/month are the lowest in Maryland. A resident who owns their home outright and pays $275/month lot rent has total housing costs under $500/month — potentially the most affordable permanent housing situation available anywhere in the Maryland/DC/Virginia region. This extreme affordability, combined with unique cultural character, makes Somerset County a legitimate option for workers in Salisbury or remote workers seeking maximum affordability.