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Westover

Westover

$275,773 Average Value

Westover’s rural charm and salt marsh landscapes

Tucked amid the marshes and creeks that line Maryland’s lower Eastern Shore, Westover is a rural community rooted in the agricultural and fishing industries. Westover itself is a small unincorporated community away from the shore. Still, its 21871 postal code encompasses several small communities and villages that expand into the western marshlands of Fairmount and Frenchtown-Rumbly. “There aren’t many amenities in Westover,” says Tim Arnett, Realtor with ERA Martin Associates. “It’s extremely rural, but tributaries still lead out to the Chesapeake Bay. So, if you’re looking for an affordable waterfront home and don’t have to worry about commuting to work or don’t mind a long drive, it’s a beautiful place to live.”



U.S. Route 13 bisects the community, connecting residents north to Princess Anne and south to Crisfield. Wide-open farmland and tidal marshlands frame its landscape, while winding country roads weave past clusters of homes, working farms and small churches before reaching the western marshes feeding the Manokin River. Rumbley Road leads to a fork in the road, where narrow paved streets lead to skinny stretches of land surrounded by water, offering residents sweeping views and a coastal rural lifestyle.

Weaving waterways, state parks and nearby green spaces

Weaving waterways and nearby state parks offer a wealth of outdoor opportunities for boating, fishing and camping. Marinas and ramps that cater to everything from skiffs to crabbing boats dot the Pocomoke River, the Big Annemessex River and smaller coves around its shores. Miles of waterways entice paddlers, crabbers and birders, while private docks line the river bends. Striped bass season runs from May to December, while blue crabs and oyster harvests span throughout the year. The area’s waterways provide a gateway to the Chesapeake Bay, with crab shacks and tackle shops dotting the landscape.



Janes Island State Park and Deal Island State Wildlife Management Area, both just a short drive away, invite residents and visitors to explore miles of trails, campgrounds, wildlife viewing spots and vast hunting grounds that are open during the scheduled season. Additional campgrounds are scattered around the community. Raccoon Point Beach & Park offers a small beach and picnic pavilion along the Manokin River. Assateague Island National Seashore’s white sand beaches and wild horses await about 30 miles west.



Closer to home, the Great Hope Golf Course offers an 18-hole course with manicured fairways. Up the road, the Somerset County Recreation and Parks Department maintains four athletic fields and a pavilion that is available to rent. Additional green spaces await several miles north in Princess Anne, where town parks and the Garland Hayward Youth Center offer playgrounds, sports facilities and indoor recreation spaces. The county’s newest amenity includes the 413 Rail to Trail, a paved trail along the region’s old railroad tracks. When completed, it will span 12 miles from Crisfield to Westover.

Farmhouses, coastal cottages and mobile homes

Westover offers a mix of home styles that range from modest farmhouses, Cape Cods and coastal cottages to ramblers, manufactured homes and occasional new construction. Housing prices in Westover are among the most affordable in Maryland, contributing to the post-pandemic shift that has seen an influx of out-of-staters looking to buy in the area. “I get a lot of buyers from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Virginia,” Arnett says. “They are often selling their home and coming here with cash. You can easily get a large home on acreage for less than half the price than where they came from.” Most properties in Westover range from the high-$100,000s to the mid-$300,000s. Some of Westover’s most expensive homes offer coastal views and private docks in the $500,000s. Some homes on acreage can sell for more, but those tend to rarely come on the market. Somerset County's public water and sewer system serve several residential pockets in Westover, Fairmount and Frenchtown-Rumbly, while other homes feature private wells and septic systems.

Nearby amenities in Princess Anne

U.S. Route 13 is home to most of the area’s commercial development. Local establishments include a Dollar General, a fishing supply store, a post office and Somerset County offices.



Several miles north, Princess Anne features a small downtown strip dotted with antique shops, hardware stores and casual, quaint eateries like Squeaky’s Cafe. Sugar Water, housed in the historic 1744 Washington Hotel, serves up fine-dining farm-to-table fare. Ingredients are sourced from the owner’s private 115-acre farm, which also features a bed and breakfast. Other businesses range from small bakeries and pizza joints to hardware stores and chain grocers like Food Lion and Dollar General. Larger retailers are found in Pocomoke City, about 10 miles from Westover, and in Salisbury, 20 miles north.

Educational offerings along the Eastern Shore

Somerset County Public Schools earns an overall C rating from Niche. Kindergarteners through second graders may attend Princess Anne Elementary, which scores a C-plus. Second through fifth graders may then attend Greenwood Elementary, which garners a C. Other C-rated schools include Somerset Intermediate School and Washington Academy and High School. High schoolers can enroll in vocational courses in partnership with the Somerset County Technical High School, with classes ranging from engineering to culinary arts.



For higher education opportunities, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Salisbury University sit within a 20-mile drive. The region’s rural character attracts hundreds of seasonal workers, many of whom power the fields, poultry farms and seafood operations that define the local economy. To support these vital workers, Salisbury University runs the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), which provides scholarships, essentials, and financial help for agricultural laborers and their families.

Getting around Somerset County

Shore Transit serves the area, but service is limited. One bus stop along Crisfield Highway connects riders north to Princess Anne and south to Crisfield. Due to the limited public transit service, many residents rely on personal vehicles to get around. U.S. Route 13 is the main artery through town, connecting Westover to Princess Anne, Crisfield and the rest of Somerset County. Salisbury’s TidalHealth Peninsula Regional is the nearest hospital, less than 25 miles north, while Salisbury Regional Airport offers direct daily flights to Philadelphia and Charlotte.

Living on the Chesapeake Bay

Westover’s location along the Chesapeake Bay makes it highly susceptible to nor’easters, heavy rains and the occasional hurricane. Due to its low-lying marshlands, a large swath of residential and agricultural land that encompasses the west side of Westover is at high risk of flooding, while the risk decreases farther inland. Homebuyers are responsible for checking flood maps and obtaining insurance, while new construction must follow strict building codes. Somerset County’s CodeRED alert system keeps the community informed, and additional emergency preparedness information is available on Somerset County’s website
Lillie Duston
Written By
Lillie Duston

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Schools

Source:
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Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional

52 min drive

Bus

Dash In - South

Bus

Westover Park And Ride

Bus

Somerset County Health Department

Bus

Sign Post Road

Bus

Dash In - North

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
660
Median Year Built
1968
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,478
Significantly below the national average
1,927
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
43,560

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to John Terrell, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
4,806
Median Age
42
Population under 18
7.1%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.9%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$65,180
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$76,094

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
72.7%
College Graduates
8.4%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
2.6%
% Population in Labor Force
20.7%
Significantly below the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
42''
Average Winter Low Temperature
31°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
2''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

25 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

0 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Reviews

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Westover