Parsonsburg offers a slow pace of life between the city and the beach
Country living is within reach of the beach in Parsonsburg. This small, rural community on Maryland’s Eastern Shore rests less than 10 miles outside the city of Salisbury. “It’s a very popular place to buy. You can get land there and get a nice home and be close to the beach,” says Talane Hastings, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty who grew up in Salisbury. While newcomers are drawn to the community because it’s only 25 miles from Ocean City, some families have lived in Parsonsburg for generations. Hastings, whose family has lived in the area since the 1600s, says the area is predominately remote farmland. "You’re coming into Salisbury for shopping,” she says. Along with close-knit schools, Parsonsburg offers a short commute to one of Wicomico County’s top employers, Perdue Farms. The company’s corporate offices, as well as a grain facility, are about 4 miles away.
Historic farmhouses, Cape Cods and ranch-style homes on spacious lots
The median price for a single-family home here is around $255,000, well below national numbers. Most properties fall between $200,000 and $400,000. “It’s the first little town where you see a bump up in market value due to proximity to the beach,” Hastings says. The market moves fairly quickly, with properties selling after about 30 days, compared to the national average of nearly 50 days. While ranch-style homes and Cape Cods are common, the center of Parsonsburg features early 1900s Colonial Revivals and farmhouses. Lots are typically an acre or more. Potential buyers should note that properties usually have private wells and septic tanks. According to FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wicomico County has a relatively moderate risk for hurricanes.
Public and private education options in Parsonsburg
Wicomico County Public Schools receives a B overall rating from Niche. The district has about 15,000 students across 26 schools. “Parsonsburg has a couple of small elementary schools, which parents love because they can accommodate the kids and it's not overcrowded,” Hastings says. Most students in Parsonsburg can start at the B-plus-rated Beaver Run Elementary, which offers pre-kindergarten through second grade. Third through fifth graders can attend East Salisbury Elementary, which gets a C-plus, before moving on to the C-plus-rated Wicomico Middle and the B-minus-rated Wicomico High. A small portion of the community is zoned for Willards Elementary, which receives a B-minus rating and has pre-kindergarten through third grade, the B-minus-rated Pittsville Elementary & Middle and the B-rated Parkside High.
Salisbury offers private options like the A-plus-rated Salisbury School as well as higher education. Wor-Wic Community College is less than 3 miles from the center of Parsonsburg, while Salisbury University is around 10 miles away.
Salisbury offers public parks, a county fair and Minor League baseball
A few parks and green spaces are a short drive from Parsonsburg to Salisbury’s far eastern outskirts. The over 380-acre Community Park at WinterPlace has a playground, a hiking trail through the woods and several facilities for sports like softball, basketball and tennis. The Wicomico Equestrian Center is next door. One weekend each August, the park and equestrian center are bustling with visitors for the annual Wicomico County Fair, which features a rodeo, car shows, livestock exhibits, classic fair foods and more. The Delmarva Shorebirds play Minor League Baseball games nearby at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium. Salisbury offers parks and a zoo along the Wicomico River. South of Parsonsburg, Wicomico Demonstration State Forest has several hiking trails that can be enjoyed on foot, by bike or horseback. Ocean City’s beaches and Assateague State Park are around 25 miles away.
Two restaurants are close to home, but most shopping takes place in Salisbury
A few local businesses, a convenience store and a couple of restaurants dot Parsonsburg. Tall Tales Taphouse, a beloved spot off U.S. Route 50, serves brick oven pizzas and pub fare with pints of craft beer. Its stone patio is a popular spot to enjoy happy hours outdoors. The no-frills Village Inn Family Restaurant & Tavern is a regulars’ haunt for homestyle meals and rounds of pool. Hastings says most residents head to Salisbury for shopping. The city’s indoor mall, The Centre at Salisbury, features dozens of name-brand stores, while downtown Salisbury features boutiques, a variety of restaurants and art galleries. Food Lion is the closest grocery chain, about 5 miles from the center of Parsonsburg.
Country roads, highway access and public transportation on the Eastern Shore
Due to its rural character, Parsonsburg is car-dependent. Two-lane country roads lead to. U.S. Route 50, also known as the Ocean Gateway. The highway slices through the center of the community, connecting commuters to Ocean City, about 23 miles east. Downtown Salisbury is around 8 miles west and is home to TidalHealth Peninsula Regional, the closest hospital.
While Shore Transit buses are not available within Parsonsburg, the agency’s bus terminal is a few miles away. Salisbury Regional Airport is at most a 12-mile drive and offers a handful of daily flights through American Airlines to cities like Baltimore. Hastings says the airport will soon offer a direct flight to Orlando, Florida.
