$573,672Average Value$341Average Price per Sq Ft11Homes For Sale
A watermen’s island on Maryland’s Eastern Shore
A mound of oyster shells and a yacht club tell the story of Tilghman Island. The 3-mile-long island on Maryland’s Eastern Shore thrived in the late 1800s thanks to oyster harvesting. Discarded shells piled up in the harbor to form Avalon Island, where Tilghman Packing Co. opened and employed hundreds of locals in the seafood processing industry. The plant shuttered in the ‘70s, later replaced by the clubhouse and yacht club of Tilghman-On-Chesapeake, a high-end residential community. This reflects the changes in the community in the past 50 years, says Pete Lesher, vice president of the Talbot County Council and chief historian of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in nearby St. Michaels. “It symbolizes the transformation of the rest of the island to luxury real estate instead of hardscrabble seafood packing.” After the packing plant closed and oyster harvests declined, waterfront real estate and views of sunsets and sunrises attracted residents rather than jobs. Still, a look over the harbor will reveal people harvesting oysters from skipjacks or pulling crab pots into their boats. Tilghman Island balances its emerging identity as a vacation and retirement destination with its traditional character as a small watermen’s community. “There are generations of people here whose parents and grandparents were watermen,” says Mary Haddaway, a Realtor with Benson & Mangold and a resident for more than 40 years. “Everybody looks out for each other. If I’m out in the yard, people are asking if I need anything and if I’m OK.”
Tilghman Island is a beautiful place to live.
Tilghman Island's community is very welcoming.
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Remote work attracts new homebuyers
Maryland Route 33 runs down the center of Tilghman Island, with clusters of Cape Cods, Colonial Revivals and ranch homes located on either side. There are also a few dozen single-family homes across the bridge from the island, an area called Northern Tilghman. Interest in Tilghman Island real estate increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, when transplants headed there in search of waterfront properties where they could work from home. “The number one question from buyers was ‘How’s the internet?’” Haddaway says. Since then, most homebuyers have been people scooping up second homes. Proximity to water often dictates home prices. A three-bedroom house in the center of the island sells for about $300,000, while a waterfront home with the same number of bedrooms may fetch $1 million. The Federal Emergency Management Agency identifies flood zones along the shores of Tilghman Island, so homebuyers may want to look into flood insurance.
Enjoy a larger home in Tilghman Island.
Many homes in Tilghman Island have large yards.
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Fishing and sailing on the Chesapeake
Waterfront recreation is prominent. Three marinas dot the island, where boat owners can rent slips for their fishing vessels and sailboats. There are other ways for locals to access the water, from the public boat ramp at Dogwood Harbor to the pier at Black Walnut Cove Landing. In addition, many waterside homes have private docks. There are a few small parks on land, including Back Creek Community Park. People and pets use the park’s walking trail, which offers views of a marshy creek. Tilghman Watermen’s Museum preserves the history of the community, thanks in part to the island’s newcomers, Lesher says. “The museum is curated a lot by people who moved there. They want to learn about the place. They’ve embraced the stories and their watermen neighbors.”
Launch your boat at Dogwood Harbor in Tilghman Island.
Watch the fisherman come in after a hard day of work in Tilghman Island.
Keep an eye out for osprey in Tilghman Island.
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Tilghman Elementary graded a B
The only school on the island is Tilghman Elementary, which is operated by Talbot County Public Schools. After fifth grade students can go to St. Michaels Middle High School, where science courses include aquatic and veterinary science. Both Tilghman Elementary and St. Michaels Middle High get Niche grades of B. To attend private schools, students would need to travel 25 miles to Easton, where there are multiple private options.
St. Michaels Middle/High School is a public school in St. Michaels.
Tilghman Elementary School on Tilghman Island gives students a great education.
Easton High School in Easton helps students excel.
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Anchor throwing and oyster shucking at Tilghman Island Day
Every fall Tilghman Island Day commemorates the community’s waterfront identity with various competitions between residents. They include boat docking, anchor throwing and oyster shucking. Attendees can also watch watermen make and mend fishing nets, while checking out locally made artwork and snacking on fresh seafood.
Driving Route 33 to Annapolis, Ocean City
There’s no public transportation on the island, so residents get around by car, bike or foot. Haddaway says traffic is usually light, except when cars back up waiting for the Tilghman Island Drawbridge to lower. Route 33 is the primary roadway in the community, connecting to the town of St. Michaels 15 miles away. The road also leads to U.S. Route 50, a highway that leads to the state capital in Annapolis, 65 miles away, and the beaches of Ocean City, 100 miles away.
Dine at a country store or dapper hotel
Although it’s a small island, the community is fairly self-sufficient, Haddaway says. Groceries are available at Tilghman Island Country Store. Run by a husband-and-wife duo, the red clapboard building also sells freshly baked goodies and daily lunch specials. Residents gas up at Fairbank Tackle, a longtime island hangout. “That’s where you find out everything that’s going on,” Haddaway says. “All the watermen used to gather in the evenings at Fairbank Tackle and swap stories.” The dining scene has transformed in recent years. For example, a chic restaurant and hotel called Wylder opened in 2018, replacing an 87-year-old tavern. Of course, residents can still grab a meal at casual spots such as Two If By Sea, which serves diner food from the griddle. Hardware, boat supplies and vintage clothes can be bought on the island, with a more extensive shopping selection about 12 miles away in St. Michaels. The two churches are St. John's Chapel and Tilghman Methodist Church.
Tickler's is a great place in Tilghman Island to eat a crab cake.
Grab some breakfast at Two If By Sea in Tilghman Island.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Deborah Shiley,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Sinclair Avenue Waterfront park
Tilghman Back Creek Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Tilghman Island
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Tilghman Island Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Tilghman Island, Saint Michaels sell after 80 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Tilghman Island, Saint Michaels over the last 12 months is $342,500, down 32% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Simple Pleasures & Smart Living : Tilghman Island Cottage RetreatCharming Eastern Shore Cottage with Endless PossibilitiesDiscover the perfect blend of simplicity and comfort at 5934 Tilghman Island Road, wherethoughtful upgrades meet cozy cottage charm. This delightful 2-bedroom, 1 and one half bathroom homeoffers a smartly designed living space that maximizes every corner for comfortable
Bay Breezes & Beautiful Views: Your Tilghman Island HavenWaterview Living with Room to Breathe on Maryland's Eastern ShoreStep into the good life at 5379 Anchor Road, where Chesapeake Bay magic meets everydaycomfort. This charming home in Tilghman's friendly beach neighborhood sits just ashort stroll from the community beach where neighbors gather and memories are made.Picture yourself unwinding
Tilghman Island. Clear level building lot with public sewer available. The perfect spot for your new vacation / retirement home. Excellent opportunity to make your island dream come true.
Welcome to this beautiful, spacious 5-bedroom, 3 1/2-bathroom single-family home located in the sought-after Tilghman on Chesapeake community. This property offers the perfect blend of modern comfort and serene island living, featuring an open-concept floor plan with plenty of natural light and elegant finishes. Each bedroom offers ample space and comfort with the Primary Suite offering 2
Water access community. Comes with club house and pool privileges. House can be partially furnished if needed. 3 beds, 2 full baths with an oversized living room, kitchen area, dining area, laundry room, screened in rear porch to enjoy the evening sunsets of Eastern Bay.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Deborah Shiley,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
839
Median Age
61
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
14.7%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
41.2%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$53,437
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$75,521
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
78.3%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
20.6%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
8.3%
% Population in Labor Force
59.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
47''
Average Winter Low Temperature
27°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
31/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
6/ 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.
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.
