Signature · 24.9% SNAP (100th pct in MD)

Somerset County, MD

Somerset County stands out on SNAP (24.9%, +12.8 pts vs U.S.) with 18.3% low-access from USDA FARA 2019.

18.3%
low-access pop.
1
food-desert tracts
24.9%
on SNAP
25K
residents (ACS 2024)
USDA FARA 2019 Census ACS 2024 MD

USDA FARA access plate

County Somerset County, MD

LA-MODERATE · BELOW-NATIONAL · LILA-SINGLE · SNAP-HEAVY · VEH-TYPICAL · DENSITY-MIXED

  • LA-MODERATE 18.3% low-access
  • BELOW-NATIONAL -3.8 pts vs US
  • LILA-SINGLE 1 food-desert tract
  • SNAP-HEAVY 24.9% SNAP
  • VEH-TYPICAL 7.6% no vehicle
  • DENSITY-MIXED 14% tracts LILA

Nearest low-access peer: Montgomery County (+ 1.7 pts)

The food-access picture

According to the USDA Food Access Research Atlas, Somerset County ranks #1,834 of 3,079 U.S. counties by low-access share and #18 of 24 counties in MD (18.3% low-access; 1 food-desert tracts).

#1,834
national by low-access %
#18
in MD
2
low-access tracts
1K
food-desert residents

Low access = living more than 1 mile (urban) or 10 miles (rural) from the nearest supermarket. Food deserts add a low-income condition (USDA LILA).

Signature read: 24.9% SNAP (100th pct in MD) (+12.8 pts vs U.S. SNAP) .

How Somerset County compares nationally

Somerset County lands in the middle of the national distribution: a 18.3% low-access share that beats 41% of the 3,133 U.S. counties with USDA data (rank #1,834).

lower low-accesshigher low-access

Somerset County: USDA Food-Access Tier Breakdown

7 census tracts grouped by USDA classification · 1 LILA.

Food access tier distribution for Somerset County, MD USDA-defined food-access tiers: 5 census tracts adequate (within distance threshold), 1 limited, 1 severe (low-income low-access food desert). Total 7 tracts evaluated. 5 tracts adequate (71.4%) 1 tracts limited (14.3%) 1 tracts severe / food desert (14.3%) Adequate 71% Limited 14% Severe 14% Food-access tier distribution: Somerset County, MD
Source: USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas 2019

By USDA urbanicity classification, Somerset County has 2 urban and 5 rural census tracts. The 1-mile (urban) vs 10-mile (rural) distance threshold above applies per tract, so a county's access rate reflects this mix.

Somerset County low-access neighbourhood

Poles + nearest peers in Maryland, not a full county-board reprint

% low-access
Source USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas As of 2019 edition

Food Access (USDA FARA 2019)

USDA Food Access Research Atlas 2019 indicators for Somerset County
IndicatorValue
Census Tracts7
Atlas Population (2010 basis)26,470
Low-Access Tracts2
Food-Desert Tracts (low-income & low-access)1
Low-Access Population4,838
Low-Access Share18.3%below the national average
Low-Income & Low-Access Population1,449

ACS 2024 · elevated SNAP band

Census ACS 2024 demographic and SNAP data for Somerset County
IndicatorValue
Population24,822
Median Household Income$64,943
Poverty Rate16.4%above the national average
SNAP Households2,076
SNAP Participation Rate24.9%well above the national average
Households Without a Vehicle7.6%near the national average
Group-Quarters Population20.0%

SNAP retailers in Somerset County

Somerset County has 22 stores currently authorized to accept SNAP (EBT) benefits, across 4 store categories. Combination Grocery/Other lead with 9 locations (41% of the total), followed by convenience store.

Combination Grocery/Other · 9

  • dollar general 18012, westover
  • dollar general 437, crisfield
  • dollar general 465, princess anne
  • dollar general 21871, marion station
  • dollar general 23015, eden
  • dollar general 25276, princess anne
  • dollar tree 7852, princess anne
  • family dollar store 2378, crisfield
  • family dollar store 861, princess anne

Convenience Store · 9

  • becky's market, princess anne
  • price cutters, princess anne
  • princess anne goose creek 12, princess anne
  • royal farms 385, princess anne
  • royal farms 97, princess anne
  • shore stop 226, crisfield
  • thirsty, princess anne
  • westover dash in 7108, westover
  • westover goose creek 5, westover

Seafood Specialty · 2

  • baileys seafood & son, princess anne
  • linton's seafood, crisfield

Supermarket · 2

  • food lion 1153, princess anne
  • food lion 2688, crisfield

Source: USDA SNAP Retailer Locator (currently authorized stores, a live third population, not the 2019 Atlas or ACS 2024 snapshot above).

Other Counties in Maryland

One of 23 counties in Maryland, 6 are shown here.

Compare Somerset County vs Allegany County → · All Maryland counties →

Nationwide peers for Somerset County's low-access or SNAP share

SNAP-led peer set first for Somerset County (24.9%), with low-access neighbours deduped against it, both outside Maryland.

Similar low-access share

Nearest low-access rates outside MD (18.3% here).

Similar SNAP participation

Nearest household SNAP rates outside MD (24.9% here).

Source: USDA Food Access Research Atlas (2019) + Census ACS 2024 SNAP. Peers floor at 10,000 residents so stub counties cannot own the match.

Food access nationally, Maryland in context

Somerset County sits inside Maryland (ringed). Each state is colored by population-weighted low-access; click any state to compare.

USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas (2019), population-weighted · Census ACS 2024 context

Read with this county

Sources: USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas (2019) · U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2024 5-Year Estimates · methodology · compiled .

PlainFoodAccess renders this county profile directly from the USDA Food Access Research Atlas (2019) and U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (2024 5-year estimates), no number is typed in by an editor. Figures for Somerset County, MD are computed from the joined Atlas and ACS records for FIPS 24039. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-06-23. Primary sources: USDA Food Access Research Atlas and Census ACS 5-year estimates.

Note: This page presents public USDA and Census data for informational purposes and is not professional advice. Figures reflect the cited dataset vintages and may differ from the most recent local conditions. How this data is sourced & verified.