Deal Island, Maryland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Deal Island, Maryland
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The old bank along MD 363 on Deal Island
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Maryland |
| County |  Somerset |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.37 sq mi (13.91 km2) |
| • Land | 3.03 sq mi (7.85 km2) |
| • Water | 2.34 sq mi (6.05 km2) |
| Elevation | 3 ft (0.9 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 375 |
| • Density | 123.72/sq mi (47.77/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes |
21821, 21870
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| Area code(s) | 410 |
| FIPS code | 24-22100 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0590074 |
Deal Island is a small community in Somerset County, Maryland, in the United States. It is known as a census-designated place (CDP). In 2020, about 375 people lived there. Deal Island is part of the larger Salisbury, Maryland-Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006. It is officially known as the Deal Island Historic District.
Contents
Exploring Deal Island's Location
Deal Island is located at 38°9′16″N 75°56′44″W / 38.15444°N 75.94556°W. This means it is in the northern hemisphere, west of the Prime Meridian.
Land and Water Area
The community covers a total area of about 5.4 square miles (13.9 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 3.2 square miles (8.3 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 2.1 square miles (5.4 square kilometers), is water. This means a large part of Deal Island is surrounded by water.
Nearby Natural Areas
Deal Island is located about 6 miles (9.7 kilometers) to the west-southwest of the Deal Island Wildlife Management Area. This area is important for protecting local wildlife.
Who Lives on Deal Island?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 375 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, there were 375 people living in Deal Island. These people lived in 240 different homes. About 165 of these homes were families.
Community Makeup
Most people living in Deal Island are White (about 90%). A smaller number are African American (about 8%). Very few people are Native American or from other backgrounds. About 1% of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino.
Age Groups
The population of Deal Island includes people of all ages.
- About 21% of residents are under 18 years old.
- About 5.7% are between 18 and 24 years old.
- About 20.6% are between 25 and 44 years old.
- About 33.6% are between 45 and 64 years old.
- About 18.9% are 65 years or older.
The average age in Deal Island is about 65 years.
A Look at Deal Island's Past
Deal Island has had a few different names over time. It was once called Deal's, Deil's, and even Devil's Island. A nearby place, Dames Quarters, was also known as "Quarters of the Damned." Some stories say these names came from pirates who used the area.
Famous Predictions
The island is well-known for a person named Joshua Thomas. He was famous for predicting that the British would lose the War of 1812. Joshua Thomas is buried next to the Joshua Thomas Chapel on the island.
Historic Places to See
Several places on Deal Island are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites.
- The Deal Island Historic District is the main historic area.
- The Sea Gull (skipjack) is a historic boat.
- The St. John's Methodist Episcopal Church and Joshua Thomas Chapel are important religious buildings.
Exciting Events on Deal Island
Deal Island is famous for its annual events, especially those related to its rich maritime history.
The Skipjack Race
Since 1959, Deal Island has hosted an annual Skipjack Race. This race happens every year on Labor Day weekend. Skipjacks are special traditional wooden sailing boats. They have triangular sails and were designed for catching oysters. These boats were very common from the 1880s to the 1960s. Deal Island was once home to many skipjacks. Today, it still has most of the few remaining skipjacks that are used for oystering on the Chesapeake Bay.
Annual Yard Sale
Also during Labor Day weekend, Deal Island holds a big annual yard sale. It starts on Saturday and continues until Monday. People from nearby communities also join in this large sale.
Getting Around Deal Island
The main road on Deal Island is Maryland Route 363. This road is known as Deal Island Road for its entire length. Route 363 goes across the whole island. It also travels east to U.S. Route 13 in Princess Anne.
Public Transportation
In the past, the communities on Deal Island had a bus service called the Somerset Commuter. This service is now known as Shore Transit. Route 4 used to serve Deal Island, starting from Princess Anne. However, this bus route was stopped in 2005.
Notable People from Deal Island
- William Daniel (1826–1897) was a politician from Maryland. He was born in Deal Island.
