Cities and Towns in Talbot County, Maryland

Founded in 1662, Talbot County is one of 23 counties in the state of Maryland. Historically, Talbot County was formed from part of Kent County. The city of Easton is the county seat. With FIPS code of 41, Talbot County has a population of 37,626 and area of 477 square miles (1,235 km²).

List of all cities in Talbot County, MD alphabetically

City/Town Postal Code Area Code
Bozman, MD 21612 410/443/667
Claiborne, MD 21624 410/443/667
Cordova, MD 21625 410/443/667
Easton, MD 21601 410/443/667
McDaniel, MD 21647 410/443/667
Neavitt, MD 21652 410/443/667
Newcomb, MD 21653 410/443/667
Oxford, MD 21654 410/443/667
Royal Oak, MD 21662 410/443/667
Saint Michaels, MD 21624 410/443/667
21647 410/443/667
21663 410/443/667
Sherwood, MD 21665 410/443/667
Tilghman, MD 21671 410/443/667
Trappe, MD 21673 410/443/667
Wittman, MD 21676 410/443/667
Wye Mills, MD 21679 410/443/667

Major Cities and Towns in Talbot County, Maryland

1. Easton

Area, Population, Zip Codes, Latitude and Longitude:

  • Area: 10.67 square miles
  • Population: 17,622 (2020 Census)
  • Zip Codes: 21601, 21606
  • Latitude: 38.7746° N
  • Longitude: 76.0763° W

Location and History

Easton, the county seat of Talbot County, is located in the heart of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, about 40 miles southeast of Annapolis. Founded in 1710, Easton became a central hub for politics, commerce, and culture on the Eastern Shore. Its strategic location near the Chesapeake Bay made it a key market town during the colonial era. Over the centuries, Easton grew into a vibrant small city known for its historic charm and thriving arts scene. The town is home to numerous art galleries, theaters, and boutique shops. Today, Easton is one of the most populous towns on the Eastern Shore, blending its historical roots with modern amenities.

Major Schools and Landmarks

Easton High School serves the town’s educational needs, along with the Talbot County Public Schools district. Major landmarks include the Avalon Theatre, a restored 1920s theater that hosts concerts and performances year-round, and the Academy Art Museum, which offers exhibitions and art education. The town is also known for the annual Waterfowl Festival, a major event celebrating the region’s wildlife, art, and heritage. Easton’s historic downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features beautiful examples of colonial and Victorian architecture. Nearby Tuckahoe State Park offers outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and camping.

2. St. Michaels

Area, Population, Zip Codes, Latitude and Longitude:

  • Area: 1.30 square miles
  • Population: 1,186 (2020 Census)
  • Zip Codes: 21663
  • Latitude: 38.7854° N
  • Longitude: 76.2234° W

Location and History

St. Michaels is a picturesque waterfront town on the Miles River, part of the Chesapeake Bay, located about 10 miles west of Easton. Settled in the mid-1600s, the town was named after St. Michael’s Parish, an Anglican church established in the area. During the War of 1812, St. Michaels famously “fooled the British” by dimming their lights and hanging lanterns in trees, causing the British to overshoot the town during a nighttime bombardment. In the 19th century, St. Michaels became a center for shipbuilding and seafood processing, particularly oysters. Today, it is a popular tourist destination known for its maritime heritage and charming downtown.

Major Schools and Landmarks

St. Michaels Elementary and Middle Schools serve local students, while high schoolers attend Easton High School. The town’s most famous landmark is the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, which chronicles the region’s maritime history and features historic vessels and a working boatyard. St. Michaels’ scenic waterfront, boutique shops, and fine dining establishments attract visitors year-round. The Hooper Strait Lighthouse, now part of the museum, is a key attraction. Each year, the town hosts the St. Michaels Wine Festival and the Christmas in St. Michaels celebration, both of which draw large crowds.

3. Oxford

Area, Population, Zip Codes, Latitude and Longitude:

  • Area: 0.59 square miles
  • Population: 651 (2020 Census)
  • Zip Codes: 21654
  • Latitude: 38.6868° N
  • Longitude: 76.1719° W

Location and History

Oxford is a small, historic waterfront town located on the Tred Avon River, near the Chesapeake Bay, about 8 miles south of Easton. Established in 1683, Oxford was one of Maryland’s oldest ports and a key colonial shipping center. During the 18th century, the town thrived as a center for tobacco trade and shipbuilding. However, after the Revolutionary War, its importance declined as other ports gained prominence. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Oxford experienced a resurgence as a seafood processing center, particularly for oysters. Today, Oxford is a quiet, picturesque town known for its marinas and historic charm.

Major Schools and Landmarks

Oxford students typically attend schools in nearby Easton, including Easton High School. Major landmarks include the Oxford Museum, which preserves the town’s rich history, and the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry, one of the oldest operating ferries in the United States, dating back to 1683. The Robert Morris Inn, built in 1710, is another notable site, offering lodging and dining in a historic setting. The town’s marinas and waterfront parks provide opportunities for sailing, fishing, and kayaking. Oxford’s laid-back atmosphere and well-preserved colonial homes make it a popular retreat for those seeking a peaceful escape on the Eastern Shore.

4. Trappe

Area, Population, Zip Codes, Latitude and Longitude:

  • Area: 2.27 square miles
  • Population: 1,077 (2020 Census)
  • Zip Codes: 21673
  • Latitude: 38.6585° N
  • Longitude: 76.0588° W

Location and History

Trappe is a small rural town located about 9 miles south of Easton, along U.S. Route 50. The town was founded in the 17th century and is best known as the birthplace of John Dickinson, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. The town’s early economy was based on agriculture, and it continues to be surrounded by farmland today. During the colonial period, Trappe was a small but thriving community, and many of its historic buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries remain standing. Today, Trappe maintains its rural character while being a short drive from the amenities of Easton.

Major Schools and Landmarks

Trappe Elementary School serves the town’s younger students, while older students attend Easton High School. Notable landmarks include the Old White Marsh Episcopal Church ruins, which date back to 1690, and the John Dickinson Plantation, now a historic site commemorating the life and legacy of the “Penman of the Revolution.” The town is also home to several historic homes and buildings that reflect its colonial and agricultural past. Trappe’s rural landscape and quiet setting make it an attractive spot for those looking for a slower pace of life, with easy access to the surrounding Chesapeake Bay region.

5. Queen Anne

Area, Population, Zip Codes, Latitude and Longitude:

  • Area: 0.43 square miles (in Talbot County)
  • Population: 222 (2020 Census, Talbot County portion)
  • Zip Codes: 21657
  • Latitude: 38.9218° N
  • Longitude: 75.9493° W

Location and History

Queen Anne is a small town that straddles Talbot and Queen Anne’s counties, located about 20 miles northeast of Easton. The town developed in the late 19th century as a stop along the Queen Anne’s Railroad, which connected the Eastern Shore with Delaware. Named after Queen Anne’s County, the town grew modestly with the railroad industry but remained a quiet rural community as the railroad declined. Today, Queen Anne retains its small-town atmosphere and agricultural roots, with much of the surrounding area dedicated to farming.

Major Schools and Landmarks

Queen Anne students typically attend schools in nearby Easton or Centreville, including Easton High School. The town’s most notable landmark is the Tuckahoe State Park, located just outside of Queen Anne, which offers hiking, camping, fishing, and boating on the Tuckahoe Creek. The Adkins Arboretum, within the park, is a 400-acre native garden and preserve dedicated to the plants and ecosystems of the Eastern Shore. Queen Anne’s quiet, rural charm and proximity to Tuckahoe State Park make it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and those looking to explore the natural beauty of Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

6. Tilghman Island

Area, Population, Zip Codes, Latitude and Longitude:

  • Area: 2.77 square miles
  • Population: 808 (2020 Census)
  • Zip Codes: 21671
  • Latitude: 38.7151° N
  • Longitude: 76.3320° W

Location and History

Tilghman Island is located at the southern tip of Talbot County, about 20 miles southwest of Easton, where the Choptank River meets the Chesapeake Bay. First settled in the mid-1600s, the island developed as a fishing and crabbing community, with watermen harvesting oysters, crabs, and fish from the bay. The island was named after the Tilghman family, who owned the land in the 18th century. Tilghman Island’s isolation helped preserve its traditional way of life, and the community remains deeply connected to the water. Today, the island is a popular destination for tourists seeking a glimpse of Maryland’s maritime heritage.

Major Schools and Landmarks

Students from Tilghman Island attend schools in nearby St. Michaels or Easton, including St. Michaels Elementary School. The island’s major landmarks include the Tilghman Watermen’s Museum, which preserves the history and culture of the island’s watermen, and the Knapps Narrows Drawbridge, one of the busiest drawbridges on the East Coast. Visitors can also explore the scenic Black Walnut Point, a nature preserve at the southern tip of the island. Tilghman Island Day, held annually in October, celebrates the island’s maritime traditions with boat races, seafood feasts, and demonstrations of traditional watermen’s skills.