Although the Eastern Shore comprises more than a third of Maryland's land area, it only has a population of 420,792 (2004 census estimate), about 8% of Maryland's population.

The main economic activities on the Eastern Shore are vegetable and grain truck farming, seafood, large-scale chicken breeding (the Perdue Company began in Salisbury), and services related to tourism. Ocean City is an oft-visited resort destination on the Eastern Shore. It must be noted that most business at Ocean City are owned not by natives but by Baltimoreans, thus rendering the flavor of Ocean City life unlike that of the rest of the Shore. The Ocean City skyline, featuring many tall hotels and condominiums, is also a stark contrast to the rest of Delmarva. Other picturesque tourist destinations include the town of St. Michael's on a neck surrounded by water; colonial Chestertown; and isolated Smith Island.